Sunday Morning Sermons- MRCC

Suffering happens to everyone. Phil navigates for us a deeper, counter-cultural way of understanding suffering—not as something to frantically escape, but as a sacred place where the life like Christ's is quietly born. From Paul's hard-won wisdom, Jesus at Gethsemane, to the everyday pain carried in our bodies, this message explores the mysterious truth that carrying the death of Jesus is what unleashes His life in us. This truth from scripture will show us a path toward more freedom, less fear, and a love that grows even in the dark. We can learn to suffer with grace, to trust with courage, and to discover hope in the very places we normally would avoid.

One of the greatest challenges to belief in God is the existence of suffering. Every worldview must grapple with it—yet, early Christians saw suffering not as a threat to faith but as an honor, an opportunity to walk with the crucified Christ. Modern culture teaches us to avoid suffering, but not how to endure it.The Christian story offers something different. Psalm 56:8 says, God sees our sorrow and collects each tear in a bottle. But suffering isn't the end. Just as the resurrection followed the cross, redemption follows pain. While the world clings to happiness knowing sorrow awaits, Jesus embraces suffering knowing joy is coming. You can't control suffering—but you can choose your response. And faith makes all the difference.

At Memorial Road, we're a family of believers striving to honor Jesus by giving and serving others. As we enter the season of Holiday Giving, we're reminded of Isaiah's call to “do good, seek justice, and correct oppression.”There are countless ways to live out our core values of Sacrificial Generosity and Restorative Justice, and we will highlight them Sunday morning. You don't have to do it all—just pick one or two to help make a difference.Let's continue being a church for good—a church that rises above the noise and shines through service!

In a world quick to argue and slow to love, it is easy to lose sight of what we're really called to be. In his letter to Titus, Paul reminds us that we are saved for a purpose—to devote ourselves to doing good. Goodness is at the very heart of the gospel and a compelling witness to the world.Arguing wins few hearts; goodness changes lives.As we continue our series, A Church for Good, we will see that when the people of God choose to embody the kindness and mercy that saved them, the world takes notice.

Each of us faces high-stakes moments—career crossroads, moral dilemmas, and life-altering diagnoses. How do we respond with strength, wisdom, and faith? Drawing from the rise and fall of King David and Paul's call to spiritual training, Phil will explore how our response to challenges is shaped long before a crisis arrives. Discipline is the key. Our personal and spiritual victories are forged in our habits of preparation. Join us Sunday morning for a refresher on the importance of spiritual training.

At MRCC, justice is more than a word. It's one of our eight core values—not justice as it's often misused today, but biblical justice: the kind rooted in love, humility, and righteousness. As Psalm 33:5 reminds us, “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.”Justice isn't a trend. It's a calling. It's the visible expression of love. And it's something our church family has long lived out through food pantries, tutoring, refugee care, and more. When we say we want our city to miss us if we were gone, this is what we mean - being Jesus to those who need it.As we continue to dream about what deeper justice ministries could look like at MRCC, Mark Taylor will tag in with Phil to share more of that vision.

We're taking a short break from our Believe in Me series to focus on something foundational—our mission as a church. Last year, we introduced a bold and simple mission: To Imitate Christ by Living Good Lives, Doing Good Works, and Sharing Good News. Over the next few weeks, we'll dive deeper into the eight core values that support this mission, beginning with Godly Unity.In a culture that often values being “right” over being “one,” we're called to something deeper. It's not just a feel-good idea—it's at the heart of the gospel, modeled by Jesus himself, and rooted in the very nature of our God. So let's ask: What would it look like for the world to see Christians as the leaders in unity—not just in doctrine, but in practice? Let's find out together.

Every advance in technology extends our ability in one area but reduces it in another. As AI continues to advance, it is giving us the ability to do amazing things, but at what expense? Sunday morning we will dissect how to use AI without losing the very things that make us human. We were intentionally created - not by chance, but by a loving Creator. We were made to imagine, to build, to connect, and to thrive. Above all, we were made for more.

As AI continues to transform the world at an unprecedented pace, it's vital for us to reflect on its ethical implications through the lens of faith. From its groundbreaking applications in medicine and technology to the darker side of deepfakes, the rapid growth of AI presents both incredible opportunities and significant risks. Phil invites us to ask critical questions: How should we, as disciples of Jesus, engage with AI? How can we discern its potential to either enhance or diminish humanity? Drawing on biblical principles and stories, this discussion offers a framework for navigating this technology with wisdom and discernment.

Phil will deliver a message entitled, The Meaning Crisis. In the last 200 years technology has shifted our view of God over all to a life made of matter and motion. We connect with people across the globe but are disconnected from the people in the same room as us, and now we are trying to make sense of who we are and find our story. Join us as we find the source who gives us meaning.

