Prepared for an Outpouring

Is Your Home Prepared?

September 3, 2023 • Nick Wise • Luke 10:25–37

“Don’t talk to strangers!” “Stranger Danger!” These cultural maxims are known and said by most people in our current day. But does Jesus share the same sentiment? In short, no! This weekend, to close off our Summer message series “Prepared For An Outpouring,” we will look at the way Jesus interacted with strangers and outcasts and ask ourselves the question: What does it mean to prepare your home? What does Jesus-like hospitality look like? Our prayer is that we will see a wave of hospitable people who invite the outcast to dine at the table, rather than pushing them to the margins; starting with us.

Is Your Neighbor Prepared?

August 27, 2023 • Chris Dunbar • Luke 10:25–37

The story of the Good Samaritan is one that everyone is familiar with, even if you haven’t been around the church. It’s a teaching about how we should all love and extend mercy. Specifically to our neighbor. The question is asked to Jesus “who is my neighbor?” Jesus models and teaches a master class on how and who to love. This passage sets the setting for loving the starving people around the world (and we should)… but what if this passage is also meant to highlight the Great News and calling to love our literal neighbor? Yes, the cat lady across the street or the guy at the end of the block who hasn’t mowed his lawn since March 12th. God has placed you where you are not because the rent is cheap or the cul-de-sac is quiet. Jesus says “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” God has you where you are because there is an outpouring prepared and our work begins with simply learning our neighbors' names, and praying for them until they meet Jesus.

Is Your Wallet Prepared?

August 20, 2023 • Ethan Fernhaber • Matthew 6:19–21

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Is Your Armor Prepared?

August 13, 2023 • Luke Edgerton • Ephesians 6:10–18

Some of you are in battles others know nothing about. Others of you are in battles that are well known. These battles range from health, job, children, marriage, finances, relationships, etc. Has your battle ever made you feel helpless? Has your battle ever left you feeling defeated? Take heart. There is hope. Your battle can be prepared for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the Bible tells us all about it. Spiritual warfare is real. But so is victory in the battle. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khlcldertbu&t=370s-13

Is Your Family Prepared?

August 6, 2023 • Luke Edgerton • Luke 2:41–52

Every investment we make into our kids' spiritual lives will grow in value over time and pay dividends in the future. Every investment we don’t make in our kids' spiritual lives is a missed opportunity. Wake-up call: 75% of the time you will spend with your children will be spent by age 12. Your kids & family are a “little community” and your first disciples. Can I ask? Who is discipling your kids more? YouTube or you? Ground-breaking, cosmic-shaking, future-altering intentionality will make the difference. When your kids' spiritual life becomes a top priority, the Holy Spirit flows like a river whose streams make glad the city of God! Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Is Your Heart Prepared?

July 30, 2023 • Nick Wise • Psalm 51

What comes to mind when you hear the word purity? There may be feelings of shame, or a piece of jewelry to say you’re saving yourself for marriage, you might get thoughts of a seemingly unattainable set of rules to live up to, maybe its all of the above, or maybe you aren’t sure how to define it at all. But what if purity was actually about something else? Theologian and Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard says that purity of heart is “to will one thing”. This weekend we will take a look at purity and what it means to be purified. Because a purified heart is a prepared heart. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdrk1yz4tp0&t=3070s

Is Your Mind Prepared?

July 23, 2023 • Luke Edgerton • Romans 8:5

Mindset is a bit of a buzzword these days. It’s the topic of endless books and podcasts, but did you know mindset is rooted in scripture as a biblical concept?! Preparing your mind for an Outpouring of the Holy Spirit means that you will need to open your mind to Him. And when you do, He fills it! I want to invite you to open your mind to Jesus and allow His word to reveal the two spiritual mindsets that will be the difference between a mind prepared for an Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and one that is not. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5

Is Your Schedule Prepared?

July 16, 2023 • Nick Wise • John 10:1–18

How are you? You might be doing well, or maybe life has been hard lately, but if there’s one thing almost all of us are… it's busy. We are ridiculously busy in our modern context! We fill our schedules to the brim and rush to get it all done, and if we have time to spare, we fill it with more! So why is it that with so much stuff in our lives, we still feel a void? Why do we still feel an emptiness? Why aren’t we seeing the outpouring from God that we desire so deeply? Why don’t we hear his voice? As it turns out, the way of Jesus shows us a way of life with a stark contrast to our over-busy lives. It is for that reason that I’m convinced that if we want to see an outpouring from the Spirit of God, we should start with our schedule.

Mercy Road Church Northwest