Sermons https://www.mrcy.life no en-us ℗ & © 2024 Mercy Fellowship: Marysville, WA Sermons from Mercy Fellowship: Marysville, WA Mercy Fellowship: Marysville, WA Sermon Podcast for Mercy Fellowship, an Acts 29 Church in Marysville, WA Sermon Podcast for Mercy Fellowship, an Acts 29 Church in Marysville, WA Christopher Rich chris@mrcy.life The Story of Everything | Chapter 8 - The Story of His Arrival | Matthew 1-4 - Luke 4 The Story of Everything | Chapter 8 - The Story of His Arrival | Matthew 1-4 - Luke 4 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-03-24/the-story-of-everything-chapter-8-the-story-of-his-arrival-matthew-1-4-luke-4 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-03-24/914/the-story-of-everything-chapter-8-the-story-of-his-arrival-matthew-1-4-luke-4 Sun, 24 Mar 2024 11:30:00 -0700 The Story of Everything | Chapter 7 - The Story of His Promise Renewed | 2 Kings - Isaiah - Jeremiah - Ezekiel The Story of Everything | Chapter 7 - The Story of His Promise Renewed | 2 Kings - Isaiah - Jeremiah - Ezekiel https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-03-17/the-story-of-everything-chapter-7-the-story-of-his-promise-renewed-2-kings-isaiah-jeremiah-ezekiel https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-03-17/913/the-story-of-everything-chapter-7-the-story-of-his-promise-renewed-2-kings-isaiah-jeremiah-ezekiel Sun, 17 Mar 2024 11:30:00 -0700 The Story of Everything | Chapter 6 - The Story of Our Kingdoms | 1 Samuel 8 - 2 Samuel 7 The Story of Everything | Chapter 6 - The Story of Our Kingdoms | 1 Samuel 8 - 2 Samuel 7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-03-10/the-story-of-everything-chapter-6-the-story-of-our-kingdoms-1-samuel-8-2-samuel-7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-03-10/912/the-story-of-everything-chapter-6-the-story-of-our-kingdoms-1-samuel-8-2-samuel-7 Sun, 10 Mar 2024 11:30:00 -0800 The Story of Everything | Chapter 5 - The Story of His Nation | Exodus The Story of Everything | Chapter 5 - The Story of His Nation | Exodus https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-03-03/the-story-of-everything-chapter-5-the-story-of-his-nation-exodus https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-03-03/911/the-story-of-everything-chapter-5-the-story-of-his-nation-exodus Sun, 3 Mar 2024 11:30:00 -0800 The Story of Everything | Chapter 4 - The Story of His Family | Genesis 12-50 The Story of Everything | Chapter 4 - The Story of His Family | Genesis 12-50 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-02-25/the-story-of-everything-chapter-4-the-story-of-his-family-genesis-12-50 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-02-25/910/the-story-of-everything-chapter-4-the-story-of-his-family-genesis-12-50 Sun, 25 Feb 2024 11:30:00 -0800 The Story of Everything | Chapter 3 - The Story of Our Fall | Genesis 3 The Story of Everything | Chapter 3 - The Story of Our Fall | Genesis 3 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-02-18/the-story-of-everything-chapter-3-the-story-of-our-fall-genesis-3 Christopher Rich – February 18, 2024 www.mrcy.life The Story of Everything Chapter 3 - The Story of Our Fall | Genesis 3 Christopher Rich – February 18, 2024 www.mrcy.life The Story of Everything Chapter 3 - The Story of Our Fall | Genesis 3 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-02-18/909/the-story-of-everything-chapter-3-the-story-of-our-fall-genesis-3 Sun, 18 Feb 2024 11:30:00 -0800 The Story of Everything | Chapter 2 - The Story of His Creation | Genesis 1-2 The Story of Everything | Chapter 2 - The Story of His Creation | Genesis 1-2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-02-11/the-story-of-everything-chapter-2-the-story-of-his-creation-genesis-1-2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-02-11/908/the-story-of-everything-chapter-2-the-story-of-his-creation-genesis-1-2 Sun, 11 Feb 2024 11:30:00 -0800 The Story of Everything | Chapter 1 - The Story all about Jesus | Luke 24:13-35 The Story of Everything | Chapter 1 - The Story all about Jesus | Luke 24:13-35 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-02-04/the-story-of-everything-chapter-1-the-story-all-about-jesus-luke-2413-35 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-02-04/907/the-story-of-everything-chapter-1-the-story-all-about-jesus-luke-2413-35 Sun, 4 Feb 2024 11:30:00 -0800 RUTH | From Barren to Blessed | Hope in Redemption | Ruth 4 RUTH | From Barren to Blessed | Hope in Redemption | Ruth 4 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-01-28/ruth-from-barren-to-blessed-hope-in-redemption-ruth-4 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-01-28/906/ruth-from-barren-to-blessed-hope-in-redemption-ruth-4 Sun, 28 Jan 2024 11:30:00 -0800 RUTH | From Barren to Blessed | Hope in Petition | Ruth 3 RUTH | From Barren to Blessed | Hope in Petition | Ruth 3 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-01-21/ruth-from-barren-to-blessed-hope-in-petition-ruth-3 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-01-21/905/ruth-from-barren-to-blessed-hope-in-petition-ruth-3 Sun, 21 Jan 2024 11:30:00 -0800 RUTH | From Barren to Blessed | Hope in Searching | Ruth 2 RUTH | From Barren to Blessed | Hope in Searching | Ruth 2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-01-14/ruth-from-barren-to-blessed-hope-in-searching-ruth-2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2024-01-14/903/ruth-from-barren-to-blessed-hope-in-searching-ruth-2 Sun, 14 Jan 2024 11:30:00 -0800 Good News of Great Joy | The Benedictus, Zechariah's Song | Curtis Hall Good News of Great Joy | The Benedictus, Zechariah's Song | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-12-17/good-news-of-great-joy-the-benedictus-zechariahs-song-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-12-17/902/good-news-of-great-joy-the-benedictus-zechariahs-song-curtis-hall Sun, 17 Dec 2023 11:30:00 -0800 Good News of Great Joy | The Magnificent, Mary's Song | Curtis Hall Good News of Great Joy | The Magnificent, Mary's Song | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-12-10/good-news-of-great-joy-the-magnificent-marys-song-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-12-10/901/good-news-of-great-joy-the-magnificent-marys-song-curtis-hall Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:30:00 -0800 THRIVE | THRIVE with Wholeness | 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | THRIVE with Wholeness | 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-11-26/thrive-thrive-with-wholeness-1-thessalonians-523-28-christopher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-11-26/900/thrive-thrive-with-wholeness-1-thessalonians-523-28-christopher-rich Sun, 26 Nov 2023 11:30:00 -0800 THRIVE | THRIVING Church | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | THRIVING Church | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-11-19/thrive-thriving-church-1-thessalonians-512-22-christopher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-11-19/899/thrive-thriving-church-1-thessalonians-512-22-christopher-rich Sun, 19 Nov 2023 11:30:00 -0800 THRIVE | FAITHFUL in Fear | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 | Christipher Rich THRIVE | FAITHFUL in Fear | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 | Christipher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-11-12/thrive-faithful-in-fear-1-thessalonians-51-11-christipher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-11-12/898/thrive-faithful-in-fear-1-thessalonians-51-11-christipher-rich Sun, 12 Nov 2023 11:30:00 -0800 THRIVE | THRIVING in Death | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | THRIVING in Death | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-11-05/thrive-thriving-in-death-1-thessalonians-413-18-christopher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-11-05/897/thrive-thriving-in-death-1-thessalonians-413-18-christopher-rich Sun, 5 Nov 2023 11:30:00 -0700 THRIVE | THRIVING as Family | 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | THRIVING as Family | 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-10-29/thrive-thriving-as-family-1-thessalonians-49-12-christopher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-10-29/896/thrive-thriving-as-family-1-thessalonians-49-12-christopher-rich Sun, 29 Oct 2023 11:30:00 -0700 THRIVE | FAITHFUL Sexuality | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | FAITHFUL Sexuality | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-10-15/thrive-faithful-sexuality-1-thessalonians-41-8-christopher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-10-15/895/thrive-faithful-sexuality-1-thessalonians-41-8-christopher-rich Sun, 15 Oct 2023 11:30:00 -0700 THRIVE | THRIVING Preaching | 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | THRIVING Preaching | 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-10-08/thrive-thriving-preaching-1-thessalonians-213-16-christopher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-10-08/894/thrive-thriving-preaching-1-thessalonians-213-16-christopher-rich Sun, 8 Oct 2023 11:30:00 -0700 Jesus Calms the Storm | Matthew 8:23-27 | Sean Gasperetti Jesus Calms the Storm | Matthew 8:23-27 | Sean Gasperetti https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-10-01/jesus-calms-the-storm-matthew-823-27-sean-gasperetti Sunday Sermon | Jesus Calms the Storm | Matthew 8:23-27 | Sean Gasperetti | October 1, 2023 Sunday Sermon | Jesus Calms the Storm | Matthew 8:23-27 | Sean Gasperetti | October 1, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-10-01/893/jesus-calms-the-storm-matthew-823-27-sean-gasperetti Sun, 1 Oct 2023 11:30:00 -0700 THRIVE | FAITHFUL Leadership | 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | FAITHFUL Leadership | 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-09-24/thrive-faithful-leadership-1-thessalonians-12-10-christopher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-09-24/891/thrive-faithful-leadership-1-thessalonians-12-10-christopher-rich Sun, 24 Sep 2023 11:30:00 -0700 THRIVE | FAITHFUL Following | 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | FAITHFUL Following | 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-09-17/thrive-faithful-following-1-thessalonians-12-10-christopher-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-09-17/890/thrive-faithful-following-1-thessalonians-12-10-christopher-rich Sun, 17 Sep 2023 11:30:00 -0700 THRIVE | Thrive in Planting | 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8, Acts 17:1-9 | Christopher Rich THRIVE | Thrive in Planting | 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8, Acts 17:1-9 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-09-10/thrive-thrive-in-planting-1-thessalonians-11-8-acts-171-9-christopher-rich Sunday Sermon | THRIVE | Thrive in Planting | 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8, Acts 17:1-9 | Chris Rich | 9/10/2023 Sunday Sermon | THRIVE | Thrive in Planting | 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8, Acts 17:1-9 | Chris Rich | 9/10/2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-09-10/889/thrive-thrive-in-planting-1-thessalonians-11-8-acts-171-9-christopher-rich Sun, 10 Sep 2023 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | Declaring Dependance on the King | Psalm 2 PSALMS | Declaring Dependance on the King | Psalm 2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-09-03/psalms-declaring-dependance-on-the-king-psalm-2 PSALMS | Declaring Dependance on the King | Psalm 2 PSALMS | Declaring Dependance on the King | Psalm 2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-09-03/888/psalms-declaring-dependance-on-the-king-psalm-2 Sun, 3 Sep 2023 11:30:00 -0700 The Sufferers Song | Psalm 22 | Curtis Hall The Sufferers Song | Psalm 22 | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-08-27/the-sufferers-song-psalm-22-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-08-27/887/the-sufferers-song-psalm-22-curtis-hall Sun, 27 Aug 2023 11:30:00 -0700 How Long, O Lord? | Psalm 13:1-6 | Jason Williams How Long, O Lord? | Psalm 13:1-6 | Jason Williams https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-08-20/how-long-o-lord-psalm-131-6-jason-williams https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-08-20/886/how-long-o-lord-psalm-131-6-jason-williams Sun, 20 Aug 2023 11:30:00 -0700 Abandoning Self Reliance and Embracing Christ | Josh Pasma Abandoning Self Reliance and Embracing Christ | Josh Pasma https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-08-13/abandoning-self-reliance-and-embracing-christ-josh-pasma Sunday Sermon | Abandoning Self Reliance and Embracing Christ | Galatians 4:21-31 | Josh Pasta | Aug 6, 2023 Sunday Sermon | Abandoning Self Reliance and Embracing Christ | Galatians 4:21-31 | Josh Pasta | Aug 6, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-08-13/885/abandoning-self-reliance-and-embracing-christ-josh-pasma Sun, 13 Aug 2023 11:30:00 -0700 Psalms | Soundtrack for our Souls | Psalms 24 | Carl DeyArmin | Aug 6, 2023 Psalms | Soundtrack for our Souls | Psalms 24 | Carl DeyArmin | Aug 6, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-08-06/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-psalms-24-carl-deyarmin-aug-6-2023 Sunday Sermon | Psalms | Soundtrack for our Souls | Psalms 24 | Carl DeyArmin | Aug 6, 2023 Sunday Sermon | Psalms | Soundtrack for our Souls | Psalms 24 | Carl DeyArmin | Aug 6, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-08-06/884/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-psalms-24-carl-deyarmin-aug-6-2023 Sun, 6 Aug 2023 11:30:00 -0700 Bless The Lord O My Soul! | Psalm 103 | Curtis Hall Bless The Lord O My Soul! | Psalm 103 | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-07-30/bless-the-lord-o-my-soul-psalm-103-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-07-30/883/bless-the-lord-o-my-soul-psalm-103-curtis-hall Sun, 30 Jul 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE in Today | Week 12 | 1 John 5:13-21 ABIDE in Today | Week 12 | 1 John 5:13-21 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-07-23/abide-in-today-week-12-1-john-513-21 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-07-23/882/abide-in-today-week-12-1-john-513-21 Sun, 23 Jul 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE in Eternity | Week 11 | 1 John 4:17-5:5 ABIDE in Eternity | Week 11 | 1 John 4:17-5:5 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-07-09/abide-in-eternity-week-11-1-john-417-55 Sunday Sermon | ABIDE in Eternity | Week 11 | 1 John 4:17-5:5 | Curtis Hall | July 9, 2023 Sunday Sermon | ABIDE in Eternity | Week 11 | 1 John 4:17-5:5 | Curtis Hall | July 9, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-07-09/881/abide-in-eternity-week-11-1-john-417-55 Sun, 9 Jul 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE in Witnesses | Week 11 | 1 John 5:6-12 ABIDE in Witnesses | Week 11 | 1 John 5:6-12 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-07-02/abide-in-witnesses-week-11-1-john-56-12 Sunday Sermon | ABIDE in Witnesses | Week 11 | 1 John 5:6-12 | Chris Rich | July 2, 2023 Sunday Sermon | ABIDE in Witnesses | Week 11 | 1 John 5:6-12 | Chris Rich | July 2, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-07-02/880/abide-in-witnesses-week-11-1-john-56-12 Sun, 2 Jul 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk9 | Abide in Love | 1 John | Curtis Hall ABIDE | Wk9 | Abide in Love | 1 John | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-06-25/abide-wk9-abide-in-love-1-john-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-06-25/879/abide-wk9-abide-in-love-1-john-curtis-hall Sun, 25 Jun 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk8 | ABIDE in Testing | 1 John 3:19-4:6 ABIDE | Wk8 | ABIDE in Testing | 1 John 3:19-4:6 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-06-18/abide-wk8-abide-in-testing-1-john-319-46 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-06-18/878/abide-wk8-abide-in-testing-1-john-319-46 Sun, 18 Jun 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk 7 | ABIDE in Brotherhood | 1 John 3:11-24 ABIDE | Wk 7 | ABIDE in Brotherhood | 1 John 3:11-24 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-06-11/abide-wk-7-abide-in-brotherhood-1-john-311-24 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-06-11/877/abide-wk-7-abide-in-brotherhood-1-john-311-24 Sun, 11 Jun 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk 6 | ABIDE in Our Father | 1 John 3:1-10 ABIDE | Wk 6 | ABIDE in Our Father | 1 John 3:1-10 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-06-04/abide-wk-6-abide-in-our-father-1-john-31-10 ABIDE - Our Father | Week 6 | 1 John 3:1-10 | Chris Rich | June 4, 2023 ABIDE - Our Father | Week 6 | 1 John 3:1-10 | Chris Rich | June 4, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-06-04/876/abide-wk-6-abide-in-our-father-1-john-31-10 Sun, 4 Jun 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk 5 | ABIDE In The Truth | 1 John 2:18-29 ABIDE | Wk 5 | ABIDE In The Truth | 1 John 2:18-29 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-05-28/abide-wk-5-abide-in-the-truth-1-john-218-29 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-05-28/875/abide-wk-5-abide-in-the-truth-1-john-218-29 Sun, 28 May 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk 4 | ABIDE in Maturity | 1 John 2:12-17 ABIDE | Wk 4 | ABIDE in Maturity | 1 John 2:12-17 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-05-21/abide-wk-4-abide-in-maturity-1-john-212-17 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-05-21/874/abide-wk-4-abide-in-maturity-1-john-212-17 Sun, 21 May 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk 3 | ABIDE in Obedience | 1 John 2:3-11 ABIDE | Wk 3 | ABIDE in Obedience | 1 John 2:3-11 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-05-14/abide-wk-3-abide-in-obedience-1-john-23-11 Sunday Sermon | ABIDE | Week 3 | 1 John 2:3-11 | Chris Rich | May 14, 2023 Sunday Sermon | ABIDE | Week 3 | 1 John 2:3-11 | Chris Rich | May 14, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-05-14/873/abide-wk-3-abide-in-obedience-1-john-23-11 Sun, 14 May 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk 2 | ABIDE in the Light | 1 John 1:5 - 2:2 ABIDE | Wk 2 | ABIDE in the Light | 1 John 1:5 - 2:2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-05-07/abide-wk-2-abide-in-the-light-1-john-15-22 ABIDE | Week 2 | ABIDE in the Light | 1 John 1:5 - 2:2 ABIDE | Week 2 | ABIDE in the Light | 1 John 1:5 - 2:2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-05-07/872/abide-wk-2-abide-in-the-light-1-john-15-22 Sun, 7 May 2023 11:30:00 -0700 What Happens When You Trust God | Matthew 2:19-29 | Henty Van Der Merwe What Happens When You Trust God | Matthew 2:19-29 | Henty Van Der Merwe https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-30/what-happens-when-you-trust-god-matthew-219-29-henty-van-der-merwe https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-30/871/what-happens-when-you-trust-god-matthew-219-29-henty-van-der-merwe Sun, 30 Apr 2023 11:30:00 -0700 ABIDE | Wk 1 | Abide in the Gospel | 1 John 1:1-1:4 ABIDE | Wk 1 | Abide in the Gospel | 1 John 1:1-1:4 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-23/abide-wk-1-abide-in-the-gospel-1-john-11-14 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-23/870/abide-wk-1-abide-in-the-gospel-1-john-11-14 Sun, 23 Apr 2023 11:30:00 -0700 All Things New | Curtis Hall All Things New | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-16/all-things-new-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-16/869/all-things-new-curtis-hall Sun, 16 Apr 2023 11:30:00 -0700 Easter Service | Risen - Jesus is Alive | Chris Rich Easter Service | Risen - Jesus is Alive | Chris Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-09/easter-service-risen-jesus-is-alive-chris-rich Easter Service | Risen - Jesus is Alive | Chris Rich Easter Service | Risen - Jesus is Alive | Chris Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-09/868/easter-service-risen-jesus-is-alive-chris-rich Sun, 9 Apr 2023 11:30:00 -0700 Sunday Sermon | Arrival | Palm Sunday Sunday Sermon | Arrival | Palm Sunday https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-02/sunday-sermon-arrival-palm-sunday Sunday Sermon | Arrival | Palm Sunday Sunday Sermon | Arrival | Palm Sunday https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-04-02/867/sunday-sermon-arrival-palm-sunday Sun, 2 Apr 2023 11:30:00 -0700 PREEMINENCE | His Story – Our Practice WEEK IX | Go Part II – Matthew 28:16-20 PREEMINENCE | His Story – Our Practice WEEK IX | Go Part II – Matthew 28:16-20 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-03-26/preeminence-his-story-our-practice-week-ix-go-part-ii-matthew-2816-20 Christopher Rich – March 26, 2023 www.mrcy.life PREEMINENCE | His Story – Our Practice WEEK IX | Go Part II – Matthew 28:16-20 Christopher Rich – March 26, 2023 www.mrcy.life PREEMINENCE | His Story – Our Practice WEEK IX | Go Part II – Matthew 28:16-20 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-03-26/866/preeminence-his-story-our-practice-week-ix-go-part-ii-matthew-2816-20 Sun, 26 Mar 2023 11:30:00 -0700 PREEMENICE | His Story – Our Practice WEEK VIII | Go On Mission Part I – Psalm 96 PREEMENICE | His Story – Our Practice WEEK VIII | Go On Mission Part I – Psalm 96 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-03-19/preemenice-his-story-our-practice-week-viii-go-on-mission-part-i-psalm-96 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-03-19/865/preemenice-his-story-our-practice-week-viii-go-on-mission-part-i-psalm-96 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 11:30:00 -0700 Sunday Sermon | Revival's Call | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 | Dr. Paul Dean | March 12, 2023 Sunday Sermon | Revival's Call | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 | Dr. Paul Dean | March 12, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-03-12/sunday-sermon-revivals-call-1-thessalonians-512-24-dr-paul-dean-march-12-2023 Sunday Sermon | Revival's Call | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 | Dr. Paul Dean | March 12, 2023 Sunday Sermon | Revival's Call | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 | Dr. Paul Dean | March 12, 2023 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-03-12/864/sunday-sermon-revivals-call-1-thessalonians-512-24-dr-paul-dean-march-12-2023 Sun, 12 Mar 2023 11:30:00 -0800 PREEMENICE | Grow | Ephesians 4:11-16 | Curtis Hall PREEMENICE | Grow | Ephesians 4:11-16 | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-03-05/preemenice-grow-ephesians-411-16-curtis-hall PREEMENICE | Grow | Ephesians 4:11-16 | Curtis Hall PREEMENICE | Grow | Ephesians 4:11-16 | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-03-05/863/preemenice-grow-ephesians-411-16-curtis-hall Sun, 5 Mar 2023 11:30:00 -0800 PREEMENICE His Story – Our Practice WEEK VI | Grow Part I – John 15:1-17 PREEMENICE His Story – Our Practice WEEK VI | Grow Part I – John 15:1-17 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-02-26/preemenice-his-story-our-practice-week-vi-grow-part-i-john-151-17 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-02-26/862/preemenice-his-story-our-practice-week-vi-grow-part-i-john-151-17 Sun, 26 Feb 2023 11:30:00 -0800 PREEMENICE His Story – Our Practice WEEK V | Give Part II – Malachi 3:6-12 PREEMENICE His Story – Our Practice WEEK V | Give Part II – Malachi 3:6-12 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-02-19/preemenice-his-story-our-practice-week-v-give-part-ii-malachi-36-12 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-02-19/861/preemenice-his-story-our-practice-week-v-give-part-ii-malachi-36-12 Sun, 19 Feb 2023 11:30:00 -0800 PREEMINENCE | His Story -- Our Practice | WEEK IV | Giving Part I | 2 Cor 8-9:15 PREEMINENCE | His Story -- Our Practice | WEEK IV | Giving Part I | 2 Cor 8-9:15 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-02-12/preeminence-his-story-our-practice-week-iv-giving-part-i-2-cor-8-915 PREEMINENCE | His Story -- Our Practice | WEEK IV | Giving Part I PREEMINENCE | His Story -- Our Practice | WEEK IV | Giving Part I https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-02-12/860/preeminence-his-story-our-practice-week-iv-giving-part-i-2-cor-8-915 Sun, 12 Feb 2023 11:30:00 -0800 PREEMINENCE | His Story -- Our Practice WEEK III | Gather Part II - Acts 2:42-47 Chris Rich PREEMINENCE | His Story -- Our Practice WEEK III | Gather Part II - Acts 2:42-47 Chris Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-02-05/preeminence-his-story-our-practice-week-iii-gather-part-ii-acts-242-47-chris-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-02-05/859/preeminence-his-story-our-practice-week-iii-gather-part-ii-acts-242-47-chris-rich Sun, 5 Feb 2023 11:30:00 -0800 PREEMINENCE | His Story -- Our Practice WEEK II | Gather Part I - Hebrews 10:15-25 PREEMINENCE | His Story -- Our Practice WEEK II | Gather Part I - Hebrews 10:15-25 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-01-29/preeminence-his-story-our-practice-week-ii-gather-part-i-hebrews-1015-25 