A Devotional Thought from Pastor Chris Peterson

Hello Mercy Hill,

Greetings to you from afar. It seems that way to me; that I’m far away from everyone. Proverbs 25:25 says this...

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

In actuality, God was never that far from us. God was nearby our entire life before we embraced the Good News, putting our faith in Jesus who moved all our sins over to Himself, making us righteous and now true children of God our Father by the Holy Spirit. Read this...

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for

"'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.'

Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." 

Acts 17:22-31 ESV

Do you all remember the days of your life before Jesus? You may have been far from God, but He was not far from you. He has always setup life for people from the beginning with boundaries to dwell in so that, “in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him.” Great news! Somehow, someway, by God’s design and His doing we repented and now know that we will escape the judgement that is certainly coming. We have been rescued by our God and know for sure that we will be raised from the dead one day to be with our Saviour forever!

Boundaries. God sets the boundaries for mankind to live in as part of His design to move people towards Himself so that none would perish. Our God is working in this world and is actually not far away from anyone. He certainly has re-set the boundaries recently in this world, hasn’t He?

Mercy, grace, & peace from your brother,
Chris. chris@mercyhill.org

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By the way, please do let me know if anyone in our church family is in real need due to a loss of a job and thus their income. You can reply to this email if you like or put them in touch with me.

Fervent Prayer: MH Buildings

Today, we are asking the church to join together and pray for some specific provisions from God. Throughout Scripture, God’s people have sought and trusted the leading and provision of God for places of worship. Whether it was the building of the tabernacle, temple, or the walls in Nehemiah’s day, it was all because of God’s timing, direction, and provision. At this time, all three campuses: Bayview, Lake Country, and Rock County find themselves facing the need for a new location. Finding a new building for just one location can be daunting, but we rejoice that God has been building and blessing His church to the point that we need three! We ask that you join us in trusting for God’s provision and guidance as he has led us to this point, and will lead us beyond.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV

First, pray that these future spaces would glorify Christ, and not Mercy Hill

That they would be used to equip the saints (members of MH) for ministry

That people would be ministered to, and find healing through Jesus

Please pray for guidance and wisdom in finding possible buildings and locations

Pray for financial provisions needed to purchase and renovate spaces

Pray for favor with owners, inspectors, contractors, officials, and new neighbors

Pray against any opposition, or complications that would hinder the process

Fervent Prayer: Missions/Seeking the Lost

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost” Luke 19:10

In Luke 19 is the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, who wanted see who Jesus was and climbed up a tree to do that. Jesus stops at the tree and tells Zacchaeus that he must come to Zacchaeus’ house today. Those who were around observed this and stated “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’” Zacchaeus responds by “repenting” of the way he was cheating others through his tax collecting and states “Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus responds by saying, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”

Before this, in Luke chapter 16 it states “Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathered around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” Jesus responds by telling 3 parables, the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each of the parables end with rejoicing because what was lost was found, “…I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15:10).

These stories show us God’s heart for seeking those who are lost. In Jesus’ first coming, he was sent by the Father to do just that and complete a mission of not only teaching us who God is and what His kingdom is like but also to be the long-awaited Savior who could reverse the curse of sin for fallen humanity. Through his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, he became the atoning sacrifice for our sins and made a way possible for us to be redeemed children of our Creator God.

But the story does not end there. With those very first disciples he birthed the church which was given the same mission to seek the lost in the world and proclaim the good news of what he has done for us. After his resurrection and shortly before his ascension back to heaven he charges the disciples with this mission. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20). Also in John’s gospel “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (Jn 20:21-22). Our God is a missional God who continues to send his messengers into His fallen creation to bring the good news of His mercy upon us through the sacrifice of His own son which redeems us and allows for our adoption back into His family. This continues to be our mission today. The question is will we be obedient to follow His commands to make disciples of all nations and be used as instruments in His hands? Along with Paul we must ask “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Rom 10:14-15. Lord, let us be instruments in your hands to bring your message to the lost!

Fervent Prayer: Ripple Effects of Addiction and Prayer

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Acts 12:3-5

Acts 12:1-19 shows us the struggle that Peter experienced while he was arrested. Peter was seized, imprisoned, and held in chains, and restrained by squads of soldiers. As I read the scripture, I love how verse five says…

5“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church”

Chapter 12:1-19 describes how Peter was imprisoned, physically trapped & powerless, and what seemed to be in a hopeless situation. “But earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church” The Church came together to pray and fast. Verses, 7 – 17 tells us how the power of earnest prayer caused the impossible of the supernatural power of God cause the chains of bondage from Peter to fall.

This is what I mean by the ripple effects of Prayer and Addiction.  You see, addiction not only affects the person addicted, it also affects their family, friends, church, their entire lives, in other words it's makes a ripple effect! But so is with prayer, the power of praying believers can make incredible ripples in the heavenly realm; as the church earnestly prays for our addicted.

Unfortunately, we tend to do the opposite with the addicted, we often isolate ourselves from them, we consider them lesser than us, they become outcast, we give up on them. But even worse, we may not even think that the power of our earnest prayers can make an impact on their lives as far as them being delivered from the chains, bondage and their imprisonment from their addiction.  The Church prayed and fasted for Peter and God delivered him from what seemed to be an impossible and hopeless situation.

Let us not give up praying earnestly for those who are struggling from the chains and bondage of addiction, God has the power to deliver them from the negative ripple effects of addiction and convert them to God glorifying ripple effects that can even help others.

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Lord, you are our deliverer. We can do anything through Christ who strengthens us…but, we must take the first step. We must realize we have a problem and a need… and we must ask for help. Lord I ask, that you will give each person the courage to face up to their problems and to have a strong desire to change.

Father, remove the influences that hinder the addicted from coming clean and who perpetuate their addictions. We ask in Jesus’ name, that you will protect them from the world and the enemy, protect them from themselves and from the things that keep dragging them down. Father, I know many self medicate so they won’t have to deal with  the pain in their life. I pray that you will give them the courage and strength through the power of the Holy Spirit to face down their demons and hurts… and to clean out the wounds once and for all, so they can be free to be the person that you’ve called them to be…to be free from the sickness and pain that keeps them in bondage.

We ask for healing in families and relationships that are being torn apart by the destructive ripple effects of addiction. We ask for protection for those family members that are in harm’s way because of their loved one’s addictions. Please pour out your grace, mercy and healing power on each person that are under the chains of addiction or have been affected by someone with an addiction.

Amen

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Helping an addict through recovery can seem overwhelming, but they don’t have to do it alone. Mercy Hill Celebrate Recovery in Bayview (a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind), we meet every Monday night at 6:30pm You can browse the resources at https://cr.mercyhill.org or contact us at (414) 755-6772 or email us at cr@mercyhill.org.