Phil will continue to look at the dynamics of science and faith. Theist and atheist alike look at the same data, but our perspective is what makes our conclusions unique. Our universe, to support life and exist, requires specific forces and exact numbers. We will look at these concepts and see how science and God fit in them.

Phil will continue our new series with a lesson on science and faith. There is often tension around this subject, as science and faith are frequently pitted against one another, but as we look into it, science is a value deeply embedded in the Christian movement. Phil will explore why these two don't have to be at odds.

Today, we dive into our new school year theme, Believe in Me. This year, we will discuss science and faith, AI and consciousness, and crisis and meaning. We will discuss what wilderness feels like, the problem of pain, and when bad things happen to good people. We will also examine how scripture came to be and whether we can trust it, and we will look at evidence for the resurrection. Whether you struggle with belief or have a robust faith, this year is for you!

Phil brings a message about fanning the flame in our spiritual life, especially in seasons where we feel stuck. With many of our students back in school and college students returning to campus, we will also take a moment to pray over our students and educational staff.

Phil will walk us through viewing baptism on its own terms by looking at history, theology, and Jesus. We will also take time to celebrate those who have been baptized in the last year.

How important is it to gather with other believers each Sunday? This morning, Mitch will take us to the first century using Luke 24 and give us a glimpse of their answer in the midst of the crucifixion and resurrection.

As Christians, we desire to imitate Jesus, but what does that look like and how can we do it? Jesus describes himself for us in Matthew 11 as gentle and humble in heart. This morning, Jeff will navigate us through scripture to show us how to take on the traits of Jesus to exemplify his humble and gentle spirit.

This week we close out our missions theme with a lesson on why is it important to be proactive in passing the baton to future generations.

This week is Missions Sunday! Phil will bring a message about the unbroken chain of Christian practice, always passing and receiving. 

Phil will bring our second message in the Pass the Baton series, called Tunnel Vision. Here Phil will look at a narrative from Acts 16 in which Paul changes direction several times before intersecting with God's will. Phil will explain that passing on faith must carry with it a flexibility and openness to all kinds of possibilities, or else we will become victims of evangelistic “tunnel vision” and spend our time pounding on closed doors.

Phil will begin our series leading up to Missions Sunday. The theme this year is Pass the Baton, and in Phil's first message, entitled Don't Forget, he will explore how the past influences the pass. If we want to be effective at passing on our faith to the next generation, we must first acknowledge where we received our faith in the first place.

Phil will conclude our series on Moses with a sermon called Name Claim. In this message, Phil will explore the breathtaking self-description of God in Exodus 34, where he proclaims his own nature in terms of compassion and justice.

Phil will continue our series on Moses with a sermon on the golden calf scene. Phil will walk us through this complicated and somewhat troubling interchange between God, Moses, and Israel. He will offer some insights into how to interpret the story as well as some practical ways to apply it.

Phil will continue our series on Moses. In this message, Phil will focus on the Passover and how, in its original world, it would have been seen as revolutionary in what it communicated both about Yahweh and Yahweh's people.

Phil will start a new series on the life of Moses. In this first lesson, Phil will explore the scene of the burning bush and reflect on what it might have to say about the nature of God's calling on Moses, and on ourselves.

Phil will conclude our school year theme, Love One Another, with a final message on God's eternal love from 1 John 4.

Phil will continue our Love Your Neighbor series with a message about prayer. Phil will examine 2 Corinthians 1:10-11 and talk about how the prayers of the people affected Paul's life as a missionary. He will offer some practical ways to lift our neighbors and each other up to the Lord.

Phil will continue our series Love Your Neighbor with a look at hospitality. The idea of hospitality has changed over time, but when we look at the Bible, it is a central part of God's plan for salvation. Phil will show us the importance of hospitality today and how we can be an extension of the perfect Host.

We will celebrate our high school senior class as they anticipate graduation and the next chapter in life. Phil will preach a sermon within our Love Your Neighbor series called Critiquing the Critic and talk about how we are called to love the church, not judge her.

Brian Plumb will continue our study in Luke chapter 10 by looking at the Good Samaritan. We will focus on four truths from the familiar text that we should apply to our lives.

Phil will deliver an Easter message called But Now. In this message, Phil will talk about how the resurrection of Jesus enabled people in scripture to navigate their pain and suffering with a completely new outlook.

Phil will continue our series Love Your Neighbor with a message called Sharing 101. Phil will pick up where he left off last week in Luke 10 and share a few practical ideas about how to share faith with others.

