Mercy Spokane: Sermons

Mercy’s Mirror Guest Preacher: Nigel Hunter Text: Matthew 7:1–12 In one of Jesus’ most quoted teachings, “Judge not, that you be not judged,” we are invited to examine not only how we see others, but how we see ourselves before God. Guest preacher Nigel Hunter opens Matthew 7:1–12 by showing that Jesus is not calling us to abandon discernment, but to approach others with humility, self-examination...

Title:  Prodigal Grace Preacher:  Nigel Hunter Text:  Luke 15:11–32 Episode Description: In this sermon from Luke 15:11–32, guest preacher Nigel Hunter walks through Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, showing that the story is not merely about one rebellious younger brother, but about two lost sons and the extravagant grace of the Father. The younger son rejects his father openly, squanders his i...

What does biblical hospitality really mean? In Romans 15:1–7, Paul calls the church to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Hospitality is more than entertaining friends or hosting people who are already like us. It is the gospel-shaped practice of welcoming the stranger, bearing with the weak, and making room for those who are different. Because Christ welcomed...

What does it mean to be truly content? In Philippians 4:10–20, Paul writes from prison and explains that contentment is not something found on the other side of better circumstances. It is something learned in the middle of every circumstance. In this sermon, we look at Paul’s “secret” of contentment: not self-sufficiency, but Christ-sufficiency. Because believers are in Christ, they can endure bo...

How is anxiety like a disease? It spreads. In Philippians 4:1–9, Paul addresses conflict in the church at Philippi and shows us how the gospel speaks directly to anxiety, control, disagreement, and peace. Rather than avoiding the conflict between Euodia and Syntyche, Paul names it, reminds them of their shared purpose in the gospel, and calls the church to help. From there, he teaches that the ant...

What does the Christian life look like after we have been made right with God by faith in Jesus? In Philippians 3:12–21, Paul reminds us that we are not home yet, but we are not lost. Because Christ has already made us his own, we press on toward the goal. In this sermon, we look at two spiritual dangers: thinking we have already arrived, and thinking grace means we no longer need to grow. Paul ca...

What are you trusting in to make you acceptable to God? In Philippians 3:1–11, Paul gives one of the clearest explanations of what the gospel is and what it is not. He warns the church against putting confidence in anything other than Jesus: not religious background, moral performance, spiritual achievements, personal discipline, or an impressive resume. Paul had every reason to boast. He had the...

What does Paul mean when he says, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”? In this sermon from Philippians 2:12–18, we explore the relationship between God’s sovereignty and our responsibility in the Christian life. Paul calls believers to live out their faith, reject grumbling and division, and shine as lights in a crooked generation. Using illustrations from rock climbing, airport movi...

What’s stuck in your head is shaping your life. In this sermon from Philippians 2:1–11, we see how the Apostle Paul addresses a divided church, not with strategy or scolding, but with a song. The early church sang what’s often called the  Carmen Christi —the “Song of Christ”—because what we rehearse shapes who we become. Paul reminds us of three things: What we’ve received in Christ The real probl...

What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? In Philippians 1:19–30, Paul sits in prison—yet he’s full of joy. Why? Because his life isn’t anchored to his circumstances, but to Christ. In this passage, we see: How God uses prayer and the Spirit in our trials What it really means to say, “to live is Christ” Why suffering isn’t pointless—and may actually be a gift How unity helps us stand...

What do you do when everything seems to fall apart—and God appears to be sidelining your plans? In this message from Philippians 1:12–18, we see how Paul reframes what looks like a complete disaster—his imprisonment—as a surprising victory for the gospel. What seems like failure is actually God’s strategy at work. Through Paul’s example, we discover how God uses setbacks, suffering, and even broke...

We’re beginning a new series in Philippians by looking at Paul’s opening words in Philippians 1:1–11. What seems like a simple greeting is actually loaded with meaning—and sets up the whole message of the letter. In this sermon, we explore how the gospel creates deep partnership among believers, why unity matters for the mission of the church, and how God’s faithfulness gives us confidence to sacr...

What do you do when the storm hits—and Jesus seems asleep? In Mark 4:35–41, Jesus calms the storm with a word. But the real question isn’t about the storm—it’s about Him: “Who then is this?” We see His authority, the disciples’ fear, and the call to faith. Jesus isn’t just Lord over the storm—He’s the Savior who entered the ultimate storm for us. If you’re feeling anxious or afraid, this passage i...

