Mercy Commons Podcast
279 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsWelcome to the audio podcast of Mercy Commons Church. Located in Fullerton, California. We hope these messages give you hope, faith, and encouragement throughout your week. To learn more about Mercy Commons visit www.mercycommons.church.
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Episodes
Why Bother With the Global Church?
May 15, 2022 16:30 - 63.1 MBPhilippians 2:5–18 // There are two frontiers of the Gospel – the innermost part of my heart and the uttermost parts of the world.
God's Love Made Tangible | Mother's Day
May 08, 2022 16:30 - 58.2 MBPsalm 103:1-22 // God created mothers so that we would receive love through them that would one day help us recognize Him. God’s love is made tangible in mothers through His nurturing love, His gentleness & tenderness, and His sacrificial love. God knows us and yet loves us as we are.
Tables & Sinners – An Empowered Table
May 01, 2022 16:30 - 58.5 MBActs 2 // The Church continues the work that Jesus started during His time on earth. The baton is passed to the Church and the Holy Spirit empowers us to run! Remembering that the gathered, physical church helps us to stay the course.
Tables & Sinners – The Ascension
April 24, 2022 16:30 - 58.7 MBLuke 24:36-43 // Jesus eats with the disciples, teaches them, commissions them, and then leaves them. The ascension joined earth to heaven! Christ’s ascension reinstates what was lost in the garden – intimacy, purpose, and power. We believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible!
Resurrection Sunday: The Ultimate Disruption
April 17, 2022 16:30 - 51.3 MBLuke 24:13-32 // What did Jesus disrupt through His life, death, and resurrection? Jesus disrupted who has access to God, where we gain access to God, and what we have to do to gain access to God. We now no longer have to fear death! Sin can be dealt with and suffering has meaning. The future is full of hope!
Good Friday: Eyes to See the Good of Friday
April 16, 2022 01:00 - 32 MBLuke 23:32-56 // What holds us back from seeing the beauty and reality of Jesus and what he did on Good Friday?
Tables & Sinners – Palm Sunday: Prince of Peace?
April 10, 2022 16:30 - 26.6 MBLuke 19:28-48 // Christ is the long awaited Prince of Peace! His peace is unlike anything we could ask for or imagine. His peace is also disruptive. Christ leads with absolute humility, disrupting long-held expectations of what Messiah would look like. Christ leads with absolute authority, disrupting a culture more concerned with religious systems than true discipleship. We embrace the peace he offers through worship and submission.
Palm Sunday: Prince of Peace?
April 10, 2022 16:30 - 26.6 MBLuke 19:28-48 // Christ is the long awaited Prince of Peace! His peace is unlike anything we could ask for or imagine. His peace is also disruptive. Christ leads with absolute humility, disrupting long-held expectations of what Messiah would look like. Christ leads with absolute authority, disrupting a culture more concerned with religious systems than true discipleship. We embrace the peace he offers through worship and submission.
Tables & Sinners – Whose Image Is On That?
April 03, 2022 16:30 - 53 MBLuke 20:19-26 // If there is conflict, the choice – for a follower of the Kingdom of God – is to submit to and serve the One in Whose image you were made. We are stamped with an image. What does that mean? With God, we have enormous value. Am I looking for the Imago Dei in people – especially those who frustrate me?
Update from the Church in Nepal
March 27, 2022 16:30 - 52.9 MBPuran Rasaili is a pastor in Nepal and is part of the Advance Network of churches along with Mercy Commons. Puran also ministers to and disciples other church pastors all around Nepal. Puran shares how God is at work in both Nepal and India and how our partner churches are doing.
Tables & Sinners – The Cornerstone
March 20, 2022 16:30 - 37.8 MBLuke 20:1-19 // The Parable of the Wicked Tenants. How does agriculture and architecture help us enter the Kingdom? We can’t long for Jesus’ return when we aren’t fruitful and grateful, or when we believe we are in charge and in control. “God will judge, not because God gives people what they deserve, but because some people refuse to receive what no one deserves [the unmerited grace and mercy of God]. If evildoers experience God’s terror, it will not be because they have done evil, but beca...
Tables & Sinners – Basic Multiplication
March 13, 2022 15:30 - 43.3 MBLuke 19:11-26 // PROBLEM: It is difficult to stay faithful to the work Jesus calls us to in the face of social & spiritual opposition. Fear, Impatience, and Unbelief can cause us to waste much of our life building with hay & stubble rather than building God's kingdom. Showing the love of Christ in and through our lives is the basis of multiplication in the Kingdom.