Fervent Prayer: Marriages (Families under attack!)

OUR ENEMY

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn't come on My own, but He sent Me. Why don't you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to My word. You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Who among you can convict Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don't you believe Me? The one who is from God listens to God's words. This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God."   John 8:42-47 HCSB

First of all, our enemy is the Devil. But secondly we ourselves are our own enemy when we cannot listen to the Word of God and will not believe Jesus and instead carry out the wishes of the enemy of our soul, the Devil.

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LIGHT

In Ephesians chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 Paul is giving instructions to husbands, wives, children, parents, fathers, slaves (employees), and masters (bosses), to wake up.

Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.   Eph 4:32 HCSB

The Holy Spirit wrote through Paul that in our past the Lord Jesus was the light that shined into our darkness. But now, today we are instructed to “walk as children of light” and to not “participate in fruitless works of darkness.”

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead, expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made clear, for what makes everything clear is light.   Eph 5:8-14 HCSB

This blog is titled, “Marriages (Families under attack!).”  I suppose that is true but every one of us is under constant attack by that roaring lion – the Devil – who has been a “murderer from the beginning.”  Go ahead and read through Ephesians 5:1–6:9 and you’ll see what light vs darkness looks like in marriage, as a husband, a wife, a parent, a father, an employee, and as a boss. I think you’ll see what living in this life is really about.

Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.   Eph 4:32 HCSB

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WAR

The Holy Spirit has acknowledged that the Devil is seeking to murder us but that our Lord Jesus has vast strength and has given us all we need to stand against the Devil’s tactics. Our God is clearly stating that we are in a war “against the world powers of this darkness.” So if this be the truth then clearly we must be a people who listens to our Lord Jesus for He said…

The one who is from God listens to God's words.   John 8:47 HCSB

So let’s do that please.  I understand that you are in a war. But sincerely I appeal to you to be one who is listening to the Word of God and are of the Light. Please do not give up the battle against darkness and let Light who is Jesus be lifted up for all to see. “Listen” to how the Holy Spirit finishes the letter to the Ephesians and to us.

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.   Eph 6:10-18 HCSB

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PRAY

Please pray for yourself and for your brothers & sisters that we are able to hear and listen to the Word of God. And pray too for the saints that may be “opposing themselves” and “that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil.”

…be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.   2 Tim 2:24-26 KJV

Fervent Prayer: Leadership

 ” Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers”  Acts 15:22 ESV

As we have been studying the book of Acts, we see a continuous theme of a commitment to prayer and seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit. This passage begins: ’Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church. . .’  It seemed good, because they had prayed about it and felt led by the Holy Spirit to send these men. Likewise, let’s pray that every decision that our leadership makes at Mercy Hill is guided by the Holy Spirit. The passage then names the two men being sent (Paul and Barnabas) as well as two additional men added to the team (Barsabbas and Silas). Just as the four men needed to be unified in their objective, we can pray for unity amongst the staff at Mercy Hill. 

The book of Acts has ample evidence that this brand new Body of Christ was already involved with what we might call ‘staffing’.  The details may be different today, but just as in the Acts 15 passage, there are people at Mercy Hill who have been called to serve in positions of leadership. However, it is only through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, not through their own talents and strengths, that they can serve effectively. We can pray that they are so equipped.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Because the passage implores the brothers and sisters to stand firm, it is clear that the possibility exists to not stand firm. We can pray that those in leadership stand firm. And lastly, ‘know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain’. It is common for people in leadership to feel discouraged. One reason is that they are keenly aware of how much is still to be done. Pray that God continues to encourage.

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Today, let’s focus our prayers on our Leadership:

• Pray that the elders decisions would always be guided by the Holy Spirit.

• Pray that our teaching pastors in all three locations will be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

• Pray for unity amongst our staff.

• Pray for the ministry leaders, that they will be equipped for they have been called to do.

• Pray that our Sunday School teaching has eternal value for our children.

• Pray that our leaders are encouraged.

Fervent Prayer: Providence - God’s Provision

We can read, study and research a lot about God’s provision. We can reflect looking back in our own lives or the lives of others how God’s provision has been made visible. However, it’s often much more difficult to trust, to live out today, knowing God is our provider. He’s our provider today as much as he was yesterday. This is difficult.

I’d challenge us to reflect on God’s provision today through prayer and scripture. To help us to reflect on this, I’d ask we start with Matthew 9:11: “Give us this day our daily bread…” there can be so much in this one verse we could reflect on.

Known to be someone that prayed often, every day, Martin Luther was once asked for advice on how to pray. So in true Martin Luther fashion, he wrote a letter to help provide guidance. I’d encourage you to read that letter. Today, I’d like us to reflect on his response to verse 11 of the Lord’s Prayer below.

The fourth petition. "Give us this day our daily bread." Say: "Dear Lord, God and Father, grant us thy blessing also in this temporal and physical life. Graciously grant us blessed peace. Protect us against war and disorder. Grant to our dear emperor fortune and success against his enemies. Grant him wisdom and understanding to rule over his earthly kingdom in peace and prosperity. Grant to all kings, princes, and rulers good counsel and the will to preserve their domains and their subjects in tranquility and justice. Especially aid and guide our dear prince N., under whose protection and shelter thou dost maintain us, so that he may be protected against all harm and reign blessedly, secure from evil tongues and disloyal people. Grant to all his subjects grace to serve him loyally and obediently. Grant to every estate-townsman or farmer-to be diligent and to display charity and loyalty toward each other. Give us favorable weather and good harvest. I commend to thee my house and property, wife and child. Grant that I may manage them well, supporting and educating them as a Christian should. Defend us against the Destroyer and all his wicked angels who would do us harm and mischief in this life. Amen."

Here is an excerpt from Martin Luther in his letter “A Simple Way To Pray:”

The nature of God’s provision is well reflected in Luther’s letter. Several elements that stand out when reflecting on God’s provision are:

1. God’s blessed peace.

2. Wisdom and understanding to rule, notice it’s not about looking for prosperity; but rather managing what we have.

3. The grace to serve.

4. The ability to display charity and loyalty to each other.

5. Wisdom to manage our household well and protection against the enemy.

These are just a few. All of which, seem reflective of God’s characteristics as it relates to his provision. Very countercultural to how we see provision today. The intention of asking God to give us our daily bread ultimately can be viewed as follows:

1. A declaration that he is our provider and not us.

2. A reflection that this isn’t just about us, but rather asking he provide so we in turn can provide for others.

Hopefully today, you too can reflect on what God’s provision means for you. What’s our understanding of the intention of this declaration? Is it simply to be comfortable today? Or is there more we should be considering?

