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)

My Childhood Pastor - Phil Hollis

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Rev. Phil Hollis
(April 23, 1950 - March 13, 2015)

Yesterday my childhood pastor died in a tragic motorcycle accident in Topeka, Kansas. Pastor Phil is responsible for my spiritual growth through my critical years of elementary and junior high school. I remember sitting in the adult service playing with my Matchbox Cars while listening to Phil's sermons. He is one of just a couple people, outside my family, that made a direct impact on my life which led me to becoming a pastor today. I would consider him my father in the faith.

I gave my heart to Jesus back in 1976, when I was just 7 years old, in the small Assembly of God church in Stanley, Kansas named Faith Chapel where Phil was pastor. He was very passionate in his relationship with Jesus. He would often go door to door around the church inviting people to church.

My dad served as the worship leader, and my mom served as the pianist under Pastor Phil's leadership at Faith Chapel for 5 years. It was a joy watching my parents serve as volunteers in key leadership positions in the church. Then many years later Phil's two kids, Jason and Brandon Hollis, would join me in starting Mercy Church in Kansas City, both playing critical leadership roles.

Pastor Phil would often tell me, even though I was just a little guy, that God had big plans for me and that one day he believed I would grow up to be a preacher.

The story I am going to share now is nothing short of a gift from God to me. I have been preaching a series entitled, To Infinity and Beyond at Mercy Church this month.  This week the theme is Living Beyond Yourself which is about the importance of leaving a spiritual heritage. While preparing for the message I called Pastor Phil to let him know how much I appreciated his investment in me as my pastor as a kid growing up. We ended up reminiscing about those early days in my life, 1978 - 1983. I hadn't spoken to him at any length for many years previous and getting to talk just two days before his passing was a gift. Pastor Phil, thank you for those minutes on the phone, you will be missed!

Please pray for Phil's wife, Sheila and his boys Jason and Brandon Hollis and both their families!

Money

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We all need it. We all want more of it. It consumes most our thoughts whether we have a lot or a little. Even Jesus spoke of money in nearly half of all his parables. One in every seven verses in the New Testament deals with this topic. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses on money. In fact, 15 percent of everything Jesus ever taught was on the topic of money and possessions — more than His teachings on heaven and hell combined.

Why such an emphasis on money and possessions? There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money.

It was Martin Luther who said, "There are three conversions a person needs to experience: The conversion of the head, the conversion of the heart, and the conversion of the pocketbook."

 Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 I truly believe we will never be truly free or experience God's blessing until we are obedient to God's call to give. Living an open-handed generous life is very freeing. Whether you call it a "tithe" or "giving" or "generosity" it's the same idea. Unfortunately when some people want to argue about the "tithe" not being a New Testament requirement it's just to justify their lack of obedience to God's word.

Let's not live in bondage to fear when it comes to money. Trust God with a portion of what He has given us the ability to earn!


 I recently taught at Mercy Church on the subject of money, here are the cliff notes:


WHEN IT COMES TO OUR MONEY...

1) Our HOPE should be in God.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 
2) Being GENEROUS shows our gratitude.

2 Corinthians 9:11 “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”


3) You will be BLESSED when you give.

Acts 20:35 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive'."


4) WEALTH comes from God.

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.


5) Giving is a matter of the HEART.

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."


6) GIVING helps us keep things in proper perspective.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

 I am always open to questions and feedback ... thank you!

The Marriage You've Always Wanted

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What: Timmy & Jana's Relationship Talk
When: Sunday, February 22
Time: 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Where: Mercy Church
Location: 7457 Cherokee Dr. Prairie Village, KS 66208
Phone: (913) 390-1200
Price: FREE
Childcare provided!

I would like to personally invite you to join me and Jana as we finish up our Relationship Series with, The Marriage You've Always Wanted! This Sundays talk will be one of the most powerful and transforming talks we've ever given on marriage. If you live in the Kansas City area, or even within 45 minutes I would get here for it. It will transform your relationship no matter what condition it's in. And the reason is; YOU will be transformed! 

Make plans to come a little early to grab a Fresh Cup of Premium Coffee and a Dunkin Donuts in our Fellowship Hall, our gift to you just for coming!

Will You Marry Me?

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Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and I am sure there will be many people popping the question to their significant others! Every woman (everyone) deserves a proper proposal. I may be a bit old fashion, but if you want to ask for her hand in marriage you should ask her father for permission (if it's possible) first! Then make some special plans for the big ask. Not just look over during an old episode of Seinfeld and say, "maybe we should get married? What do you say?" Come on, seriously?! They are worth more than that, they deserve more!

