Powerful Humility
This last week's message was on the 6th prayer in the series "Dear Father... Pastoral Prayers for Mercy Hill" and it was the prayer of humility:
Dear Father, we pray this morning that we would turn away from spiritual pride. That we would be convinced of the destructive nature of arrogance in the heart of the believer and the life of the Church. May the image of Christ's humble Gospel inspire us daily to emulate his service and sacrifice. Father, may our deepening love for Christ produce a true love for others.
As we were studing the foundational importance of humility in the life of the believer and community of Christ that is expressed in Philippians 2 I was struck by Paul's emphasis on the depths of Christ's example of humility.
When you look at verses 1-4 Paul aggresively is calling the church to unity. He says if you have "any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy," then be unified. He is essentially saying if you get this "Christian thing" at all, be unified. Now, when you look at the state of most churches in this day and age, with the commonality of division and politics, you are immediately struck with what a large challenge this calling is for us as Christ followers. But as is often the case, Paul provides the means by which this is acheived; humility through a Gospel call that empowers us.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Paul is saying look to the example of Christ's Gospel humility, be conformed to that image and the church will find unity. But look at the intensity of humility to which we are called; "He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS." It's like humility that causes death isnt enough, he has to remind us that it was a death on the cross. For many of us, 2000 years removed from the ancient image of the cross, we might not understand the significance of that emphasis but I believe Paul is trying to call the church to a humility that is so counter to our humanity. You see, Paul is emphasizing the unfair brutality of Christ's humbling. A death on the cross was reserved for criminals, for those who's punishement was well deserved. It was brutal and painful and was meant for those who earned it. Christ humbled himself, preferred others, sacrificed his rights even when he didnt deserve it, even when they didnt earn it.
I can't tell you how many times I have been called into the middle of disputes between brothers and sisters in Christ and heard the defense, "I didnt deserve to be treated that way. I was nice and generous and he took advantage and mistreated me. He's the one at fault not me!" We as human beings, especially as Americans, are great defenders of our personal rights, advocates of personal fairness but when we are only willing to reconcile, to exercise humility, to prefer others when it fits into our sense of justice we will not find the unity to which Paul is calling us.
May we be conformed to the image of a humbled Christ, even Christ on the cross.
Worship Experience | This Saturday 8/25
Pizza @ 6p
Worship @ 6:30p
Join us for a time of worsip at our Bay View location, prayer and reflection. We'll be serving free pizza at 6PM. Worship will start at 6:30PM. For more info contact Pastor Kevin at 262-672-9996 or kevin@mercyhill.org.
Water Baptism Postponed | Now Sunday 9/9
Sunday, 9/9 at 12:30 PM
Summer Gallery Night on Friday, July 27
- Doors open at 7:00p. Music starts at 7:30p.
- Questions: contact kevin@mercyhill.org
Broken Systems
Releasing joy into the life of the believer requires releasing our infatuation with and dependency on the brokeness of this world. As I said this last Sunday the first step to releasing Godly joy into your life is to stop believing that broken vessels can contain your joy. We no longer live in Eden and when sin entered the garden the world became a broken place, full of broken systems, populated by broken people. The more we turn to those broken vessels for our joy the more we will discover frustration and anger robbing us of Godly joy.
One of the "broken systems" I mentioned, to which we often turn, is the arena of politics. In this political season I wanted to share a quote from this week's message that I feel will be helpful to carry with us into this fall and beyond:
I love this country and even knowing it’s imperfect past, still believe it is the most perfect exercise in freedom this broken world has ever produced, but my true freedom was not written in any constitution, was not won by any nations army, was not secured by any court and is not maintained by any legislative body. My freedom was written by the hand of God since before the dawn of time, was won by Christ at the cross, secured by his resurrection and is maintained by God’s Spirit. Whether in a theocracy, democracy, dictatorship or socialist state the joy of my freedom can not be eradicated here in this world because the joy of my freedom is not from this world.
My prayer for all believers is that when we face defeat in the political word we don't become desperate and when we secure victory we don't cling to a false hope. May our joy always be rooted and grounded in the eternal victory Christ won on the cross.
