What does the Bible actually mean when it talks about faith?
As we begin our new series The Prayer of Faith, this message lays the foundation for understanding effective, biblical prayer as we prepare for our upcoming Fervent Week of Prayer. Drawing from James 5 and Hebrews 11, this sermon challenges common misconceptions about faith and reframes it as confidence not for something—but trust in Someone.
In this message, we explore:
Why effective prayer is rooted in the prayer of faith
What Hebrews really means when it says faith is “the assurance of things hoped for”
Why biblical faith is confidence in the unseen God, not denial of reality
How faith aligns itself with God’s will, not our demands
Why true faith ultimately finds rest in God’s sovereignty, not outcomes
This teaching calls us to move our focus away from results and back onto the nature, character, and will of God—where faith becomes effective, prayer becomes grounded, and peace becomes possible.
As we step into a season of prayer together, this message invites us to rediscover faith that is centered on knowing God, trusting Him fully, and resting in His purposes.
What does it mean to truly recognize Jesus?
In this final message of our Advent series Come and Behold Him, we turn to the story of Simeon—a man whose entire life was shaped by waiting on a promise personally given by God. In Luke 2, Simeon is led by the Holy Spirit into the temple at just the right moment, where he takes the infant Jesus into his arms and declares, “My eyes have seen your salvation.”
This message explores how:
Only the Holy Spirit enables true recognition of Christ
Jesus is revealed as salvation for all people, Jew and Gentile alike
Christ both brings peace and exposes the human heart, dividing and revealing what we truly believe
Simeon’s encounter reminds us that the Christmas story is not just something to hear—it is something to behold. Christ comforts, confronts, reveals, and redeems. And when we truly see Him, everything changes.
Scripture: Luke 2:22–35
Waiting ends when salvation is revealed—when the Spirit opens our eyes to behold Christ.
#ComeAndBeholdHim #AdventSeries #Simeon #Luke2 #SalvationHasCome #LightOfTheWorld #ChristmasSermon #JesusChrist #GospelTruth
This sermon was recorded at our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
In Week IV of our Advent series Come and Behold Him, we turn to Matthew 2:1–12 and the story of the wise men—Gentile seekers whose long journey culminated in a simple but profound declaration: “We have come to worship Him.”
Unlike the quiet, personal announcements given to Mary and Joseph, or the public proclamation to the shepherds, the arrival of the Magi reveals that the birth of Jesus is not only the fulfillment of Israel’s hope, but the invitation of the nations. Drawn by a sign in the heavens and centuries-old prophecy, these men traveled great distance and great cost—not to observe the newborn King, but to worship Him.
This sermon explores what true worship really is—not merely words or rituals, but a life rightly ordered before God. From the example of the Magi, we see two essential marks of genuine worship:
Acknowledging Jesus as King—not only Savior, but Lord
Offering gifts of sacrifice that reveal His rightful rule in our lives
As Jesus later teaches, the Father is seeking worshipers who worship in Spirit and in truth—worship that flows out of real life, real surrender, and real obedience. The Christmas story challenges us to ask an honest question: Have we truly come to worship Him?
This message invites us to behold Christ not only as the child born in Bethlehem, but as the reigning King worthy of our reverence, submission, and sacrifice.
📖 Scripture: Matthew 2:1–12
🎄 Series: Come and Behold Him
#ComeAndBeholdHim #Advent #ChristmasSermon #Matthew2 #WorshipInSpiritAndTruth #JesusIsKing #TrueWorship #Nativity #WiseMen #ChristianTeaching
This week in our Advent series Come and Behold Him, we turn to the shepherds—the first public witnesses to the birth of Christ—and the angelic announcement that reveals the true purpose of Christmas.
When the heavens opened over the fields of Bethlehem, the angels proclaimed a message that still defines the meaning of Christ’s coming: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” In this message, we explore why Jesus came—not first for our comfort, but for God’s glory—and how true peace is found only in receiving the Savior He sent.
Through the shepherds’ encounter with the angels, we are reminded that:
God’s glory is the ultimate purpose of creation and redemption
The peace Christ brings begins with peace with God
From that peace flows peace within our souls and with others
Those who truly behold Christ are compelled to proclaim Him
This sermon invites us to see Christmas as more than a sentimental story—it is the declaration that God has entered history to reclaim His world, receive glory, and bring lasting peace to His people.
Come and behold Him—the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
This week in our Advent series Come and Behold Him, we turn from Mary’s encounter with the angel to the story of Joseph—a man standing at a crossroads, called to courageously step into God’s redemptive plan.
