The Rev. Phil Brochard

The sermon connects the founding of the Metropolitan Community Church by

Troy Perry in 1968 with Jesus' ministry among tax collectors and sinners.

Perry created a worshiping community for LGBTQ Christians who had been

rejected by society and the church, offering them a place to experience

God's love and healing.

Drawing on Jesus' call of Matthew and his statement, “I desire mercy, not

sacrifice,” the preacher argues that God's kingdom is characterized by

compassion rather than exclusion. Stigma and judgment push people to the

margins and convince them they are unworthy, but mercy restores dignity and

belonging.

The sermon concludes that no one is outside the reach of God's grace. Every

person is worthy of healing and wholeness, and Christians are called not to

draw tighter boundaries around God's love but to extend mercy as Jesus did.