Tables & Sinners – I See You
March 06, 2022 17:30 - 36.6 MBLuke 18:31–19:10 // There is a lot of irony regarding the issues of sight, vision, and perspective. The blind man that can see what the disciples can't see. The short ruler who wants to see the Savior. The Savior that sees the seeker.
Tables & Sinners – The Idol Factory
February 27, 2022 17:30 - 32.7 MBLuke 18:18-30 // The way into the kingdom is through the cross, and it will cost you everything. Jesus saw the rich young ruler’s heart and knew that what he really wanted was to keep his idols and bring them into the kingdom with him. “Turn from your sin and trust in Christ alone who can save. Even though this rich young ruler went away sorrowful and unsaved, Jesus knew what He was doing as an evangelist. I pray your response will not be like that of this young man.” - C.H. Spurgeon
Tables & Sinners – The Kid's Table
February 20, 2022 17:30 - 32.7 MBLuke 18:15-17 // How does the example of children help us receive and enter the Kingdom? By embracing our powerlessness, growing in trust and forgiveness, & develop vulnerability and resistance. “Christ’s own joy, comfort, happiness and glory are increased and enlarged by His showing grace and mercy, in pardoning, relieving and comforting His members here on earth.” ~ Thomas Goodwin
Tables & Sinners – The Coming of the Kingdom
February 13, 2022 17:30 - 45.3 MBLuke 17:20-37 // George Eldon Ladd said, “The Kingdom of God is His kingship, His rule, His authority.” We can add that the Kingdom of God is the Father's reign inaugurated by His Son's obedience, administrated through the power of the Spirit, and furthered by the church’s obedience. Our text has an encouragement, a warning, and an admonition. Jesus encourages His disciples to persevere in their faith, warns them of the possibility to be deceived, and admonishes them to be prepared.
Tables & Sinners – Hidden Faithfulness
February 06, 2022 17:30 - 44.4 MBLuke 17:7-10 // We are called to live a live of hidden holiness and faithfulness. Why is sacrificial faithfulness so important? Because it shapes our character, its provides a grid for decision making & relationships, and is the basis of our flourishing. Labor out of love, not obligation or for recognition.
Tables & Sinners – A Remedy for Stumbling
January 30, 2022 17:30 - 42.5 MBLuke 17:1-6 // Jesus truly understands relationships. He understands that people hurt, offend, and misunderstand each other – often and with regularity. Jesus knows that a big part of the reason for that is that we face an enemy who lies to us, we face our frail human condition that has rebellious and undisciplined desires and we face the patterns and influences of the world, ideologies and values as well as relational norms and behaviors from our families of origin.
Tables & Sinners – The Unjust Steward
January 23, 2022 17:30 - 36.4 MBLuke 16:1-15 // Looking at the parable of the unjust steward. The world commended him for his shrewdness and cleverness, but God calls us to a higher standard. The Kingdom financial ethic is clear. Money is not evil, but it is uncertain. Being financial faithful is a strong indicator of spiritual faithfulness. Does the way I think about, handle, pursue, and plan financially reflect Kingdom values or worldly values?
Tables & Sinners – Lostness
January 16, 2022 17:30 - 40.6 MBLuke 15:1-32 // Looking at the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Types of lostness: unintentional wandering off (the sheep), unconscious lostness (the coin), active rebellion (younger son), ignorant self-righteousness (the older son). Questions to ask in our lostness: where is the Shepherd, where is the flock, where is my home? Questions to ask about other who are lost: are they like the lost sheep, the lost coin, or the prodigal son?
Vision Sunday – 2022
January 09, 2022 17:30 - 430 KBJohn 11:12-44 // Reminders from this past season: God is present, loving, and powerful & we are both stronger and weaker than we think. Three invitations as we enter this next season: have deeper faith, enter into risky, costly obedience, and active participation in the church.
Be Careful How You Live
January 02, 2022 17:30 - 35.9 MBEphesians 2 // Our personal sanctification and holiness, is connected to the beauty, power and attractiveness of the body of Christ. And the state of the world is connected to the health of the Church of Jesus Christ. The hostility in humanity will only find true peace through the cross. Remember that you were once without God and without hope in the world. Remember that you are now citizens of the Kingdom who has access to the Father. Be devoted to Him, His people, and His purposes.
Advent 2021 – Fear Not!
December 19, 2021 17:30 - 42.1 MBLuke 2:3-20 // The shepherds inform our decision to fear. It speaks to our: Fear of the MUNDANE, Fear of REJECTION, Fear of the DARK/NESS. If Christ is in you, then every “mundane” action you perform as unto Him is an explosion of light, of the Good News, because the mundane and the impossibly glorious collide.
