Brother Hughes delivers a powerful call to leave the shallow and step into the deep with God. This message explores how God pours out mercy and grace without limit—and how often we miss His work because we stay where we feel in control. When we let go, when we allow the waters of His presence to carry us, we discover a well that never runs dry. God’s grace is greater than all our sin, and He’s calling us out of comfort and into the deep places where transformation happens.

Brother Hughes delivers a powerful call to leave the shallow and step into the deep with God. This message explores how God pours out mercy and grace without limit—and how often we miss His work because we stay where we feel in control. When we let go, when we allow the waters of His presence to carry us, we discover a well that never runs dry. God’s grace is greater than all our sin, and He’s calling us out of comfort and into the deep places where transformation happens.

Many people carry a distorted vision of God—an abusive, vengeful figure waiting for us to fail so He can strike us down. When they stumble, they run from His presence, convinced judgment is coming. But nothing could be further from the truth.

On the opposite extreme are those who believe grace excuses everything. Grace does cover all sin, but Scripture is clear: we are not to rely on grace as a license to continue in sin. “Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? Certainly not.” God hates sin because of what it does to us. None of us are perfect; all have fallen short. But God’s heart is always restoration, not destruction.

When David sinned, he acknowledged his failure and chose to fall into the hands of God rather than the hands of men. He knew something we often forget: it is better to trust God’s mercy than man’s revenge. Given the choice between God and people, choose God every time.

In our text, a woman caught in the very act of adultery is dragged before Jesus. This wasn’t about justice; it was a trap. If Jesus said, “Stone her,” they could accuse Him of being harsh and vengeful. If He let her go, they could accuse Him of being soft on sin. But Jesus did something entirely different.

She expected to die. She braced for the first stone. But when she opened her eyes, the only one standing there was Jesus. If she had fallen into the hands of man, she would have been dead. But in the hands of mercy, she lived.

Jesus extended grace, but He did not excuse the sin. He said, “Go, and sin no more.” Mercy and truth—together.

So the question becomes: Who do you want judging you?

We often think we want people to handle it, but people are quick to pick up stones. God, on the other hand, is quick to forgive, quick to restore, and slow to anger.

Better to fall into the hands of God than the hands of man.

Many people carry a distorted vision of God—an abusive, vengeful figure waiting for us to fail so He can strike us down. When they stumble, they run from His presence, convinced judgment is coming. But nothing could be further from the truth.

On the opposite extreme are those who believe grace excuses everything. Grace does cover all sin, but Scripture is clear: we are not to rely on grace as a license to continue in sin. “Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? Certainly not.” God hates sin because of what it does to us. None of us are perfect; all have fallen short. But God’s heart is always restoration, not destruction.

When David sinned, he acknowledged his failure and chose to fall into the hands of God rather than the hands of men. He knew something we often forget: it is better to trust God’s mercy than man’s revenge. Given the choice between God and people, choose God every time.

In our text, a woman caught in the very act of adultery is dragged before Jesus. This wasn’t about justice; it was a trap. If Jesus said, “Stone her,” they could accuse Him of being harsh and vengeful. If He let her go, they could accuse Him of being soft on sin. But Jesus did something entirely different.

She expected to die. She braced for the first stone. But when she opened her eyes, the only one standing there was Jesus. If she had fallen into the hands of man, she would have been dead. But in the hands of mercy, she lived.

Jesus extended grace, but He did not excuse the sin. He said, “Go, and sin no more.” Mercy and truth—together.

So the question becomes: Who do you want judging you?

We often think we want people to handle it, but people are quick to pick up stones. God, on the other hand, is quick to forgive, quick to restore, and slow to anger.

Better to fall into the hands of God than the hands of man.

A popular Valentine's Day gift is a stuffed animal. Many of us can remember a special stuffed animal from our own childhoods. These toys provide comfort and companionship. In fact, many adults still hold on to a beloved stuffed friend from their youth. They symbolize a sense of security that we turn to when we need solace, highlighting our innate human desire for closeness and comfort.

These treasured items often come worn and stained, showing their age. They're not perfect, but a brand new stuffed animal in pristine condition simply can't replace the love and memories tied to the original. Despite their dirty and shabby appearance, these stuffed animals remain cherished.

The stains and wear from years of affection only add character. Just as these toys are loved in their imperfect state, God loves us with all our flaws and imperfections.

The story of Jesus touching and healing the leper reinforces this truth. The leper, considered untouchable and required to live in isolation, approaches Jesus, only asking for healing. He believed he was unworthy of physical contact. Yet Jesus touches him anyway, demonstrating compassion, acceptance, and the healing power of touch. Touch conveys love, safety, and blessing. God never forces Himself on us. Instead, He meets us with love, refuses to abandon us, and sees our unique value even in our brokenness.