Fervent Prayer: Gratitude and Praise

Do you see it? Do you notice it? Can you feel it? Or has life and the circumstances of your life - the struggles and pains, or even the joys and triumphs - overshadowed it? You probably ask, “What is he talking about - what is ‘it’?”

I’m talking about grace. I’m talking about mercy. I’m talking about the deepest love. I’m talking about Sonship.

“It” is the reality of our position as sons and daughters and all that is afforded us because of Christ and His sufficient work on the cross. It’s the fact that we were once lost, enslaved to sin, and dead in transgressions, but God - who is rich in mercy - loved us and sought us and made us alive with Christ. And in Christ and His promised Holy Spirit living inside of us… we lack NOTHING.

Today’s prayer emphasis is centered on prayers of gratitude and praise. It reminds me of Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonian church:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Hear those words. God’s Church is to rejoice all the time, pray all the time, and give thanks all of the time - no matter what is going on - and it’s God’s will for us that we do.

However, so often gratitude and praise are not readily on our lips. Often, our eyes lower from the glory of Jesus to the things of this world, to our circumstances and trials, and we lose sight of magnitude of Christ and all that He’s done for us. This week, let us “fix our minds on things above” as it says in Colossians 3. Let us fix our eyes on our glorious Redeemer who has given Himself for us completely so that we might lack nothing. Let us see the fullness of who He is and find our satisfaction in Him alone. And in turn, let us rejoice and give thanks for all that He is and all that He’s done!

Rejoice always. Pray all the time. Give thanks in all circumstances. For this is the will of God for you.

Equip: Which Comes First: Gifts or Calling?

As Pastor Tommy recently reminded us, “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29, KJV). But which comes first? Do we search for our gifts in order to find our ministry, or do we minister in order to find our gifts? The Bible gives no formal answer to that question. As far as living in the church is concerned, both gifts and calling are irrevocable. I would argue, however, that a functional priority within the Christian life guides the proper discovery and use of spiritual gifts in service to the community in which we are called. The following is the functional priority for discovering spiritual gifts: 1) repentance, baptism and reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38); 2) identification with the church; 3) growth in partnership with the church; 4) appointment to ministry; 5) discovery of spiritual giftedness; and 6) discernment of effectiveness by demonstration of fruits. A separation between person and gift is the principle involved in this informal pathway. The significance of this separation will become clear as we follow Paul on his path to the discovery of gifts.

Paul experienced his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus as a call to announce the good news that Gentiles were included along with Israel in the Kingdom of God. Conversion stories in the modern church tend to portray tortured souls suddenly liberated from lifelong hangups with alcohol, drugs or sex. In some cases, conversion is depicted as a change from atheism to theism, or from another religion to Christianity. None of these stereotypes apply to Paul. Paul was a devout Jew, zealous for the moral and ritual purification of Israel, when suddenly confronted by the appearance of Jesus as Israel’s Messiah who had fulfilled all the hopes and promises of final restoration between God and the world created by him.* Jesus called Paul to declare this good news to all people (Acts 9:15; Gal 1:15). After his encounter, the traumatized Paul spent three days in total darkness before Ananias healed his blindness, baptized him and Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul did not speak in tongues when he received the Holy Spirit. Instead, he went to the Jewish synagogue to proclaim the good news that Jesus was the Son of God (Acts 9:20). It didn’t go well. Synagogue leaders attempted to do to Paul what he had intended to do to Jesus followers, but Paul was smuggled out of Damascus. After three years, Paul connected with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. At first, they suspected Paul was an informant sent by the priestly hierarchy to penetrate the ranks of church leadership, but Barnabas reached out to bring Paul into their confidence (Acts 9:26-30). After this brief encounter, Paul disappeared for ten years. Presumably, Paul worked in the family tent making business in Tarsus, while developing the theological understanding that would carry him through his tumultuous career.

Tarsus is where we find Paul in the next stage on the way to discovering his gifts (Acts 11:19-30). The pivot point was a call to service from his old friend, Barnabas. A new church in Syrian Antioch roused the concerns of Jerusalem apostles because Gentiles were being converted. They sent Barnabas to check things out. Barnabas found church growth so rapid he needed reinforcements. Paul was just up the coast in Tarsus, where Barnabas recruited him to help in Antioch. They spent a year working together before a prophet named Agabus predicted a famine in Jerusalem., and the church in Antioch sent Barnabas and Paul to Jerusalem with an offering. This was the second journey to Jerusalem Paul described in Galatians 2:1-10. This time, the Apostles welcomed Paul with open arms. A lasting partnership came out of that meeting with an agreement to include Gentiles in the church without first becoming observant Jews. It looked like everything was settled, as long as Gentiles partnered with their Jewish brethren in poverty relief.

Back in Antioch, Barnabas and Paul set to work along with the other church leaders (Acts 13:1-12). Something unexpected happened during a prayer service. The Holy Spirit designated the pair for a new missionary journey in the eastern Mediterranean. The journey started out as the Barnabas and Paul team, with Paul as the “co-pilot” under Barnabas’ command. Early in that ministry, a fraudulent sorcerer, named Elymas, confronted Barnabas and Paul. In an ironic reverse healing, Paul blinded the sorcerer with a curse. This was Paul’s first recorded miracle. Luke inserted a small detail at this point with huge implications. “Saul, who was also called Paul,” wrote Luke. Up to this point, Luke used Paul’s Hebrew name Saul, but the name change to his Roman name, “Paul.” appeared in the rest of Acts. Saul became Paul with the manifestation of a miraculous gift. Furthermore, the spotlight shifted from Barnabas and Paul to Paul and Barnabas.

Many instances of miraculous healings are recorded at the hands of Paul in Acts, but they have different effects. The first miracle resulted in the proconsul’s acceptance of Paul’s teaching. Paul’s second recorded miraculous healing of a lame man (Acts 14:8-20) was interpreted by the residents of Lystra as the work of their pagan gods in human form. When Paul tried to convince them to give up idol worship, they stoned him. Miraculous signs in Paul’s ministry pointed beyond themselves to the growth of the Kingdom of God. Paul was no more in control of the effect than he was in control of the gift. The effect of signs and wonders among non Jews became evidence of God’s work at Paul’s third visit to Jerusalem for the council in Acts 15.