Phil will start a new series called Love Your Neighbor. This series will serve as the final part of our Love One Another school year theme. This final series will take a closer look at how we extend the love of Jesus beyond the walls of the church to the wider world. In this first message, Phil will focus on the importance of sharing our faith.

Daniel Roberts will bring us the next lesson in our series. One of the purposes of marriage is to help us become like Jesus. Join us as Daniel teaches us the importance of this commitment.

Mitch East will continue our Love, Where You Are series. Why love someone if it's possible your relationship will fail? Why love anyone if it will cause you pain? Today's sermon is about Abraham, hope, and God who helps us love despite the suffering we'll face.

Phil will continue our Love, Where You Are series with a message on dating. Given that both singleness and marriage are God-honoring positions in life, how do disciples of Jesus navigate the in-between stage? Though scripture does not address dating directly, Phil will explore some principles in Proverbs that can help guide Christians as they navigate these tricky waters.

Phil will continue our Love, Where You Are series with a message on marriage. Phil will talk about how the institution of marriage is in some ways being critiqued by culture at large today, but that both from a scriptural and even social science perspective, it is one of the most critical building blocks to civilization and one of the greatest ways to display the faithful love of God to the world.

Phil will begin a new series called Love, Where You Are: Reflections on Singlehood, Dating, and Marriage. This will serve as our next series in the Love One Another school year theme and will tackle the various stages of relationships we find ourselves in. In this first message, Phil will lay out a theology of singlehood. Though our modern world often portrays singleness as lonely or incomplete, this was not always the case throughout history, or even in scripture itself.

Many folks have heard the story that Jesus turned water into wine. Many Christians believe the story but move along unimpressed. But John says that Jesus “revealed his glory” through this first sign. This Sunday, we'll see how this miracle reveals the glory of Jesus.

On Sunday morning, Phil will deliver our next message in the Missions Statement series by focusing on Good News. Phil will talk about how neither good deeds nor good lives can truly enact lasting change in the world if they are not empowered by good news. He will look at the foundational text of 1 Corinthians 15 to make this case.

On Sunday morning, Phil will continue our sermon series on the mission statement with a message focused on Good Works. Phil will look at the episode late in John the Baptist's life and how Jesus explained his identity through the good works he was doing in the world.

Phil will continue our series looking into our new mission statement. Why are good lives critical to the mission of the church? Through the Ten Commandments, we will take a deeper dive into what God has called his people to do to show the world His goodness.

Last Sunday, we introduced our new mission statement and the core values that serve as its foundation. But for any mission to be successful, there has to be a plan of action. This Sunday we will examine Five Commitments we can all make as part of the MRCC body – tangible actions that will lead us towards living good lives, doing good works, and sharing good news.

Phil will kick off a new series called On Mission. This series will unveil our new mission statement and talk about why mission statements matter. Phil will discuss the background of how we arrived at our new statement and the biblical foundations behind it.

Phil will present a message recasting our school year theme of Love One Another. In this message, entitled Measure of Maturity, Phil will explore the famous foot-washing scene of John 13 and reflect on both the theological implications of the text, as this is a portrait of who God is, and also the missional aspects of the passage, which calls disciples to emulate this same kind of self-emptying posture for one another.

Phil will preach a sermon called Choosing Trust. In this message, Phil will explore the role trust plays both in the nativity story and in our everyday lives. He will explore the contrast between Gabriel's conversation with Mary and Zechariah and provide us with a helpful definition of trust that we can take with us this week.

Phil will begin a short series called Christmas Simplified. In this first message, entitled Unwrapping Presence, we will explore how to find God in the mundane parts of life. Using two biblical examples, Anna and Timothy, Phil will encourage us to live even our ordinary moments with eyes wide open to the spiritual blessings God will place before us.

Phil will preach a sermon called A Willing Spirit to help us kick off our elder selection process. This message will be based out of 1 Peter 5, where the apostle gives instructions on the kinds of hearts that shepherds are to have as they lead the flock.

While the Bible speaks often about the need for Christians to have a healthy relationship with money, it also reveals a profound connection between joy and generosity. Not only is joy a powerful motivator for sacrificial giving, it is also a product of it. In the second message of our Charitable Heart series, we'll see how God's design for his followers takes us From Joy to Generosity (and Back Again).

Phil will start a new series called Charitable Heart, a short series focused on the discipline of giving. In this first sermon, Phil will look at the conversation between John the Baptist and the crowds of people coming out to be baptized in the gospel of Luke. There is important teaching in this passage about the responsibility of believers to steward their resources for the Lord.

Phil will conclude our Seek Ye First series with a message called Celebrate Our Stores. In this talk, Phil will take a look back at the fall and share some stories of how members at MRCC shined like stars in the sky.