Renew EPC: Sermons

"What Does It Mean to be Converted?" - Acts 2:37-41 - Nathan Edwards

What happens when we believe in Christ for salvation? Seven realities that mark conversion to Christ: 1. You have been convicted of sin 2. You have repented of your rebellion 3. You have committed to Christ 4. You have forgiveness of your sins 5. You have the Holy Spirit 6. You have been called by God 7. You are saved from judgment Questions for Personal Reflection: 1. What was something encouraging you received from the sermon? 2. Calvin said, “Whereas there was a great multitude converted unto Christ with one sermon, a hundred sermons can scarce move a few of us.” Why do you think there was such a great response to Peter’s sermon? How can we prepare ourselves to be better recipients of the Word? 3. Read Luke 18:9-14. Consider: a. Why was only one of these men cut to the heart? b. How is the Pharisee a demonstration of avoiding Jesus by avoiding sin? c. Why does the “good person” still need to repent to be justified? 4. From Acts 2:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzz0v-DjgsI&t=157s]-41, how would you define the faith that makes one a convert? 5. Imagine a conversation with someone who believes they are too sinful to be forgiven. What might you say to persuade them that Jesus can and will forgive all of their sins? 6. Read John 6:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzz0v-DjgsI&t=397s] – How does our converting to Christ reveal we are called by God? How does this knowledge give you assurance of faith?

"Know For Certain" - Acts 2:23-36 - Nathan Edwards

In our world, is there anything we can be certain about? What about faith? Can we know for certain Jesus is Lord?  Three convincing evidences that Jesus is Lord: 1. The evidence of historical verification (vv. 2:22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXuCwyEyyhI&t=142s]-24, 32) 2. The evidence of prophetic fulfillment (vv. 23-31) 3. The evidence of the Holy Spirit (vv. 33-36) Questions for Personal Reflection: 1. Where are you encountering uncertainty from the world? How is it affecting you? 2. Indiana Jones had to take a “leap of faith” (stepping where he could not see a place for his foot). Is this the kind of faith believing the gospel requires? Why or why not. 3. Which of the three evidences – historical verification, Scriptural fulfillment, and the Holy Spirit – did you find most compelling? 4. If a friend were to share they have serious doubts about the historical reliability of the gospels, what would you suggest to address those doubts? 5. Pastor Nathan said: “The reason many lack certainty that Jesus is Lord is that we don’t want certainty.” How can it be personally beneficial to have uncertainty about Jesus’ lordship? Has there been a time where you have used doubt/uncertainty about Jesus or his teaching to make following Him easier for you? 6. What evidence do you see for the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world today? 7. If willing, share how the Holy Spirit has changed/is changing you.

""The Promise Fulfilled" - Acts 2:12-21 - Nathan Edwards

The giving of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God's promise to make us unconditionally His. Sermon Outline: 3 Truths the Holy Spirit declares to us.  1. The Holy Spirit declares God's faithfulness 2. The Holy Spirit declares God's generosity 3. The Holy Spirit declares God's mercy

"Sunrise in the Kingdom" - Acts 2:1-11 - Nathan Edwards

Is this darkness in this world overwhelming you? Look to the sunrise of Pentecost. Outline: Pentecost makes four announcements that it is sunrise for Christ’s Kingdom 1. A new beginning (2:1-2) 2. A close to the chasm (2:3) 3. A flood of redemptive power (2:4) 4. A gathering of those far and away (2:5-11) Questions for Personal Reflection: 1. How do seeing “Scripture Wormholes” (bridges between Old and New Testaments) help your trust and appreciation of Scripture? 2. Imagine a conversation with someone overwhelmed with sin or despair from our broken world. What would you share about the gift of the Holy Spirit to offer hope to that person? 3. Read John 7:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL3KGwa74Uw&t=459s]. How can knowing, by the fact of Pentecost, that Jesus is currently glorified and enthroned help you face the darkness in the world today? 4. “The gospel is the only thing that kills the power of the past.” How have you seen this proven true in your own life? 5. Read Hebrews 10:22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL3KGwa74Uw&t=622s]. What are some reasons we still struggle drawing near to God? How can we use the truth that the Holy Spirit has been given to us battle our fear of coming to God? 6. Read Romans 12:6-8. How does knowing that you have been specially gifted by the Holy Spirit for ministry encourage you? How does it challenge you? What might be the next step for your use of your gifts for ministry?

"Preparing For Pentecost" - Acts 1:12-26 - Rev. Justin Garrett

Do you wait passively and act without preparation? Acts 1:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZywl4YODjo&t=72s]-26 shows a better way. Outline: Preparing for the Spirit’s Power 1. United in prayer 2. Committed to Scripture 3. Grounded in the Resurrection 4. Supported by leaders Personal Reflection Questions: 1. Imagine you’re one of the 120. Almost all (notable exception: Jesus’s brothers) of you had been following Jesus before he died. You saw him die and you feel despair as the whole movement seems to be crumbling. But then he resurrects! And you spend weeks around him, but then you watch him ascend, which has to be confusing. What are you thinking or feeling as you walk back to Jerusalem in verse 12? 2. What would it look like for Renew to be “continually united in prayer” (v. 14...or as the ESV puts it, “with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer”)? Have you experienced seasons of this here or in a previous church or ministry? 3. Peter, apparently, has been scouring the Old Testament (the only “Scriptures” he would have at this point) since Jesus has been gone. And he finds life and direction in them! One thinks of Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Have you or are you experiencing God’s word in this way? If not (and that’s honestly true of me, the preacher, currently), what is hindering you? Basic understanding of how the Bible fits together? Motivation? Discipline or accountability? Good resources? 4. We are just one Sunday past “Resurrection Sunday.” In the last week, have you had any new insights into the importance of Jesus’ Resurrection or its impact on your daily life? 5. In what personal ways is God calling you to be “waiting” right now, and what are some activities and preparations that would be wise to be doing in the meantime?