While Mary’s calling required her to trust God with a circumstance she could not change, Joseph’s calling required him to take action—to obey God in a way that defied cultural expectations, personal logic, and social safety. When the angel told him, “Do not be afraid,” Joseph discovered the truth we also need today: God gives courage to those who step into His purposes.
In this message, we explore:
How Joseph’s obedience reveals the courage required in genuine Christ-followership
Why we can boldly take steps of faith when we know something is “conceived by the Holy Spirit”
How God guides us through His Word and by His Spirit
Why the counter-cultural path of obedience is often the very place where God brings salvation and blessing
Joseph’s response shows us that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it is obedience rooted in trust. And just as the Holy Spirit conceived God’s redemptive plan in Mary, the Spirit continues to conceive works of grace, mission, and salvation in us today.
Join us as we behold Christ through the eyes of Joseph and learn what it means to follow God with courage this Advent season.
As we begin our Advent series, Come and Behold Him, we step into the four weeks of anticipation and preparation that mark the arrival of Jesus Christ. Advent isn’t just a countdown to Christmas—it is a reenactment of the longing, hope, and expectation that filled the people of God for generations as they waited for the Messiah.
From the earliest pages of Scripture, God promised a Deliverer—the Seed who would crush the serpent (Gen. 3:15), the Offspring who would bless the nations (Gen. 12:3), the Son who would reign on David’s throne forever (2 Sam. 7:12–16). By the time of the first Christmas, the people of Israel were living with a deep yearning for the One who would save, restore, and rule with righteousness.
And then—into that centuries-long anticipation—God reveals the identity of the Promised One to an unexpected person: a young girl named Mary.
In Luke 1:26–38, the angel Gabriel announces that Mary will bear Jesus—the Son of the Most High, the eternal King, the long-awaited Savior. But Mary’s first response isn’t about glory or privilege. It’s the deeply human question: “How can this be…?” She feels the cost. The risk. The consequences.
And yet her answer becomes one of the greatest statements of faith in all Scripture:
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
Today’s sermon explores:
• The centuries of anticipation that lead to Jesus
• Why God chose Mary and what her response reveals
• The real-world cost she faced in obedience
• The meaning of yielding to God’s will—before understanding the outcome
• How Advent calls us to the same posture: “I am the servant of the Lord.”
Mary shows us the heart that prepares for the coming of Christ—a yielded, surrendered, servant posture that says:
“Let it be to me according to Your word.”
This Advent, may we learn to behold Him as she did.
Scriptures: Luke 1:26–38; Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12; 2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 9; Romans 12:1–2; Proverbs 3:5–6; 1 John 2:16
#Advent #Mary #ComeAndBeholdHim #ChristmasSeries #MercyHill #PastorTommyOrlando #Jesus #Gospel #Christmas #ChristianTeaching #Faith #Surrender
When God leads His people out of Egypt, He doesn’t take them on the shortest or most obvious route. Instead, He guides them the long way — into detours, delays, and even places that look impossible. Why? Because God is not just getting Israel out of Egypt… He is forming them to follow Him.In this message from Exodus 13–14, Pastor Tommy shows us why God’s leadership so often defies our logic.God leads based on divine wisdom, not human efficiency.Some battles would crush us before we’re ready. Some seasons are preparation, not punishment. And sometimes God leads us straight into a place where the world says we are “trapped” — just so His glory can be revealed.Through the pillar of cloud and fire, the incarnation of Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we see the same truth across Scripture:God does not send us from afar. He goes with us.His presence is our safety. His guidance is our security. His glory is our purpose.Whether you’re facing a delayed calling, a confusing season, or a situation that feels impossible, this passage reminds us:The safest place is not the easiest place — it’s wherever God is leading.
This week in our series Follow: The Story of Exodus, we step into one of the most profound moments in all of Scripture—the Passover.
As God brings the final plague upon Egypt, He reveals His ultimate authority over life and death…and the way of salvation that would echo for generations. In Exodus 11–12, we see the spotless lamb, the applied blood, and the night when God both judged and redeemed.
But this moment wasn’t just Israel’s deliverance—it was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb. From the timing of the week to the shedding of blood, every detail pointed forward to the cross where Christ would become our substitute, our atonement, and our life.
In this message, Pastor Tommy shows:
Why the Passover is the clearest picture of the gospel in the Old Testament
How Jesus fulfills every part of the Passover pattern
Why the blood of the Lamb is our only hope
And how remembering His sacrifice keeps our hearts anchored in grace
We closed the service at the Lord’s Table, remembering that our redemption came through the blood of a spotless substitute—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
If you’ve ever wondered how the story of Exodus connects to the cross, this message will open your eyes to the beauty of God’s plan from beginning to end.
