Easter 2015 Reflection

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I always enjoy Easter. It's when you can expect to see the whole church family on the same Sunday. It's like a huge "church reunion" of sorts. And this year was no different. The parking lot was full, the pews were packed, the energy was palatable, and most importantly the presence of God was powerful. Watch it HERE!

SPECIAL THANKS to all the wonderful, kind, compassionate and committed people at Mercy Church who served to make the day a success! You are the best!

Notes from Easter Message:

MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

MAIN TEXT: Luke 23:26-43

1) God hasn't FORGOTTEN you.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 “... anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. (NLT)

2) You are FORGIVEN.

Romans 3:23-24 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” (NLT)

3) God wants you to live FREE.

Romans 8:1-3 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.”

4) NEW life is available through JESUS.

Romans 6:4 “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

(All Scriptures are New International Version unless otherwise noted)

2015 THEME: IMAGINE MORE

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I am super stoked about Mercy Church's theme for 2015: IMAGINE MORE! So what does it mean, Imagine More? *Real quick, before you skip over this, the last paragraph is for you! Even if you do not attend Mercy ... so if that's you, skip down and read!

In 2015 at Mercy Church we are going to IMAGINE MORE ...

  • More people coming to CHRIST!
  • More people getting BAPTISED!
  • More people LIVING their faith boldly!
  • More people SHARING their faith freely.
  • More MARRIAGES restored!
  • More parents being BETTER parents!
  • More HELP for the broken.
  • More people being SET-FREE from addictions!
  • More people living GENEROUS lives!
  • More PRAYERS for the hurting!
  • More children coming to KNOW and LOVE God!
  • More people in our community HELPED and SERVED!
  • More, more more ... of whatever God wants in 2015!

Mercy Church has undergone some major internal changes in order to position ourselves for sustained growth. For example we have established an Elder Team of 7 Men and Women to help with the spiritual health of the church, and a Trustee Team of 3 to help with the business side of Mercy. We have also added a NEW person to our teaching team, Chris Nicolosi, he and his wife Heather will be joining us January 4, 2015 as our Discipleship Pastor. 

*Just for YOU! What are you imagining for your life moving forward? This is the best time of year to be thinking about that you know! Do you have the job you really want? Are you working the hours you really want? Is your marriage going like you want? Is your family going like you want? Is your life going like you want? Do you have the friends you really want? On and on we could go ... what in your life is what you want? What in your life is NOT what you want?

I realize we can't control everything in our lives, some things just are what they are and all we can do and should do is get the right (winning) attitude about it. But I think more is in our control than we want to admit! We just hate having to make changes, come on, am I right? I am right! We want to lose that weight, but we just don't want to start actually thinking about what we eat, or getting a gym membership, or, or or ... too much work we think. Well it's true, 'living the dream' does take some additional effort initially, but once you are flowing that way its the same amount of work.

Bottom line: I want to challenge you to IMAGINE MORE for your life in 2015! You deserve it! 

Remember: YOUR LIFE MATTERS!

Understanding God's Will

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I have been teaching a series called, "Understanding God's Will" at Mercy Church on Sundays for the last several weeks and it's been fabulous! Not because I am teaching it, but because we are all in search of "God's Will" and this series is helping us understand better what God's Will is everyone AND how to better understand God's Will for our personal lives.

God is interested in every facet of our lives, and He will lead us and guide us ... are we listening? I hope so!

What series on our VIMEO page! I really do think it will shed some light on many misconceptions in making sense of God's Will, and how He works in the world today.

What's Wrong with the Church?

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As I prepared for my sermon on "The Importance of Community" I came across some great teaching by Jonathan Edwards a Theologian from 1700’s. He wrote a book called, Thoughts on Revival. Not one of his most popular books, but in it he talks about what has killed spiritual revival and even church community. And to sum it up, what kills revival or church community is pride, more specifically, "spiritual pride." It really stepped on my toes and has challenged me to a higher standard of living; I hope it does the same for you! Enjoy!

So rather than quote exactly what he said, because his verbiage is from the 1700's, I contemporized some of his points for us to consider.

1)Spiritual Pride – makes you more aware of others faults then you are of your own.

Spiritual Humility- makes you far more aware of your own faults than others.

“Pure Christian humility causes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, to make the best of it and to diminish their failings; however, he turns his eye chiefly on those things that are bad in himself and to take much notice of everything that aggravates them.”
– Jonathan Edwards

2) Spiritual Pride – leads you to, when you speak of theirs faults, to have contempt and distain when you speak of others faults. An attitude of Superiority.

Spiritual Humility– leads you to speak of others faults only with grace, grief and mercy.

3) Spiritual Pride – leads you to quickly separate from people who have criticized you or those you've criticized.

