Big God. Big Church. - Week Four

Dr. Derwin L. Gray – Transformation Church in Indian Land, South CarolinaIn this series, we will hear from various pastors across the country as they encourage Hope Community Church by explaining how we are part of a bigger picture. We are not alone. Rather, we are in a movement of God that has been growing for thousands of years beyond ethnicity, beyond generation and beyond location. Big God. Big Church.Merciful people are happy people. People who lack mercy lack happiness. Are you merciful? Mercy is God’s compassion on people.Jesus tells us that we will have trouble in this world, but He has overcome this world. (John 16:33) Matthew 5:7 (CSB)The most significant times in our lives are often found at the footstools of someone giving us mercy.Being a merciful person means: Loving God by loving people you are not supposed to love.Luke 10:25-28 (CSB)Being a merciful person means: That every human being is your neighbor.Luke 10:29 (CSB)Being a merciful person means: That you cross ethnic, cultural and religious barriers to help hurting people.Luke 10:30-33 (CSB) Where has the compassion of Christianity gone?Treat people like Jesus died for them.Hebrews 2:9 (CSB)If Jesus tasted death for everyone, how dare we not love everyone?Being a merciful person means: That you are willing to count the cost of loving your neighbor.Luke 10:34-35 (CSB)The work of the church is to be a multiethnic family going into the world to share about God’s grace. (Ephesians 2:13-16)Luke 10:36-37 (CSB)1 John 4:9-10 (CSB)Merciful people are happy people.Merciful people are the people who change the world.Love people because God loves you.