Mercy Hill is a Christian community in the Milwaukee area that is committed to reaching out with a biblically based, culturally relevant message of God's love, mercy and transforming power. For more info visit mercyhill.org
When Jesus taught, He often used stories—parables that cut through confusion and spoke directly to the heart. From the Good Samaritan to the unforgiving servant, the lost sheep to the pearl of great price, His stories carried Kingdom truths that people could not only understand but feel.Among all of His parables, one of the most powerful is the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. It's a story of rebellion, brokenness, humility, and ultimately the overwhelming grace of a Father who runs to meet His wandering child.This message, When We Wander, reminds us that:All forms of rebellion—whether open or hidden—lead us away from the Father.A heart of repentance and humility opens the door to restoration.The Father is always waiting with open arms.No matter how far you feel from God, there is hope. There is a way home. And when you return, you'll discover His love and mercy in ways that will change your life forever.
Baptism Sunday is one of the greatest celebrations in the life of the church. It's a day of joy, testimony, and transformation as believers publicly declare their decision to follow Jesus.Pastor Tommy unpacks the meaning of baptism as more than just a ceremony—it's a profound decision, a new destiny, and a beautiful identification with Christ and His church.Through Scripture, illustrations, and timeless truth, we're reminded that baptism is not about ritual but about following Jesus with no turning back. Whether you're preparing for baptism, remembering your own, or simply rejoicing with others, this message will stir your heart and strengthen your faith.
As we close our study of 1 Corinthians, Pastor Tommy Orlando unpacks Paul's final and most concise challenge to the Corinthian church—and to us. In just a few short verses, Paul gives four powerful instructions: Be watchful. Stand firm. Act like grown-ups in the faith. Be strong. And he wraps them all in one supreme command: Let everything you do be done in love.These aren't just ancient words—they're a practical roadmap for living as a faithful, vibrant community of light in a darkened world. From guarding against cultural creep to standing firm against theological compromise, from maturing in our faith to relying on God's strength, this closing reminder brings the entire letter into focus.
In the final chapter of 1 Corinthians, Pastor Tommy Orlando draws our attention to the deeply personal and pastoral heart behind Paul's boldest letter. After months of unpacking correction, rebuke, and spiritual instruction, we now hear the tone of a spiritual father—full of love, care, and encouragement.Chapter 16 is more than a closing; it's a call to action for the church—care for one another, support the work of the gospel, remain strong in the faith, and let all that you do be done in love. It's here that Paul not only defends truth, but displays the posture from which truth should always be delivered: love.
In A City of Light Part 27, Pastor Tommy Orlando brings us to the climactic conclusion of 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul declares the ultimate hope of the Christian: resurrection life. In a world consumed by temporary pleasures and fleeting achievements, this passage calls us to live with eternity in view.What does the resurrection mean for your daily life? How does it change your motivation, your perseverance, and your perspective on suffering? With compelling clarity, Pastor Tommy explores how our future with Christ empowers our present faithfulness.
What if the resurrection of Jesus was more than just history—what if it was your hope for today?In this message, Pastor Tommy continues our journey through 1 Corinthians 15, exploring the implications of Christ's resurrection for our daily lives. Paul reminds us that the resurrection is not just a doctrinal truth—it's a powerful hope that anchors us beyond the limits of this life. Discover how this foundational reality shapes our endurance, empowers our obedience, and secures our victory over sin and death.
In this powerful message from A City of Light, Pastor Tommy Orlando walks us deeper into 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul confronts a false teaching that denied the physical resurrection of Jesus—and therefore, the future resurrection hope of believers.With personal testimony and scriptural depth, Pastor Tommy reminds us that Christ's resurrection is not just an abstract doctrine—it's the cornerstone of our forgiveness, our future, and our freedom.
In this powerful new chapter of our A City of Light series, Pastor Tommy brings us to the foundational truth of our faith—the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After chapters of pastoral correction and instruction for church life, Paul shifts the focus in 1 Corinthians 15 to the message that makes it all possible: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.
As we continue our A City of Light series through 1 Corinthians, we reach Paul's final and most practical instruction on the use of spiritual gifts in the church. In chapter 14, Paul emphasizes a truth we cannot afford to miss: God's gifts are powerful—but they must be used with purpose, humility, and order.Paul's concern isn't to shut down the gifts because of misuse, but to pastor the church into maturity. The goal? That everything in our gatherings be done for the building up of the body of Christ.
In this week's sermon of our City of Light series, we dive into one of the most practical and debated passages in Paul's letter to the Corinthians—a teaching on spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy.In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul builds on the previous chapters by making a clear, pastoral case: spiritual gifts are meant to strengthen and edify the Church, not elevate individuals. While some gifts may seem more “spiritual,” Paul argues that their true value is found in how they build up others in the body of Christ.