In our Ekklesia Ministry College, we learned that Luke described basic patterns in the early church to teach normative principles, and similar patterns appeared in Paul’s letters. The pattern of Paul’s discovery of his giftedness can be summarized as follows: 1) repentance, baptism and reception of the Holy Spirit in Damascus; 2) identification with the church in Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem; 3) growth in partnership with the church through recruitment into the ministry in Antioch and second trip to Jerusalem; 4) appointment to the ministry by the Holy Spirit in Antioch as leaders prayed, fasted and laid hands on Barnabas and Paul ; 5) discovery of spiritual giftedness on the first missionary journey to Crete; and 6) discernment of effects of miraculous gifts at the Jerusalem council.

The principle underlying this pattern is the separation between person and gift. Separation between a person and his gift is evident in the chronology of Paul’s discovery of his own giftedness. Not until he was on the first missionary journey around thirteen years after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus did Paul manifest miraculous gifts. A similar pattern appears in Paul’s letters. He encourages Corinthian Christians to “eagerly desire” spiritual gifts, an indication that giftedness was not normally apparent at baptism. In fact, Paul reminded Timothy not to neglect the gift “which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14) at some point when Timothy was already in ministry. Gifts are normally discovered in the course of personal spiritual growth and service as a believer identifies with the work of the Holy Spirit in the church.

The significance of separation between person and gift is twofold. First, the Lord gets credit for a miraculous work. Miracles are not ends in themselves; they point beyond themselves to the real miracle of a changed life through faith in Jesus. A model miracle is Jesus’ healing of a lame man at Capernaum as a sign that his sins were forgiven (Mark 2:8-11). Second, gifts can be misused or abused. To keep Paul from misusing his miraculous visions, he received a “thorn in his flesh” to remind him God’s strength is manifest in Paul’s weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Of course, it would be misuse if Paul did not rely on his gifts. Spiritual gifts are abused when they are used for profit or sensationalism. Simon the Sorcerer has been tied to the abuse of spiritual powers for gain (see Acts 8:9-25).

We have seen that Paul’s call preceded Paul’s gifts. As Paul grew in ministry, the Lord added spiritual gifts necessary for ministry. The greater his ministry, the more gifted he became; the more gifted he became, the less he relied on his gifts. Sooner or later, Paul found what we also must discover—that we are all cessationists in one sense (who believe miraculous gifts cease). Paul at the end of life was more concerned about Timothy’s use of his gifts (2 Timothy 1:6). At some point in life, “prophecies will cease, tongues will be stilled and knowledge will pass away.…Faith, hope and love are all that remain, and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:8, 13).

*A lucid and easy-to-read biography of Paul came out this year by N. T. Wright, Paul: A Biography (HarperOne. 2018).

Equip: Eschatology

Usually when we think of eschatology most, if not all people of different faiths seem to immediately jump to the debatable issues of life after death or the end of the world.  For Christians the issues of the second coming, the resurrection of the dead, or the final judgment. After I was asked if I would write on this topic I immediately asked the question to myself “why would God leave so many questions up for debate? What does the end of things impact us or how should it affect us now and how we are to live as Christians?

While I do believe the questions that surround eschatology are valid and legitimate to ask in order to know God better, as well as, what He is trying to communicate to mankind about His future plans, the destiny of Christians and non-Christians alike.  I think in debating those issues the question I posed earlier of why God leaves questions is the type of question that gets lost in the weeds. I will hopefully address that concern.

Once I stopped thinking about the debates that come up I did start to think about being at Home, in Heaven with Jesus.  This led me to ask the question why do I not think about Heaven and the implications of Jesus' resurrection more than I do?  When I was approached about writing this blog the person was curious as to my view on the resurrection and what that means for me given that I am disabled.  I found that very interesting because, sadly, I do not think about it much more beyond the implications of salvation for people. The only other times I think of having another home is when I am hearing a song like "Do Lord" or "I'll fly way."  The only other times I think of the resurrection and having another home is when I read a passages in the Bible like John 14:1 - 3 or 1 Peter 2 2:4 - 25, which remind me that this place is not for us and that we have another home. I tend to think in very temporal ways with relationships, my wants, and what will my life look like in a year or two, but the fact is that I am not so Heavenly minded that I am of no Earthly good.

The fact is that as Christians we are to be Heavenly minded.  I say that not because this place is horrible, even though it is in comparison of eternity with God. However, I say it because for the Christian being Heavenly minded to me infers recalling the Resurrection and its implications just as much as we recall Christ death.  It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 15 verses 12 to the end of the chapter. There Paul makes the argument that Christ did resurrect from the dead.  He makes the argument that if Christ did not rise the preaching the gospel is dead.  Not only that, but if He did not rise then a Christian's faith is futile and we all are still in sin.  However, He did raise, therefore, as believers we are made alive.  The fact that He has resurrected me means I need to be Heavenly minded.  This is because by being Heavenly minded means that I will declare the gospel in Word and in deed, which is what Jesus calls us to when He essentially tells the disciples to go unto all the world and them declaring the gospel.  Reminding myself of how Jesus resurrected and what that means for my eternal security if truly grasped it seems to me it would cause me to let go of all this world has to offer and totally be sold out for Christ in word and in deed regardless of the consequences.  

Can you imagine what it would look look like if Christians were sold out for out for Christ in America?   Can you imagine the mockery Christians would face if unbelievers felt Christians expressing the expectation that they really do believe that there will be an end to this place and that will be at a better place?  Sure we would be mocked and teased if we actually lived that in our lives daily, but imagine what it would look like. I have a funny feeling that the Church would resemble much more to those Christians who were living in Acts 2:42 - 48 who automatically fulfill people's needs in the Church and proclaiming the gospel to those around them regardless of the consequences because Christ's love compels as well as because they know this is not their home.  I am not saying to guilt myself or others because it is not being lived out now by many, but I think it would be increased because our minds would be that that we have a future hope and home Jeremiah 29:11 and so we would not continually be trying to score points here. Instead we would do things for an eternal purpose in mind Matt. 6:19 - 21. So, I do not us want to merely look at Eschatology as a topic that merely causes discussions and debates in the Church, but a study of the hope finally being fulfilled because we will be will be whole with God due to  Jesus death and resurrection. The lion will lay down with the lamb, there will be no more sin, and He will have wiped away every tear from His saints' eyes.

The fact is this; as believers, once we are in Heaven we will be clothed with heavenly tents.  We will have heavenly bodies. It is crazy that I do not have an emotional reaction this. Many if not all of you who are reading this know I have Cerebral Palsy, which has put me in this chair and made my experiences different than most of you.  I need help with most if not all of the most basic daily tasks that we all need to do to make our lives function such as getting into and out of bed, using the restroom, cooking, cleaning, etc. I have dealt with it very much with the attitude that this is the way life is for me, but there have been many times where tears have flowed.  Oddly many of them have not come from the disability itself, but how my disability affects my relationships with people either because I can not just visit them or I wonder if they treat me a certain due to the disability. So, in my minds eye I will be able to do everything for myself in which case I view my relationships with people being different because the disability will not be with me.  I will be able to go places without wondering if I have someone to help me use the restroom, or I need a clothing protector, or if people treat me different because what they see. What issues do you face that will be gone in your heavenly body? We will finally be fully known in Christ. What a glorious day that will be!