Bay View Beach Clean-Up
Bay View Park is one of the natural jewels of our lakefront. Many of us use the paths for jogging, biking, walking the dog or just enjoying the beauty of nature. It offers a welcome relief from the noise of every day life. Unfortunately, some areas of the beach are in trouble from an abundance of trash. From cigarette butts to bottle caps to random pieces of plastic, Bay View Beach (particularly the south side) needs help.
We would like to ask for your help to maintain our neighborhood beach. This will not be a major workout – you can listen to the birds, watch the waves crash against the shore and visit with your neighbors while picking up a few items that shouldn’t be there. Volunteers often enjoy beautiful sunsets and once saw a waterspout move across the lake. This is a great opportunity to enjoy nature while helping nature.
Summer Splash in August
Invite your friends, neighbors, and grandchildren to join us for this year's Summer Splash kids' camp where they'll engage in fun games, water sports, bible lessons, and crafts! See dates and times below:
- Thursday, August 9 - 6:00pm (dinner included)
- Friday, August 10 - 6:00pm (dinner included)
- Saturday, August 11 - 9:30 am registration 10:00 am start
One Generation to the Next
This last week in our wrap up of the series "Shepherd, Soldier, King: The Life of David in Song" we looked at David's final admonition to the assembled people of Israel and the Psalm that was inspired by that event, Psalms 145. We saw buried in the middle of that song a call for one generation to the next to pass on the greatness of God.
As we studied this scripture I was reminded of a passage from the journal of Jim Elliot. At age 22, Jim Elliot had a promising ministry in front of him in the United States. He probably could have been a very successful pastor or evangelist or teacher. His parents were not very excited about his call to go to the Quichuas in South America. They wrote and told him so. He answered bluntly.
"I do not wonder that you were saddened at the word of my going to South America," he replied on August 8. "This is nothing else than what the Lord Jesus warned us of when He told the disciples that they must become so infatuated with the kingdom and following Him that all other allegiances must become as though they were not. And He never excluded the family tie. In fact, those loves that we regard as closest, He told us must become as hate in comparison with our desires to uphold His cause. Grieve not, then, if your sons seem to desert you, but rejoice, rather, seeing the will of God done gladly. Remember how the Psalmist described children? He said that they were as an heritage from the Lord, and that every man should be happy who had his quiver full of them. And what is a quiver full of but arrows? And what are arrows for but to shoot? So, with the strong arms of prayer, draw the bowstring back and let the arrows fly - all of them, straight at the Enemy's hosts.
"Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious, Give of thy wealth to speed them on their way, Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious, And all thou spendest Jesus will repay."
May we at Mercy Hill, as parents and as a church, so exult the greatness of God to the next generation that we see young men and young women with this devotion sent into the world to exult God to the next generation.
City On A Hill Outreach | July 14
Join the Mercy Hill Community Service Team and volunteer in the free health clinic at City on a Hill. More than 100 volunteers staff City on a Hill Health Clinic. These helping professionals are joined by many other volunteers from academic institutions, churches and other organizations who have a heart for the poor and a desire to make a difference. The volunteer team provides a wide range of vital services in a community where many people are indigent and uninsured, and the incidence of nearly every major disease is elevated.
Saturday, July 14
2224 W Kilbourn Ave. Milwaukee, WI
A Life of Worship
This last week we looked at the life of worship that David exhibited. It was so clearly on display when in one of his first acts as king he moved the ark of the covenant to the nations capital, Jerusalem, and he couldnt contain his worship of God. His realization of God's grace to him caused him to dance and sing and shout so enthusiatically his wife was embarassed by him. But he was just a man who lived a life of worship.
That phrase, "live a life of worship", is one we hear all the time but rarely ever consider. "Worship is not simply what we do on Sunday's but we must live a life of worship", is something we are told often in the church but do we really understand this concept. As we said this last week, we all live lives of continual worship the only question is what is it that we worship. Hebrews 13 gives us great insight into what it means to live a life of worship that is worshipping the one true God:
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise (worship) to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
In this passage we see a life of worship includes five real elements;
1) Praise- the practice of worshipping God.
2) Proclamation - we have lips that confess his name.
3) Service - we do good to others as demonstration of the Gospel in this world.
