Mercy Commons Podcast

Access to God through the resurrection gives us peace and purpose.

On Good Friday, not only did Jesus take our place on the cross and bear our sins on Himself, but now we have access to His place – the most holy place with direct access to an intimate relationship with Almighty God who is now our Father. This truth is symbolized by the veil that tore the moment Jesus died.

Jesus' kingship is characterized by humility and compassion rather than conventional grandeur and authority. His humble entry into Jerusalem and His meaningful encounters with people such as Zacchaeus contrast His approach to kingship with the worldly expectations of a king. As believers, our life should embody Jesus' example of servitude, humility, and sacrificial love.

Hebrews 13:7-25 // There are three final invitations from the book of Hebrews to the church: to remember, respond to, and pray for leaders; to embrace their identity as outsiders in the world; and to focus primarily on Jesus as the ultimate example and leader. There are complexities of church leadership, including the potential for hurt, the importance of humility, and a Christ-centered approach to both leading and following.

Hebrews 12:18-29 // Jesus Christ surpasses all - from angels to the old covenant - and presents a new, unshakable kingdom that invites us into a living, joyous, and eternal relationship with God. Our charge as believers is to examine our worship and relationship with God. Our lives should be marked by gratitude, acceptable worship, and a deep awareness of the grace and mercy received through Jesus.

Hebrews 12:28-13:3 // The beauty of a life transformed by God. We display our transformed lives by staying on good terms with each other, showing hospitality to strangers, and empathizing with those who suffer.

Hebrews 12:3-17 // The author of Hebrews encourages followers of Jesus to not grow weary by showing that discipline is a result of God’s love. We have a responsibility to ourselves and others while remaining watchful against an unhallowed life.

Hebrews 11:17-12:2 // How do we exercise and grow our faith? It is Christ's work in us that we respond to. It is His work within us that enables us to have faith and run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 11:1-16 // Faith unites the soul with God and draws strength from Him. Thus faith is altogether a supernatural thing. That is why faith is so important for us. We are saved by faith. We endure by faith and enter into His rest by faith. It is by faith that the convicted and repentant sinner is saved. It is by faith that Christ dwells in our hearts and by faith that we live. By faith, we stand, walk, and resist the devil. By faith we are sanctified, have access to God, fight the good fight, and overcome the world. By faith, we are justified and have access to grace. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 10:26-39 // We have been given a clear path of salvation – one way through Jesus Christ. This is an intentional and not accidental plan from God. However, many will refuse this exclusive path. What does refusal look like? What can happen when we allow doubt to take root in our hearts? Judgement day is coming. Choosing to be a part of God's family wraps us in the love, restoration, renewal, justice, and accountability that will take place on that day.