Renaissance Christian Church

It's one of the more uncomfortable subjects to breach, but financial generosity in the context of the local church is supported by and described throughout the New Testament. Preaching from Acts 4, Pastor Robert Fonseca describes the precedent we have in giving, looks at what it means for each of us as believers, and gives us examples of this practice in Scripture. Notes Giving in the early church...

Jesus gave the church two distinct sacraments to practice: baptism and communion. But what do they signify, and how are they to be practiced in the Christian life? Preaching from Matthew 26 and 28, Pastor Jared Saavedra explains the sacraments of the Christian life and offers some insights into how they help us grow. Notes What is baptism? Baptism is a seal of those who have confessed Christ.&nbsp...

In the Christian life, repentance isn't just a one-time action but something to which all believers should continually return. Preaching from 1 John 1–2, Pastor John Banman invites us to think about the powerful role of confession, forgiveness, and repentance in our spiritual lives. Notes 1. Remain in the light of fellowship with God and one another. 2. When you sin, confess to the Lord. 3. Reciev...

Fasting is a practice we see described several times through the Bible, but what good is it meant to work for the Christian? Pastor Robert Fonseca gives us Jesus' teaching on fasting as recording in Matthew 6 and explains how and why to fast for our spiritual benefit. Notes What is fasting? The discipline of abstaining for a time from all or certain food Why would a Christian fast? To intensify ou...

Serving others is a fundamental part of the Christian life, and we have no better example of serving than Jesus Himself. In this message, Pastor Robert Fonseca preaches from John 13 and explains the meaning of service, the reason we serve, and practical ways we can begin to serve where we are. Notes What does the word serve mean? “The only way you can serve God is by serving other people” —Rick Wa...

"Fellowship" is a term commonly used by Christians but often misunderstood. In truth, the whole Christian life should be shaped and affected by fellowship and the life of the church.  Preaching from Acts 2, Pastor Robert Fonseca reminds us what fellowship is and how God uses Christian fellowship to bring Himself glory. Notes Why is being in fellowship a key part of the Christian Life? It is a...

Sanctification is a biblical word, but what does it mean? In this episode, Pastor John Banman takes us through the Book of Ephesians and preaches on all the blessings we receive in Christ, who sets believers apart. John identifies who we are in Christ and gives us ways to remind ourselves of this identity.  --- Sermon from 31 January, 2021. To learn more about Renaissance Christian Church and...

Many of us have heard the phrase, "Prayer changes things." What exactly is prayer, and what is it supposed to do? In this message, Jared Saavedra preaches from Luke 18 on the nature and application of prayer in every Christian life and why we should approach the practice with persistence and humility. Notes “Prayer is the very life-breath of true Christianity.” --J. C. Ryle The Christian life shou...

How should Christians approach the opening songs of a worship service? Are they a "warm up" to other elements of church, or should we be thinking about this time differently? Preaching from Psalm 150, Pastor Robert Fonseca shows how Christians ought to approach worship through singing. It's the latest message in our series,  The Christian Life . Notes What is worship? Singing to God Singing a...

Where can Christians get their inspiration, direction, and encouragement to live out their spiritual lives? Pastor Robert Fonseca says that we can find everything we need to know about God and ourselves in the Scriptures. From Psalm 19:7-11, he guides us through the importance of Bible study in every Christian's life.  Notes Why should we read God’s word? To learn about God To learn about our...

What exactly is the Christian life, and why would we want to live it? Beginning a brand-new series of messages, Pastor Robert Fonseca answers these fundamental questions with a message in Luke 14. He preaches on the high cost of anyone who wants to be a disciple of Christ but also notes its great rewards. Notes A.  Why would we want to be a Christian? 1. We were created with and for a purpose...

While we might think of the Christmas star as a great sign to behold, the shepherds to whom the angel appeared at the very first Christmas were given an incredible sign: the infant Jesus Himself. In this message, Jared Saavedra teaches from Luke 2 on what the shepherds saw when they looked upon the newborn King. Notes Why did God choose to tell shepherds? Psalm 78:70-71 Isaiah 40:11 1. This Child...

