Mercy Hill Church Sermons

We're not right. Not all of us are willing to admit it. But, deep down, we all feel it. And we have different ways of trying to get better-we have different ways of attempting "justification." In this parable, Jesus gives us two of the most common approaches. One looks quite clean on the outside but ends in a mess. The other looks like a train-wreck but it leads to freedom and life.

We live in the space between the two advents of Christ, the two phases of the kingdom's arrival, the already and the not-yet. The Son of Man has come once and the Son of Man is coming again. And, in this space between, we pray, and we pray, and we pray, and we pray.

God is the primary actor in our lives. His purpose for us is conformity to His image, and He works in and for us, to this end, no matter where we are at, if we are willing to accept Him.

Christians live out their days in between the two advents of Christ. The kingdom of God is both already here in one sense and not-yet fully here in another sense. In view of this, we must not let ourselves be taken by either hopelessness or apathy. Christ is coming to save and to judge.

Suffering and hardship often awaken us to our great need. In that place of desperation, we may be willing to cry out to Jesus for help. But what will we do when once the help comes? Will we run off from Him without a second thought? Or will we return to Him with thanks and praise?

With faith should come humility. It's a package deal. But often, we attempt to sever the one from the other. We try to take credit for that which God has done in and through us by faith. We grow proud in our spiritual accomplishments. In this quasi-parable Jesus aims to restore us to our humble place and with it to restore our wonder at the gospel and free grace of God!

Jesus says that a little faith can accomplish much. But what exactly does it accomplish? Throwing mulberry trees into the sea would be a spectacular display of power, but is that it? As we'll see, faith is not first nor ultimately to effect great signs ….. but great love! That's the point!

Faith in Christ is a gift from Christ. We cannot believe in Him without help from Him. Therefore, when riddled with fear and doubt, we, with these apostles, ought to flea to Jesus and beg Him to increase our faith. He will be faithful to do so!

The church, while beautiful, is still broken. It is full of saints still wrestling with sin. And in our sin we hurt one another. It is, therefore, critical that we all learn to walk in the way of forgiveness.