Equip: Eschatology – The Man of Sin

"Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 ESV

Eschatology can be defined as a belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of humankind; specifically any of various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment. Over time and on-going our God by the Holy Spirit teaches us directly and by others from the Scriptures. In the text before us, Paul went as far as to appeal to the church in Thessalonica to “stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” as to what he said about eschatology. Of course as most would point to, we all should follow the example of those noble brethren in Berea who received the word with all eagerness from Paul but they examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul had to say were actually so (Acts 17). Something I like to do along the way in my life is not to try to understand everything but to focus on one idea or teaching. All one has to do is look at the Scriptures, observe life and history while looking to the Holy Spirit our teacher. It’s for sure okay to read books or listen to teachers but always after such endeavors to then be like the noble Bereans. Little by little my Eschatology comes into focus from Him.

So let’s see what the Scriptures say about one particular event. I place this topic under the category of Eschatology because most views teach that it is yet a future event for us today but for sure it was a future event for the Thessalonians Paul was writing to. First I’ll write a question and then let various Scriptures present answers. Then after that I’ll make some observations and a little history.

QUESTION

Is there a man coming who will:
enter the temple at Jerusalem,
go into the holy of holies,
and declare himself to be God?

…the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God… from 2 Thess 2:1-11

…So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), from Matt 24:15-28

…But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), from Mark 13:14-23

…And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate… from Dan 9:24-27

…Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate… from Dan 11:29-35

…and the abomination that makes desolate is set up… from Dan 12:5-13

and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Rev 13:14-16

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. 1 John 2:18

OBSERVATIONS

A popular view is that the abomination of desolation already took place in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed the temple. It’s hard for me to match up what the Scriptures say with what happened there in history. I think what I’d point to is that John wrote his letters and the Book of revelation 10-30 years after 70 A.D. meaning that John was writing about a future event. That’s too much to overcome for me by itself and when I add-in that the historical facts that took place in 70 A.D don’t exactly match the Scriptures then I take a pass on that view. I always keep in mind the prophecies of the first coming of Jesus. Without question all those prophesies were fulfilled exactly in the view of historical facts. Therefore, I live in the principle that in the same way biblical prophecies concerning the second coming of Jesus too will be fulfilled exactly in the view of history future. Also, here’s something interesting as well historically. The Pulpit Commentary discusses that many of the early church fathers spoke of and taught about a coming man of sin yet future.

THE external evidence in favor of the authenticity of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians is even stronger than that in favor of the First Epistle. In consequence of the prediction of the "man of sin," contained in the second chapter, which prediction made a great impression on the early Church, it is more frequently referred to and quoted by the Christian Fathers. The testimonies of Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clemens of Alexandria, and Tertullian may all be appealed to. Justin Martyr (A.D. 140) unquestionably alludes to this Epistle when he says, "When also the man of apostasy, who speaketh great things against the Most High, shall dare to commit unlawful deeds against us Christians" ('Dial. cum Tryph.,' c. 110). And the following direct quotations are found in the writings of Irenaeus (A.D. 178): "And again in the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, speaking of antichrist, Paul says, 'And then shall that wicked one be revealed whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the presence of his coming' (2 Thess 2:8)" ('Adv. Haeres.,' 3:7, 2). And again: "Concerning whom the apostle in the Epistle which is the Second to the Thessalonians thus speaks: 'Except a falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped' (2 Thess 2:3,4)" ('Adv. Haeres.,' 5:25, 1). (from The Pulpit Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Something else I observe, is that Paul taught the Thessalonians when he was there in person and again later in his letters to them about the end of days and a man who would come who “takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” In fact Paul was only with them for weeks in person and he made sure to teach on these matters. I encourage all to include all of the Scriptures into our thinking and theology. But in particular, I give personal attention to any topic that Jesus spoke about, Paul taught about and in this case John the Apostle discussed along with Daniel in the Old Testament. This topic about this man of sin must be important for all believers to know about and learn about. Therefore, my fellow “Bereans” I suggest over time we include all of the topics of Eschatology along with all of the Scriptures into our growing understanding of what we believe the Scriptures speak about and teach us.

Leadership Update - A Message from the Elders

This past Sunday we announced the transition of Jonathan Mosier out of the role of teaching pastor at Mercy Hill - Lake Country as he follows God's leading in a new direction in his life and the transition of Kevin Oelke to replace him. Please see the announcements below.

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Statement from Jonathan Mosier

Eight and a half years ago God led Jessica and I to Mercy Hill Church. We started attending about 6 weeks after Mercy Hill Lake Country began meeting publicly. Mercy Hill has continued to be home for us since that day. Shortly after we started attending I was given an opportunity to preach, and at the end of 2012 I stepped in as the preaching pastor of Mercy Hill Church Lake Country.

These last years have been sweet and memorable. God has blessed, both us and Mercy Hill, richly in that time. We love Mercy Hill and its people. Jessica and I have been privileged to see people come to know Christ, be baptized, and begin to serve the kingdom at this church. Likewise, my family has been richly blessed and loved by this congregation. You all mean a great deal to us and I cannot adequately express my love and appreciation for the people of Mercy Hill.

I’ve also been thankful for the leaders of Mercy Hill. The elders gave me my first opportunity to preach and minister formally in this church. That’s something for which I will forever be grateful. Their desire is to lead the church well and respond to what the Holy Spirit is leading them to. I’m confident that they will continue to follow God’s calling for the spread of the Gospel and the joy of God’s people.

In the same way, God has also made it clear that he’s moving. God has led the elders of Mercy Hill to their view and approach of a multi-site church. They feel it’s the best way to be effective for the Gospel and to see the Gospel move forward. At the very same time, I feel like God is calling me to lead a church that is structured a bit different, where my particular gifts and callings can play out differently. So I want to be clear, I don’t believe there is anything wrong with the approach that the elders have embraced. In fact, I want to encourage and bless them in that direction, but God is leading me to something different and I feel that I need to step away from Mercy Hill in order to be faithful to do what God is calling me to do in this next stage. Even though God is leading us down different paths, my desire is to be a blessing to the leadership and people of Mercy Hill. So Jessica and I would covet your prayers as we consider this next stage of life and ministry.