Spiritual Humility– leads you to stick with people even through difficult relationships.

4) Spiritual Pride – leads you to be dogmatic and sure about every point of belief you hold.

Spiritual Humility– leads you to be flexible, teachable, and gracious of what others believe while understanding you could be wrong.

I do agree with Jonathan Edwards here that "Spiritual Pride" is a killer of revival! It's a killer of relationships, not only with others, but with God too. The Bible says that, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." I need grace, don't you!

It's important to remember that we, the church, are the only 'Jesus' some people may ever encounter, and if we are cocky, prideful, arrogant, and judgmental and act all superior, it's not going to help reach people with the love of Christ. I think it's worth noticing that sinners, like notorious sinner, i.e. prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves, and adulterers flocked to Jesus because of His love. If He was all judgmental and always pointing a condemning finger at them they NEVER would have wanted to be around Him. I personal hope and pray that notorious sinners - like prostitutes, strippers, drug addicts, IRS employees (j/k), etc. flock to Mercy Church! I really do!

Additional Scriptures for further study:

Hebrews 3:13; Romans 15:14; Romans 12:9; John 17:20-24; Romans 15:1-3; Matthew 27:46; James 3:18; James 4:1-12

Top 10 Things To Completely Change Your life

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Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – NLT

1) THINK good things about yourself and others.

2) WRITE good things about yourself and others.

3) SAY good things about yourself and others.

4) BELIEVE good things about yourself and others.

5) WATCH things that are good, uplifting and encouraging.

6) LISTEN to things that are good, uplifting and encouraging.

7) READ things that are good.

8) DO things that are good.

9) PARTICIPATE in things that are good.

10) Be AROUND others who are engaged in GOOD THINGS.

*Excerpt from a message I preached on June 3, 2012 @ Mercy Church

New Series: 10 Commandments

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We've kicked off a New Series on the 10 Commandments here at Mercy Church on Sundays called "A Fresh Look". I am sure many of you are familiar with the 10 Commandments, but I would guess you can only recite a handful of the more popular ones, i.e. Don't Steal, Don't Lie, Do No Commit Adultery, etc. Honestly, I only knew 8 off the top of my head, I just couldn't remember the last two!

All that said, these 10 Commandments "statements" that God gave to Moses for the people of Israel are not something only for people back in the days of Moses, but they are relevant to those of us living here in the year 2011.

I hope you will join us for this series that will be sure to strengthen your heart, encourage your soul and feed your mind!

There is one thing to remember and that is God will not love you more if you live according to the 10 Commandments! He loves you right now, right where you are, and just how you are! Though like any good father, He wants you and I to grow in righteousness and mature in our faith!

This series is not about "Abiding By The 10 Commandments," it's about understanding the meaning behind them, and how Jesus came to fulfill them and how He has empowered us to live the life He died to give us!

Galatians 2:16 “And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law.”

Relationship Series - Pt 3

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Romans 14:19
 
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”


FIGHT RULES

1) Focus on the PRESENT.

  DON’T: Dig up past grievances/sins.

2) Focus on partner’s actions and how those make you FEEL.

 DON’T: Criticize your partner’s personality or character.

3) Pick a good TIME to talk.

 DON’T: Complain at times when your partner is distracted by pressing matters such as a deadline or caring for small children.

4) Tell your partner about your NEEDS and DESIRES .

 DON’T: Expect your partner to mind-read, to guess your needs and desires.

 

HEALTHY WAYS TO RESPOND

 1) Ask QUESTIONS for better understanding.

 DON’T: Belittle or criticize your partner for complaining.

2) Acknowledge the LONGING behind your partner’s complaint.

 DON’T: Defend yourself.

 3) Take RESPONSIBILITY for the problem.

 DON’T: Deny responsibility or flip it or spin it back on your partner.

 4) Don’t TAP out.

               DON'T: Quit.

Relationship Series - pt 2

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Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”


I. COMMUNICATION 101

1) Tell your partner what you need, even if it’s DIFFICULT.

2) SHARE your feelings as they come up.

3) Postpone problem solving until AFTER you feel connected.

4) Complain without CRITICIZING.

5) Look for the LONGING in each other’s complaints.


II. POSITIVE COMMUNICATION PRACTICES or HEALTHY WAYS TO COMPLAIN.


1) Share RESPONSIBILITY for the problem.

         DON'T: Blame the problem on the other person.

2) Describe the PROBLEM in terms of your perception, opinion or style.

         DON'T: Describe the problem as a matter of absolute truth.

3) Focus on specific problem, tackling ONE at a time.

         DON'T: Stockpile complaints.

WATCH VIDEO HERE: http://mercychurchkc.com/media/index.php

*Material taken from Dr. John Gottman's book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work