As we continue our City of Light series through 1 Corinthians, we arrive at the second half of chapter 13, the famous "love chapter." But this passage isn't just poetic language for weddings—Paul is delivering a powerful correction to a gifted, divided church. He reminds them (and us) that love is not just a virtue; it's the necessary context for all spiritual gifts.In this message, we explore:The timeless primacy of love in Christian communityThe debate over spiritual gifts—have they ceased or do they continue?Why “the perfect” Paul speaks of refers not to the Bible's completion, but to Christ's returnThe stunning truth that we are already fully known and fully loved by GodHow that love liberates us, humbles us, and fortifies us for anything life throws our way
On Pentecost, God sent His presence not just to be with His people, but to dwell in them as tongues of fire. This fire wasn't new—it was the same holy, guiding, powerful, and purifying fire seen with Moses, Elijah, and Isaiah.In this sermon, we explore why the "dangerous" nature of God's fiery presence should inspire a transformative awe in every believer. Discover how the indwelling Holy Spirit works today to:Reveal God's HolinessGuide Us into All TruthEmpower Us for His MissionPurify Us for His GloryDon't take the gift of His presence lightly. Learn to walk in the awesome, fearful, and life-changing reality of the fire within.Key Scriptures: Acts 2, Exodus 3, 1 Kings 18, Isaiah 6, John 16, 1 Peter 1.Connect with us at mercyhill.org/#Pentecost #HolySpirit #FireOfGod #Sermon #GodsPresence #AweOfGod #Acts2
We're continuing our series through 1 Corinthians by arriving at perhaps the most well-known passage in the letter: 1 Corinthians 13—often quoted at weddings, yet rarely understood in its original context.This isn't about romantic love. Paul isn't writing to a bride and groom. He's writing to a divided, gifted, self-focused church—a church a lot like ours. And in the midst of arguments over spiritual gifts, personal rights, and who's more important, Paul offers a radical correction: the greatest gift isn't prophecy, tongues, or faith—it's love.In this message, we unpack:The communal context of 1 Corinthians 13Why love is the essential foundation for every spiritual giftA deep dive into each attribute of biblical love—and how it challenges our modern assumptionsHow this love cannot be manufactured by effort but must be received from Christ and expressed through His Spirit
In this message from our City of Light series through 1 Corinthians, we continue exploring Paul's vision for a Spirit-empowered, unified, and selfless community of faith. In a world plagued by self-promotion and isolation, Paul calls the Church to something radically different: a body where every part matters, every gift is valued, and every believer belongs.Whether it's the more “spectacular” spiritual gifts or the quieter gifts of helping, guiding, or encouraging—each one is indispensable. And when we honor one another's gifts, we defeat division, grow in empathy, and become the kind of Church that truly shines in a dark world.
Discover how the Church shines as a radiant body through the Spirit-given gifts of its members.In this sermon, we explore 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul reveals God's vision for a unified yet diverse community. Learn how your unique gifts matter—not just for your personal growth, but for building up the body of Christ. Whether you feel overlooked or overburdened, this message reminds us that every part of the body is indispensable.
In this message from our ongoing series A City of Light: A Study in 1 Corinthians, we return to a powerful and often misunderstood passage—Paul's teaching on the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11. Too often, these verses are isolated and stripped from their greater context, missing Paul's rebuke of a fractured, self-focused church and his call to radical, Christ-like community.What does it mean to “eat and drink in an unworthy manner”? Why is disunity such a dangerous threat to the Church? And how is true communion not just about remembering Christ individually, but embodying His sacrificial love together as His body?This sermon calls us to recover the depth and gravity of the Lord's Supper—not just as a personal reflection, but as a community-defining act. We'll explore:Why division in the church undermines our witness to the worldHow the Lord's Supper is meant to form a family, not just individual believersWhat it truly means to “discern the body” and care for one another in humility and unityHow the broken body and shed blood of Jesus call us to a life of shared responsibility and sacrificial loveIf you've ever felt disconnected from the church or struggled to see how communion shapes Christian community, this message will challenge and encourage you to reclaim the power of the table—and the people around it.
1 Corinthians 10:13-33After Easter, we return to 1 Corinthians, where Paul calls the church to resist idolatry and live in light of their identity in Christ. In a culture filled with competing allegiances, we are reminded: there is no neutral ground—our lives either reflect the One who redeemed us or align with the enemy.
He is risen—and that changes everything. Celebrate the victory of Jesus over sin and death, and discover what His resurrection means for your life today.
Palm Sunday is often remembered as a celebration — cloaks on the road, palm branches waving, and shouts of “Hosanna!” But what if we've missed the deeper message? In this sermon, we explore the tragedy behind the triumph, as Jesus weeps over Jerusalem and reveals the danger of false praise, false views of the Messiah, and false peace. Discover the powerful warning hidden in the crowd's cheers — and how it still speaks to us today.#PalmSunday #luke19 #WorshipInTruth #FalseMessiah #JesusWept #TriumphalEntry
In Pastor Tommy's sermon today we explore 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 and Paul's powerful call to unity in the body of Christ. In a world that breeds division and self-centered wisdom, Paul reminds us that *we*—collectively—are God's temple, where His Spirit dwells. This truth is spiritually regulating, calling us away from immaturity and individualism toward a Christ-centered identity that unites us in faith, purpose, and mission. True wisdom is found not in the fleeting philosophies of the age but in the power of Christ's cross. As we embrace our shared identity in Him, we move toward spiritual maturity, deeper community, and a life shaped by sacrificial love.
Join us as we continue our City of Light series, exploring the challenges and calling of the church in a culture much like Corinth—prosperous, diverse, and consumed by self-gratification. In this message, we dive into 1 Corinthians 3, where Paul addresses spiritual immaturity, selfishness, and the critical importance of building on the true foundation: Jesus Christ. We'll uncover how the message, mission, and methods of the church must center on Christ, ensuring that our ministry withstands the test of time and glorifies Him alone. Let's learn together what it means to shine brightly in a dark world.
Pastor Tommy Orlando teaches on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
As we embark on this series through 1 Corinthians, let's remember that we, too, are called to be a city of light. Just as Corinth was a dark, indulgent, and challenging place, so is the world around us. But just as God worked through the imperfect church in Corinth, He will work through us. We are sanctified saints, empowered by His Word and His Spirit, and sustained by His faithfulness. Let's embrace our calling and shine the light of Christ into the darkness.
with Pastor Kevin Oelke from Mercy Hill - Lake Country.
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