In this sermon from Mark 4:21–34, we wrestle with an honest question:  If Jesus is really King, why doesn’t it feel like it? Through three parables—the lamp, the growing seed, and the mustard seed—Jesus reveals how His kingdom truly works. What seems hidden is being revealed. What feels slow is actually growing. What looks small will become world-changing. This message calls us to trust God’s timi...

In this sermon from Mark 4:1–20, “The Prodigal Sower,” we explore Jesus’ foundational parable about the kingdom of God and the condition of the human heart. Teaching from a boat to a massive crowd, Jesus describes a lavish, almost reckless sower scattering seed everywhere and then explains why his parables both reveal and conceal the truth. We consider the four soils, the mystery of grace behind t...

In this sermon from Mark 3:20–35, we encounter a striking “Markan sandwich”: Jesus’ family tries to restrain him, the scribes accuse him of being empowered by Satan, and Jesus responds by revealing both the source of his authority and the nature of his kingdom. What unfolds is a call to see him rightly. Not as crazy or corrupt, but as the stronger one who has come to bind the strong man and libera...

In Mark 3:1–6, Jesus walks into a synagogue and into a trap. A man with a withered hand stands in the room. The Pharisees are watching closely, waiting to accuse. And Jesus does something bold. He calls the man to the center and asks a question that goes far beyond Sabbath rules: “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” This moment is not just about healing....

Why don’t Jesus’ disciples fast? In this passage, Jesus answers with a wedding image: you don’t fast when the bridegroom is present. The One Israel longed for has arrived, and it’s time for celebration. Through the images of new cloth and new wine, Jesus makes it clear He didn’t come to patch up religion built on merit. He came to fulfill the law, inaugurate a new covenant, and give new life. At t...

Jesus calls a tax collector, eats with sinners, and confronts self-righteous religion. In Mark 2:13–17, we see grace in action. Jesus comes not for those who think they are well, but for those who know they are sick. He seeks sinners, welcomes the outcast, and exposes the danger of self-righteousness. (Mark 2:13-17, Rev. Tommy Allen)

In Mark 2:1–12, Jesus does more than heal a paralytic. He forces a question that cannot be ignored:  Who does he think he is? This sermon explores the  attraction ,  audacity , and  authority  of Jesus. His grace draws the broken, his words confront the self-righteous, and his healing power confirms his authority to forgive sins. As in every turning point moment, a decision must be made. (2/1/26,...

In this sermon from Mark 1:29–45, we see Jesus step straight into sickness, chaos, and social outcasts. He enters an unprepared home, heals freely as crowds gather, and then does the unthinkable by touching a leper. Grace does not wait for polish or preparedness. It moves toward need, refuses to stay contained, and ultimately trades places with the unclean. This passage points us forward to the he...

In Mark 1:21–28, Jesus enters the synagogue and immediately confronts both religious complacency and cosmic opposition. Unlike the scribes, he teaches with unmistakable authority, and that authority is dramatically confirmed when he silences and expels an unclean spirit. This moment is more than a local miracle. It is a declaration that the kingdom of God has arrived and that the powers of darknes...

What does it mean when Jesus says, “The time is fulfilled”? In Mark 1:14–20, Jesus steps onto the scene announcing that the waiting is over and God’s kingdom is breaking in now. In this sermon, we explore why Jesus begins in Galilee, what repentance really means, and why his call to “follow me” is both radically gracious and deeply disruptive. As Jesus calls ordinary fishermen to leave their nets...

In this sermon from Mark 1:4–13, we step into the wilderness where John the Baptist calls Israel to repentance and prepares the way for the coming King. What does John’s baptism mean, and why does Jesus submit to it if he has no sins to confess? This passage reveals Jesus as our representative. He goes through the waters of repentance, identifies with sinners, and hears the Father’s declaration: “...

Matthew’s Christmas story is not sentimental. It's dangerous. In this sermon, we follow Jesus from Egypt to exile to Nazareth and see how the Son of God enters a world marked by fear, violence, and grief. Drawing on the idea of  eucatastrophe , this message shows how Jesus relives Israel’s story and bears our guilt, shame, and rejection in order to bring redemption. Christmas does not deny the...