A popular Valentine's Day gift is a stuffed animal. Many of us can remember a special stuffed animal from our own childhoods. These toys provide comfort and companionship. In fact, many adults still hold on to a beloved stuffed friend from their youth. They symbolize a sense of security that we turn to when we need solace, highlighting our innate human desire for closeness and comfort.

These treasured items often come worn and stained, showing their age. They're not perfect, but a brand new stuffed animal in pristine condition simply can't replace the love and memories tied to the original. Despite their dirty and shabby appearance, these stuffed animals remain cherished.

The stains and wear from years of affection only add character. Just as these toys are loved in their imperfect state, God loves us with all our flaws and imperfections.

The story of Jesus touching and healing the leper reinforces this truth. The leper, considered untouchable and required to live in isolation, approaches Jesus, only asking for healing. He believed he was unworthy of physical contact. Yet Jesus touches him anyway, demonstrating compassion, acceptance, and the healing power of touch. Touch conveys love, safety, and blessing. God never forces Himself on us. Instead, He meets us with love, refuses to abandon us, and sees our unique value even in our brokenness.

Construction sites can be messy. Building something often involves creating disarray. A work in progress is inherently chaotic, making it difficult to distinguish whether something is being built or torn down. The answer is: it can be both! It is indeed a work in progress. Things may appear disorganized, but God is not finished yet. Calvary, for example, was not a beautiful sight, but it marked a beginning rather than an end. Each of us is a work in progress.

From those newly converted to those who have embraced their faith for a lifetime, we are all works that are not yet complete. It’s perfectly okay to be a work in progress; we all need God in our lives. The enemy will try to convince you that you are not enough and will criticize your new beginnings. So, lay that first stone and continue working on it. Embrace being a work in progress, no matter how messy the process may seem. Small beginnings can lead to great outcomes, so don’t allow the enemy to make you feel ashamed of your initial steps.

Opposition will arise during your building journey. The devil will attempt to persuade you that your situation cannot be fixed, claiming that the project will never be completed. He will try to intimidate you when you are near completion. The enemy will attack and attempt to undermine you at every stage of your work. He will seek to shame you in any way possible. Remember, God is still working on you, and the process isn’t over until He says it is done. Repentance is not the end; it is just part of the journey.

Construction sites can be messy. Building something often involves creating disarray. A work in progress is inherently chaotic, making it difficult to distinguish whether something is being built or torn down. The answer is: it can be both! It is indeed a work in progress. Things may appear disorganized, but God is not finished yet. Calvary, for example, was not a beautiful sight, but it marked a beginning rather than an end. Each of us is a work in progress.

From those newly converted to those who have embraced their faith for a lifetime, we are all works that are not yet complete. It’s perfectly okay to be a work in progress; we all need God in our lives. The enemy will try to convince you that you are not enough and will criticize your new beginnings. So, lay that first stone and continue working on it. Embrace being a work in progress, no matter how messy the process may seem. Small beginnings can lead to great outcomes, so don’t allow the enemy to make you feel ashamed of your initial steps.

Opposition will arise during your building journey. The devil will attempt to persuade you that your situation cannot be fixed, claiming that the project will never be completed. He will try to intimidate you when you are near completion. The enemy will attack and attempt to undermine you at every stage of your work. He will seek to shame you in any way possible. Remember, God is still working on you, and the process isn’t over until He says it is done. Repentance is not the end; it is just part of the journey.

In August 1492, Christopher Columbus embarked on a journey into the unknown. The logbook contained many entries, such as "Today, we sailed on." Nothing momentous happened, but they continued pursuing their journey. This pursuit serves as a metaphor for seeking God, which requires intentionality and a clear plan. Unlike casual wandering, pursuing Godliness, gentleness, goodness, faith, joy, and righteousness demands action, prayer, fasting, and stepping beyond our comfort zones. Everyone's spiritual journey is unique, and we must seek God from our current circumstances, whether in a desert, a valley, or in the midst of heartbreak. Just as sailors relied on an old-fashioned compass, we need guidance from old-fashioned things like prayer, fasting, and spiritual mentors. Knowing the direction is not enough; we must act and move towards it, overcoming our own limitations and earnestly pursuing God.

In August 1492, Christopher Columbus embarked on a journey into the unknown. The logbook contained many entries, such as "Today, we sailed on." Nothing momentous happened, but they continued pursuing their journey. This pursuit serves as a metaphor for seeking God, which requires intentionality and a clear plan. Unlike casual wandering, pursuing Godliness, gentleness, goodness, faith, joy, and righteousness demands action, prayer, fasting, and stepping beyond our comfort zones. Everyone's spiritual journey is unique, and we must seek God from our current circumstances, whether in a desert, a valley, or in the midst of heartbreak. Just as sailors relied on an old-fashioned compass, we need guidance from old-fashioned things like prayer, fasting, and spiritual mentors. Knowing the direction is not enough; we must act and move towards it, overcoming our own limitations and earnestly pursuing God.