4) Participation- share with others as a demonstration of grace in this world.
5) Sacrifice- giving of time, talent and treasure.
A life of worship should contain and exhibit each of these expressions as a response to God's grace at work in our lives.
Worship Experience | Saturday 6/16
June is already over a week away! And we're excited to host another Worship Experience event on Saturday, June 16. It's a great time to get together and focus on what we were made for, to glorify God. We'll have the opportunity to do that in song and prayer through this event. We'll start with some pizza together and then worship. Childcare will also be provided. Hope to see you there!
The Utmost Evil
Pride is an abomination to God. Humility is essential to living in alignment with God. These two statements are as biblically supported as any two statements about christian living we could ever propose. As we looked at the life of David we see him beautifully combating the trap of pride by being fixated on the greatness of God. This right theology produced right thinking which, in turn, produced right living.
I wanted to share with you this week a little on the dangers of pride but CS Lewis does such a great job I will simply leave it to him:
In Christianity the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind....The more pride one has, the more one dislikes pride in others. If you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, "How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronize me, or show off?" Each person's pride is in competition with everyone else's pride.
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
Jesus and Justice
"The call to give the gospel is central to the walk of the Christian and should always be a motivating force. However, the lack of an opportunity to share the gospel does not release a Christian from the responsibility to give generously to the poor, feed the hungry and give freedom to the oppressed"
Recently I was reading through Luke 4 and was struck by something that Jesus did. After spending 40 days in the wilderness and being tempted by Satan, Jesus returned to Nazareth and went to the Tabernacle. Following the custom of the Jews in that time he stood and read a passage of Scripture. The specific prophecy that he read spoke of one who would proclaim good news to the poor, give sight to the blind and bring liberty to the oppressed. Jesus then rolled up the scroll and pronounced, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
I was blown away after reading this. Jesus could have chosen a passage that spoke of love, holiness, purity or sin. Instead, he decided to read a passage that focused on the virtues of justice and the way in which he intended to serve mankind. When looking at the life of Christ it becomes apparent how important this concept was to him. Jesus never pushed away the poor, needy or oppressed. Rather, he sought them out, loved them and worked to demonstrate his concern for them.
I had the opportunity to preach on this recently. Since then I’ve had several conversations about this idea of justice and the way that believers in Christ should live. The most common question that I've received goes something like this: "I realize that taking care of the poor and needy is a good thing, but isn’t it worthless if you don’t preach the gospel at the same time?"
The call to give the gospel is central to the walk of the Christian and should always be a motivating force. However, the lack of an opportunity to share the gospel does not release a Christian from the responsibility to give generously to the poor, feed the hungry and give freedom to the oppressed (Isaiah 58). Too often Christians excuse their lack of generosity by claiming that they would rather witness or share the plan of salvation than “just meet physical needs”. What they fail to realize is that taking care of the needy is an expression of the gospel in itself.
When Jesus performed miracles they were not just manifestations of his power (though they accomplished this task). They were manifestations of justice. Providing food for the hungry, healing the leper, giving sight to the blind, making the lame to walk, giving speech to the dumb and even raising the dead: these showed his power over natural law, creation and death, but they also gave hope to men, women, children and families who were at the end of their rope and desperately needed help. Some of these people trusted Christ as their savior and devoted their lives to his service. Others walked away having their physical need met, but missing the answer to their deeper spiritual need. Christ, however, did not discriminate based on their response.
We are called to share the gospel and to faithfully hold to the authoritative Word of God. We demonstrate this devotion through caring for those in need and serving people in our church and our cities. We do this without any expectation of personal gain, being paid back or even being thanked.
This is the call to be like Jesus.
Community (reprint)
I read Dan Ryan's latest blog post and it brought tears to my eys. I wanted to make sure you guys read it. For those of you who might not know, Dan and Megan Ryan are our newly sent missionaries to the nation of Sierra Leone. Read his entry and let the Holy Spirit speak to you about your sense of community:
Community
May 15, 2012 04:17 pm
By Dan
Our God Reigns!
