Feb 10, 2011 Fourteen Years of Mercy
Originally posted on January 19, 2007
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God ” Romans 12:1
Fourteen Years of Mercy
On the third Sunday of January 1993, we held our first Sunday worship service as a church. The best explanation I have for our existence today is the mercy of God. As we conclude our fourteenth year of ministry, I want to heed the call of Romans 12:1 to take joy in the mercies of God.
I am thankful for the mercy of God in salvation. Though I have been a believer and follower of Jesus for almost thirty years, I have valued my salvation more by worshipping God and studying His word with our church every week. I have a greater appreciation for God’s heart of mercy out of which salvation has been offered to me.
I am thankful for the mercy of being a member of God’s church. Being a Christian means that I am connected to every Christian everywhere. It also means that I am able to covenant with one particular gathering of Christians who form a local church. Without a doubt, being a member of Grace Community Church has helped keep me faithful to Jesus and has given me the opportunity to live out my faith in service to others.
I am thankful for the mercy that covers my mistakes. Over the years I have often fallen short in my preaching, leadership, and love. Over and over God has shown mercy and the people of Grace have loved me in spite of me.
I am thankful for the mercy that has protected us from danger and derailing sin. We can’t imagine to what depths we would sink if God did not keep us in His grace. Sin is so destructive and we see its impact on people and congregations. The mercy of God’s protection is one we do not take for granted. By the mercies of God, let’s stay vigilant.
I am thankful for the mercy of provision for our needs. Whether it has been money, a place to meet, or people to lead and serve, God has met the needs of this church. We have never gone without ample supply to carry out His mission for us.
I am thankful for the mercy of unity. “How good and how pleasant when brothers (and sisters) live in unity.” (Psalm 133:1) The mercy of good relationships centered in Christ, truth, and service strengthens everything we do as a church. This is why one of our covenant commitments as members of Grace is to pray for and protect the unity of the church.
Mercy is God’s disposition toward people whereby He steps in to relieve our misery and supply our needs that we might have the greatest treasure of all, Himself. People who have received mercy are quick to give it to others. God’s mercies have been new each year at Grace and I pray that as we enter our fifteenth year of ministry we would take great joy in these mercies and extend them to Nashville and beyond.
Pastor Scott