Advent 2021 – Certainty vs. Clarity
December 12, 2021 17:30 - 35.9 MBLuke 1:26-38 // Certainty, clarity, courage. Zechariah asking for certainty. Mary seeks clarity. God gives her courage.
Advent 2021 – Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
December 05, 2021 17:30 - 50.6 MBLuke 1:5-25 // Advent is about making room mentally, spiritually, and even physically in the clutter of our lives to allow a greater sense of connection and occasion as we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus and also long for and anticipate His second coming.
Tables & Sinners – How To Party Like Jesus
November 28, 2021 17:30 - 52 MBLuke 14:1-24 // It’s party season. In today’s passage, Jesus compares His Kingdom to a party — and lays out some expectations about what that party should look like.
Ruth: A Lifestyle of Generosity
November 21, 2021 17:30 - 62.3 MBThe story of Boaz and Ruth is an example of generosity – the kind of generosity that God has shown to us.
Tables & Sinners – I Did Not Come To Bring Peace
November 15, 2021 06:18 - 63.8 MBLuke 12:49-59 // Jesus’ life and message redefines what true peace is and what it costs.
Tables & Sinners – Prayer
October 31, 2021 16:30 - 63.9 MBLuke 11:1-12 + Luke 18:9-14 // Prayer is about surrender and intimacy first, before it is about direction and provision. When we know who our Father is and we know who we are – we prayer with impudence and humility.
Tables & Sinners – Gathered & Sent
October 24, 2021 16:30 - 33.7 MBLuke 8:1-3 + Luke 9:1-6 + Luke 10:1-12 // We are the Lord’s ambassadors sent to represent Him in this world. We are also neighbors looking for opportunities to show mercy in the name of Christ. But at the heart of it all is devotion to Christ. We must be worshippers who take time to listen to His word and to commune with Him. As God’s ambassadors: who are we, what do we do, and how do we do it?
Tables & Sinners – Parables
October 17, 2021 16:30 - 62 MBLuke 8:4-15 + Luke 13:6-9 // The most important aspect of a parable is what it reveals about Jesus and His Kingdom, how it functions and therefore how we as His followers should function. Fruitfulness in Formation (fruit of the Spirit) and Fruitfulness in Mission. Am I becoming more like Jesus? Am I engaged in the Great Commission?
Tables & Sinners – A Heart of Worship
October 10, 2021 16:30 - 61.8 MBLuke 7:36-50 // Our self-righteousness hinders our ability to stand in awe of a Christ who redeems even the most wicked, depraved, and broken of us, because it blinds us from the reality that we are those things. Who do I reject because they don’t live up to my standards or expectations? What ways do I let my self-righteousness control how I interact with Christ and others? Look to Christ. He sees you, He welcomes you, and He knows you.
Tables & Sinners – Dealing with Disappointment
October 03, 2021 16:30 - 56.2 MBLuke 7:18-35 // Expectations are tricky and dangerous. Cynics expect nothing from anybody - or the polar opposite - naive persons have high expectations and believe everyone. No matter where we land along the spectrum there is always a gap between reality and our expectations. Jesus exposes and confronts our expectations.
Tables & Sinners – Restorative Rest
September 26, 2021 16:30 - 56.8 MBLuke 6:1-11 // How do we rediscover the lost art of the Sabbath rhythm? How do we establish strategic rhythms of rest that allow us to heal and recover so that we avoid injury or burnout and continue to progress in our journey of becoming more like Jesus? A strategic prescription for deep and effective rest: Stop. Rest. Delight. Worship. When we spend time with God, the lies that satan has planted in our minds are uprooted and our true identity is restored in our Creator.
Tables & Sinners – Eating With Enemies
September 19, 2021 16:30 - 71.1 MBLuke 5:27-32 // Jesus intentionally and individually pursues us. Pursued people are generous, awkwardly inclusive, and joyful! Holiness is not the enemy, self-righteousness is. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Tables & Sinners – Inauguration Day
September 12, 2021 16:30 - 50.2 MBLuke 4:16-44 // What was Jesus’ agenda here on earth? His motivation was always His identity before activity. It is His identity that gives His activity authority. Spend time with God. Knowing that we are children of God and spending time with the Father will align our motivations with God’s heart. There is so much in our lives that try to pull our attention and distort our view of Jesus. Our number purpose is to operate out of our identity in God. That relationship will guide every action o...
Tables & Sinners – Temptations
September 05, 2021 16:30 - 54.4 MBLuke 4:1-14 // How can we be prepared for temptation? How do we understand how we are tempted? Satan tempts us to give in to sensual desires. Our flesh also tempts us to pursue praise and significance. We resist temptation by admitting and confessing it, re-orientating our lives, and restraining/replacing things that are leading us into temptation.