This last week I shared that one of the keys to finding God as your refuge in the time of trouble is being convinced that he reigns. I love David's declaration in Psalms 11; The Lord is in His holy temple, His throne is in heaven. Davids statement powerfully illustrates his conviction that God's presence was with Him and that God reigns supreme over all situations, even the difficult ones. As I thought about this I was reminded about a song we used to sing in church when I was I kid, I want to share it with you. If you are struggling remember our God reigns, find refuge in our King.
How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him
Who brings good news.
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness:
Our God reigns, our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
He had no stately form, He had no majesty
That we should be drawn to Him.
He was despised and we took no account of Him.
Our God reigns, our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
It was our sin and guilt that bruised and wounded Him.
It was our sin that brought Him down.
When we like sheep had gone astray our Shepherd came
And on His shoulders bore our shame.
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Meek as a lamb that’s led out to the slaughterhouse,
Dumb as a sheep before its shearer,
His life ran down upon the ground like pouring rain
That we might be born again.
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Out from the tomb He came with grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive.
God loves us so, see here His hands, His feet, His side
Yes we know, He is alive.
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Does It Really Say That?
This last week, as a part of our 5 year celebration, I talked about what we mean when we say that our focus is on "being the church, not building a church." Realizing statements that are often repeated can become meaningless cliches if we dont take time to examine the truth behind the declaration I felt it was appropriate to explain what we mean by that particular phrase.
On Sunday I wanted to show that the truth behind this declaration lies in an embracing of the Gospel. That being the church means that we take the life, work, death, resurrection and glorification of Christ as both our means of salvation and our pattern for discipleship. That when a congregation remains focused on the Gospel of Christ, continually conforming to the likeness of Christ, we WILL "be the church."
As a part of my message I identified three expressions of Gospel devotion that would be required if we are to truly fulfill our goal of "being the church:" Commitment to Teach the Gospel, Conviction to Live the Gospel and a Compassion to Bring the Gospel. I wanted to expound a little on the first devotion because I had an experience lately that I believe is instructive when reflecting on the teaching of a Gospel message.
One of the points I made when discussing the commitment to teach the Gospel is that we must teach a "sound" gospel message and I believe it is a distinction that the apostle Paul calls us to in his epistles. Paul in Galatians 1 confronts the truth that there are those who teach "another gospel, which is no gospel at all". In 2 Corinthians 4 he states that he does not cunningly distort the word of God to attract devotees but presents the Gospel of Christ and if it is veiled to some so be it. His clear implication here is that there are those who do distort the word to attract people. In light of this apparent reality, how do we identify sound Gospel teaching as opposed to cunning distortions of the word of God?
Whenever I listen to a sermon I always start with the question, "Does it really say that?" Is the bible really trying to lead us to this truth? Unfortunately, too often I find that the answer is, no. The message might be brilliantly delivered, well constructed and might even lead me to something I think is true but if it is not the Truth that the Bible is declaring we have to identify that and realize it is simply a cunning distortion of God's word. We cannot give biblical authority to ideas that have not been authorized by the Bible. As I said earlier, I recently had an experience that I think brilliantly illustrates the way we must attentively examine all teaching to make sure it is illuminating Christ's Gospel and not expressing some convenient teaching.
I had the opportunity to sit in on a teaching from Philippians 3 and I was intrigued and delighted when I learned that this would be the text for that evenings message because I believe it is one of the most beautiful expressions of Gospel v. Law in all of Paul's writings. It is the passage that begins with Paul's declaration that those who require circumcision to be saved are "dogs, evildoers and mutilators of the flesh" and how he could take pride in his own "righteous" behavior (circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless) but that his accomplishments were rubbish because all that matters is Christ's righteousness (v. 2-9). He boldly proclaims that he desires to partake in Christ's suffering so that he would also partake in His resurrection. It is a brilliant call to "imprint" Christ's Gospel of sacrifice on the life of the believer to attain Christ's Gospel of resurrection (10-11). But as I listened to the message and asked the question "does it really say that?" I was disappointed with the answer.
The pastor who was delivering the message used v. 12-14 as his text, entitling his message "4 Steps to Successful Living". As I listened I was saddened to hear the way in which Paul's powerful exhortation to live the Gospel here on earth to achieve "the prize for which God has called me heavenward" was turned into a Tony Robbins seminar for success.