March 4th will be my last Sunday at Mercy Hill. Kevin Oelke, the current worship pastor at the Bay View campus, will be replacing me as the preaching pastor. I’ve known Kevin to be a man who loves Jesus, proclaims the Gospel well and deeply cares for those around him. In addition to lending support to Kevin in this time of transition, my encouragement to you is to continue to draw near to those that God has placed around you and continue to faithfully serve God and His Church. Transitions are hard and Satan would love to use this as an opportunity to draw people away from the Father.

We are sad to leave Mercy Hill, but are also confident and excited to see what God has for us in this next stage. The foundation of the Church is Jesus Christ and we are promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Jesus is still on the throne and he is still the Great Shepherd. My prayer is that in this season of transition you would do what we’ve strived to faithfully teach and emulate: to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

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Statement from the Elders

Jonathan and Jessica began attending Mercy Hill Church several years ago when looking for a gospel-centered church.  He was raised up here as a leader and pastor and we have seen Jonathan develop in many aspects as he has allowed the Spirit to work in him and as he worked alongside the leaders in this body.  We love him dearly as a brother in Christ. He has been a true blessing to us and as a result we now hope to be a true blessing to him and his family as they venture out discerning the Holy Spirit’s leading on their lives.  

Jonathan and the elders have been in conversation over the last several months on what this means for the future leadership of Mercy Hill Lake Country.  All the elders, along with Jonathan, have confirmed that Kevin Oelke will transition into the role of teaching pastor here in Lake Country.  Many of you know Kevin who has served as the worship pastor at Bay View since the inception of Mercy Hill and as he has spent time here in Lake Country both leading in worship and teaching. He has done that from Lake Country's early days, when it was a handful of people meeting Sunday nights at a daycare center in Delafield.  

God has been preparing Kevin and his wife Amy to a different role in ministry over this last year. God, in His providence, put the ministry of Lake Country on Kevin's heart in a special way long before he knew that this transition was coming. This change has now been confirmed to Kevin and his family as well as to the elders and we believe he is the pastor God has been preparing to take Jonathan’s place.  This move reflects  our commitment to follow the Holy Spirit’s directing as he raises up leaders from within Mercy Hill as opposed to going outside this local body. This approach allows us as a church to continue with the same commitment to a philosophy of ministry that makes the teaching of the Gospel central and the building of community essential.

Over the course of the next month Jonathan will be working alongside Kevin to transition him into this role at Lake Country before his departure.  We know that transitions like these can be difficult for the many who have developed a strong relationship with Jonathan and so we are trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us through this process and are praying for unity in the body as this happens.  We encourage you who call Mercy Hill your home to continue to engage in community and ministry as God leads us all into this next season.  We also ask you to continue in fellowship by encouraging and praying for Jonathan and his family as God leads them into their next phase of life. This is what we, the leadership of Mercy Hill, will endeavor to do.

Also join us in prayer that the blessing of God be on Jonathan and His family and that the unity of Christ reign at Mercy Hill for the Glory of God. We, the elders, are all in agreement that the sovereign hand of God has orchestrated this so that His perfect will might be fulfilled in both Jonathan's life and the life of this church.  We genuinely are excited to see how God will use this for His Kingdom purposes.

If anyone has any questions or would like to get together to talk with any of us please feel free to email us either at our personal email addresses or at elders@mercyhill.org.

Fervent Prayer: Church Planting

" And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles."  Acts 2:42-43 ESV

From the birth of the Church in Acts, we see what the new gathered Body of Christ focused on: God’s Word (apostles’ teaching), community (fellowship and breaking of bread), and prayer (communing with God).  Thus, from the very beginning of Mercy Hill, these verses have been close to our hearts and has helped define and shape our mission of being the Church.  Keeping our focus on the simplicity of the Gospel, as taught in Scripture, and proclaiming that Good News both from the pulpit and through personal relationship, is a big part of what I think makes Mercy Hill Church the amazing community that it is.  And it seems that God is stirring the hearts of others all over southeastern Wisconsin who desire to see churches planted that are committed to the beauty and simplicity of the Gospel.  God has been building His Church with people ready to be His Church, and because of this, we are excited for what God is doing through the church planting efforts here at Mercy Hill.  

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Today, let’s focus our prayers on the area of church planting:

Pray that God would continue to build His Church here and abroad
Pray for our current church planting efforts/connections:
Mercy Hill Rock County, Janesville (Josh and Angie Dostal)
Imago Dei, West Milwaukee (Pete and Kristy Ziolkowski)
Nuovo Vita, Salerno (Justin and Abbey Valiquette)
Pray that God would provide to expand His Church:
Leadership, resources and finances
Pray that we would continue to train and equip leaders for church planting
Pray that God would continue to make His mission clear to our churches
Pray that God would clearly direct our Elders in future church planting efforts

Fervent Prayer: Financial Commitment and Provision

" For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” 
2 Cor 8:13-15

Over the years there seems to have been two dominant theologies related to personal finances that have emerged in the church. The first is a ‘poverty theology’. Explained simply, it is the idea that people who are in poverty are somehow more holy or more spiritual then those who have wealth. That one of the marks and means of your spirituality is maintaining a place of poverty. It is true that the bible does seem to indicate that a life in poverty has the potential to teach us about the nature of Jesus. Bonnie Pattison in her book, Poverty in the Theology of John Calvin, describes Calvin’s view of the sanctifying work that is discovered when we live lives of Christ-like poverty. Calvin, she says, describes the life of the believer that “bears the cross” of poverty and affliction, which he calls the “mortification of the outward man”, as lives that are being consecrated by the life and death of Christ. That this humble life becomes an instrument of divine grace and blessing for the believer. Hardships create opportunities for the knowledge of God’s glory to be revealed to the believer, with adversity revealing God’s glory in a way that is otherwise concealed where humble living is absent. The experience of “bearing the cross” brings a knowledge of one’s own spiritual poverty which works to foster humility in the believer. There is no doubt that this state MAY provide a pathway to greater spiritual understanding but poverty in and of itself is NOT greater spirituality.  The willingness to live in a state of poverty has the same potential for arrogant carnality that riches does. 

The second dominate theology related to personal financial status is a ‘prosperity theology’. It is the belief that personal financial wealth reveals personal spiritual maturity. That the blessings of God manifest on the spiritual in the form of financial prosperity. If you are spiritual you will be wealthy and if you’re not wealthy you’re probably not spiritual. Although every believer should always acknowledge that all blessings are gifts from God toward us, there is nothing in scripture to indicate that financial prosperity follows spiritual maturity. In fact a cursory reading of scripture will show that some of the great giants of faith throughout scripture were living in a state far from what could be described as financial prosperity. Jesus Christ himself describes His situation on earth as ‘having no place to lay his head’ and literally needed a miracle to pay His taxes. For that matter he says ‘woe to those who are rich for you have already received your reward’. But even with that being said, being wealthy or receiving abundant financial blessings from God is not necessarily a mark of carnality. There were many great men and women of faith that God did bless with financial well being;  it was how they chose to use that wealth that revealed their spiritual state. 

