Mercy Hill Church Sermons

If we want to be a local church with a global impact, we need to do what we see the church in Antioch doing here. We need to press up, press in, and press out!

On the surface of this text, it looks at first like James is losing big and Herod is winning out. But we soon realize things are not what they seem. In God's economy, the losers win in the end, and the winners lose. And it's all ultimately determined by what we do with Jesus and his word.

The whole narrative in Acts 12 turns on a prayer meeting! As we consider this story together, we will learn a number of things about prayer: (1) It Starts with Need; (2) It's Passionately Persistent; (3) It's Cultivated in Community; (4) It Forms Deep Bonds; (5) It Helps You Sleep; (6) It Depends on His Faithfulness (More than Ours); and (7) It's All Because of Jesus!

Have you ever wondered why Jesus was laid in a manger? What is the Son of God doing in an animal's feeding trough? He's the greatest gift we could ever be given and yet he's wrapped in such shoddy paper. Why? The Bible provides us with at least three reasons: (1) because the world Is upside-down; (2) because Jesus has come to die; and (3) because everyone is welcome.

As we follow along with the early church in the book of Acts, a lot of times we'll get pictures of what a healthy gospel-formed church should look like even still today. In Acts 11, we see that a gospel-formed church is marked by: (5) Resilience; (6) Leadership; (7) Discipleship; (8) Holiness; and (9) Influence.

Idols lie, lure, then laugh at our destruction. Jesus loves, pursues, and restores us to abundant life in him.

As we follow along with the early church in the book of Acts, a lot of times we'll get pictures of what a healthy gospel-formed church should look like even still today. In Acts 11, we see that a gospel-formed church is marked by: (1) Hospitality; (2) Pursual; (3) Generosity; and (4) Joy.,

Because we have been rescued by Jesus, we ought to live this present life with reverent fear of God, keeping in mind His coming judgment.

God's word and God's Spirit—they've always worked in tandem, both in creation and in redemption. Therefore, if you want to be filled with the Spirit and supplied with power for the Christian life, you don't just start by hearing and believing God's word to you in the gospel, you stay centered on that same gospel every day thereon!

Every election is deemed "the most important of our lifetime." Our country and our very lives are said to be hanging in the balance. If we're not careful, we can get swept up in the narratives and the noise. We can attach our ultimate hope and dread to earthly princes instead of the one heavenly King. Jesus is the only one worthy of such things. Whoever else you vote for on November fifth, cast your vote for him!