I realize there are no "cookie cutter" ways to popping the question, but it needs to be thought out, special, planned, creative, then executed. Don't dare make it an after thought, don't be that guy.


If you are going to propose, here are a few elements that MUST be present:

1) Ask her Father.

2) Have a ring.

3) Get down on one knee.

4) Make it special.


Other than that, skies the limit.


Dreams + ____________ = Living the Dream

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Answer: ACTION

We all have dreams, at least at one time we did. If you are no longer dreaming, what happened? Answer: LIFE! Life happened. We got busy living, and doing and let the dreams die. Or maybe you're still dreaming, but you put no ACTION to those dreams. What I mean by, ACTION, is that you put no effort in achieving or accomplishing those dreams. 

What is SUCCESS?

According to Earl Nightingale success is, "A Progressive realisation of a worthy ideal." Meaning the Mother who wants to be a Mother and works hard at being a good Mother, and she's loves and cares for her children because that is what she wants to do, she is a success. Success, or living the dream is not about the balance in the bank account, but rather the path you are on that leads to where you really want to be. And not just where you want to be, but becoming who you want to be. I am personally more concerned with who I am becoming than where I am going.

So here is my challenge: What is your dream? After you have written that down, begin to think what are some actions (steps) I could take each and every day to bring me closer to that dream. Then write them  down. Then, each day take action (steps). 

Example: If you want to write a book, then each day write! Write a page, a chapter, a paragraph, something. Start a blog. I would also read books about writing books. Or about people who have written books. 

You only have one life, live the dream! No one else can or will do it for you! In the words of a famous pastor, "If it's going to be, it's up to me" - Dr. Robert Schuller 


How To Get A Date For Valentine's Day

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I was "dating" in a day and age when there was no such thing as "online date sites," in fact personal computers were just coming out and I couldn't afford one. And not to mention Al Gore hadn't invented the internet yet. (ha ha)

I think that "online dating," is helpful for many people, especially those who live in a small town, work a lot, or may be an introvert. I have officiated hundreds of weddings for couples who found true love online. But I want to challenge you to get dates the old fashion way, which I think (in my humble opinion) work just as well as the online way.

To get a date by Valentine's Day it only really requires one thing; Courage!


  • If you see someone you find attractive or interesting, go talk to them!

If you see someone with great hair, pretty eyes, or nice shoes, have the courage to tell them. Overcome the fear! Now, don't be weird or creepy about it! That would work against you. Just be calm, cool and collected. Don't let fear keep you from possibly meeting the person of your dreams. Seriously, you may be the very person they have been dreaming about, don't be selfish. Be bold, be courageous!

It's important to not play the, "what if" game; what if they turn me down? What if they laugh? What if they slap me? First, they won't slap you (unless you are inappropriate or rude! Then you deserve it.) The important thing to think is; what if they say yes?

I challenge you to live by this rule: Don't say people's no for them! Give them the opportunity to say yes, or no. We shouldn't make the decision for them. Live fearless! Have fun!


Disclaimer: Obviously this is for singles! And I am NOT talking about "hooking up" I am talking about going on legit dates. I do not encourage or support the "hookup" lifestyle. I am hoping to help singles who are genuinely looking for that someone special, and have fun in the process.

God's Got You

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Have you ever had that overwhelming feeling of falling? Or at least that feeling that you are slipping off a cliff that you are barely hanging on to? For some it's financial, others it's relational, maybe it's business, or it's your health that seems to be slipping away. No matter what it is the feeling is the same; You get that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, you lose your appetite, and your hands get cold and clammy.

At some point we've each faced that feeling. So what do you do with it? How do you react? What do you say? What do you think? What is your response? I do know this, it's not healthy or even helpful to live there in that anxious fearful emotion. We must have another, more powerful, thought that leads to a better healthier emotion.

I believe if we can replace that fearful thought with a faith-filled thought we then have a hopeful faith-filled emotion that follows. Make sense?

For example, I was talking to a good friend of mine about some of my cares and worries and he said, "Timmy, don't worry bro God's got you!" And with that one thought I was able to replace my fear with hope. And I begin to dwell on that, and think, "yes God does have me, He always has, and always will."

 One of my favorite verses:

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - NIV

So to you I say, "(insert your name here) that thing you are going through, don't worry about it! God's got you! You are going to make it."