You see there is a financial theology that properly frames both poverty and prosperity that not only addresses the tension between poverty and wealth we see in scripture but also properly focuses the eyes and heart of the follower of Jesus Christ.

If I were to identify what I believe the bible teaches as it relates to finances in the life of the believer I would say it is neither a theology of poverty or a theology of prosperity but a theology of need meeting. It is the belief that God meets our needs and we in turn meet the needs of others. Every time you see the topic of God’s provision for His people you see the word ‘needs’ associated with it. Whether it is in Christ’s encouragement in the Gospels to not chase after the basic provisions of the life because ‘your Father knows’ your needs and he will provide them or the encouragement in Philippians 4 where we are told that God will supply all our needs according to His riches. What you discover is that God is aware of our needs and willing and wanting to meet them. But in addition to the meeting of our needs (not wants) being met by God,  throughout scripture we are called to meet the needs of others with our extra; your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need. This was the practice in the first century church where they were distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need (Acts 2 and Acts 4). And it’s not just the needs of the individual but it is the needs of the ministry of God’s church. Paul in Philippians 4 commended them for funding his ministry and throughout his teachings he emphasizes to the members of the church that duty to provide for the ministry of the church (1 Corinthians 9, 1 Timothy 5). 

The reason I say that the theology of need meeting puts it all in proper perspective is because it removes the focus from ourselves and on to God and others. We do not become fixated on whether our spirituality is providing our blessing or whether our willingness to sacrifice means we’ve earned our righteousness. Both of these are mindsets that spring from and lead to spiritual arrogance. Instead, through a theology of need meeting,  we are focused on God as gracious provider and on others as the recipients of our God inspired love. When we see the undeserved provision of God towards us our gratitude towards Him grows as does our desire to be generous toward others. 

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Dear God, the one who knows and provides all our needs, we come before you with open hands and open hearts. Please give to each one of us that which we need to grow in our knowledge of you. Help us to always turn our faces to you to receive and our faces towards others to give. By your Holy Spirit, may we learn the beauty of dependence on you and the beauty of generosity towards your church and your people. Amen.

Fervent Prayer: Outreach

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."  2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Second Corinthians 5 provides Christians with a framework for their interaction with the world around us. A framework that quite often we don’t think about. Paul’s claim to the title ‘presbeutes’ or ambassador, when taken in context of his culture, established a rich responsibility for all of us who are called to be ministers in our world.

Roman provinces were divided into two types. One was under the direct control of the senate, the other under the direct control of the Emperor. The distinction was made on this basis; provinces which were peaceful and had no troops in them were senatorial provinces; provinces which were turbulent and had troops stationed in them were imperial provinces. In the imperial provinces, the man who administered the province on behalf of the Emperor, was the ‘legatus presbeutai’. By using this word he paints a picture of a man who has a direct commission from the Emperor. He does this because Paul regarded himself as commissioned by Jesus Christ for the work of the Church.  Just as an ambassador represents his country Paul represented his Lord. Just as an ambassador spoke for his country Paul spoke for Christ. 

It is this way we must all regard ourselves. We have been commissioned by Jesus Christ. This is the essence of Christ’s statement in His pastoral prayer found in John 17 when he says ‘As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world’ and it’s confirmed by His instruction to the church when he says, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’

We have been called to be ambassadors for Christ and when we as individuals or as the church reach out to our world we must understand that this is what we are doing. We must reach out in the love of Christ, we must reach out in the truth of Jesus, we must reach out in His compassion, His grace and His holiness. We represent Him. In the decisions and the counsels of the world we must be the voice which brings the message of Christ to the human situation. It is this biblical reality that governs the outreach efforts as Mercy Hill.  

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Dear Jesus, Grant us the courage to speak with your voice, grant us the compassion to heal with your hands and grant us the strength to love with your commitment. Help us, by your Holy Spirit leading, to do that which you are calling us to do in service to mankind and  anoint and bless those that take up that calling. In your power and strength we pray. Amen. 

Fervent Prayer: Missions: Let God Lead

"He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”. Acts 1:7-8 ESV

My prayer in missions is that we do not let the cart get before the horse. Too often when we talk about missions, we talk from our perspective. Where we feel passionate, where we feel we should go, what we feel we should do.

But in establishing His Church, God is in the lead, not us.

Today's passage is a perfect illustration of this. We often cite Acts 1:8 when calling people to missions. But ignoring verses 1:6-7 rips away the context. The context is that, at the resurrection, the apostles still held the view that Christ's purpose was to establish the political nation of Israel. Even after walking with Christ for years, witnessing intense miracles, watching the crucifixion, and now seeing Him conquer death, the apostles still wanted God to fulfill their narrative. How often have we done the same?

May we return to simply pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.”

By letting God lead, we are releasing Him from having to fulfill our vision of missions, and opening ourselves to what He is capable of doing. This is also a key part of 1:8 that we miss. 

Missions is not only letting Him lead in terms of the big things (who, what, where), but in the small moments as well. Making space for His Holy Spirit to disrupt our daily routines to reach those right here around us. By walking in and with His Spirit, we will allow Him to reach our families, neighbors and world.

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Father, may we be a Church that lets You lead. We repent for creating our own narratives and asking You to join us in what we want to do. We ask that You guide us, speak to us, and teach us in how You want to reach the world. We invite Your Spirit into our lives today and each day. May our heart be one with Yours as we reach out to the hurting, lost, and broken among us.

Fervent Prayer: Community

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

When we talk about a church being committed to living in Gospel Community we are discussing a concept that goes beyond simply creating a safe and hospitable environment or even meeting the needs of those around us. Each of these are important and worthy of our attention but when we stop there we actually lose sight of the object of the Gospel’s ultimate influence in the life of the individual believer and the life of the church; the glorification of God. All that we are as a result of Christ’s work on the cross is intended for the purpose of embodying Jesus Christ in our lives. To revealing the power of His Gospel to the world around us. A unified community made up of a diverse group of people covenanted to each other shows the power of Christ to transform us and transverse any divide.

