September 13, 2020 - Sunday Service Worship Guide
TOday's Announcements
Good morning Mercy Hill and happy Sunday to you! If you're new with us, we just wanted to extend a special welcome to you. Feel free to fill out a Connection Card to get more info or prayer. We're glad to have you with us!
If you're tuning in for the Watch Party, you'll notice that the platform has tabs where you can find today's Worship Guide, read an online Bible, and even chat. While we're meeting virtually like this, we'd encourage everyone to please consider taking a moment to put a comment in the chat box there. Let us know who you are and maybe where you're tuning in from. Say hi. We miss you! And as we get into the message, feel free to share other Scriptures that come to mind, prayer requests that you have, questions that you'd like answered, etc. It would be great to interact even in this limited format.
Here are a few critical announcements to keep in mind:
- Worship Sunday: We know it's been some time since we've been able to worship thru song together but we are preparing a special online Sunday Service Watch Party for next Sunday, September 20th! On this Sunday, while we'll still be opening God's Word and reflecting a bit together on it, we'll also be incorporating extended times of singing. So prepare to turn up the volume and sing along! We look forward to worshiping with all of you from our homes!
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Mercy Hill Youth Online Hangout: All Mercy Hill Youth are invited for an online hangout after service today at 1:00pm! Come spend an hour catching up in fellowship, prayer, and sharing. We look forward to seeing you there! We will be meeting using Zoom's video conferencing platform - you can find the details for joining the meeting here.
- Sunday Service Afterparty: Remember to join us immediately following the Watch Party via Zoom for the Afterparty (which today will include a time for connection and prayer). You can find a link to join in here.
- Mercy Hill Kids Online Worship: Beginning at 11:30am today! Go here to read more and to find a link to sign in!
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- Home Groups: Many of our Home Groups are moving to a hybrid (in-person + virtual) format. Whatever your comfort level with meeting, you're welcome to come check one out. Find one to join here. You are not alone!
- COVID-19 SOS Form: If you or anyone you know needs help during this challenging time, we'd love to do what we can!
Today's Sermon
Title: “Render to Caesar”: The Christian and the State (Part 2)
Text: Luke 20:19-26
Preacher: Nick Weber
Manuscript: If you appreciate following along with written material, you can find today's manuscript here.
Reflection Questions
- Have you ever struggled with how, as a follow of Jesus, you should engage with politics out in the public square? What are some areas of confusion for you? What are some questions you still have? How have you seen Christians doing this well? How have you seen Christians doing it poorly? What might your place be in it all?
- If God is the One who established governing authorities, if "the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will" (Daniel 4:32), if He has "appointed" them as His "servants" and "ministers" (Romans 13:2, 4, 6), why are they often so corrupt and cruel? What are we to make of this? How do you understand it? Is it strange for you to consider Presidents Trump, Obama, Bush, etc. as having been appointed by God?
- Before this sermon, just off the top, what would you have said is the point or goal of government? Why do governing authorities exist? What's their purpose or function in society?
- Read Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17. What stands out to you in these verses? What seems challenging? What seems encouraging? What questions do you still have?
- Now read 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Again, what stands out to you here? Do you see the connection between the common grace of good government and the special grace of salvation in Jesus? In the sermon, Nick said: "In many ways we could say that the purpose of government is to create a stable space wherein God’s plan of redemption can unfold and the gospel of His kingdom can advance." Do you agree? Have you been praying as Paul calls us to pray here? Why or why not? Take time to do so now.
- Christians are to relate to the government by way of Redemptive Representation. We are to move towards the public square as salt and light, as ambassadors for another kingdom, as representatives of King Jesus. In the sermon, Nick outlined four aspects involved in this Redemptive Representation: Influence, Submission, Resistance, and Charity. Which of these comes most naturally to you? Which do you most need to grow in?
- J.I. Packer says: “Christians are to urge governments to fulfill their proper role. They are to pray for, obey, and yet watch over civil governments, reminding them that God ordained them to rule, protect, and keep order but not to tyrannize” (Concise Theology, 238). Do you agree? How is our current government doing at fulfilling its God-ordained function? What are some ways you feel called to engage and influence for King Jesus?
Call to Response
1. Sing:
- Sovereign Over Us (Shane & Shane)
- While We Sing (Leeland)
2. Pray:
If you need prayer in any way, please either: (1) request it during the Watch Party via the "Request Prayer" button; (2) fill out a Connection Card; or (3) post your request to our Mercy Hill Community Facebook Group. We’d love to be lifting you up and caring for you in this time!
3. Give:
If you’d like to give an offering this morning, please check out our Give page to find the best option for you!
Mercy Hill Kids
While difficult, this pandemic does create a wonderful chance for parents to step towards their God-given call as chief disciplers of their kids. We know this may feel overwhelming and that is why we want to help! Parents of Mercy Hill children should have already received an email from the Director of Mercy Hill Kids, Christina Lugo, regarding ways you can utilize the Gospel Project curriculum at home. This information has also been included on our blog here. Beyond this, each Sunday, we are also looking to host an online worship gathering for our kids. You can check here for more details. We'd love to have you join us!
If you have any questions or need help in any way, don't hesitate to reach out to Christina at
Have a Wonderful Week!