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-01-29/858/preeminence-his-story-our-practice-week-ii-gather-part-i-hebrews-1015-25 Sun, 29 Jan 2023 11:30:00 -0800 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk11: Beginning of the End | Daniel 11&12 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk11: Beginning of the End | Daniel 11&12 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-01-22/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk11-beginning-of-the-end-daniel-1112 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-01-22/857/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk11-beginning-of-the-end-daniel-1112 Sun, 22 Jan 2023 11:30:00 -0800 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk10: Beginning of the End | 10:1-21 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk10: Beginning of the End | 10:1-21 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-01-15/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk10-beginning-of-the-end-101-21 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-01-15/856/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk10-beginning-of-the-end-101-21 Sun, 15 Jan 2023 11:30:00 -0800 PREEMINENCE | Week 1 | Preeminent Story | Genesis-Revelation PREEMINENCE | Week 1 | Preeminent Story | Genesis-Revelation https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-01-08/preeminence-week-1-preeminent-story-genesis-revelation https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2023-01-08/855/preeminence-week-1-preeminent-story-genesis-revelation Sun, 8 Jan 2023 11:30:00 -0800 ADVENT | Joy | Luke 2:8-14 | Chris Rich ADVENT | Joy | Luke 2:8-14 | Chris Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-12-18/advent-joy-luke-28-14-chris-rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-12-18/854/advent-joy-luke-28-14-chris-rich Sun, 18 Dec 2022 11:30:00 -0800 ADVENT | The Love of God | 1 John 4:7-21 | Curtis Hall ADVENT | The Love of God | 1 John 4:7-21 | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-12-11/advent-the-love-of-god-1-john-47-21-curtis-hall Sunday Sermon | ADVENT | The Love of God | 1 John 4:7-21 | Curtis Hall Sunday Sermon | ADVENT | The Love of God | 1 John 4:7-21 | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-12-11/853/advent-the-love-of-god-1-john-47-21-curtis-hall Sun, 11 Dec 2022 11:30:00 -0800 Sunday Sermon | ADVENT | Week 2 | Peace | Isaiah 9, Ephesians 2 | Chris Rich Sunday Sermon | ADVENT | Week 2 | Peace | Isaiah 9, Ephesians 2 | Chris Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-12-04/sunday-sermon-advent-week-2-peace-isaiah-9-ephesians-2-chris-rich ADVENT | Week 2 | Peace | Isaiah 9, Ephesians 2 | Chris Rich ADVENT | Week 2 | Peace | Isaiah 9, Ephesians 2 | Chris Rich ADVENT | Week 2 | Peace | Isaiah 9, Ephesians 2 | Chris Rich ADVENT | Week 2 | Peace | Isaiah 9, Ephesians 2 | Chris Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-12-04/852/sunday-sermon-advent-week-2-peace-isaiah-9-ephesians-2-chris-rich Sun, 4 Dec 2022 11:30:00 -0800 Hope | 1 Peter 1:3-12 | Curtis Hall Hope | 1 Peter 1:3-12 | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-11-27/hope-1-peter-13-12-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-11-27/851/hope-1-peter-13-12-curtis-hall Sun, 27 Nov 2022 11:30:00 -0800 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Our Prayers, His Promise | Daniel 9:1-27 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Our Prayers, His Promise | Daniel 9:1-27 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-11-20/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-our-prayers-his-promise-daniel-91-27 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Our Prayers, His Promise | Daniel 9:1-27 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Our Prayers, His Promise | Daniel 9:1-27 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-11-20/850/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-our-prayers-his-promise-daniel-91-27 Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:30:00 -0800 DANIEL: Life in Exile – Life For Eternity Wk8: His Story | 8:1-27 DANIEL: Life in Exile – Life For Eternity Wk8: His Story | 8:1-27 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-11-13/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk8-his-story-81-27 Good Morning! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. While the second half of Daniel is filled with grotesque visions of the kingdoms of man warring against each other and ultimately God, we see a God who is in charge of world affairs and personally engages with His people. As you process world history or current events, how do you react and respond? What do these times reveal about your character and your hope is? Where do you go for rest or clarity when you’re unsettled? Curtis looked at Chapter 7 where Daniel had a vision from God of 4 beasts representing the four empires back in Daniel 2 Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greece, and Rome. The kingdoms of the world are beastly in their rebellion from God, and will seek to wear out the saints of the most High. However, God will judge, and His kingdom will be established. Daniel 7 was a fly over of the remainder of human history. Here Daniel receives a vision that is much more focused, clear and concerning. Good Morning! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. While the second half of Daniel is filled with grotesque visions of the kingdoms of man warring against each other and ultimately God, we see a God who is in charge of world affairs and personally engages with His people. As you process world history or current events, how do you react and respond? What do these times reveal about your character and your hope is? Where do you go for rest or clarity when you’re unsettled? Curtis looked at Chapter 7 where Daniel had a vision from God of 4 beasts representing the four empires back in Daniel 2 Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greece, and Rome. The kingdoms of the world are beastly in their rebellion from God, and will seek to wear out the saints of the most High. However, God will judge, and His kingdom will be established. Daniel 7 was a fly over of the remainder of human history. Here Daniel receives a vision that is much more focused, clear and concerning. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-11-13/849/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk8-his-story-81-27 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 11:30:00 -0800 Fellowship Sunday | Mission, Vision, and Values | Mercy Fellowship Fellowship Sunday | Mission, Vision, and Values | Mercy Fellowship https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-11-06/fellowship-sunday-mission-vision-and-values-mercy-fellowship We talk about where we are going at Mercy Fellowship and where we have been the last 18 months. We talk about where we are going at Mercy Fellowship and where we have been the last 18 months. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-11-06/848/fellowship-sunday-mission-vision-and-values-mercy-fellowship Sun, 6 Nov 2022 11:30:00 -0700 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life For Eternity Wk7: The Kingdom of God | Daniel 7 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life For Eternity Wk7: The Kingdom of God | Daniel 7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-30/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk7-the-kingdom-of-god-daniel-7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-30/847/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk7-the-kingdom-of-god-daniel-7 Sun, 30 Oct 2022 11:30:00 -0700 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk6: Dan in the Den | 6:1-28 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk6: Dan in the Den | 6:1-28 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-23/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk6-dan-in-the-den-61-28 God’s people have been taken and placed in exile, some Daniel and his friends have been put in positions of leadership, but there are challenges. God is in control over the affairs of nations and in the lives of individual people. During the first 4 chapters we’ve see several snapshots of the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar in how he’s ruled over God’s people he’s taken in Exile and how God has been displaying His overwhelming, wisdom, power and ability to humble whoever he wills for the purposes of reminding them where power authority and provision come from. We’ve seen God’s mercy, grace, and justice, as earthly kingdom rise as another falls. We begin to question do God’s ways still “work” what do we do when God seems quiet, or we don’t see him act? Today we look at one of the most famous events in the entire bible. God’s people have been taken and placed in exile, some Daniel and his friends have been put in positions of leadership, but there are challenges. God is in control over the affairs of nations and in the lives of individual people. During the first 4 chapters we’ve see several snapshots of the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar in how he’s ruled over God’s people he’s taken in Exile and how God has been displaying His overwhelming, wisdom, power and ability to humble whoever he wills for the purposes of reminding them where power authority and provision come from. We’ve seen God’s mercy, grace, and justice, as earthly kingdom rise as another falls. We begin to question do God’s ways still “work” what do we do when God seems quiet, or we don’t see him act? Today we look at one of the most famous events in the entire bible. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-23/846/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk6-dan-in-the-den-61-28 Sun, 23 Oct 2022 11:30:00 -0700 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk5: Writing on the Wall | 5:1-30 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk5: Writing on the Wall | 5:1-30 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-16/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk5-writing-on-the-wall-51-30 God’s people have been taken and placed in exile, some Daniel and his friends have been put in positions of leadership, but there are challenges. God is in control over the affairs of nations and in the lives of individual people. During the first 4 chapters we’ve see several snapshots of the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar in how he’s ruled over God’s people he’s taken in Exile and how God has been displaying His overwhelming, wisdom, power and ability to humble whoever he wills for the purposes of reminding them where power authority and provision come from. Each of the first 3 times however, Nebuchadnezzar was enticed by what He saw God do, but his allegiance was never changed, until he was humbled and he said God did a “wondrous” thing in turning his heart from worshiping himself to praising the God of the Bible. It’s a pretty cool story of God’s patience with man’s sin leading to repentance and restoration. God is good! God is merciful, not always giving us the consequences, we deserve. God is gracious, giving us exceedingly more than we could earn or deserve. We will see today God is also just. God’s people have been taken and placed in exile, some Daniel and his friends have been put in positions of leadership, but there are challenges. God is in control over the affairs of nations and in the lives of individual people. During the first 4 chapters we’ve see several snapshots of the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar in how he’s ruled over God’s people he’s taken in Exile and how God has been displaying His overwhelming, wisdom, power and ability to humble whoever he wills for the purposes of reminding them where power authority and provision come from. Each of the first 3 times however, Nebuchadnezzar was enticed by what He saw God do, but his allegiance was never changed, until he was humbled and he said God did a “wondrous” thing in turning his heart from worshiping himself to praising the God of the Bible. It’s a pretty cool story of God’s patience with man’s sin leading to repentance and restoration. God is good! God is merciful, not always giving us the consequences, we deserve. God is gracious, giving us exceedingly more than we could earn or deserve. We will see today God is also just. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-16/845/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk5-writing-on-the-wall-51-30 Sun, 16 Oct 2022 11:30:00 -0700 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk4: Pride of Man | Daniel 4:1-37 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk4: Pride of Man | Daniel 4:1-37 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-09/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk4-pride-of-man-daniel-41-37 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk4: Pride of Man | Daniel 4:1-37 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk4: Pride of Man | Daniel 4:1-37 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-09/844/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk4-pride-of-man-daniel-41-37 Sun, 9 Oct 2022 11:30:00 -0700 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk3: Bow or Burn | Daniel 3:1-30 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk3: Bow or Burn | Daniel 3:1-30 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-02/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk3-bow-or-burn-daniel-31-30 God’s people have been taken and placed in exile, some Daniel and his friends have been put in positions of leadership, but there are challenges. Through it all we see God is in control over the affairs of nations and in the lives of individual people. Shortly after, the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar is given an image of a statue representing all earthly kingdoms coming to an end when a stone comes in shattering the statue and an all-consuming mountain raises in its place. God says Your Kingdom will end but mine will be eternal. Nebuchadnezzar boldly declares “Your God is God of Gods, and Lord of kings.” But his allegiance has not changed. Last week we saw God display His wisdom, this week we will see him display His power. God’s people have been taken and placed in exile, some Daniel and his friends have been put in positions of leadership, but there are challenges. Through it all we see God is in control over the affairs of nations and in the lives of individual people. Shortly after, the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar is given an image of a statue representing all earthly kingdoms coming to an end when a stone comes in shattering the statue and an all-consuming mountain raises in its place. God says Your Kingdom will end but mine will be eternal. Nebuchadnezzar boldly declares “Your God is God of Gods, and Lord of kings.” But his allegiance has not changed. Last week we saw God display His wisdom, this week we will see him display His power. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-10-02/843/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk3-bow-or-burn-daniel-31-30 Sun, 2 Oct 2022 11:30:00 -0700 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk2: God at Work | Daniel 2:1-49 DANIEL | Life in Exile - Life for Eternity Wk2: God at Work | Daniel 2:1-49 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-09-25/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk2-god-at-work-daniel-21-49 Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we continue our series Daniel: Life in Exile - Life for Eternity When have you been up at night not able to sleep? How do you react and respond? What do these times reveal about your character and your hope is? Where do you go for rest or clarity when you’re unsettled? Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we continue our series Daniel: Life in Exile - Life for Eternity When have you been up at night not able to sleep? How do you react and respond? What do these times reveal about your character and your hope is? Where do you go for rest or clarity when you’re unsettled? https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-09-25/842/daniel-life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-wk2-god-at-work-daniel-21-49 Sun, 25 Sep 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Life in Exile - Life for Eternity | In it, not of it | Daniel 1:1-21 Life in Exile - Life for Eternity | In it, not of it | Daniel 1:1-21 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-09-18/life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-in-it-not-of-it-daniel-11-21 Life in Exile - Life for Eternity | In it, Not of it | Daniel 1:1-21 | Chris Rich Life in Exile - Life for Eternity | In it, Not of it | Daniel 1:1-21 | Chris Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-09-18/841/life-in-exile-life-for-eternity-in-it-not-of-it-daniel-11-21 Sun, 18 Sep 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Upside Down Kingdom: Final Warnings | Curtis Hall Upside Down Kingdom: Final Warnings | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-08-28/upside-down-kingdom-final-warnings-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-08-28/840/upside-down-kingdom-final-warnings-curtis-hall Sun, 28 Aug 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Depending on God's Grace | 2 Cor 11 : 1-15 | Josh Pasma Depending on God's Grace | 2 Cor 11 : 1-15 | Josh Pasma https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-08-21/depending-on-gods-grace-2-cor-11-1-15-josh-pasma https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-08-21/839/depending-on-gods-grace-2-cor-11-1-15-josh-pasma Sun, 21 Aug 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Upside Down Kingdom: Love Is The Rule | Matt Nickel Upside Down Kingdom: Love Is The Rule | Matt Nickel https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-08-14/upside-down-kingdom-love-is-the-rule-matt-nickel In the Upside-down Kingdom, self-care is critical to loving others Aka “Stop Being so Judgmental and Get Therapy” In the Upside-down Kingdom, self-care is critical to loving others Aka “Stop Being so Judgmental and Get Therapy” https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-08-14/838/upside-down-kingdom-love-is-the-rule-matt-nickel Sun, 14 Aug 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Renewed Hope | Luke 24:13-24 | Aaron Gray Renewed Hope | Luke 24:13-24 | Aaron Gray https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-08-07/renewed-hope-luke-2413-24-aaron-gray https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-08-07/837/renewed-hope-luke-2413-24-aaron-gray Sun, 7 Aug 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Come To Me | Matthew 11:28-30 | Sean Gasperetti Come To Me | Matthew 11:28-30 | Sean Gasperetti https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-07-24/come-to-me-matthew-1128-30-sean-gasperetti https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-07-24/836/come-to-me-matthew-1128-30-sean-gasperetti Sun, 24 Jul 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Upside Down Kingdom: Upside-down Spirituality | Matt Nickel Upside Down Kingdom: Upside-down Spirituality | Matt Nickel https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-07-17/upside-down-kingdom-upside-down-spirituality-matt-nickel Who are you when no one is watching? They say people are leaving the church in droves, but what are they sick of? Hypocrisy. People claiming they have sincere faith, but their lives do not reflect what they say they believe.. People showing off their good works…It’s like they live their faith like it is their instagram feed. But how they treat people when no one is watching. They act one way when people are watching. The people who really know what they believe are their kids. What does this person do, when no one is around? What are they really like? Who are you when no one is watching? They say people are leaving the church in droves, but what are they sick of? Hypocrisy. People claiming they have sincere faith, but their lives do not reflect what they say they believe.. People showing off their good works…It’s like they live their faith like it is their instagram feed. But how they treat people when no one is watching. They act one way when people are watching. The people who really know what they believe are their kids. What does this person do, when no one is around? What are they really like? https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-07-17/835/upside-down-kingdom-upside-down-spirituality-matt-nickel Sun, 17 Jul 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Revealed | Matthew 17:1-13 | Jason Williams Revealed | Matthew 17:1-13 | Jason Williams https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-07-10/revealed-matthew-171-13-jason-williams My name is Jason Williams – I am the lead Pastor of Harvest Community Church in Selah, WA – just north of Yakima. In Matthew chapter 16 – Jesus has revealed as the Messiah to his disciples. It began with a question who do people say that I am? Several opinion were thrown out by the disciples and then Jesus made it very personal. He said, who do YOU say I am? This is the most important question of your lifetime. How you answer this question, determines not only how you will live but how you will spend eternity. Peter answered – You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus then revealed that he must suffer and die and Peter confronts Jesus and wants no part of this negative talk of suffering and dying. Jesus wants to talk of conquering and winning. Now it Jesus’ turn to confront Peter and he says get behind me Satan because it is clear Peter had agenda that was in opposition to Christ’s agenda and reeks of Satan. My name is Jason Williams – I am the lead Pastor of Harvest Community Church in Selah, WA – just north of Yakima. In Matthew chapter 16 – Jesus has revealed as the Messiah to his disciples. It began with a question who do people say that I am? Several opinion were thrown out by the disciples and then Jesus made it very personal. He said, who do YOU say I am? This is the most important question of your lifetime. How you answer this question, determines not only how you will live but how you will spend eternity. Peter answered – You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus then revealed that he must suffer and die and Peter confronts Jesus and wants no part of this negative talk of suffering and dying. Jesus wants to talk of conquering and winning. Now it Jesus’ turn to confront Peter and he says get behind me Satan because it is clear Peter had agenda that was in opposition to Christ’s agenda and reeks of Satan. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-07-10/834/revealed-matthew-171-13-jason-williams Sun, 10 Jul 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Upside Down Kingdom: The Law of Retaliation & Love for Neighbor Restored | Curtis Hall Upside Down Kingdom: The Law of Retaliation & Love for Neighbor Restored | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-07-03/upside-down-kingdom-the-law-of-retaliation-love-for-neighbor-restored-curtis-hall Think about how you grew up for a minute, and as you’re thinking about how you grew up I’ll tell you a bit about me. I’ve brought it up before but growing up I didn’t like team sports, although I participated in them for a few years, but what really caught my attention was skateboarding. I loved skateboarding. It was free in the sense that it was void of being a group sport and when you start a sport though, you try to find guys you could imitate and be like and that gave you something to aim at and pursue so you could work at getting better at your craft. I remember one skateboarder in particular I really enjoyed had just become a new pro for only a couple years and bought a 2 bedroom 1 bath house in California and somewhere around 12 of his friends moved in and what they would do was skate all day and party all night and I remember seeing that as a kid and thinking ‘I know what I want to do with my life.’ I wanted to be this guy. The issue was though, I was 12 and my brain hadn’t fully formed, so as I got older I realized that was a horrible idea to aim at. There was this tension I felt though because I wanted this careless lifestyle I saw the skateboarders have but at home, there was still rules. My Mom made sure I did my chores, I ate the right food, I did my homework. There were laws at home. But I look back now as an adult, so grateful for the laws that my Mom had put in place in the home, because it lead me to succeed in life. Think about how you grew up for a minute, and as you’re thinking about how you grew up I’ll tell you a bit about me. I’ve brought it up before but growing up I didn’t like team sports, although I participated in them for a few years, but what really caught my attention was skateboarding. I loved skateboarding. It was free in the sense that it was void of being a group sport and when you start a sport though, you try to find guys you could imitate and be like and that gave you something to aim at and pursue so you could work at getting better at your craft. I remember one skateboarder in particular I really enjoyed had just become a new pro for only a couple years and bought a 2 bedroom 1 bath house in California and somewhere around 12 of his friends moved in and what they would do was skate all day and party all night and I remember seeing that as a kid and thinking ‘I know what I want to do with my life.’ I wanted to be this guy. The issue was though, I was 12 and my brain hadn’t fully formed, so as I got older I realized that was a horrible idea to aim at. There was this tension I felt though because I wanted this careless lifestyle I saw the skateboarders have but at home, there was still rules. My Mom made sure I did my chores, I ate the right food, I did my homework. There were laws at home. But I look back now as an adult, so grateful for the laws that my Mom had put in place in the home, because it lead me to succeed in life. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-07-03/833/upside-down-kingdom-the-law-of-retaliation-love-for-neighbor-restored-curtis-hall Sun, 3 Jul 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Delivered | Colossians 1:13-14 | Jeff Potts Delivered | Colossians 1:13-14 | Jeff Potts https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-06-26/delivered-colossians-113-14-jeff-potts Delivered | Colossians 1:13-14 | Jeff Potts Delivered | Colossians 1:13-14 | Jeff Potts https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-06-26/832/delivered-colossians-113-14-jeff-potts Sun, 26 Jun 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Upside down Kingdom: Only the Blind See | Matt Nickel Upside down Kingdom: Only the Blind See | Matt Nickel https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-06-19/upside-down-kingdom-only-the-blind-see-matt-nickel Upside Down Kingdom: Only the Blind See | Matthew 5:21-37 | Matt Nickel – June 19, 2022 Upside Down Kingdom: Only the Blind See | Matthew 5:21-37 | Matt Nickel – June 19, 2022 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-06-19/831/upside-down-kingdom-only-the-blind-see-matt-nickel Sun, 19 Jun 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Upside Down Kingdom: Sermon on the Mount | Matthew 5:13-20 | Curtis Hall Upside Down Kingdom: Sermon on the Mount | Matthew 5:13-20 | Curtis Hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-06-12/upside-down-kingdom-sermon-on-the-mount-matthew-513-20-curtis-hall https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-06-12/830/upside-down-kingdom-sermon-on-the-mount-matthew-513-20-curtis-hall Sun, 12 Jun 2022 11:30:00 -0700 5 Commands For The Disciple | Col. 3:12-15 | Paul Dean 5 Commands For The Disciple | Col. 3:12-15 | Paul Dean https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-06-05/5-commands-for-the-disciple-col-312-15-paul-dean https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-06-05/829/5-commands-for-the-disciple-col-312-15-paul-dean Sun, 5 Jun 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Upside Down Kingdom: Sermon on the Mount |Upside Down Blessings | Matthew 5:1-12 | Matt Nickel Upside Down Kingdom: Sermon on the Mount |Upside Down Blessings | Matthew 5:1-12 | Matt Nickel https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-29/upside-down-kingdom-sermon-on-the-mount-upside-down-blessings-matthew-51-12-matt-nickel Upside Down Kingdom: Sermon on the Mount Upside Down Blessings | Matthew 5:1-12 Matt Nickel – May 29, 2022 Upside Down Kingdom: Sermon on the Mount Upside Down Blessings | Matthew 5:1-12 Matt Nickel – May 29, 2022 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-29/828/upside-down-kingdom-sermon-on-the-mount-upside-down-blessings-matthew-51-12-matt-nickel Sun, 29 May 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | PART XI | ROOTED and Resolved | 1 Peter 5:8-13 | Christopher Rich ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | PART XI | ROOTED and Resolved | 1 Peter 5:8-13 | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-22/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-part-xi-rooted-and-resolved-1-peter-58-13-christopher-rich ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered PART XI | ROOTED and Resolved | 1 Peter 5:8-13 Christopher Rich – May 22, 2022 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered PART XI | ROOTED and Resolved | 1 Peter 5:8-13 Christopher Rich – May 22, 2022 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-22/827/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-part-xi-rooted-and-resolved-1-peter-58-13-christopher-rich Sun, 22 May 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered ROOTED Leadership | 1 Peter 5:1-7 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered ROOTED Leadership | 1 Peter 5:1-7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-15/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-rooted-leadership-1-peter-51-7 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered ROOTED Leadership | 1 Peter 5:1-7 Christopher Rich – May 15, 2022 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered ROOTED Leadership | 1 Peter 5:1-7 Christopher Rich – May 15, 2022 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-15/826/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-rooted-leadership-1-peter-51-7 Sun, 15 May 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered ROOTED in Suffering | 1 Peter 4:12-19 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered ROOTED in Suffering | 1 Peter 4:12-19 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-08/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-rooted-in-suffering-1-peter-412-19 Good Morning! Happy Mother’s Day! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. This week we are going to resume our series ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. When we are rooted in the transcendent, we are not reactive to the temporary. Good Morning! Happy Mother’s Day! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. This week we are going to resume our series ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. When we are rooted in the transcendent, we are not reactive to the temporary. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-08/825/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-rooted-in-suffering-1-peter-412-19 Sun, 8 May 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | ROOTED Love | 1 Peter 4:1-11 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | ROOTED Love | 1 Peter 4:1-11 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-01/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-rooted-love-1-peter-41-11 So today we are talking about Loving like Jesus. I want to start with the heart of the passage. In 1 Peter 4:8 he says Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. If you get anything out of this message, it is a call from God to love one another earnestly. This is the key to understanding this passage. The Bible often talks about the importance of love: John 13:34–35 [34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. [35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (ESV) 1 John 4:20 [20] If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (ESV) John 3:14 We know that awe have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. What Jesus says is that the essence of true Christian spirituality is to love So today we are talking about Loving like Jesus. I want to start with the heart of the passage. In 1 Peter 4:8 he says Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. If you get anything out of this message, it is a call from God to love one another earnestly. This is the key to understanding this passage. The Bible often talks about the importance of love: John 13:34–35 [34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. [35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (ESV) 1 John 4:20 [20] If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (ESV) John 3:14 We know that awe have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. What Jesus says is that the essence of true Christian spirituality is to love https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-05-01/824/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-rooted-love-1-peter-41-11 Sun, 1 May 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered ROOTED Restoration | John 21 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered ROOTED Restoration | John 21 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-24/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-rooted-restoration-john-21 This week we are going to resume our series ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. When we are rooted in the transcendent, we are not reactive to the temporary. This week we are going to resume our series ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. When we are rooted in the transcendent, we are not reactive to the temporary. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-24/823/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-rooted-restoration-john-21 Sun, 24 Apr 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Easter Service Easter Service https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-17/easter-service EASTER 2022 | LIVING HOPE | John 20:1-18 & 1 Peter 1:3-5 | Christopher Rich – April 17, 2022 EASTER 2022 | LIVING HOPE | John 20:1-18 & 1 Peter 1:3-5 | Christopher Rich – April 17, 2022 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-17/822/easter-service Sun, 17 Apr 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Good Friday Good Friday https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-15/good-friday Good Friday Service Good Friday Service https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-15/821/good-friday Fri, 15 Apr 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART VII | Rooted Living | 1 Peter 3:8-22 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART VII | Rooted Living | 1 Peter 3:8-22 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-10/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-vii-rooted-living-1-peter-38-22 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-10/820/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-vii-rooted-living-1-peter-38-22 Sun, 10 Apr 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART VI | ROOTED Marriage | 1 Peter 3:1-7 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART VI | ROOTED Marriage | 1 Peter 3:1-7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-03/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-vi-rooted-marriage-1-peter-31-7 This week we are continuing our series in 1 Peter called ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. When we are rooted in the transcendent, we are not reactive to the temporary. Recap – Who are we? We are Living as Elect Exiles. ROOTED Identity, as elect exiles, loved, empowered, led by the trinity When are we in the story? Peter has also helped the people of God (who have understand where they are in the story of God (ROOTED Hope) He started with the end (destination) in mind, to inform how the engage with their present, while being encouraged by God’s past Faithfulness. How do we grow and change? Good news for eternity should be good news for today. Our conduct matters to God, but it is a result of the transformation Christ has begun in us. Call to grow, change, holiness comes AFTER the Good News of the Gospel. A grace filled heart, and a truth filled mind, can produce a transformed life. To grow in Holiness is to grow in the purity, presence, power, purposes, and passion of God found in Jesus. What is God Building us into? Individual dignity is essential for flourishing, but our significance is exponentially greater when our identity is also part of a ROOTED People. To have faith in Jesus is to be part of his people. This then plays out in how we engage in key relationships both in the world with non-believers and with other Christians. 1 Peter 2:11-12 |11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. This week we are continuing our series in 1 Peter called ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. When we are rooted in the transcendent, we are not reactive to the temporary. Recap – Who are we? We are Living as Elect Exiles. ROOTED Identity, as elect exiles, loved, empowered, led by the trinity When are we in the story? Peter has also helped the people of God (who have understand where they are in the story of God (ROOTED Hope) He started with the end (destination) in mind, to inform how the engage with their present, while being encouraged by God’s past Faithfulness. How do we grow and change? Good news for eternity should be good news for today. Our conduct matters to God, but it is a result of the transformation Christ has begun in us. Call to grow, change, holiness comes AFTER the Good News of the Gospel. A grace filled heart, and a truth filled mind, can produce a transformed life. To grow in Holiness is to grow in the purity, presence, power, purposes, and passion of God found in Jesus. What is God Building us into? Individual dignity is essential for flourishing, but our significance is exponentially greater when our identity is also part of a ROOTED People. To have faith in Jesus is to be part of his people. This then plays out in how we engage in key relationships both in the world with non-believers and with other Christians. 1 Peter 2:11-12 |11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-04-03/819/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-vi-rooted-marriage-1-peter-31-7 Sun, 3 Apr 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART V | ROOTED Submission | 1 Peter 2:13-25 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART V | ROOTED Submission | 1 Peter 2:13-25 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-03-27/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-v-rooted-submission-1-peter-213-25 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART V | ROOTED Submission | 1 Peter 2:13-25 | Christopher Rich – March 27, 2022 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART V | ROOTED Submission | 1 Peter 2:13-25 | Christopher Rich – March 27, 2022 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-03-27/818/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-v-rooted-submission-1-peter-213-25 Sun, 27 Mar 2022 11:30:00 -0700 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART IV | ROOTED People | 1 Peter 2:4-12 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART IV | ROOTED People | 1 Peter 2:4-12 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-03-20/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-iv-rooted-people-1-peter-24-12 Our recent lives and cultural moments have been characterized by personal trials, political unrest, cultural upheaval, health concerns, relational turmoil, economic uncertainty, and varying degrees of individual and corporate trauma. This has caused us to be highly reactive, often discouraged, and at times experiencing crushing despair. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need to be rooted in something deeper and more life giving than ourselves and our circumstances. We need to be rooted in a life that flows from the life giver, we need a real living hope beyond what we see and have now. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. Our recent lives and cultural moments have been characterized by personal trials, political unrest, cultural upheaval, health concerns, relational turmoil, economic uncertainty, and varying degrees of individual and corporate trauma. This has caused us to be highly reactive, often discouraged, and at times experiencing crushing despair. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need to be rooted in something deeper and more life giving than ourselves and our circumstances. We need to be rooted in a life that flows from the life giver, we need a real living hope beyond what we see and have now. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-03-20/817/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-iv-rooted-people-1-peter-24-12 Sun, 20 Mar 2022 11:30:00 -0700 Blessed Are The Peacemakers | Matthew 5:9 Blessed Are The Peacemakers | Matthew 5:9 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-03-13/blessed-are-the-peacemakers-matthew-59 Hope you are all doing well this morning. If you don’t know me, my name is Curtis Hall. Honored to be preaching today. We are pausing in our series in 1 Peter, and focusing this morning on one of the beatitudes. The reason being, is that I was already on the schedule to preach this week, but last week I preached at another church on this beatitude, and Pastor Chris was kind enough to allow me to preach that same sermon this Sunday. Also, come this summer, we will be doing a sermon series on the Sermon On The Mount, so this will be a bit of a teaser for what is to come. I don’t know about you, but when I read the Sermon on the Mount, which is Jesus most famous teaching, there is a call that comes from that sermon for us, to buy in to a different way of living life. It calls to you and I to live differently than we do now, as God’s people; the church. A.W. Tozer who said “A frightened world needs a fearless church.” Not a church that is reckless or careless, but fearless because it believe in a good, sovereign God. If there was ever a time the world needed bold Christians who truly believe the words that Jesus said, it is now. It’s not about being more conservative or more liberal, it’s about being other-worldly. Another word you could say is, Counter-Cultural. “The world does not need cool Christians who are culturally saturated. Rather, it needs exiles with the scent of heaven on them.” - John Piper Hope you are all doing well this morning. If you don’t know me, my name is Curtis Hall. Honored to be preaching today. We are pausing in our series in 1 Peter, and focusing this morning on one of the beatitudes. The reason being, is that I was already on the schedule to preach this week, but last week I preached at another church on this beatitude, and Pastor Chris was kind enough to allow me to preach that same sermon this Sunday. Also, come this summer, we will be doing a sermon series on the Sermon On The Mount, so this will be a bit of a teaser for what is to come. I don’t know about you, but when I read the Sermon on the Mount, which is Jesus most famous teaching, there is a call that comes from that sermon for us, to buy in to a different way of living life. It calls to you and I to live differently than we do now, as God’s people; the church. A.W. Tozer who said “A frightened world needs a fearless church.” Not a church that is reckless or careless, but fearless because it believe in a good, sovereign God. If there was ever a time the world needed bold Christians who truly believe the words that Jesus said, it is now. It’s not about being more conservative or more liberal, it’s about being other-worldly. Another word you could say is, Counter-Cultural. “The world does not need cool Christians who are culturally saturated. Rather, it needs exiles with the scent of heaven on them.” - John Piper https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-03-13/816/blessed-are-the-peacemakers-matthew-59 Sun, 13 Mar 2022 11:30:00 -0800 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART III | ROOTED Holiness | 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART III | ROOTED Holiness | 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-03-06/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-iii-rooted-holiness-1-peter-113-23 This week we are continuing our series in 1 Peter called ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered. Our recent lives and cultural moments have been characterized by personal trials, political unrest, cultural upheaval, health concerns, relational turmoil, economic uncertainty, and varying degrees of individual and corporate trauma. This has caused us to be highly reactive, often discouraged, and at times experiencing crushing despair. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need to be rooted in something deeper and more life giving than ourselves and our circumstances. We need to be rooted in a life that flows from the life giver, we need a real living hope beyond what we see and have now. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. This week we are continuing our series in 1 Peter called ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered. Our recent lives and cultural moments have been characterized by personal trials, political unrest, cultural upheaval, health concerns, relational turmoil, economic uncertainty, and varying degrees of individual and corporate trauma. This has caused us to be highly reactive, often discouraged, and at times experiencing crushing despair. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need to be rooted in something deeper and more life giving than ourselves and our circumstances. We need to be rooted in a life that flows from the life giver, we need a real living hope beyond what we see and have now. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-03-06/815/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-iii-rooted-holiness-1-peter-113-23 Sun, 6 Mar 2022 11:30:00 -0800 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART II | ROOTED Hope | 1 Peter 1:3-12 ROOTED | Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter PART II | ROOTED Hope | 1 Peter 1:3-12 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-02-27/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-ii-rooted-hope-1-peter-13-12 Our recent lives and cultural moments have been characterized by personal trials, political unrest, cultural upheaval, health concerns, relational turmoil, economic uncertainty, and varying degrees of individual and corporate trauma. What many in our society believed was a time of relative peace and prosperity has been uprooted as faith in our institutions, and even our neighbors, has been shattered and replaced with great fear, distrust, and division. This has caused us to be highly reactive, often discouraged, and at times experiencing crushing despair. The strength and stability of what we have been rooted in is revealed in times of great trial, suffering, or difficulty. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need to be rooted in something deeper and more life giving than ourselves and our circumstances. We need to be rooted in a life that flows from the life giver, we need a real living hope beyond what we see and have now. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. When we are rooted in the transcendent, we are not reactive to the temporary. Our recent lives and cultural moments have been characterized by personal trials, political unrest, cultural upheaval, health concerns, relational turmoil, economic uncertainty, and varying degrees of individual and corporate trauma. What many in our society believed was a time of relative peace and prosperity has been uprooted as faith in our institutions, and even our neighbors, has been shattered and replaced with great fear, distrust, and division. This has caused us to be highly reactive, often discouraged, and at times experiencing crushing despair. The strength and stability of what we have been rooted in is revealed in times of great trial, suffering, or difficulty. Many of us are realizing our roots are too shallow and weak to sustain us in the storms of life. We need to be rooted in something deeper and more life giving than ourselves and our circumstances. We need to be rooted in a life that flows from the life giver, we need a real living hope beyond what we see and have now. We need good news greater than our current events. We need to be rooted in what is real, true, and eternal. When we are rooted in the transcendent, we are not reactive to the temporary. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-02-27/814/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-ii-rooted-hope-1-peter-13-12 Sun, 27 Feb 2022 11:30:00 -0800 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter | PART I | ROOTED Identity | 1 Peter 1:1-2 ROOTED: Living Scattered, Not Shattered | 1 Peter | PART I | ROOTED Identity | 1 Peter 1:1-2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-02-20/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-i-rooted-identity-1-peter-11-2 Who am I? This is an existential question of identity we all wrestle with. It is essential to understand who we are first for us to effectively navigate what we do and how we respond to the world around us. While we grow and change during our lives, our sense of identity must remain rooted in something or someone greater than us. Who is Peter? (1:1a) - Fisherman to Fisher of Men – Peter, a working fisherman, was met by Jesus during his daily life. He was called by Jesus to leave his nets and join Christ’s mission. Brash, impulsive, foolish, and faithful, Peter imperfectly followed Jesus as a key part of His ministry. The night of Jesus’ arrest and trial Peter, in fear, famously denied Jesus three times. His failure did not define him though, as the resurrected Jesus restored Peter and continued to be the “rock” Jesus used to build His church. With both humility and authority Peter writes to give hope to the church. Who are We? (1:1b) - Elect Exiles – The people of God in the world have paradoxical identity. We are simultaneously chosen by God yet chastised by culture. We are gathered together in Christ, yet scattered in the world. We are part of a new kingdom, yet living in a foreign land. We are strangers (sojourners) in the familiar places we dwell yet destined for a forever home we have never known. While currently persecuted we are promised eternal blessing. Who is God? (1:2a) – Trinity – Our identity is not rooted in what we have done, but in what God has done for us. God alone, three-in-one, saves and sustains. We are chosen based on Father’s past plan. We are purified by Holy Spirit’s present power in us. We follow faithfully because of the Son’s work to save us on the cross and His future promise to return. What is He accomplishing? (1:2b) – Exponential Blessing – Regardless of present circumstances, we are assured God is at work giving grace to His people and making peace for His people. Who am I? This is an existential question of identity we all wrestle with. It is essential to understand who we are first for us to effectively navigate what we do and how we respond to the world around us. While we grow and change during our lives, our sense of identity must remain rooted in something or someone greater than us. Who is Peter? (1:1a) - Fisherman to Fisher of Men – Peter, a working fisherman, was met by Jesus during his daily life. He was called by Jesus to leave his nets and join Christ’s mission. Brash, impulsive, foolish, and faithful, Peter imperfectly followed Jesus as a key part of His ministry. The night of Jesus’ arrest and trial Peter, in fear, famously denied Jesus three times. His failure did not define him though, as the resurrected Jesus restored Peter and continued to be the “rock” Jesus used to build His church. With both humility and authority Peter writes to give hope to the church. Who are We? (1:1b) - Elect Exiles – The people of God in the world have paradoxical identity. We are simultaneously chosen by God yet chastised by culture. We are gathered together in Christ, yet scattered in the world. We are part of a new kingdom, yet living in a foreign land. We are strangers (sojourners) in the familiar places we dwell yet destined for a forever home we have never known. While currently persecuted we are promised eternal blessing. Who is God? (1:2a) – Trinity – Our identity is not rooted in what we have done, but in what God has done for us. God alone, three-in-one, saves and sustains. We are chosen based on Father’s past plan. We are purified by Holy Spirit’s present power in us. We follow faithfully because of the Son’s work to save us on the cross and His future promise to return. What is He accomplishing? (1:2b) – Exponential Blessing – Regardless of present circumstances, we are assured God is at work giving grace to His people and making peace for His people. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-02-20/813/rooted-living-scattered-not-shattered-1-peter-part-i-rooted-identity-1-peter-11-2 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 11:30:00 -0800 Trusting Jesus in deep water | Luke 5:1-11 Trusting Jesus in deep water | Luke 5:1-11 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-02-13/trusting-jesus-in-deep-water-luke-51-11 Lake Gennesaret is the same as Sea of Galilee. It is 64 sq miles - 52 sq miles is lake chelan… so like 20% bigger than lake Chelan. And Peter was a fisherman and he fished for Tilapia. Also in 1984 they found a fishing boat from Jesus’s time. It was 27ft long by 7.5ft wide. Probably manned by a crew of hired men. So there is Peter, the boss of the crew, working alongside his men. Knowing he has to pay his guys even though they didn’t catch any fish. And then Jesus shows up. With a ton of people. So many people crowding around Him that He was having difficulty being able to teach. I can only imagine that Peter is frustrated, exhausted, and probably a little annoyed. So they are cleaning and fixing their nets when Jesus interrupts and asks to sit on his boat. Lake Gennesaret is the same as Sea of Galilee. It is 64 sq miles - 52 sq miles is lake chelan… so like 20% bigger than lake Chelan. And Peter was a fisherman and he fished for Tilapia. Also in 1984 they found a fishing boat from Jesus’s time. It was 27ft long by 7.5ft wide. Probably manned by a crew of hired men. So there is Peter, the boss of the crew, working alongside his men. Knowing he has to pay his guys even though they didn’t catch any fish. And then Jesus shows up. With a ton of people. So many people crowding around Him that He was having difficulty being able to teach. I can only imagine that Peter is frustrated, exhausted, and probably a little annoyed. So they are cleaning and fixing their nets when Jesus interrupts and asks to sit on his boat. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-02-13/812/trusting-jesus-in-deep-water-luke-51-11 Sun, 13 Feb 2022 11:30:00 -0800 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART X | Season Finale | Ecclesiastes 12 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART X | Season Finale | Ecclesiastes 12 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-02-06/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-x-season-finale-ecclesiastes-12 Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! The Preacher spent 10 chapters making the case for what life looks like under the sun, apart from God and how trying to find meaning and purpose in this life while being indifferent or opposed to God is a vain errand. Chapter 11 he began to make his final pitch; decision time. Here he is giving his final call to action. Because there is a creator God, we are going to be called to faith in Him. The urgency is going to be dialed up because the time of life is short. Life under the sun is not to be engaged with tepid insecurity, but rather dive in and BE BOLD and rejoice in the good life God has given as early in life as possible. Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! The Preacher spent 10 chapters making the case for what life looks like under the sun, apart from God and how trying to find meaning and purpose in this life while being indifferent or opposed to God is a vain errand. Chapter 11 he began to make his final pitch; decision time. Here he is giving his final call to action. Because there is a creator God, we are going to be called to faith in Him. The urgency is going to be dialed up because the time of life is short. Life under the sun is not to be engaged with tepid insecurity, but rather dive in and BE BOLD and rejoice in the good life God has given as early in life as possible. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-02-06/811/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-x-season-finale-ecclesiastes-12 Sun, 6 Feb 2022 11:30:00 -0800 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes 11 | PART XIV | Bridled Joy VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes 11 | PART XIV | Bridled Joy https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-30/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-11-part-xiv-bridled-joy This week we are continuing our series of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! The Preacher has spent 10 chapters making the case for what life looks like under the sun, apart from God and how trying to find meaning and purpose in this life while being indifferent or opposed to God is a vain errand. So now he’s beginning to make his final pitch. Decision time. If he was an evangelist this would be the beginning of his altar call. The set up of the sermon leads up to his final exhortation. When a TV series is getting ready to wrap up it’s usually the second to last (penultimate) episode where most of the major action happens. Here he is giving some of his final call to action. Because there is a creator God, we are going to be called to faith in Him. The urgency is going to be dialed up because the time of life is short. Last week’s exhortation was flee from foolishness, be diligent and sensible; this week is dive in and BE BOLD! This week we are continuing our series of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! The Preacher has spent 10 chapters making the case for what life looks like under the sun, apart from God and how trying to find meaning and purpose in this life while being indifferent or opposed to God is a vain errand. So now he’s beginning to make his final pitch. Decision time. If he was an evangelist this would be the beginning of his altar call. The set up of the sermon leads up to his final exhortation. When a TV series is getting ready to wrap up it’s usually the second to last (penultimate) episode where most of the major action happens. Here he is giving some of his final call to action. Because there is a creator God, we are going to be called to faith in Him. The urgency is going to be dialed up because the time of life is short. Last week’s exhortation was flee from foolishness, be diligent and sensible; this week is dive in and BE BOLD! https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-30/810/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-11-part-xiv-bridled-joy Sun, 30 Jan 2022 11:30:00 -0800 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes 10 | PART XIII | Farmers Market of Foolishness | Christopher Rich VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes 10 | PART XIII | Farmers Market of Foolishness | Christopher Rich https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-23/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-10-part-xiii-farmers-market-of-foolishness-christopher-rich This week we are continuing our series of Ecclesiastes called The Pursuit: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Last week we saw because of sin each of us will face death one day, but we are called to live all others. Chapter 7 was a day at the Smithsonian, but at least each one felt like a separate distinct place and theme. Chapter 10 is going to feel like a trip to chaotic a farmers market where different booths are all connected but sometimes in ways that don’t easily make sense. You’re going to expect to get a good deal on flowers and maybe an elephant ear but instead you’re talking too long to someone who is too political and you leave with homemade soap. We’re going to stroll through this chapter and try to come out the other side with some clarity and hope. This week we are continuing our series of Ecclesiastes called The Pursuit: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Last week we saw because of sin each of us will face death one day, but we are called to live all others. Chapter 7 was a day at the Smithsonian, but at least each one felt like a separate distinct place and theme. Chapter 10 is going to feel like a trip to chaotic a farmers market where different booths are all connected but sometimes in ways that don’t easily make sense. You’re going to expect to get a good deal on flowers and maybe an elephant ear but instead you’re talking too long to someone who is too political and you leave with homemade soap. We’re going to stroll through this chapter and try to come out the other side with some clarity and hope. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-23/809/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-10-part-xiii-farmers-market-of-foolishness-christopher-rich Sun, 23 Jan 2022 11:30:00 -0800 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART XII | Die One Day, Live All Others | Ecclesiastes 9 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART XII | Die One Day, Live All Others | Ecclesiastes 9 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-16/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-xii-die-one-day-live-all-others-ecclesiastes-9 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-16/808/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-xii-die-one-day-live-all-others-ecclesiastes-9 Sun, 16 Jan 2022 11:30:00 -0800 BECOMING MERCY FELLOWSHIP ROOTED – RESOLVED – RESTING | VISION Sunday 2022 BECOMING MERCY FELLOWSHIP ROOTED – RESOLVED – RESTING | VISION Sunday 2022 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-09/becoming-mercy-fellowship-rooted-resolved-resting-vision-sunday-2022 We are spending some time reminding ourselves who we are, dreaming about what we could be, and relying on God as we look to the season ahead. As we enter a new year can we all acknowledge….. We are all Runners… Hebrews 12:1-2 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. We are spending some time reminding ourselves who we are, dreaming about what we could be, and relying on God as we look to the season ahead. As we enter a new year can we all acknowledge….. We are all Runners… Hebrews 12:1-2 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-09/807/becoming-mercy-fellowship-rooted-resolved-resting-vision-sunday-2022 Sun, 9 Jan 2022 11:30:00 -0800 Jesus Makes New | Curtis Hall | Mark 4:35-5:43 Jesus Makes New | Curtis Hall | Mark 4:35-5:43 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-02/jesus-makes-new-curtis-hall-mark-435-543 This morning, we are talking about Jesus making all things new, and the big idea is this, we live in a world that is broken. Due to sin and man’s rebellion against God and not submitting to Him, this world is not what God had originally created, it is a fractured world. Bearing in it both beauty from what God has created but also chaos due to sin. And what God does, in His great grace and mercy, is that He doesn’t leave us on our own to figure it out. He doesn’t tell us to get our act together, but He comes at the right time and intervenes into human history. This morning, we are talking about Jesus making all things new, and the big idea is this, we live in a world that is broken. Due to sin and man’s rebellion against God and not submitting to Him, this world is not what God had originally created, it is a fractured world. Bearing in it both beauty from what God has created but also chaos due to sin. And what God does, in His great grace and mercy, is that He doesn’t leave us on our own to figure it out. He doesn’t tell us to get our act together, but He comes at the right time and intervenes into human history. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2022-01-02/806/jesus-makes-new-curtis-hall-mark-435-543 Sun, 2 Jan 2022 11:30:00 -0800 A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices Hope Rejoices | Luke 2:20 – Isaiah 9:2-7 A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices Hope Rejoices | Luke 2:20 – Isaiah 9:2-7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-12-19/a-thrill-of-hope-a-weary-world-rejoices-hope-rejoices-luke-220-isaiah-92-7 Today we continue our Advent (Arrival) series called A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices. Besides being a lyric to “O Holy Night”, this is a relevant topic today. When past pain and present realties have us weak and weary, we need a real and living hope to endure in the present and persevere to a better future in and with Christ. Hope helps us understand part of what was/is/is being accomplished by the Arrival of Jesus into human history. Today we continue our Advent (Arrival) series called A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices. Besides being a lyric to “O Holy Night”, this is a relevant topic today. When past pain and present realties have us weak and weary, we need a real and living hope to endure in the present and persevere to a better future in and with Christ. Hope helps us understand part of what was/is/is being accomplished by the Arrival of Jesus into human history. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-12-19/805/a-thrill-of-hope-a-weary-world-rejoices-hope-rejoices-luke-220-isaiah-92-7 Sun, 19 Dec 2021 11:30:00 -0800 A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices Hope for the World | Matthew 2 A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices Hope for the World | Matthew 2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-12-12/a-thrill-of-hope-a-weary-world-rejoices-hope-for-the-world-matthew-2 Today we begin a series during Advent (Arrival) A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices. Besides being a lyric to “O Holy Night”, this is a relevant topic today. When past pain and present realties have us weak and weary, we need a real and living hope to endure in the present and persevere to a better future in and with Christ. Hope helps us understand part of what was/is/is being accomplished by the Arrival of Jesus into human history. We need Hope for the World and Hope in the World because of the brokenness of the world. The world is not as it should be leading us to fear and despair. But the world also not how it will be which gives us hope, peace, endurance and assurance. God made the world and made it good. From the beginning there has been enemies of life with God and Peace of God (and Man’s flourishing) came into the garden sowing seeds of doubt about God’s goodness and the consequence of rejecting God leading to darkness. Humanity willingly exchanged the presence of peace for a war of independence rejecting God’s rule, but also the connection to the source of life and wholeness. This is sin. Sin separates. Sin takes peace and brings conflict. Sin, evil, brokenness, unnecessary division, lack of joy and wholeness all spring from this conflict. Sin is what robbed us of Shalom and introduced conflict. God comes and engages with this conflict bring both justice, holiness, as well as mercy and grace. God give Hope to the world quickly. He makes a promise. A Savior-King (Christ) will come who will bring both victory over evil and establish a real and enduring peace. A Savior King is needed because our souls and weary world needs to be made new. Generations come and go and each are born with the Hope salvation and peace will come. Later the promise is ratified and refined to a man name Abram that blessing and life will come from him. Today we begin a series during Advent (Arrival) A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices. Besides being a lyric to “O Holy Night”, this is a relevant topic today. When past pain and present realties have us weak and weary, we need a real and living hope to endure in the present and persevere to a better future in and with Christ. Hope helps us understand part of what was/is/is being accomplished by the Arrival of Jesus into human history. We need Hope for the World and Hope in the World because of the brokenness of the world. The world is not as it should be leading us to fear and despair. But the world also not how it will be which gives us hope, peace, endurance and assurance. God made the world and made it good. From the beginning there has been enemies of life with God and Peace of God (and Man’s flourishing) came into the garden sowing seeds of doubt about God’s goodness and the consequence of rejecting God leading to darkness. Humanity willingly exchanged the presence of peace for a war of independence rejecting God’s rule, but also the connection to the source of life and wholeness. This is sin. Sin separates. Sin takes peace and brings conflict. Sin, evil, brokenness, unnecessary division, lack of joy and wholeness all spring from this conflict. Sin is what robbed us of Shalom and introduced conflict. God comes and engages with this conflict bring both justice, holiness, as well as mercy and grace. God give Hope to the world quickly. He makes a promise. A Savior-King (Christ) will come who will bring both victory over evil and establish a real and enduring peace. A Savior King is needed because our souls and weary world needs to be made new. Generations come and go and each are born with the Hope salvation and peace will come. Later the promise is ratified and refined to a man name Abram that blessing and life will come from him. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-12-12/804/a-thrill-of-hope-a-weary-world-rejoices-hope-for-the-world-matthew-2 Sun, 12 Dec 2021 11:30:00 -0800 A Thrill of Hope: Hope for the Weary | Luke 1:26-56 A Thrill of Hope: Hope for the Weary | Luke 1:26-56 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-12-05/a-thrill-of-hope-hope-for-the-weary-luke-126-56 Most of us are coming into the Christmas season feeling tired. Tired and worn out. Tired of all the things we are carrying. I wonder if we were to take off our heavy packs and looked at all the things that are weighing us down… how many sets of rollerblades are you carrying? Maybe it’s your finances. Maybe you hate your job. Maybe it’s your kids and being a good parent. Maybe it is your health. Maybe it is living up the expectation of others, maybe you are carrying a load of guilt, maybe tension in your marriage, with your parents, or your friends. So it’s Christmas time… and you should have hope. Today I’m going to give you some reason why we should have hope, but let’s be honest, me getting up here and telling you why you should have hope is not going to lift your burden, if anything it might pile on some guilt for you. I think as Christians we carry too much guilt. We know we should have more hope, have more joy, have more peace… but what about all the rollerblades we carry??? Most of us are coming into the Christmas season feeling tired. Tired and worn out. Tired of all the things we are carrying. I wonder if we were to take off our heavy packs and looked at all the things that are weighing us down… how many sets of rollerblades are you carrying? Maybe it’s your finances. Maybe you hate your job. Maybe it’s your kids and being a good parent. Maybe it is your health. Maybe it is living up the expectation of others, maybe you are carrying a load of guilt, maybe tension in your marriage, with your parents, or your friends. So it’s Christmas time… and you should have hope. Today I’m going to give you some reason why we should have hope, but let’s be honest, me getting up here and telling you why you should have hope is not going to lift your burden, if anything it might pile on some guilt for you. I think as Christians we carry too much guilt. We know we should have more hope, have more joy, have more peace… but what about all the rollerblades we carry??? https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-12-05/803/a-thrill-of-hope-hope-for-the-weary-luke-126-56 Sun, 5 Dec 2021 11:30:00 -0800 A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices Hope Desired | Psalm 130 – 1 Peter 1:3-7 A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices Hope Desired | Psalm 130 – 1 Peter 1:3-7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-11-28/a-thrill-of-hope-a-weary-world-rejoices-hope-desired-psalm-130-1-peter-13-7 Today we begin a series during Advent (Arrival) A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices. Besides being a lyric to “O Holy Night”, this is a relevant topic today. When past pain and present realties have us weak and weary, we need a real and living hope to endure in the present and persevere to a better future in and with Christ. Hope helps us understand part of what was/is/is being accomplished by the Arrival of Jesus into human history. Words have meaning, HOPE means: Today we begin a series during Advent (Arrival) A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices. Besides being a lyric to “O Holy Night”, this is a relevant topic today. When past pain and present realties have us weak and weary, we need a real and living hope to endure in the present and persevere to a better future in and with Christ. Hope helps us understand part of what was/is/is being accomplished by the Arrival of Jesus into human history. Words have meaning, HOPE means: https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-11-28/802/a-thrill-of-hope-a-weary-world-rejoices-hope-desired-psalm-130-1-peter-13-7 Sun, 28 Nov 2021 11:30:00 -0800 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes Part XI | Unanswered Questions | Ecclesiastes 8 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes Part XI | Unanswered Questions | Ecclesiastes 8 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-11-21/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-xi-unanswered-questions-ecclesiastes-8 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-11-21/801/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-xi-unanswered-questions-ecclesiastes-8 Sun, 21 Nov 2021 11:30:00 -0800 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART X | Authentic Life | Ecclesiastes 7 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART X | Authentic Life | Ecclesiastes 7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-11-14/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-x-authentic-life-ecclesiastes-7 This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. What’s the point? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Last week, we saw what it looks like when we put our hope in wealth alone, this week we’ll see what it looks like when we foolishly avoid engaging with adversity in life. When I was visiting Washington DC We only had one day to visit all the Smithsonian Museums. That meant we only had an hour or so in each. It wasn’t enough time to get to everything at a deep level but it did give us good idea of the layout of each one, it was profitable, and it gave me ideas of what I’d want to explore in depth later. The next few sermons are going to feel like some fast days at a bunch of different places. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. What’s the point? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Last week, we saw what it looks like when we put our hope in wealth alone, this week we’ll see what it looks like when we foolishly avoid engaging with adversity in life. When I was visiting Washington DC We only had one day to visit all the Smithsonian Museums. That meant we only had an hour or so in each. It wasn’t enough time to get to everything at a deep level but it did give us good idea of the layout of each one, it was profitable, and it gave me ideas of what I’d want to explore in depth later. The next few sermons are going to feel like some fast days at a bunch of different places. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-11-14/800/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-x-authentic-life-ecclesiastes-7 Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:30:00 -0800 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART IX | Lasting Legacy | Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART IX | Lasting Legacy | Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-11-07/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-ix-lasting-legacy-ecclesiastes-58-612 This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. What’s the point? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Last week, we saw how we approach God matters because He is worthy of our reverence and worship. This week we see what life looks like when we put our hope in wealth. The end of Chapter 5 and all of Chapter 6 are not written for an audience like ours. We like things to flow linearly, beginning, middle, end. Ancient Eastern cultures liked beginning, middle/end, beginning again. So if you read straight through this lengthy passage you build up to a pinnacle, only to quickly fall back down again. We’re going to fly over the topic of wealth and satisfaction at 20,000’ then we’re going to drop down and circle the city getting more detailed accounts, before finally landing at a place of joy. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. What’s the point? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless and nothing matters”; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Last week, we saw how we approach God matters because He is worthy of our reverence and worship. This week we see what life looks like when we put our hope in wealth. The end of Chapter 5 and all of Chapter 6 are not written for an audience like ours. We like things to flow linearly, beginning, middle, end. Ancient Eastern cultures liked beginning, middle/end, beginning again. So if you read straight through this lengthy passage you build up to a pinnacle, only to quickly fall back down again. We’re going to fly over the topic of wealth and satisfaction at 20,000’ then we’re going to drop down and circle the city getting more detailed accounts, before finally landing at a place of joy. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-11-07/799/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-ix-lasting-legacy-ecclesiastes-58-612 Sun, 7 Nov 2021 11:30:00 -0700 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART VIII | Fear Him, Revere Him | Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART VIII | Fear Him, Revere Him | Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-31/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-viii-fear-him-revere-him-ecclesiastes-51-7 This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. What’s the point? What’s the point of life? What are we pursing? Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Through the first four chapters; the vanity of Life “under the sun” apart from God has been explored and then reconsidered in light of God as the giver of all life. He has been held up as the sovereign King over a world that is still broken, plagued with injustice, and isolation. We saw God’s design for our flourishing is being in community with one another. It’s a specific type of community centered on and held together by God himself. We are typically centered on ourselves at worse or others at best but here the preacher wants our attention hyper focused on our relationship with God the creator. Specifically warning us how we approach God matters because He is creator, ruler and judge of all things. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. What’s the point? What’s the point of life? What are we pursing? Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Through the first four chapters; the vanity of Life “under the sun” apart from God has been explored and then reconsidered in light of God as the giver of all life. He has been held up as the sovereign King over a world that is still broken, plagued with injustice, and isolation. We saw God’s design for our flourishing is being in community with one another. It’s a specific type of community centered on and held together by God himself. We are typically centered on ourselves at worse or others at best but here the preacher wants our attention hyper focused on our relationship with God the creator. Specifically warning us how we approach God matters because He is creator, ruler and judge of all things. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-31/798/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-viii-fear-him-revere-him-ecclesiastes-51-7 Sun, 31 Oct 2021 11:30:00 -0700 Christ, Our Righteouness | Curtis Hall | Romans 3:9-26 Christ, Our Righteouness | Curtis Hall | Romans 3:9-26 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-24/christ-our-righteouness-curtis-hall-romans-39-26 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-24/797/christ-our-righteouness-curtis-hall-romans-39-26 Sun, 24 Oct 2021 11:30:00 -0700 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes | PART VII | Unbreakable | Ecclesiastes 4 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes | PART VII | Unbreakable | Ecclesiastes 4 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-17/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-vii-unbreakable-ecclesiastes-4 Good morning! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. What’s the point? What’s the point of life? What are we pursing? Good morning! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. What’s the point? What’s the point of life? What are we pursing? https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-17/796/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-vii-unbreakable-ecclesiastes-4 Sun, 17 Oct 2021 11:30:00 -0700 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART VI | It’s Not Fair! | Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART VI | It’s Not Fair! | Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-10/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-vi-it-s-not-fair-ecclesiastes-316-22 This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Previously we’ve seen a generation comes and goes; the sun rises and sets, wind blows in circuits. These were all signs of our finiteness and a source of pessimism for our lives under the sun because it meant this is all there is. As we transitioned from the first two chapters to chapter 3 we began to see hope, the curtains in the dark basement laboratory have been pulled back and now things can be seen clearly for what they are. The light illuminates and warms our experiences; things that seemed to be meaningless are now seen as purposeful when we see three is a God who is sovereign over all times and seasons, a God who purses what has been driven away. As bright the light coming in every basement still has it shadows. In our basement world there is still the question of what do with all the injustice we see. Where can we go to appeal for justice? If God is sovereign over time and seasons why does he allow injustice? Where is hope? This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Previously we’ve seen a generation comes and goes; the sun rises and sets, wind blows in circuits. These were all signs of our finiteness and a source of pessimism for our lives under the sun because it meant this is all there is. As we transitioned from the first two chapters to chapter 3 we began to see hope, the curtains in the dark basement laboratory have been pulled back and now things can be seen clearly for what they are. The light illuminates and warms our experiences; things that seemed to be meaningless are now seen as purposeful when we see three is a God who is sovereign over all times and seasons, a God who purses what has been driven away. As bright the light coming in every basement still has it shadows. In our basement world there is still the question of what do with all the injustice we see. Where can we go to appeal for justice? If God is sovereign over time and seasons why does he allow injustice? Where is hope? https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-10/795/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-vi-it-s-not-fair-ecclesiastes-316-22 Sun, 10 Oct 2021 11:30:00 -0700 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART V |Time to Turn | Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART V |Time to Turn | Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-03/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-v-time-to-turn-ecclesiastes-31-15 This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters. That includes the time, circumstances and seasons we find ourselves it. History, current events, and the coming future all matter to God. Which helps us ask and address an every pressing question that seems to grow each week. “What the heck is going on?” This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters. That includes the time, circumstances and seasons we find ourselves it. History, current events, and the coming future all matter to God. Which helps us ask and address an every pressing question that seems to grow each week. “What the heck is going on?” https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-10-03/794/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-v-time-to-turn-ecclesiastes-31-15 Sun, 3 Oct 2021 11:30:00 -0700 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART IV |Worked to Death | Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART IV |Worked to Death | Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-09-26/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-iv-worked-to-death-ecclesiastes-212-26 This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. “Fear of God will turn a vain, empty life into a meaningful life including enjoying God’s gifts.” – Greidanus. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Chapter one asked us “What’s the point of life? What are we pursing when life seems to be unsatisfying cycles that lead to our end? What is the outcome when we attempt to understand the world comprehensively apart from God? More knowledge and more wisdom only seems to lead to greater sorrow and pain. Where can we find refuge and meaning in world like this?” The Preacher is taking us down three paths he went down pursuing meaning “under the sun” and shows us where they eventually lead. The first weeks were wisdom, and self-indulgence, this week is wisdom again and work. Two things are coming for all Death…and Monday. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. “Fear of God will turn a vain, empty life into a meaningful life including enjoying God’s gifts.” – Greidanus. The message of this sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Chapter one asked us “What’s the point of life? What are we pursing when life seems to be unsatisfying cycles that lead to our end? What is the outcome when we attempt to understand the world comprehensively apart from God? More knowledge and more wisdom only seems to lead to greater sorrow and pain. Where can we find refuge and meaning in world like this?” The Preacher is taking us down three paths he went down pursuing meaning “under the sun” and shows us where they eventually lead. The first weeks were wisdom, and self-indulgence, this week is wisdom again and work. Two things are coming for all Death…and Monday. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-09-26/793/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-iv-worked-to-death-ecclesiastes-212-26 Sun, 26 Sep 2021 11:30:00 -0700 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART III | I Did it All | Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART III | I Did it All | Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-09-19/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-iii-i-did-it-all-ecclesiastes-21-11 This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. “Fear of God will turn a vain, empty life into a meaningful life including enjoying God’s gifts.” – Greidanus. The message of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Chapter one asked us “What’s the point of life? What are we pursing when life seems to be unsatisfying cycles that lead to our end? What is the outcome when we attempt to understand the world comprehensively apart from God? More knowledge and more wisdom only seems to lead to greater sorrow and pain. These three weeks the preacher take us down three paths he went down pursuing meaning “under the sun” and shows us where they eventually lead. Last week was wisdom, next is work and this week is self-indulgence. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. Where do we go to find wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from God. “Fear of God will turn a vain, empty life into a meaningful life including enjoying God’s gifts.” – Greidanus. The message of Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Chapter one asked us “What’s the point of life? What are we pursing when life seems to be unsatisfying cycles that lead to our end? What is the outcome when we attempt to understand the world comprehensively apart from God? More knowledge and more wisdom only seems to lead to greater sorrow and pain. These three weeks the preacher take us down three paths he went down pursuing meaning “under the sun” and shows us where they eventually lead. Last week was wisdom, next is work and this week is self-indulgence. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-09-19/792/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-iii-i-did-it-all-ecclesiastes-21-11 Sun, 19 Sep 2021 11:30:00 -0700 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART II | Ignorance is Bliss | Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART II | Ignorance is Bliss | Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-09-12/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-ii-ignorance-is-bliss-ecclesiastes-112-18 Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. We all want meaning, purpose, significance, and enjoyment in our lives. Yet, the more we try to find lasting satisfaction in either our accomplishments or the world’s pleasures the less fulfilled we become. We grow more dissatisfied as we attempt to find eternal significance in the temporary nature of life. Our problem is we’re trying to find meaning in our lives apart from the author of our lives. The message of this sermon in Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Ecclesiastes began (1-11) down a very pessimistic path. “What’s the point of life if it’s is just unprofitable toil, unsatisfying, unending cycles, where we die and are forgotten. Where can we find refuge and meaning in world like this?” The next three weeks the preacher is going to take us down three paths he went down pursuing meaning “under the sun” and shows us where they eventually lead. Self-indulgence, work, and this week Wisdom. Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. This week we are continuing a sermon series walking though the book of Ecclesiastes called VAPOR: Finding Meaning Under the Sun. We all want meaning, purpose, significance, and enjoyment in our lives. Yet, the more we try to find lasting satisfaction in either our accomplishments or the world’s pleasures the less fulfilled we become. We grow more dissatisfied as we attempt to find eternal significance in the temporary nature of life. Our problem is we’re trying to find meaning in our lives apart from the author of our lives. The message of this sermon in Ecclesiastes isn’t all of life is meaningless and nothing matters; it’s because of God as the source of all meaning, and goodness, as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Ecclesiastes began (1-11) down a very pessimistic path. “What’s the point of life if it’s is just unprofitable toil, unsatisfying, unending cycles, where we die and are forgotten. Where can we find refuge and meaning in world like this?” The next three weeks the preacher is going to take us down three paths he went down pursuing meaning “under the sun” and shows us where they eventually lead. Self-indulgence, work, and this week Wisdom. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-09-12/791/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-ii-ignorance-is-bliss-ecclesiastes-112-18 Sun, 12 Sep 2021 11:30:00 -0700 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART I | What’s the Point | Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 VAPOR | Finding Meaning Under the Sun | Ecclesiastes PART I | What’s the Point | Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-09-05/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-i-what-s-the-point-ecclesiastes-11-11 Why are we preaching through this book now? | It helps us ask real questions. How can a good God let bad things happen? Why are there aspects of life that don’t seem to resolve. Work is difficult and can even seem like a drag, government is corrupt, everything that brings temporary pleasure never satisfies and can lead to hasten destruction. We need to be realistic about our experiences in this life. It can be light and encouraging to constantly look on the bright side of life but at certain point the difficulties can no longer be ignored. Or the season turns and your life feels less like summer and winter seems to be right around the corner. We cannot be afraid of difficult questions; we reset when we know we can wrestle with our doubts and questions. It points us to the good character of the one true God. But in our wrestling be ready to actually receive an answer. Be ready to rest in what is true, right and good about God. It is relevant for those who are outside the “gathering” who are skeptical about God and meaning and for those inside who struggle with difficult questions. It points us to Jesus as THE answer to the unresolvable and true perspective of life under the sun. We hope Ecclesiastes helps grow disciples and creates new ones. Old Testament books need to be read, studied, and preached in light of the cross of Jesus, the present realties and future promises of the Gospel. Why are we preaching through this book now? | It helps us ask real questions. How can a good God let bad things happen? Why are there aspects of life that don’t seem to resolve. Work is difficult and can even seem like a drag, government is corrupt, everything that brings temporary pleasure never satisfies and can lead to hasten destruction. We need to be realistic about our experiences in this life. It can be light and encouraging to constantly look on the bright side of life but at certain point the difficulties can no longer be ignored. Or the season turns and your life feels less like summer and winter seems to be right around the corner. We cannot be afraid of difficult questions; we reset when we know we can wrestle with our doubts and questions. It points us to the good character of the one true God. But in our wrestling be ready to actually receive an answer. Be ready to rest in what is true, right and good about God. It is relevant for those who are outside the “gathering” who are skeptical about God and meaning and for those inside who struggle with difficult questions. It points us to Jesus as THE answer to the unresolvable and true perspective of life under the sun. We hope Ecclesiastes helps grow disciples and creates new ones. Old Testament books need to be read, studied, and preached in light of the cross of Jesus, the present realties and future promises of the Gospel. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-09-05/790/vapor-finding-meaning-under-the-sun-ecclesiastes-part-i-what-s-the-point-ecclesiastes-11-11 Sun, 5 Sep 2021 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Path of Mercy | Psalm 25 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Path of Mercy | Psalm 25 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-29/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-path-of-mercy-psalm-25 This collection of divinely inspired songs was brought together into a rich anthology to help us have a realistic and artistic voice for understanding the complex relationship between God and His People. The collection is brought together for a purpose. For a people, both individual and corporately, to be able to navigate and make sense of the God, the world, their lives and hearts in a language that speaks deeply to the soul. Additionally, they teach doctrine and the give poetic voice to what is true about God and His people. What Path are we on? What obstacles do we face? We all regularly face crossroads of conflicts, crisis, and challenging circumstances. The speed and number of changes and decision points seem to be increasing rapidly leaving us a bit disorientate which can easily lead us to disillusionment or despair. There are times to take pause on the path in order to reorient ourselves on what is true and hopefully gain the resolve to walk the path before us with clarity and confidence. Where do we look for guidance and grace on the path? This collection of divinely inspired songs was brought together into a rich anthology to help us have a realistic and artistic voice for understanding the complex relationship between God and His People. The collection is brought together for a purpose. For a people, both individual and corporately, to be able to navigate and make sense of the God, the world, their lives and hearts in a language that speaks deeply to the soul. Additionally, they teach doctrine and the give poetic voice to what is true about God and His people. What Path are we on? What obstacles do we face? We all regularly face crossroads of conflicts, crisis, and challenging circumstances. The speed and number of changes and decision points seem to be increasing rapidly leaving us a bit disorientate which can easily lead us to disillusionment or despair. There are times to take pause on the path in order to reorient ourselves on what is true and hopefully gain the resolve to walk the path before us with clarity and confidence. Where do we look for guidance and grace on the path? https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-29/789/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-path-of-mercy-psalm-25 Sun, 29 Aug 2021 11:30:00 -0700 Anchored: A Series in Psalm 119 | Josh Pasma Anchored: A Series in Psalm 119 | Josh Pasma https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-22/anchored-a-series-in-psalm-119-josh-pasma https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-22/788/anchored-a-series-in-psalm-119-josh-pasma Sun, 22 Aug 2021 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Fast from Fear – Feast on Grace | Psalm 34 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Fast from Fear – Feast on Grace | Psalm 34 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-15/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-fast-from-fear-feast-on-grace-psalm-34 What are you afraid of? What is your biggest fear? We live in a world ready to serve us up fresh fear on the daily. This collection of divinely inspired songs was brought together into a rich anthology to help us have a realistic and artistic voice for understanding the complex relationship between God and His People. The collection is brought together for a purpose. For a people, both individual and corporately, to be able to navigate and make sense of the God, the world, their lives and hearts in a language that speaks deeply to the soul. Additionally, they teach doctrine and the give poetic voice to what is true about God and His people. Psalms are about Jesus Fleeing from that which produces great fear towards the one worth of our trust where rest and refuge can be found. We will face fear, distress, and countless situations and seasons that can and will necessarily (and at times unnecessarily) cause us anxiousness and anxiety. All of us live in a broken world with seemingly endless events and influences that should lead us not only to worry but anxiousness. Take a moment to consider the condition of the world in it’s entirety and it is a miracle that we are not all in a constant state of anxiety. We are so connected to so much of what is happening that we try to process a world worth of worry. More information hasn’t led to more peace only more pressure. What are you afraid of? What is your biggest fear? We live in a world ready to serve us up fresh fear on the daily. This collection of divinely inspired songs was brought together into a rich anthology to help us have a realistic and artistic voice for understanding the complex relationship between God and His People. The collection is brought together for a purpose. For a people, both individual and corporately, to be able to navigate and make sense of the God, the world, their lives and hearts in a language that speaks deeply to the soul. Additionally, they teach doctrine and the give poetic voice to what is true about God and His people. Psalms are about Jesus Fleeing from that which produces great fear towards the one worth of our trust where rest and refuge can be found. We will face fear, distress, and countless situations and seasons that can and will necessarily (and at times unnecessarily) cause us anxiousness and anxiety. All of us live in a broken world with seemingly endless events and influences that should lead us not only to worry but anxiousness. Take a moment to consider the condition of the world in it’s entirety and it is a miracle that we are not all in a constant state of anxiety. We are so connected to so much of what is happening that we try to process a world worth of worry. More information hasn’t led to more peace only more pressure. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-15/787/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-fast-from-fear-feast-on-grace-psalm-34 Sun, 15 Aug 2021 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 | Jeff Potts - Hope Community | Psalm 32 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 | Jeff Potts - Hope Community | Psalm 32 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-08/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-jeff-potts-hope-community-psalm-32 Have you ever been hurt so bad that you thought it would be impossible to forgive? • Have you ever hurt someone so bad that you thought it would be impossible to be forgiven? • Are you experiencing a friend or family member who has abandoned their faith and is living in a way that constantly bring pain? • Have you lost a friendship because of repeated sin? Have you tried to forgive only to be hurt again? • Has the collateral damage of sin built up over the years to the point to where you don’t see any possibility of change? • How can we have healthy, God-honoring relationships between broken people when wounds of sin are fresh and deep? • Friends, there is hope. • There is freedom in forgiveness, both for the FORGIVEN and the FORGIVER. Have you ever been hurt so bad that you thought it would be impossible to forgive? • Have you ever hurt someone so bad that you thought it would be impossible to be forgiven? • Are you experiencing a friend or family member who has abandoned their faith and is living in a way that constantly bring pain? • Have you lost a friendship because of repeated sin? Have you tried to forgive only to be hurt again? • Has the collateral damage of sin built up over the years to the point to where you don’t see any possibility of change? • How can we have healthy, God-honoring relationships between broken people when wounds of sin are fresh and deep? • Friends, there is hope. • There is freedom in forgiveness, both for the FORGIVEN and the FORGIVER. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-08/786/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-jeff-potts-hope-community-psalm-32 Sun, 8 Aug 2021 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 | Psalm 72 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 | Psalm 72 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-01/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-psalm-72 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-08-01/785/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-psalm-72 Sun, 1 Aug 2021 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 Great Failure, Greater Mercy | Psalm 51 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 Great Failure, Greater Mercy | Psalm 51 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-07-25/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-great-failure-greater-mercy-psalm-51 Today we continue our series Psalms: Soundtrack for our Souls. Psalms are about Jesus - What has Jesus done for us? Why do we need Jesus in the first place. We talk about Jesus as our Lord, we praise Jesus as our savior but in order to understand this concept we have to know what are we being saved from and for. We were all created for a purpose to worship God and enjoy Him. But there is a separation, a tension, a conflict we experience that needs to be addressed. Our souls sing off key songs distorted from a rich harmony with the Song God is singing. This distortion is called sin and it takes many forms active disobedience, passive rejection of God direction, apathy and anger toward God. Sin separates and leaves our souls crying out for something that satisfies. Sin can leave us callous and hopeless but with God we have hope when our heart is contrite. Disposition matters. Psalm 51 the response of a heart of one who is aware of the depth and nature of their sin AND who has humbly appealed to God to do what only God can do, forgive sin and restore us to who we are meant to be. Written by David, to understand this Psalm almost more than any other, knowing what transpired to inspire its writing is necessary for our instruction. Not so we know more about David’s sin, but to understand how sin impacts us and how we heal. Today we continue our series Psalms: Soundtrack for our Souls. Psalms are about Jesus - What has Jesus done for us? Why do we need Jesus in the first place. We talk about Jesus as our Lord, we praise Jesus as our savior but in order to understand this concept we have to know what are we being saved from and for. We were all created for a purpose to worship God and enjoy Him. But there is a separation, a tension, a conflict we experience that needs to be addressed. Our souls sing off key songs distorted from a rich harmony with the Song God is singing. This distortion is called sin and it takes many forms active disobedience, passive rejection of God direction, apathy and anger toward God. Sin separates and leaves our souls crying out for something that satisfies. Sin can leave us callous and hopeless but with God we have hope when our heart is contrite. Disposition matters. Psalm 51 the response of a heart of one who is aware of the depth and nature of their sin AND who has humbly appealed to God to do what only God can do, forgive sin and restore us to who we are meant to be. Written by David, to understand this Psalm almost more than any other, knowing what transpired to inspire its writing is necessary for our instruction. Not so we know more about David’s sin, but to understand how sin impacts us and how we heal. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-07-25/784/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-great-failure-greater-mercy-psalm-51 Sun, 25 Jul 2021 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | A deep relationship with God | Summer 2021 Truth & Transcendence | Psalm 73 PSALMS | A deep relationship with God | Summer 2021 Truth & Transcendence | Psalm 73 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-07-18/psalms-a-deep-relationship-with-god-summer-2021-truth-transcendence-psalm-73 If there is one thing that stands out to me about the Psalms is how honest the writers are about their thoughts and emotions. There is a depth to the relationship that is often missing in our relationship with God. As the authors interact with God, their hearts are opened and we see what is deep inside… And it’s not just the good parts. For example David cries out to God If there is one thing that stands out to me about the Psalms is how honest the writers are about their thoughts and emotions. There is a depth to the relationship that is often missing in our relationship with God. As the authors interact with God, their hearts are opened and we see what is deep inside… And it’s not just the good parts. For example David cries out to God https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-07-18/783/psalms-a-deep-relationship-with-god-summer-2021-truth-transcendence-psalm-73 Sun, 18 Jul 2021 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 Truth & Transcendence | Psalm 19 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 Truth & Transcendence | Psalm 19 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-07-11/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-truth-transcendence-psalm-19 Good Morning Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we continue our summer series Psalms: Soundtrack for our Souls. The Psalms are a rich anthology to help us have a realistic and artistic voice for understanding the complex relationship between God and His People as we learn how to think, act, feel and relate to God. The collection is brought together for a purpose. For a people, both individual and corporately, to be able to navigate and make sense of the God, the world, their lives and hearts in a language that speaks deeply to the soul. The Psalms are not a systematic theology, and they are not a science text book about the natural world, but they teach doctrine and the give poetic voice to what is true about God, His creation and His people. Key truths of God’s character and nature include God as the Creator of everything, Redeemer of His people, one who sustains, provides, and protects in the face of trials and opposition. We sing to God as warrior, King, Father, teacher, and judge, but most importantly… Psalms are about Jesus - Jesus is clear in Luke 24 that all of the Law, prophets, psalms point to him and are about HIM. Specifically, we see God as the Creator of transcendent beauty and glory permeating everywhere. We see God as the ultimate arbiter of truth which produces transformation in the life of his people, and how His transcendence and truth should lead us to a place of self-reflection, humility, and reliance on the God of truth and transcendence who reveals Himself through the person and work of Jesus. In Psalm 19 we will see how God has chosen to disclose Himself to humanity in general and His people specifically. How do we know there is a God? How do we know about God? How do we have clarity about God’s will? How are we to respond to God? How are we transformed? Good Morning Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we continue our summer series Psalms: Soundtrack for our Souls. The Psalms are a rich anthology to help us have a realistic and artistic voice for understanding the complex relationship between God and His People as we learn how to think, act, feel and relate to God. The collection is brought together for a purpose. For a people, both individual and corporately, to be able to navigate and make sense of the God, the world, their lives and hearts in a language that speaks deeply to the soul. The Psalms are not a systematic theology, and they are not a science text book about the natural world, but they teach doctrine and the give poetic voice to what is true about God, His creation and His people. Key truths of God’s character and nature include God as the Creator of everything, Redeemer of His people, one who sustains, provides, and protects in the face of trials and opposition. We sing to God as warrior, King, Father, teacher, and judge, but most importantly… Psalms are about Jesus - Jesus is clear in Luke 24 that all of the Law, prophets, psalms point to him and are about HIM. Specifically, we see God as the Creator of transcendent beauty and glory permeating everywhere. We see God as the ultimate arbiter of truth which produces transformation in the life of his people, and how His transcendence and truth should lead us to a place of self-reflection, humility, and reliance on the God of truth and transcendence who reveals Himself through the person and work of Jesus. In Psalm 19 we will see how God has chosen to disclose Himself to humanity in general and His people specifically. How do we know there is a God? How do we know about God? How do we have clarity about God’s will? How are we to respond to God? How are we transformed? https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-07-11/782/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-truth-transcendence-psalm-19 Sun, 11 Jul 2021 11:30:00 -0700 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 Declaring Dependance on the King | Psalm 2 PSALMS | Soundtrack for our Souls | Summer 2021 Declaring Dependance on the King | Psalm 2 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-07-04/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-declaring-dependance-on-the-king-psalm-2 Good Morning Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we continue our summer series Psalms: Soundtrack for our Souls. The Psalms are a rich anthology to help us have a realistic and artistic voice for understanding the complex relationship between God and His People as we learn how to think, act, feel and relate to God. The collection is brought together for a purpose. For a people, both individual and corporately, to be able to navigate and make sense of the God, the world, their lives and hearts in a language that speaks deeply to the soul. The Psalms are not a systematic theology, but they teach doctrine and the give poetic voice to what is true about God and His people. Key truths of God’s character and nature include God as the Creator of everything, Redeemer of His people, one who sustains, provides, and protects in the face of trials and opposition. We sing to God as warrior, King, Father, teacher, and judge, but most importantly… Psalms are about Jesus - Jesus is clear in Luke 24 that all of the Law, prophets, psalms point to him and are about HIM. One of the big themes is his Kingship: A huge concept though out the Psalms as David, a human king writes both about his experience as a king and serving God as King. These are like national anthems rallying and unifying a people around a shared national identity as citizens of God’s people under King Jesus. Psalm 2, is one of the most quoted in the New Testament, as the plot of the kings of this earth to rebel and be independent of God is met by the plot of God our King to lead, rule and care for His people through His Son. There is a tension between the collective counsel of humanity opposed to God and the wisdom of God to unite the diverse nations, cultures, and people of the world together under one banner for their blessing and His Glory. We believe freedom and flourishing come from declaring independence from the King where true joy comes from recognizing and embracing our dependance on Him. Good Morning Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we continue our summer series Psalms: Soundtrack for our Souls. The Psalms are a rich anthology to help us have a realistic and artistic voice for understanding the complex relationship between God and His People as we learn how to think, act, feel and relate to God. The collection is brought together for a purpose. For a people, both individual and corporately, to be able to navigate and make sense of the God, the world, their lives and hearts in a language that speaks deeply to the soul. The Psalms are not a systematic theology, but they teach doctrine and the give poetic voice to what is true about God and His people. Key truths of God’s character and nature include God as the Creator of everything, Redeemer of His people, one who sustains, provides, and protects in the face of trials and opposition. We sing to God as warrior, King, Father, teacher, and judge, but most importantly… Psalms are about Jesus - Jesus is clear in Luke 24 that all of the Law, prophets, psalms point to him and are about HIM. One of the big themes is his Kingship: A huge concept though out the Psalms as David, a human king writes both about his experience as a king and serving God as King. These are like national anthems rallying and unifying a people around a shared national identity as citizens of God’s people under King Jesus. Psalm 2, is one of the most quoted in the New Testament, as the plot of the kings of this earth to rebel and be independent of God is met by the plot of God our King to lead, rule and care for His people through His Son. There is a tension between the collective counsel of humanity opposed to God and the wisdom of God to unite the diverse nations, cultures, and people of the world together under one banner for their blessing and His Glory. We believe freedom and flourishing come from declaring independence from the King where true joy comes from recognizing and embracing our dependance on Him. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-07-04/781/psalms-soundtrack-for-our-souls-summer-2021-declaring-dependance-on-the-king-psalm-2 Sun, 4 Jul 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XX | Courage to Endure | 2 Corinthians 12:20-13:14 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XX | Courage to Endure | 2 Corinthians 12:20-13:14 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-06-20/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xx-courage-to-endure-2-corinthians-1220-1314 We exist to make Disciples of Jesus Christ who Love God and Love People. Endurance matters- Disciples are disciplined and have some longevity. The Christian life is not lived as a one-time experience or conversion but a “long obedience in the same direction”. It is not how you start a race; it’s how you finish. This means endurance. To endure is to remain or continue even in the midst of great difficulty to a greater destination. Endurance is usually a sign of significant strength. Yet paradoxically we find ourselves both weary and weak the longer we endure difficulty. We need to find both comfort in the present and courage to continue not despite our weakness, but in our weakness. Seeking strength, we look within ourselves for affirmation or beyond ourselves for inspiration when in fact we have all we need in Christ. That doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be hindrances to endurance. Our journey will be long and will include difficulty. Two things hinder endurance. First, difficult seasons of division and disunity hinder our endurance like playing in a hostile arena. We’re not innocent in all things either. We will hurt others and be hurt by others. We will need to pursue humility and at times we will be humbled. When broken, restoration will require repentance and reconciliation. This is difficult, but necessary for endurance. The second thing hindering our endurance is our own sin, failure, and frailty. We’re trying to run a race, but we’ve done things or are actively doing things which are counterproductive at best or sinful at worst. If we are going to endure it means we will have to be courageous enough to risk transformation by confronting or correcting what is hindering us even when it’s uncomfortable. The alternative is convincing ourselves we’re comfortable being hindered, having our effectiveness minimized, joy reduced, and endurance hampered. Paul writing to the Corinthians is going to be very specific about the conditions in the Corinthian church using both clear and convicting language for the purpose of seeking repentance and restoration. While specific to them, the end of this letter is applicable for any church because it hits key principals about the importance and interaction of church culture and individual sin. So we will look at three key ideas from this conclusion to help us endure. #1: What hinders our endurance. #2: How the Gospel answers it. # 3: What our posture and disposition should be to foster endurance, and finally encouragement. While weak we can have courage to endure in the mercy and grace of God. We exist to make Disciples of Jesus Christ who Love God and Love People. Endurance matters- Disciples are disciplined and have some longevity. The Christian life is not lived as a one-time experience or conversion but a “long obedience in the same direction”. It is not how you start a race; it’s how you finish. This means endurance. To endure is to remain or continue even in the midst of great difficulty to a greater destination. Endurance is usually a sign of significant strength. Yet paradoxically we find ourselves both weary and weak the longer we endure difficulty. We need to find both comfort in the present and courage to continue not despite our weakness, but in our weakness. Seeking strength, we look within ourselves for affirmation or beyond ourselves for inspiration when in fact we have all we need in Christ. That doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be hindrances to endurance. Our journey will be long and will include difficulty. Two things hinder endurance. First, difficult seasons of division and disunity hinder our endurance like playing in a hostile arena. We’re not innocent in all things either. We will hurt others and be hurt by others. We will need to pursue humility and at times we will be humbled. When broken, restoration will require repentance and reconciliation. This is difficult, but necessary for endurance. The second thing hindering our endurance is our own sin, failure, and frailty. We’re trying to run a race, but we’ve done things or are actively doing things which are counterproductive at best or sinful at worst. If we are going to endure it means we will have to be courageous enough to risk transformation by confronting or correcting what is hindering us even when it’s uncomfortable. The alternative is convincing ourselves we’re comfortable being hindered, having our effectiveness minimized, joy reduced, and endurance hampered. Paul writing to the Corinthians is going to be very specific about the conditions in the Corinthian church using both clear and convicting language for the purpose of seeking repentance and restoration. While specific to them, the end of this letter is applicable for any church because it hits key principals about the importance and interaction of church culture and individual sin. So we will look at three key ideas from this conclusion to help us endure. #1: What hinders our endurance. #2: How the Gospel answers it. # 3: What our posture and disposition should be to foster endurance, and finally encouragement. While weak we can have courage to endure in the mercy and grace of God. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-06-20/780/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xx-courage-to-endure-2-corinthians-1220-1314 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 11:30:00 -0700 FAITHFUL TO GOD | Trials, Temptations, Perfect Gifts and Crown of Life | James 1:12-18 FAITHFUL TO GOD | Trials, Temptations, Perfect Gifts and Crown of Life | James 1:12-18 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-06-13/faithful-to-god-trials-temptations-perfect-gifts-and-crown-of-life-james-112-18 And when we get to James and He addresses them as the “12 tribes in the Dispersion.” James is bringing up their identity as the church, being the people of God at the beginning of this letter and it’s so significant because when we face trials, we have the tendency to think, we are going through trials because God is distant. Or when we are facing trials we think not only is God distant but we must not be God’s people if we are facing hardships. And what James, the half-brother of Jesus is doing, is reminding them that even though you are facing trials, you are still God’s people. And the God that said to Joshua in the OT “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” so it is the same God who speaks to to all Christians in all places that feel discouraged when they face trials wondering if God is near. God is near and He does care and will use your trials for His redemptive purposes in your life. And it’s from this spring board of their identity that James begins to instruct them on how to live. If we miss this, we will mis-read all of James. It’s not that we count it all joy when we face trials, seek wisdom, care for the orphan and the widow so that, we can be part of God’s family, rather it is because we are a part of God’s family already that we by “counting it all joy when you face trials,” to asking God for wisdom and care for the orphan and widow. We are not working for an identity but we are working from an identity that we’ve been given by God. And when we get to James and He addresses them as the “12 tribes in the Dispersion.” James is bringing up their identity as the church, being the people of God at the beginning of this letter and it’s so significant because when we face trials, we have the tendency to think, we are going through trials because God is distant. Or when we are facing trials we think not only is God distant but we must not be God’s people if we are facing hardships. And what James, the half-brother of Jesus is doing, is reminding them that even though you are facing trials, you are still God’s people. And the God that said to Joshua in the OT “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” so it is the same God who speaks to to all Christians in all places that feel discouraged when they face trials wondering if God is near. God is near and He does care and will use your trials for His redemptive purposes in your life. And it’s from this spring board of their identity that James begins to instruct them on how to live. If we miss this, we will mis-read all of James. It’s not that we count it all joy when we face trials, seek wisdom, care for the orphan and the widow so that, we can be part of God’s family, rather it is because we are a part of God’s family already that we by “counting it all joy when you face trials,” to asking God for wisdom and care for the orphan and widow. We are not working for an identity but we are working from an identity that we’ve been given by God. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-06-13/779/faithful-to-god-trials-temptations-perfect-gifts-and-crown-of-life-james-112-18 Sun, 13 Jun 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XIX | Enduring Weakness | 2 Corinthians 12:1-19 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XIX | Enduring Weakness | 2 Corinthians 12:1-19 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-06-06/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xix-enduring-weakness-2-corinthians-121-19 Good Morning! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we are continuing our series ENDURE: Courage in Weakness. If you’re going to follow someone, or if you’re going to learn from someone, what type of person do you want them to be? If you get a personal trainer, you want them to be jacked right. If you have a spiritually leader you want them to be enlightened, a business coach who is a failure isn’t who we want to sign up for. This assumes we have curiosity at all. Sometimes we think we have all the answers on our own. We are too easily impressed, because we can be impressed with ourselves. This is not a path that will lead to glory or contentment. As this series draws to a close this is the penultimate sermon/text which is the key to the entire rest of the book and how we endure. Central to this letter is the paradox of how we see and relate to our own insufficiency. Paul, writing to this church has just spent the end of chapter 11 talking about all his credentials for ministry. Yes, he’s educated, a citizen, with the right lineage, right training, but what really qualifies him for leadership and why he says they should engage with his understanding of the Gospel is his suffering. He leads with his failures and frustrations as marks of faithfulness. And just so we don’t mistake his faithfulness for pride in his ability to endure, Paul talks about being lowered in a basket fleeing from Damascus as he’s pursued by an vicious enemy. That doesn’t look like victory, that doesn’t look like taking ground, that looks like defeat and retreat. So how do we grow from that? Enduring is our path to ultimate victory. To understand how we endure the Christians life we need to experience strength through weakness. Good Morning! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we are continuing our series ENDURE: Courage in Weakness. If you’re going to follow someone, or if you’re going to learn from someone, what type of person do you want them to be? If you get a personal trainer, you want them to be jacked right. If you have a spiritually leader you want them to be enlightened, a business coach who is a failure isn’t who we want to sign up for. This assumes we have curiosity at all. Sometimes we think we have all the answers on our own. We are too easily impressed, because we can be impressed with ourselves. This is not a path that will lead to glory or contentment. As this series draws to a close this is the penultimate sermon/text which is the key to the entire rest of the book and how we endure. Central to this letter is the paradox of how we see and relate to our own insufficiency. Paul, writing to this church has just spent the end of chapter 11 talking about all his credentials for ministry. Yes, he’s educated, a citizen, with the right lineage, right training, but what really qualifies him for leadership and why he says they should engage with his understanding of the Gospel is his suffering. He leads with his failures and frustrations as marks of faithfulness. And just so we don’t mistake his faithfulness for pride in his ability to endure, Paul talks about being lowered in a basket fleeing from Damascus as he’s pursued by an vicious enemy. That doesn’t look like victory, that doesn’t look like taking ground, that looks like defeat and retreat. So how do we grow from that? Enduring is our path to ultimate victory. To understand how we endure the Christians life we need to experience strength through weakness. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-06-06/778/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xix-enduring-weakness-2-corinthians-121-19 Sun, 6 Jun 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XVIII | Leading out of Weakness and Vulnerability ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XVIII | Leading out of Weakness and Vulnerability https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-30/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xviii-leading-out-of-weakness-and-vulnerability As we read this passage, immediately it feels a little difficult to follow. What we need to remember here is that this is a letter, not a theological essay. Meaning Paul is applying the teachings of Jesus to a particular situation. Part of the difficulty in understanding a letter is that it is only one side of the conversation. Have you ever heard someone talking on the phone and you only heard one side of the conversation. This requires you to piece together the rest of the conversation. This becomes even tricker when you far from the time and culture. Also, tone can be difficult to pick up and in this passage we see Paul using sarcasm. Here is what Jesus said about weakness and vulnerability Matthew 5:2-12 And qhe opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 r“Blessed are sthe poor in spirit, for utheirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are vthose who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the wmeek, for they wshall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and xthirst yfor righteousness, for they shall be s atisfied. 7 “Blessed are zthe merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are athe pure in heart, for bthey shall see God. 9 “Blessed are cthe peacemakers, for dthey shall be called esons1 of God. 10 f“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for utheirs is th e kingdom of heaven. 11 g“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely hon my account. 12 iRejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for jso they persecuted the prophets who were before you. As we read this passage, immediately it feels a little difficult to follow. What we need to remember here is that this is a letter, not a theological essay. Meaning Paul is applying the teachings of Jesus to a particular situation. Part of the difficulty in understanding a letter is that it is only one side of the conversation. Have you ever heard someone talking on the phone and you only heard one side of the conversation. This requires you to piece together the rest of the conversation. This becomes even tricker when you far from the time and culture. Also, tone can be difficult to pick up and in this passage we see Paul using sarcasm. Here is what Jesus said about weakness and vulnerability Matthew 5:2-12 And qhe opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 r“Blessed are sthe poor in spirit, for utheirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are vthose who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the wmeek, for they wshall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and xthirst yfor righteousness, for they shall be s atisfied. 7 “Blessed are zthe merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are athe pure in heart, for bthey shall see God. 9 “Blessed are cthe peacemakers, for dthey shall be called esons1 of God. 10 f“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for utheirs is th e kingdom of heaven. 11 g“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely hon my account. 12 iRejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for jso they persecuted the prophets who were before you. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-30/777/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xviii-leading-out-of-weakness-and-vulnerability Sun, 30 May 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XVII | Enduring Devotion | 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XVII | Enduring Devotion | 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-23/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xvii-enduring-devotion-2-corinthians-111-15 What robs us of the truth and endurance? Last week we said if you want to lose your joy simply get Jesus wrong because when you get Jesus wrong you’ll get everything else wrong. This was in the context of Paul talking to the Corinthian church about their individual joy and their church culture. Ending foolish comparison, holding every thought captive, searching for your approval in yourself or others are all part of the internal struggle for joy and peace impacting our lives and shaping our church culture. These matter as we seek to make Disciples of Jesus Christ who Love God and Love People. We want individual transformation and a transformative culture in our church recognizing the two are interrelated. Additionally we, individually and corporately, do not exist in a perfect Christian bubble, nor should we. As we are called to go into the world who needs the hope and mercy of Christ, we have to be aware of the river we’re diving into or really having been swimming in. We need to understand it’s currents and destination if we are going to navigate it well. Not all news is “Good News”. We also need to look at how we engage with a world around us full of false narratives. Not all leaders prophets, or pundits are worthy of following listening to, or emulating. Wisdom and discernment are essential to effectively evaluate what we hear and who we respond to. We need help cultivating pure desire with sincere discipline. When desire and discipline meet it creates enduring devotion. What robs us of the truth and endurance? Last week we said if you want to lose your joy simply get Jesus wrong because when you get Jesus wrong you’ll get everything else wrong. This was in the context of Paul talking to the Corinthian church about their individual joy and their church culture. Ending foolish comparison, holding every thought captive, searching for your approval in yourself or others are all part of the internal struggle for joy and peace impacting our lives and shaping our church culture. These matter as we seek to make Disciples of Jesus Christ who Love God and Love People. We want individual transformation and a transformative culture in our church recognizing the two are interrelated. Additionally we, individually and corporately, do not exist in a perfect Christian bubble, nor should we. As we are called to go into the world who needs the hope and mercy of Christ, we have to be aware of the river we’re diving into or really having been swimming in. We need to understand it’s currents and destination if we are going to navigate it well. Not all news is “Good News”. We also need to look at how we engage with a world around us full of false narratives. Not all leaders prophets, or pundits are worthy of following listening to, or emulating. Wisdom and discernment are essential to effectively evaluate what we hear and who we respond to. We need help cultivating pure desire with sincere discipline. When desire and discipline meet it creates enduring devotion. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-23/776/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xvii-enduring-devotion-2-corinthians-111-15 Sun, 23 May 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XVI | Courageous Humility | 2 Corinthians 10 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XVI | Courageous Humility | 2 Corinthians 10 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-16/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xvi-courageous-humility-2-corinthians-10 What robs you of Joy? Where and how do you find yourself running off the rails in stress, fear, unsettledness? There is a war being waged for your joy on numerous fronts. Being away of Spiritual forces, comparison with others, actual opponents, even our own thoughts at times seek our defeat. Attacks can be subtle as pride seeks to overwhelm our sense of self and how we engage with others. We are weak; we need a strength beyond our ourselves to combat crippling pride with courageous humility. Addressing how pride and humility impact joy matters as we seek to make Disciples who Love God and Love People. We want individual transformation and a transformative culture in our church recognizing the two are interrelated. We are reading the transcripts of one side of a phone conversation between a pastor and the church (not a back in forth text exchange) The point of the exchange is to help address concerns with their church culture leading them both be less effective in their mission and less enjoyment in their fellowship. As we look at these verses, I want us to see what we do that robs us of joy so we can repent and receive joy with the Lord. What robs you of Joy? Where and how do you find yourself running off the rails in stress, fear, unsettledness? There is a war being waged for your joy on numerous fronts. Being away of Spiritual forces, comparison with others, actual opponents, even our own thoughts at times seek our defeat. Attacks can be subtle as pride seeks to overwhelm our sense of self and how we engage with others. We are weak; we need a strength beyond our ourselves to combat crippling pride with courageous humility. Addressing how pride and humility impact joy matters as we seek to make Disciples who Love God and Love People. We want individual transformation and a transformative culture in our church recognizing the two are interrelated. We are reading the transcripts of one side of a phone conversation between a pastor and the church (not a back in forth text exchange) The point of the exchange is to help address concerns with their church culture leading them both be less effective in their mission and less enjoyment in their fellowship. As we look at these verses, I want us to see what we do that robs us of joy so we can repent and receive joy with the Lord. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-16/775/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xvi-courageous-humility-2-corinthians-10 Sun, 16 May 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XIV| Enduring Giving | 2 Corinthians 9 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XIV| Enduring Giving | 2 Corinthians 9 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-09/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xiv-enduring-giving-2-corinthians-9 If we exist to make Disciples of Jesus Christ who Love God and Love people, we have to talk about what that looks like in each aspect of life. Love is emotion and desire but is also intention and tangible action. We can tell a lot about ourselves and others with how we spend our time, talent and treasure. Specifically, what and who we value. This is intrinsic to how we understand the concept of worship or “worth-ship”. How we spend or what we give show what we see and find worth in. Every dollar we spend, give, invest, is a doctrinal statement about what we believe about God, ourselves, others, and the world around us. While there are great shifts in the culture around us and many issues we can cover and address at any given point, working through 2 Corinthians helps guide and shape what we preach and teach each week. Generosity and giving matter if we’re going to be holistic disciples. Additionally, we are shaped by the character and nature of God. If we exist to make Disciples of Jesus Christ who Love God and Love people, we have to talk about what that looks like in each aspect of life. Love is emotion and desire but is also intention and tangible action. We can tell a lot about ourselves and others with how we spend our time, talent and treasure. Specifically, what and who we value. This is intrinsic to how we understand the concept of worship or “worth-ship”. How we spend or what we give show what we see and find worth in. Every dollar we spend, give, invest, is a doctrinal statement about what we believe about God, ourselves, others, and the world around us. While there are great shifts in the culture around us and many issues we can cover and address at any given point, working through 2 Corinthians helps guide and shape what we preach and teach each week. Generosity and giving matter if we’re going to be holistic disciples. Additionally, we are shaped by the character and nature of God. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-09/774/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xiv-enduring-giving-2-corinthians-9 Sun, 9 May 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XIV| Courageous Generosity | 2 Corinthians 8 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XIV| Courageous Generosity | 2 Corinthians 8 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-02/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xiv-courageous-generosity-2-corinthians-8 How do you respond in times of need, want, desire, and desperation? We need. We desire. We take. Because we are self-focused people, we can be driven to be more concerned with ourselves than others. This includes how we see and interact with the material world. We functionally believe the very existence of the world, society, those around you exist for you to be made much of. So hourly and daily we talk in our heads about how any situation is making us feel, how to act in ways that will lead to our own self benefit. We’ve got to watch out for #1 and that’s always us. This happens both in times of great need and times of great abundance. This is us having an orientation towards our selves at the expense of how our actions affect other people. When we are needy or greedy, we close our hands on what we have out of fear we will not have enough. When we have much, we think most about how we will because we assume all that we have, have been given, or possess is our alone rather than from God. Our desires are usually very immediate, temporary, and selfish so we too often desire immediate comfort over long term correction. Part of our challenge is we believe and act as if we will find the most enjoyment and fullness from consuming over contributing. To have our hands opened to give, share, and be generous in ways which cost us requires courage. Generosity, in all its forms is an act of faith and courage relying not on what we possess but who we behold and how we understand the blessings we have received and the responsibility we have been given. This courage is birthed from being reorientated to see what we have been given and how we give. How do you respond in times of need, want, desire, and desperation? We need. We desire. We take. Because we are self-focused people, we can be driven to be more concerned with ourselves than others. This includes how we see and interact with the material world. We functionally believe the very existence of the world, society, those around you exist for you to be made much of. So hourly and daily we talk in our heads about how any situation is making us feel, how to act in ways that will lead to our own self benefit. We’ve got to watch out for #1 and that’s always us. This happens both in times of great need and times of great abundance. This is us having an orientation towards our selves at the expense of how our actions affect other people. When we are needy or greedy, we close our hands on what we have out of fear we will not have enough. When we have much, we think most about how we will because we assume all that we have, have been given, or possess is our alone rather than from God. Our desires are usually very immediate, temporary, and selfish so we too often desire immediate comfort over long term correction. Part of our challenge is we believe and act as if we will find the most enjoyment and fullness from consuming over contributing. To have our hands opened to give, share, and be generous in ways which cost us requires courage. Generosity, in all its forms is an act of faith and courage relying not on what we possess but who we behold and how we understand the blessings we have received and the responsibility we have been given. This courage is birthed from being reorientated to see what we have been given and how we give. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-05-02/773/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xiv-courageous-generosity-2-corinthians-8 Sun, 2 May 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XIII | Enduring Repentance | 2 Corinthians 7:5-16 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XIII | Enduring Repentance | 2 Corinthians 7:5-16 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-04-25/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xiii-enduring-repentance-2-corinthians-75-16 We are not yet perfect. Anyone want to argue otherwise? If we are Christians our eyes are open to recognize sin is real, brokenness impacts and influences us and the world in a variety of ways, yet we are called to holiness. Surely we can all just give ourselves a pass for our actions and attitudes over the past year a least because of all the societal challenges, right? But if we’re honest with ourselves we haven’t always been crushing it in the best of times let alone the worst of times (Which I don’t contend is right now) While it seems like we’re landed but waiting for our gate to deplane to get back to “normal” we cannot be whole reliant our circumstances to change for us to experience real change in our lives and our souls. Even prefect conditions can and do still lead to sin and failure. What does endurance like individually and relationally when sin is real? Affliction comes in many forms. We experience grief for many different reasons. While the actions of others can discourage us, it is often our choices which cause us the greatest pain. Where we are personally derailed by the impact of sin, repentance is needed to return us to the path of endurance. Where we are discouraged we need to find comfort and encouragement to not despair. We don’t do this alone or with our own strength. In Christ we have been made new AND we are called pursue being new for our joy and God’s glory. We are not yet perfect. Anyone want to argue otherwise? If we are Christians our eyes are open to recognize sin is real, brokenness impacts and influences us and the world in a variety of ways, yet we are called to holiness. Surely we can all just give ourselves a pass for our actions and attitudes over the past year a least because of all the societal challenges, right? But if we’re honest with ourselves we haven’t always been crushing it in the best of times let alone the worst of times (Which I don’t contend is right now) While it seems like we’re landed but waiting for our gate to deplane to get back to “normal” we cannot be whole reliant our circumstances to change for us to experience real change in our lives and our souls. Even prefect conditions can and do still lead to sin and failure. What does endurance like individually and relationally when sin is real? Affliction comes in many forms. We experience grief for many different reasons. While the actions of others can discourage us, it is often our choices which cause us the greatest pain. Where we are personally derailed by the impact of sin, repentance is needed to return us to the path of endurance. Where we are discouraged we need to find comfort and encouragement to not despair. We don’t do this alone or with our own strength. In Christ we have been made new AND we are called pursue being new for our joy and God’s glory. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-04-25/772/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xiii-enduring-repentance-2-corinthians-75-16 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XII | Courageous Division | 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XII | Courageous Division | 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-04-18/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xii-courageous-division-2-corinthians-614-74 Let’s talk about influence and effectiveness? We have strong internal desires and powerful external influences competing for our attention and affection. Some helpful, some harmful. We think of influence in negative terms because we believe we are this steady immovable rock neutral or right in how we see and engage the world. Yet, all of us are influenced our entire lives in countless ways positively and negatively. If we are Christians our eyes are open to recognize sin is real, brokenness impacts and influences us and the world in a variety of ways, yet we are called to holiness. What does endurance look like in a world opposed to God? Retreat- Sin is a disease we could catch and need to avoid at all costs so the best way to do that is bunker down in a holy huddle. This is attractive because it appears safe but neglects that we’ve got the disease too. It is big on calling out sins the community isn’t actively engaged with while ignoring those which remain present. Receive- Sin doesn’t exist (at least not the way God defines it) doesn’t have consequences or is in fact not something to be avoided but is something to accept, affirm, and even advocate for. This is attractive because all sin starts with a promise of greater/flourishing life/pleasure purpose, etc. and is usually popular so it appears to be acceptable. However, it ignores the reality of…… sin is real has consequences, shame, separation, and eventually death. It at times includes even a rejection or denial of objective reality itself. Sin’s promises are empty - This is not a new issue, it is one dealt with in generation after generation and it presents itself in different ways so when/where/who we grew up with, run with now, or listen to have a great impact on how we see and engage the world. None of us are neutral, while In Christ we have been made new AND we are called to holiness for the purposes of our joy and God’s glory. How can we stay actively engaged with the world without engaging in active sin? Faithful endurance requires Courageous Division. Let’s talk about influence and effectiveness? We have strong internal desires and powerful external influences competing for our attention and affection. Some helpful, some harmful. We think of influence in negative terms because we believe we are this steady immovable rock neutral or right in how we see and engage the world. Yet, all of us are influenced our entire lives in countless ways positively and negatively. If we are Christians our eyes are open to recognize sin is real, brokenness impacts and influences us and the world in a variety of ways, yet we are called to holiness. What does endurance look like in a world opposed to God? Retreat- Sin is a disease we could catch and need to avoid at all costs so the best way to do that is bunker down in a holy huddle. This is attractive because it appears safe but neglects that we’ve got the disease too. It is big on calling out sins the community isn’t actively engaged with while ignoring those which remain present. Receive- Sin doesn’t exist (at least not the way God defines it) doesn’t have consequences or is in fact not something to be avoided but is something to accept, affirm, and even advocate for. This is attractive because all sin starts with a promise of greater/flourishing life/pleasure purpose, etc. and is usually popular so it appears to be acceptable. However, it ignores the reality of…… sin is real has consequences, shame, separation, and eventually death. It at times includes even a rejection or denial of objective reality itself. Sin’s promises are empty - This is not a new issue, it is one dealt with in generation after generation and it presents itself in different ways so when/where/who we grew up with, run with now, or listen to have a great impact on how we see and engage the world. None of us are neutral, while In Christ we have been made new AND we are called to holiness for the purposes of our joy and God’s glory. How can we stay actively engaged with the world without engaging in active sin? Faithful endurance requires Courageous Division. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-04-18/771/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xii-courageous-division-2-corinthians-614-74 Sun, 18 Apr 2021 11:30:00 -0700 Praying to the Father | Matthew 6:9-13 Praying to the Father | Matthew 6:9-13 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-04-11/praying-to-the-father-matthew-69-13 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-04-11/770/praying-to-the-father-matthew-69-13 Sun, 11 Apr 2021 11:30:00 -0700 EASTER 2021 Risen King | Matthew 27:62-28:15 EASTER 2021 Risen King | Matthew 27:62-28:15 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-04-04/easter-2021-risen-king-matthew-2762-2815 Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Happy Resurrection Sunday! Christ has risen! This past week and this Sunday in particular is unique and set apart, looking at Jesus path to the cross where He took our defeat for us on Good Friday. We remembered Good Friday is Good because Jesus in on the cross in our place. This morning we celebrate His victorious resurrection on Easter. Jesus is the savior-king, Christ, Messiah of God’s people. He is the king crucified for His people; He is the Savior risen for His people. This isn’t only significant for Christians but we believe it is for everyone. Why do you believe what you believe? Where do you look to for Hope, Identity, and purpose? All of us believe in something. All of us come with our own bias, experiences, and perspectives each limited to what we can perceive and process, none of us are truly neutral or faithless. “Our moral values, our belief about human nature, our beliefs about whether the material universe was its own cause or was created by God Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Happy Resurrection Sunday! Christ has risen! This past week and this Sunday in particular is unique and set apart, looking at Jesus path to the cross where He took our defeat for us on Good Friday. We remembered Good Friday is Good because Jesus in on the cross in our place. This morning we celebrate His victorious resurrection on Easter. Jesus is the savior-king, Christ, Messiah of God’s people. He is the king crucified for His people; He is the Savior risen for His people. This isn’t only significant for Christians but we believe it is for everyone. Why do you believe what you believe? Where do you look to for Hope, Identity, and purpose? All of us believe in something. All of us come with our own bias, experiences, and perspectives each limited to what we can perceive and process, none of us are truly neutral or faithless. “Our moral values, our belief about human nature, our beliefs about whether the material universe was its own cause or was created by God https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-04-04/769/easter-2021-risen-king-matthew-2762-2815 Sun, 4 Apr 2021 11:30:00 -0700 EASTER 2021 PALM SUNDAY | Luke 19:28-48 EASTER 2021 PALM SUNDAY | Luke 19:28-48 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-03-28/easter-2021-palm-sunday-luke-19:28-48 Good Morning Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. In an unsettling season where deconstruction reigns we are given a gift in the church calendar of Holy Week to resettle. This week we join with Christians around the world celebrating Palm Sunday. This is week of contemplation, remembering AND resting in what has been accomplished. We need hope, empathy, and leadership. Not distant, but hope that shows up! God knows we need hope. Hope gives us endurance today that tomorrow will be better. We can have hope today and trust God for our future because we can look back and see in Jesus, Hope Arrived. To set the scene, Jesus has been performing miracles, He’s been preaching and teaching in the region around Jericho and now He’s turning towards Jerusalem on His way to Passover. A time God’s people were gathering in a Holy City to remember the God who took them out of slavery in Egypt where death passed over them because of a symbolic sacrifice in their place. God’s people coming to their city in their promised land to celebrate God’s salvation, but it doesn’t feel quite right. Jerusalem (and Israel), at this time, isn’t independent and is not thriving. It’s under oppression from Rome. It’s a bit of a ghetto where a subculture of Judaism and temple worship is permitted but has been be a bit perverted. The people’s government is corrupt and self-serving Everyone knows the real power is in Rome. Change is desired, satisfaction in lacking, and different parties have competing views on what freedom and flourishing look like. As the city begins to fill up with visitors, Jew and gentle pilgrims, the Roman military presence is also increased bring the intensity level to a near boil. This is not paradise, this is not peace. Disorder, discrimination, and discord are reigning. This city needs a savior, and He’s coming. Good Morning Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. In an unsettling season where deconstruction reigns we are given a gift in the church calendar of Holy Week to resettle. This week we join with Christians around the world celebrating Palm Sunday. This is week of contemplation, remembering AND resting in what has been accomplished. We need hope, empathy, and leadership. Not distant, but hope that shows up! God knows we need hope. Hope gives us endurance today that tomorrow will be better. We can have hope today and trust God for our future because we can look back and see in Jesus, Hope Arrived. To set the scene, Jesus has been performing miracles, He’s been preaching and teaching in the region around Jericho and now He’s turning towards Jerusalem on His way to Passover. A time God’s people were gathering in a Holy City to remember the God who took them out of slavery in Egypt where death passed over them because of a symbolic sacrifice in their place. God’s people coming to their city in their promised land to celebrate God’s salvation, but it doesn’t feel quite right. Jerusalem (and Israel), at this time, isn’t independent and is not thriving. It’s under oppression from Rome. It’s a bit of a ghetto where a subculture of Judaism and temple worship is permitted but has been be a bit perverted. The people’s government is corrupt and self-serving Everyone knows the real power is in Rome. Change is desired, satisfaction in lacking, and different parties have competing views on what freedom and flourishing look like. As the city begins to fill up with visitors, Jew and gentle pilgrims, the Roman military presence is also increased bring the intensity level to a near boil. This is not paradise, this is not peace. Disorder, discrimination, and discord are reigning. This city needs a savior, and He’s coming. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-03-28/768/easter-2021-palm-sunday-luke-19:28-48 Sun, 28 Mar 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XI| Enduring Dishonor | 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART XI| Enduring Dishonor | 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-03-21/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xi-enduring-dishonor-2-corinthians-6:1-13 Let’s talk about shame, suffering, and separation. We know shame. We know suffering. We know separation. These are part of the consequences of living in our imperfect world, but we don’t like talking about them. We would rather pretend they don’t impact us or they are only things others endure. The fact remains each have implication for how we see ourselves and others and affect how we relate to God. Shame- I know what I’ve done (or has been done to me). We realize we are not perfect. When we fail in anyway, we experience guilt (and maybe we are guilty). Others have harmed or abused us impacting our self-worth staining our psyche. We wear a scarlet letter This is shame. I am concerned it now defines me. Suffering- I know what I’ve dealt with (or am dealing with). There is pain and difficulty in the world often because of circumstances often beyond our control. Yet at times it can even be consequences of our own choices or results of our responsibilities. Craving flourishing, we face failure. I am concerned it will defeat me. Separation- I know who is distant (and maybe I even know why). People you were close with or thought were friends turn out to be foes. We try to move on, but grief needs to be processed. We carry brokenness into new relationships with bitterness from the past and fear of the future. I am concerned it disconnects me. These categories all need to be included in our concept and understanding of the impact of what the Bible calls “Sin”. Individually, Sin is missing the mark, it’s breaking God’s law, and how we are bent out of shape in this world. Corporately, it is the systems, structures, and societal norms of injustice oppression opposed to God’s rule and true human flourishing. In Creation, sin manifest itself in world hostile to enduing eternal life including disease and destruction. For most of our lives we have thought about sin in the court room context of “guilt/innocence” and that is not wrong. It is that, AND the Bible was written in and to a cultural context of “honor/shame”. When we endure shame, suffering, separation in can manifest itself dishonor. We cannot bear the dishonor of sin we’ve caused, or endured from, others. We need a salvation outside our ourselves effective to cover our shame, clean our souls, and change our relationships if we are Enduring Dishonor. Let’s talk about shame, suffering, and separation. We know shame. We know suffering. We know separation. These are part of the consequences of living in our imperfect world, but we don’t like talking about them. We would rather pretend they don’t impact us or they are only things others endure. The fact remains each have implication for how we see ourselves and others and affect how we relate to God. Shame- I know what I’ve done (or has been done to me). We realize we are not perfect. When we fail in anyway, we experience guilt (and maybe we are guilty). Others have harmed or abused us impacting our self-worth staining our psyche. We wear a scarlet letter This is shame. I am concerned it now defines me. Suffering- I know what I’ve dealt with (or am dealing with). There is pain and difficulty in the world often because of circumstances often beyond our control. Yet at times it can even be consequences of our own choices or results of our responsibilities. Craving flourishing, we face failure. I am concerned it will defeat me. Separation- I know who is distant (and maybe I even know why). People you were close with or thought were friends turn out to be foes. We try to move on, but grief needs to be processed. We carry brokenness into new relationships with bitterness from the past and fear of the future. I am concerned it disconnects me. These categories all need to be included in our concept and understanding of the impact of what the Bible calls “Sin”. Individually, Sin is missing the mark, it’s breaking God’s law, and how we are bent out of shape in this world. Corporately, it is the systems, structures, and societal norms of injustice oppression opposed to God’s rule and true human flourishing. In Creation, sin manifest itself in world hostile to enduing eternal life including disease and destruction. For most of our lives we have thought about sin in the court room context of “guilt/innocence” and that is not wrong. It is that, AND the Bible was written in and to a cultural context of “honor/shame”. When we endure shame, suffering, separation in can manifest itself dishonor. We cannot bear the dishonor of sin we’ve caused, or endured from, others. We need a salvation outside our ourselves effective to cover our shame, clean our souls, and change our relationships if we are Enduring Dishonor. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-03-21/767/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-xi-enduring-dishonor-2-corinthians-6:1-13 Sun, 21 Mar 2021 11:30:00 -0700 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART X | Courageous Compulsion | 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART X | Courageous Compulsion | 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-03-14/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-x-courageous-compulsion-2-corinthians-5:11-21 What drives you? What makes you get out of bed in the AM? Why are you here today? What are some forces, fears, or influences that you recognize drive your thoughts and behaviors? Much of what drives us is under the surface and in the culture, we are in so we are consciously aware of our key motivators. Yet there are a few categories most of our motivations are derived from all leading back to or stemming from ourselves. We live for ourselves impacting our internal motivation and our external engagement. These can manifest themselves in a few key internal/external categories I believe are helpful for our understanding and applying our text today: Self-Improvement What drives you? What makes you get out of bed in the AM? Why are you here today? What are some forces, fears, or influences that you recognize drive your thoughts and behaviors? Much of what drives us is under the surface and in the culture, we are in so we are consciously aware of our key motivators. Yet there are a few categories most of our motivations are derived from all leading back to or stemming from ourselves. We live for ourselves impacting our internal motivation and our external engagement. These can manifest themselves in a few key internal/external categories I believe are helpful for our understanding and applying our text today: Self-Improvement https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-03-14/766/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-x-courageous-compulsion-2-corinthians-5:11-21 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 11:30:00 -0800 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART IX | Enduring for Eternity | 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART IX | Enduring for Eternity | 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-03-07/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-ix-enduring-for-eternity-2-corinthians-5:1-10 How long can we last? How long do you want to go? If someone said you could have 90 years guaranteed would you take it? What would you hope to accomplish and what about after? Deep in our souls we know we are made for eternity, yet our current physical bodies are anything but capable of enduring forever. But we don’t like to think about this inevitably. This past year we have a heighted awareness of human fragility as we see death totals daily rise and with it our discomfort as we respond with concern or callousness. None of us are truly comfortable death, nor should we be, but we struggle to engage with the tension we feel around life and death. We know our lives are finite yet none of us are ready to be finished. We need a clear frame work to process the truth of aging, the transition of death, the reality of the afterlife, all while remaining grounded in the time place and season we are in with purpose, perseverance, and hope. We believe today matters, but we earnestly desire something more and better tomorrow as we Endure for Eternity. How long can we last? How long do you want to go? If someone said you could have 90 years guaranteed would you take it? What would you hope to accomplish and what about after? Deep in our souls we know we are made for eternity, yet our current physical bodies are anything but capable of enduring forever. But we don’t like to think about this inevitably. This past year we have a heighted awareness of human fragility as we see death totals daily rise and with it our discomfort as we respond with concern or callousness. None of us are truly comfortable death, nor should we be, but we struggle to engage with the tension we feel around life and death. We know our lives are finite yet none of us are ready to be finished. We need a clear frame work to process the truth of aging, the transition of death, the reality of the afterlife, all while remaining grounded in the time place and season we are in with purpose, perseverance, and hope. We believe today matters, but we earnestly desire something more and better tomorrow as we Endure for Eternity. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-03-07/765/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-ix-enduring-for-eternity-2-corinthians-5:1-10 Sun, 7 Mar 2021 11:30:00 -0800 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART VIII | Enduring for Eternity | 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 ENDURE | Courage in Weakness PART VIII | Enduring for Eternity | 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-02-28/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-viii-enduring-for-eternity-2-corinthians-4:7-18 What is actually built to last? What is valuable? What we see about ourselves and experience in the world does not always seem enduring, strong, or valuable. At a certain point, as we age, we begin to see greater decay not greater glory. As we experience difficulty, we seem weaker not stronger. As we experience loss, we can lose vision of what is valuable. When we rely on that which can wear out we are left disappointed and despondent. To be prepared for eternity we need a true power worthy to endure. We need to rely on who and what is eternal if we are going to be built to last not just trough difficulty but onward to glory. What is actually built to last? What is valuable? What we see about ourselves and experience in the world does not always seem enduring, strong, or valuable. At a certain point, as we age, we begin to see greater decay not greater glory. As we experience difficulty, we seem weaker not stronger. As we experience loss, we can lose vision of what is valuable. When we rely on that which can wear out we are left disappointed and despondent. To be prepared for eternity we need a true power worthy to endure. We need to rely on who and what is eternal if we are going to be built to last not just trough difficulty but onward to glory. https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-02-28/764/endure-courage-in-weakness-part-viii-enduring-for-eternity-2-corinthians-4:7-18 Sun, 28 Feb 2021 11:30:00 -0800 Beholding the Glory of God | Matt Nickel | 2 Cor 4:1-2, 2 Cor 3:18 Beholding the Glory of God | Matt Nickel | 2 Cor 4:1-2, 2 Cor 3:18 https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-02-21/beholding-the-glory-of-god-matt-nickel-2-cor-4:1-2-2-cor-3:18 I want to start with the concept “We don’t lose heart.” Before we get into this passage deeper, I want to check in and ask, how are you doing today? Are you feeling discouraged? The last 12 months have been an incredible challenge. It’s ok, if you are feeling discouraged. That’s normal. This word “lose heart” has also been translated “faint”. To me it brought up the imagery of being so discourage you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning. It’s just not worth it. We think through this pandemic… almost 1/2 million in the US alone have died. Businesses have failed, jobs have ended, bank accounts dried up, churches have closed down… or split and to add insult to injury people have gotten cancer. Politics are a mess. It’s easy to be discouraged when the world around us is crumbling… this can sometimes lead us to a deeper more profound place of losing your trust in God. Is God really good? Is he really for me? Is he really out there? Does he care? I want to start with the concept “We don’t lose heart.” Before we get into this passage deeper, I want to check in and ask, how are you doing today? Are you feeling discouraged? The last 12 months have been an incredible challenge. It’s ok, if you are feeling discouraged. That’s normal. This word “lose heart” has also been translated “faint”. To me it brought up the imagery of being so discourage you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning. It’s just not worth it. We think through this pandemic… almost 1/2 million in the US alone have died. Businesses have failed, jobs have ended, bank accounts dried up, churches have closed down… or split and to add insult to injury people have gotten cancer. Politics are a mess. It’s easy to be discouraged when the world around us is crumbling… this can sometimes lead us to a deeper more profound place of losing your trust in God. Is God really good? Is he really for me? Is he really out there? Does he care? https://www.mrcy.life/sermons/sermon/2021-02-21/763/beholding-the-glory-of-god-matt-nickel-2-cor-4:1-2-2-cor-3:18 Sun, 21 Feb 2021 11:30:00 -0800