Tables & Sinners – Introduction
August 29, 2021 16:30 - 59.7 MBLuke 1:1-4, Luke 3:10-22 // Jesus engages in strategic hospitality, over and over, using the common and beautiful tool of a table to pursue sinners. The fact that food was used as a literary device as well as the fact that Luke intentionally records these moments of eating shows us the earthy, gritty reality of how Jesus operated as well as showing us what the new kingdom is like. It is not about ideas and philosophy, it is as concrete and practical as the meal we are eating. Everywhere He w...
Foster the City: The Unexpectedness of God's Majesty
August 22, 2021 16:30 - 56 MBGod reveals His majesty unexpectedly by establishing strength through babies. (Psalm 8:1-2) Firstly, through a blessed lineage of miraculous fertility. Secondly, through the unsuspecting war cries of babies. God also reveals His majesty unexpectedly by appointing humanity to rule creation. (Psalm 8:3-8) The entire canon of Scripture sees the emergence of life as a threat to the principalities and powers… [It is no surprise then] that God’s enemies would seek to destroy. The devil’s chief st...
Psalms: Participating with God
August 15, 2021 16:30 - 51.1 MBGod in His wisdom invites His creation into meaningful participation that has an impact! God is deeply concerned with the treatment of those who are lowly, orphans, poor, destitute, or needy. Through the incarnation, we see the ultimate act of participation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Psalms: Never Stop Singing
August 08, 2021 16:30 - 57.3 MBHow does one encounter God in a way that causes them to proclaim His love and faithfulness to people within and outside the body of Christ? Individuals who have been transformed long to speak of their transformation. Altered people love to build altars that speak of what has led to their alteration. Psalm 40:5 – "Lord my God, no one can compare with You. You have done many wonderful things. You have planned to do these things for us. There are too many of them for me to speak completely abou...
Psalms: Displaying the Mercy of God
August 02, 2021 16:30 - 45.3 MBThe way we pursue and offer forgiveness is a powerful demonstration of the mercy of God. This week we are looking at Psalm 51:1-19. "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions."
Psalms: Revel in the Good Shepherd
July 25, 2021 16:30 - 42.4 MBPsalm 23 invites us to revel in God by reveling in His name, in His care for us, and in His house. In the Lord, we have all that we need, He restores our souls, and guides us on the right path. As sheep, our only job is to stay close to the Good Shepherd.
Psalms: A Summer of Songs – Intro
July 18, 2021 16:30 - 41 MBWhat is important about the book of Psalms? The psalms point to Jesus, were sung by Jesus, and help us connect to Jesus. Why should we pay attention to the psalms? They are a powerful devotional and prayer tool, they validate our human experience, and they connect our present to our past.
Spiritual Worship Requires a Body
July 11, 2021 16:30 - 40.7 MB“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” The problem is we don’t love, nourish, attend to, and protect our body. When we don’t, it’s not neutral - it is opposite.
Blessed Bondservants
July 04, 2021 16:30 - 38.2 MBThe Blessed: Abraham and Sarah show us that we inherit a relationship with a faithful God and access to the power of life. The Bondservant: Through Hagar the bondservant, we see that we inherit a relationship with a present King and access to the well of life. The Bridegroom: Ultimately, it is through relationship with the bridegroom that we inherit our true identity as blessed bondservants.
Exiles & Witnesses
June 27, 2021 16:30 - 39.5 MB“For the natural man is wholly occupied about the things of this world, and he seeks felicity here … but Christ, by the preaching of the gospel … reforms all our earthly affections, and so having striped us out of the vices of our flesh, he separates us from the world.” - John Calvin
James: Communal Commissions
June 20, 2021 16:30 - 36.3 MB“In the biblical view, a miracle is a signal that God is, for a moment and for a special purpose, walking down paths he does not usually walk. A miracle is not a sign that a God who is usually absent is, for the moment, present. It is only a sign that God who is always present in creative power is working here and now in an unfamiliar style.” – Lewis Smedes
James: Patience
June 13, 2021 16:30 - 34.7 MBThe ability to be truly patient is connected with who you believe has the power in the situation. If you believe you do – you can’t exercise true patience. James calls that arrogant. If you believe that a person, government, or boss does then you aren’t really exercising patience you are just submitting to a power relationship. But if you believe that God is in control you are able to exercise a Spirit-empowered patience.
James: Warning the Wealthy
June 06, 2021 16:30 - 29.9 MBHoarding vs. Saving – Jesus helps us to see where our hearts are drawn away from God. What am I doing with the resources God has placed in my hands? God rescues, redeems, and invites His people to do the same.