In this episode, Pastor John Banman preaches from Luke 1, giving a message titled, "Hungry for Joy." This is the latest message in our series,  The Joy of Christmas . --- Sermon from 13 December, 2020. To learn more about Renaissance Christian Church and our service times, visit https://ren.church/ . Support the show (https://ren.church/give)

In this episode, Pastor Robert Fonseca teaches from Luke 1 on the experiences of Zacharias and Elizabeth sharing in the joy of the larger Christmas story. It's the first message in the series,  The Joy of Christmas . Notes Psalm 127:5  Proverbs 23:24-25 John was called to share the joy  John was given the power to share the joy  John was given a message of joy We have been call...

Sometimes we don't realize what we're thankful for until it's gone. And in this message, Pastor Robert Fonseca teaches on three things all believers can be thankful for. From Psalm 130, we'll learn the reasons we have to be thankful and what our response should be! Notes 3 Things to Be Thankful For: 1. God Forgives Us 2. God Is Merciful Toward Us 3. God Redeems Us . . . a. To Be His Children b. Fr...

As we approach Thanksgiving in one of the most difficult years in recent memory, how should we remember the Lord's provision in our lives? From 2 Corinthians 9, Jared Saavedra teaches on our spiritual blessings, the grounds for our generosity to others, and the great gift we are given through Christ. Notes 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 1. We Enjoy General Blessings from God 2 Corinthians 9:9 Ecclesiastes 2...

We live in contentious and polarized times, and each and every Christian must mind that they are not giving themselves over to frustration at the authorities that God has set in place. When the King returns, will He find us raging among the nations? In this message, titled "The Return of the King," Pastor John Banman teaches from Psalm 2 on the sovereignty of God's anointed one. “Now come the days...

Completing our study in the Book of Isaiah, Pastor Robert Fonseca looks at Isaiah 66 and considers what we actually have to offer God. We'll also learn how God deals with those who reject Him and those who accept His offer of salvation. Notes What you can give to God: 1. Humility “To be poor in spirit is to recognize one’s spiritual poverty apart from God… to see oneself as one really is; lost, ho...

Robert Fonseca teaches on God's presence in the lives of His people from Isaiah 65. Notes What is the Lord saying to His people? A. I am near even when you don’t deserve it B. I am near even when you refused Me C. I am always near to my people D. I will be near to my people for all eternity --- Sermon from 1 November, 2020. To learn more about Renaissance Christian Church and our service times, vi...

Robert Fonseca offers comfort to those who mourn from numerous Scripture passages. Notes  God looks after His people in death (Psalm 116:15) God provides protection in death  (Proverbs 14:32) God assures us a blessed reunion with those who have died in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) God provides for the family left behind (James 1:27) Psalm 68:5 Psalm 145:9 --- Sermon from 25 October...

Isaiah 64 Every one of us feels the need to pray more—and more earnestly. The prophet Isaiah gives us a perfect example of this in his prayer to the Lord. From Isaiah 64, Pastor Robert Fonseca gives us an example of heartfelt prayer and shows us what it means to ask God for divine intervention. Notes God saves those who follow Him Israel has not lived up to this standard, so how can they be saved?...

Isaiah 63 As a self-sufficient hero and deliverer, God's demeanor toward His people Israel was—in many ways—fatherly. Teaching from Isaiah 63, Jared Saavedra explores the fatherly nature of God in the Old Testament and looks at what it means to have a personal relationship with God the Father today. God Acts Like a Father: 1. In Creation 2. In Protection 3. In Showing Compassion   God’s Promi...

Revelation 3 In the kind of difficult year this has been, how can we be encouraged in the faith—to endure and overcome? Pastor Robert Fonseca teaches, from Revelation 3, how to have a faith that endures in spite of difficulty. Notes I. God is the foundation of the church’s faith Isaiah 54:5 Isaiah 41:13 Numbers 23:19 Isaiah 55:11 Isaiah 40:8 Isaiah 22:22 II. God is involved in the faith of the chu...

Pastor Robert Fonseca explores the prophecy of Isaiah 62, teaching on God's deliverance of His people. We'll learn what God's deliverance means to us and how we should respond. Notes A. Isaiah’s encouragement for a discouraged people 1. God will deliver His people 2. God will reward His people 3. God will accomplish what He has promised 4. Act upon the Lord’s promises B. Isaiah’s encouragement for...

Isaiah 61  Despite generations of disobedience, God promised forgiveness and restoration for His people through the prophet Isaiah. And more than that, He pledged not only freedom from captivity, but restoration! Teaching from Isaiah 61, Pastor Robert Fonseca describes the redemption, restoration, and ultimately the rejoicing experienced by all who trust in Christ as their Savior. Notes 1. Th...