Renaissance Church Renaissance Church Providence RI

2 Corinthians 5: 1 - 10

Who we are in our bodies is a reflection of who we are in our souls. On the day of judgment, the way we conducted ourselves in our real bodies will give an account for the way we stewarded our spiritual vitality. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Cor 5:10).

Speaker Chris Waugh analyzes three idols in our culture today that are related to the body, and he offers their spiritual antidotes. These idols are: the body as an object of worship, the body as a form of personal identity, and the body as a means of sacrifice. Listen in on these topics related to pornography, body image, health habits, and trauma, and how Jesus has a redemptive say to these important issues.

2 Corinthians 3: 12 - 18

We know that the fullness of Christ is meant to dwell within his believers, and yet we all sin, even after coming back to Christ. Through this struggle between sin and freedom, what is required of us to further pursue the fullness of Christian life? In this message, Council leader Vicky Griffiths clues us in on practical applications for transformation, the ways in which beholding the glory of God and embracing His Spirit will change us from one degree of glory to another.

2 Corinthians 3: 7 - 16

There’s a strange tendency as Christians to not realize what we have in Christ and to not take full advantage of all that is available to us. We settle for less than what God has for us. This malnourished approach to the Christian life has become the norm in this western corner of the world.

Passages like 2 Corinthians 3: 7 - 16 spur believers to refocus on what we truly have with Christ within us! He is true satisfaction. Everything else pales in comparison. But we must chase it, hunger for it, surrender fully to God’s life to embrace the fullness of Christ within us.

What people have had the most theological influence on you? What is the criteria you look for to trust the person’s spiritual expertise? Whether we’re aware of it or not, we tend to be on the lookout for people to emulate, and it’s important to discern the level of truth we hear from different teachers.

The 1st century Corinthian culture was no exception to sifting out false teachers, and in the mess some challenged Paul’s validity. 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 looks at the relationship between Paul and the Corinthian church and how the good fruit from the Corinthians bears witnesses to God’s true transformation and the good gospel message which Paul delivered to them.

2 Corinthians 2:17

What habits do Christ followers fall into that turn them into “peddlers of God’s word,” that cheapen or distort the gospel? How can we better understand and walk in the righteousness that Christ declares over his followers? Chris Waugh walks us through what gets disguised as Christ’s authority and Christ’s authority actually looks like.

Luke 24:13-34

Let’s talk about an Easter story after Easter! What if you already had the sign you were looking for? Council Leader Vicky Griffiths goes through the encounter of Jesus with the people on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection, how Jesus’ explanation of the scriptures and his breaking bread with the travelers both point to Him as the Savior we are looking for.