He stated Paul's declaration "not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect" (a clear reference to not having died and been resurrected) was evidence of Paul realizing that even though he had "accomplished" so much he had a right view of his imperfections. He saw this as evidence that "successful people go through the process of self-evaluation." He looked at Paul's conviction of "forgetting what lies behind" as evidence that Paul, like all successful people, "forgot past failures" (even though it seems clear this is a reference to Paul's past righteous behaviors that he lists in v.5-7 and not failures). He finds in Paul's statement "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward" evidence that Paul, like all successful people, was "goal oriented." (I guess if you are referring to the fact that all Christians' singular goal should be heaven, then I can get onboard with this but that didn't seem to be his point). And finally he believed Paul's commitment to "press on" is indicative of the trait of all successful people: determination.
Now, I bring this up not for the purpose of denegrating another teacher but to point out how easily the power of the Gospel message can be exchanged for "good advice." Listen, going through the process of honest self evaluation, forgetting past failures, being goal oriented and determined may be good advice. In fact every single sales seminar I attended during my incarnations as a car salesman and real estate agent taught these points but this is NOT what Paul is saying to the church in this passage. This is NOT what the Holy Spirit is trying to get us to understand in His inspired Word. And these ideas are NOT worthy of biblical authority.
Do not exchange the power of the Gospel for simple platitudes. Do not simply accept every teaching as biblical because someone "uses" the Bible. Every time someone tells you the "Bible says..." (including when I am teaching) ask the question, "Does it really say that?" Look for the Gospel in every sermon to which you listen, if it's not there it's not worth your time.
A commitment to sound Gospel teaching is essential to "being the church."
Celebrating Five Years!
This past week, we celebrated five years since having launched Mercy Hill Church in Milwaukee. Five years! At Mercy Hill, there's something we say often, "We're not here to build a church, we're here to BE THE CHURCH."
Pastor Tommy preachead on the concept of "being the church" and what that means for us at Mercy Hill.
Jesus Is My Homeboy
I don't remember how long ago I first saw this t-shirt, but I do remember that when I saw it, it hit me... how engrained Jesus is in our culture. And I started thinking about it some more, just because Jesus is engrained in a culture, doesn't mean that's it's a good thing.
As I prepared to write this blog, I quickly searched for a "Jesus is my homeboy" graphic and found an actual "official site" explaining the back story which I didn't know! You can read more here (not sure how true it all is), but it apparently started out by a man who was simply trying to spread Jesus' gospel to gangs in Los Angeles. Years later, a celebrity is photographed wearing the t-shirt and the rest is history.
This is a good example of how something with good intentions can easily lose its meaning when it becomes a fashion statement or "culturally acceptable" within a subculture without really discussing the true meaning or bringing attention to the gospel of Jesus. That somehow, by wearing a t-shirt or bracelet, we're living out the gospel.
And this is what fascinates me about cultures and subcultures we create, both Christians and non. How one person can wear this t-shirt and know, carry, struggle and deal with the gospel of Jesus and in another subculture, it's the "cool" thing to wear. I love a few things Leslie Newbigin calls out about culture overall, particularly the following:
"And one must also include in culture, and as fundamental to any culture, a set of beliefs, experiences, and practices that seek to grasp and express the ultimate nature of things, that which gives shape and meaning to life, that which claims final loyalty. I am speaking, obviously, about religion. Religion—including the Christian religion--is thus part of culture."
At Mercy Hill, when we say we're reaching out with a "culturally relevant message" of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it's not because we're attempting to be hip or cute. It's because the church is a place where the gospel and our culture collide. In Genesis we see that God created us to create and cultivate culture, however our sin has distorted this creation process and we're brought to passages like Romans that clearly reflect this.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. - ROMANS 4:8
In the coming months, I'm excited to share more about culture overall, specifically the collision with the gospel in the church and outside of the church. We'll explore more on passages like the above in Romans, including passages like the following in 1st Corinthians:
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12
We'll explore how this applies to different parts of our culture, from Christian music to Hollywood movies. All through the lens of our one and only pure filter, Jesus, our homeboy.