Romans 15 verse 6 reveals the depth of unity that glorifies the work of Jesus when it uses the phrase ‘with one accord’. The phrase comes from the greek word Homothumadon. It is a unique Greek word, helping us to understand the uniqueness of Christian community. Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to “rush along” (thumos/thymos) and “in unison” (homos). The intended imagery is almost musical. You see, as a number of notes are sounded, while different, they harmonize in pitch and tone. In the same way that the instruments of an orchestra come together under the direction of a choir director, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church. In this we embody our highest purpose.

As one commentator said; The consummate purpose of Christian unity is not to please other believers but to please the Lord, both inwardly and outwardly, individually and corporately. It is only when His people are in one accord and worship Him with one voice that they truly and fully glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us, by your Spirit, to be united as your church. Empower us to go beyond our own selfish concerns that we might reveal and reflect the transforming work of Christ in our lives and in our community of faith. We join our prayer with that of your Son’s when he asked that we may all be one; even as You in the Godhead are one, so that the world may believe in work of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Fervent Prayer: Prayer for Mercy Hill Worship

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!  Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100

The Psalmist lays out an amazing framework for a believer’s approach to worship. Too often we participate in the practice of worship mindlessly, not understanding the great gift we have given. Psalms 100 challenges us with profound truths that should reignite our hearts and re-engage our spirits at every opportunity we have to worship.

The first truth is that we have been blessed with the presence of God. Verse 2 says; Come into his presence with singing! and then verse 4 says; Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Each of these statements acknowledges the great gift we have to dwell in the presence of God. Come into His presence, enter His courts! Too often we forget how the work of Christ on the cross not only made a way for our salvation it also made the way for us to enter into the holy of holies, the very dwelling place of God. When he died on the cross the veil of the temple, that seperated sinful man from their Holy God, was torn in two signifying how Christ’s work made the way for us to be in His presence. This is a profound truth that should never be taken for granted.

The second profound truth the Psalmist reveals is the greatness of God. Look how  Psalm 100 emphasizes the incredible awesome power and nature of God. And not in the cosmic sense but as it relates to His interaction with us, in an intimate sense. He says; It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. He made us. We are His. We are His People. And if that doesn’t convey His intimate relationship with His people it says, we are His sheep and He is our shepherd. He cares for us, feeds us, protects us. We are His! The great creator who made us, made us His own! And if all this wasn’t enough the Psalmist puts an exclamation on it by declaring: the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. 

Each of these truths is meant to lead us to respond in gratitude to God. The truth of the gift of entering His presence, the truth of His intimate greatness towards us should lead us to worship. The Psalm instructs us to; Make a joyful noise to the Lord, it implores us to; Serve the Lord with gladness, it tells us to; Know that the Lord, he is God!  Why? Because, It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. It says, Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Why? Because, the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. 

The call of the believer to worship is in response to His greatness toward us and our ability to enter into the presence of that greatness. Whenever we gather to worship it serves us well to focus on the depths of His goodness, on the enormity of His kindness, on the intimacy of His graciousness because it will animate our worship.
 

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Dear Holy Spirit, bring to our minds in the moments of worship the greatness of God’s goodness toward us. Help us to never take for granted the price that was paid so that we might enjoy the presence of God. Spirit of God, anoint those who lead us in worship and visit upon the power and beauty that only you can deliver to God’s people. 

Fervent Prayer: Confession & Commitment to Spiritual Disciplines

Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Matthew 26:38-41

When I read this passage, as much as I want to look down on the disciples for their lack of discipline and obedience, I find myself too often identifying with their failure. The call to pray is ubiquitous throughout scripture and yet we so often dismiss the call or ignore it altogether. And it’s not just the discipline to pray that we often neglect, it might be the study of God’s word or even the fellowship and community of the Body of Christ. We are instructed throughout scripture to practice each of these for our spiritual benefit and yet we don’t seem to see the import.

That’s why I find Christ’s admonition here so instructive. He acknowledges the condition most of us find ourselves in; ‘the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak’. Doesnt that sound familiar? It seems as if He has plucked these words right out of my mind as I approach the practice of spiritual disciplines in my life.  But he also reminds us that the practice of these disciplines are essential for our spiritual well being: ‘watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation’. His words reveal the truth that the presence of these practices in our lives will strengthen us to live the life to which God has called us. I can tell you that the less I pray, study His word or fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ the more I struggle with temptation but the more I commit my time to personal and corporate prayer, pressing into the wisdom of the Bible and surrounding myself with the family of God the more I avoid the struggles of the flesh. 

Now is a good time to examine our commitment to the spiritual disciplines of our lives and press into the Spirit to find the anointing that empowers us to ‘watch and pray’. 

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Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before you in humility and repentance acknowledging the truth that our willingness to train for godliness has rarely matched our need for it. We repent of the fact that we have continued to elevate the desires of the flesh above the call of the Spirit.

Help us Father, by your Holy Spirit, to change our course. Help us Father, by your Holy Spirit, to embrace the disciplines of faith that we know will transform our spirit lives. Help us Father by your Holy Spirit to enter your holy of holies through the gift of prayer, to cherish the treasure of your Word by faithful Study and to commit to our place in your community with contentment and joy as instruments of the Gospel whether we are single or married, may you empower us to find fellowship as we commit to your community.

Church Planting in India

At the core of Mercy Hill we believe that God has given us a mission to plant churches.  Which is why we've planted three churches in Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Lake Country & Rock County), helped plant Imago Dei on the west side of Milwaukee, supported churches with our brothers in Italy and worked with pastors in Rwanda to plant new churches.  And now we have been blessed to be a part of a church planting project in India.  

Here is an update from church planter Pastor Kishore Daroga from India!

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Dear Honored Servants of the Most Holy God, Greetings to you in Jesus name.

I am here with sending the Pictures of our current Project 9th Church "Mercy Hill Church." I need another 15 days to finish the project. The Church will be ready by 14th of JAN, 2018. It is a very big project keeping the potentiality of that area we extended the Church and now it is 70 x 18 feet. Three hundred people can be accommodated...

Earlier we burnt our fingers when we built our 7th Church in 2014. When we finished that Church in 2014 there were only 70 members and now that Church is growing by leaps and bounds. We have right now 200 plus believers.we are facing a little bit problem to accommodate. We have a scope to extend only on right side and we will do it in a couple of months.

I thank all the donors profusely for having supported me generously all these years. I can boldly say that your names are written on the bricks of the walls of all the churches. Please continue to pray and support our coming up ministry in INDIA.

With this Church we have 9 Churches in total and 7 Pastors and many a leader trained by us working in harmony and expanding the Kingdom of God.We continue to plant many more Churches in future.

On January 2017 five people have come from Milwaukee, WI and seen all our eight churches then.

With lots of NAMASKAARAMS(WISHES)
Yours in His Humble Service
Bishop Kishore Daroga