In Week 3 of our “Thriving in Exile” series, Pastor Mike Lotzer explores what it means to be a blessing in a culture that doesn’t share your values while also responding to real evil with discernment. Teaching from Jeremiah 29:1–14 alongside 2 Kings 2:19–25, this sermon unpacks biblical themes of blessing, cursing, and how God’s people bring healing and truth in spiritually hostile environments. If you’ve been searching for a sermon on how to live out your faith at work, respond to evil biblically, or be a light in a broken culture, this message offers practical and challenging insight. Designed for anyone navigating faith in today’s world, it shows how to solve real problems in God’s power while leaving ultimate judgment in His hands.

In Week 2 of our “Thriving in Exile” series, Pastor Chad Murphy teaches on what it means to seek God wholeheartedly while living in a culture that often pulls us away from Him. Centered on Jeremiah 29:11–13, this sermon reframes a commonly misunderstood Bible passage and emphasizes that God’s promises are tied to intentionally pursuing Him in prayer, worship, and obedience. This message speaks directly to Christians feeling spiritually distant, overwhelmed by cultural change, or struggling to maintain a biblical worldview. If you’ve been searching for a sermon on Jeremiah 29, how to seek God with all your heart, or how to stay faithful in a shifting culture, this teaching offers clarity, conviction, and hope.

In Week 1 of our “Thriving in Exile” series, Pastor Mike Lotzer explores how to live faithfully in a broken world that doesn’t feel like home. Teaching from Jeremiah 29:1–14, this sermon unpacks what it means to thrive in exile, seek the peace and prosperity (shalom) of where God has placed you, and trust His sovereignty even in difficult seasons. This message speaks directly to those wrestling with frustration, cultural tension, anxiety about their environment, or feeling stuck in a place they wouldn’t choose. Discover how to bloom where you’re planted, live with eternal perspective, and follow God’s call to faithful presence in the middle of uncertainty.

In this Easter message, “Living Hope,” Pastor Mike teaches through Luke 24:1–8 and 1 Peter 1:3, exploring how the resurrection of Jesus offers a hope that doesn’t fade or fail. Part of an Easter Sunday message at Mercy Road, this sermon speaks directly to those wrestling with doubt, disappointment, or unmet expectations in life. Addressing real-life struggles like grief, anxiety, and the cycle of hope followed by letdown, it presents the resurrection as the only source of lasting, resilient hope. This message is especially for anyone searching for meaning, questioning faith, or longing for a hope that can endure even the hardest seasons.

In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Chad Murphy explores “Two Kingdoms Collide” and what it reveals about the kind of King Jesus truly is. Looking at Matthew 21:6–11 and Luke 19:41–42, this sermon unpacks the tension between the kingdom people wanted—power, control, and immediate rescue—and the kingdom Jesus brought—humility, sacrifice, and spiritual transformation. If you’ve ever struggled with unmet expectations, confusion about God’s plan, or following Jesus when it’s hard, this message challenges you to move beyond admiration to true surrender. Discover how Palm Sunday exposes misunderstanding, confronts our desire for control, and invites us to follow Jesus as King on His terms—not ours.

In Week 7 of our “The Devil’s Playbook” series, this message focuses on spiritual warfare, identity in Christ, and the unshakable victory believers have through Jesus. Centered on Romans 8:35–39, it explores how the enemy uses loss, shame, and lies to define us—and how God’s truth declares that nothing can separate us from His love. This sermon speaks directly to those facing hardship, grief, regret, or spiritual doubt, offering biblical assurance that in Christ, you cannot lose. If you’ve been battling negative thoughts or questioning your worth and direction, this message will help you recognize the enemy’s tactics and live confidently in the victory already won through Jesus.

In Week 6 of the “The Devil’s Playbook” series, this message “Lukewarm and Unaware” explores how lukewarm faith can quietly weaken a believer’s relationship with Christ. Looking at Revelation 3:14–22, Jesus’ warning to the church in Laodicea reveals how prosperity, comfort, and self-sufficiency can blind us to our true spiritual condition. This sermon explains how the enemy often works in stealth mode, using success and stability to make believers spiritually complacent. If you’ve ever wondered whether your faith has become passive, distracted, or spiritually numb, this message invites you to rediscover authentic dependence on Christ and respond to His call to repentance and renewed relationship.

In Week 5 of our series, The Devil’s Playbook, we explore how distraction can quietly pull us away from what matters most. Looking at Luke 10:38–42, the story of Mary and Martha, this message reveals how the enemy often works not through obvious sin, but through busyness, noise, and constant distraction. Martha’s activity wasn’t wrong—it was simply misplaced. When life fills up with endless tasks, notifications, and responsibilities, it becomes easy to confuse motion with mission. But Jesus reminds us that devotion matters more than distraction, and that choosing His presence is always the better portion. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, spiritually distracted, or too busy to slow down and be with God, this message will encourage you to rediscover the power of presence over productivity.

In Week 4 of our series “The Devil’s Playbook,” Pastor Chad Murphy explores the trap of pride and how spiritual overconfidence can quietly lead to a fall. Teaching from Luke 22:31–34, this sermon examines Peter’s denial of Jesus and how Satan “sifts” believers through self-reliance rather than obvious temptation. If you’ve ever felt spiritually strong, self-sufficient, or beyond certain struggles, this message is a warning about pride, humility, and the importance of daily dependence on God. Discover how Christ’s intercession, repentance, and humility protect us from spiritual warfare and restore us after failure.

This is the third week in our "Devil's Playbook Series" where Pastor Mike is looking at how the devil seeks to isolate us from community. The devil wants lone Christians; Jesus wants a connected family.