What if the obstacles in your life aren’t punishment—but God exposing what you trust more than Him?
In Exodus 7–10, God unleashes the plagues of Egypt—not as random acts of judgment, but as a divine confrontation with false gods. Each plague tears down an idol Egypt trusted for life, pleasure, security, and control. And the truth is, God still does the same today.
He confronts our idols—not to shame us—but to set us free.
Freedom begins when we stop worshiping what cannot save and remember that our God alone reigns.
📖 Scripture: Exodus 7–10
🎙 Speaker: Pastor Tommy Orlando
💬 Series: Follow: The Story of Exodus
#Exodus #FollowJesus #MercyHillChurch #GodReigns #TearDownTheIdols #FreedomInChrist #BibleTeaching #PastorTommyOrlando #TrustGod #FaithOverFear #ChristIsEnough #ChristianLiving #WorshipGodAlone #BibleStudy
Sometimes, following God makes life harder before it gets better. In Exodus 5–6, Moses obeys God’s call — and immediately faces resistance, disappointment, and doubt. But even in the weight of opposition, God is working. When the burden gets heavier, it’s not because He’s forgotten you — it’s because He’s strengthening your faith for the miracle to come.
This message reminds us to remember who He is, what He has done, and to trust what He will do.📖 Scripture: Exodus 4:29–6:9
💬 Series: Follow: The Story of Exodus
🎤 Speaker: Adam Zastrow#FaithUnderFire #ExodusSeries #FollowJesus #MercyHillChurch #GodIsFaithful #WhenObedienceHurts #TrustGod #BibleTeaching
Many believers live forgiven but not free. We believe Jesus can save—but struggle to believe He can truly set us free. In Exodus 4, Moses stands before God still bound by doubt and fear, yet God reveals His power through three signs that foreshadow the Gospel: authority over sin, healing from shame, and redemption through the blood. Freedom doesn’t depend on our strength—it depends on His victory already accomplished.
📖 Scripture: Exodus 4:1–18
🎙 Speaker: Pastor Tommy Orlando
📅 Series: Follow: The Story of Exodus (Week 4)
#Exodus #BibleTeaching #FollowJesus #FreedomInChrist #FaithOverFear #TheBlood #MercyHill #PastorTommyOrlando #GodsPower #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #SetFree #Redemption #Grace
God doesn’t just save us—He calls us.
In Exodus 3, God meets Moses in the wilderness, reveals His holiness, declares His name, and sends him on mission to set His people free. This same God—revealed in the burning bush as “I AM”—is the One who calls and sends us today. His holiness humbles us, His compassion moves us, and His presence empowers us to go.
📖 Scripture: Exodus 3:1–14
🎙 Speaker: Pastor Tommy Orlando
📅 Series: Follow: The Story of Exodus (Week 3)
#Exodus #BibleTeaching #FollowJesus #GodsCall #Moses #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #MercyHill #Exodus3 #BurningBush #IAm #Holiness #Mission #Faith #PastorTommyOrlando
Text: Exodus 2:10–25
Speaker: Pastor Tommy Orlando
The story of Exodus is more than ancient history—it’s a living picture of our spiritual journey. In this message, Pastor Tommy unpacks how Moses’ early life reveals both the futility of human deliverance and the power of divine redemption.
When Moses acted in his own strength, nothing changed. But when God knew—when He heard, remembered, saw, and entered into His people’s suffering—redemption began to unfold.
God still hears. God still remembers. God still knows.
📖 Key Themes:
The insufficiency of human effort to bring true freedom
God’s intimate, covenantal response to our cries
Wilderness seasons as places of spiritual formation
The Redeemer who comes at the right time
🕊️ Whether you’re in a personal “Egypt” of suffering, sin, or waiting, this passage reminds us: God has not forgotten you. He sees, He hears, and He knows.
Every believer has an Exodus story—rescued from slavery, walking through the desert, and journeying toward the promised land of God. In this opening message of our new series Follow: The Story of Exodus, Pastor Tommy Orlando shows how the book of Exodus is not just Israel’s history—it’s our story of redemption.
Through the oppression of Pharaoh, the courage of the Hebrew midwives, and God’s sovereign hand in suffering, we learn two foundational truths:
1. Even in suffering, God’s sovereignty is at work.
2. The fear of the Lord conquers every tyrant—external or internal.
Discover how genuine freedom begins when we fear God above everything else, trust His promises more than our circumstances, and follow Him through every trial.
📖 Scripture: Exodus 1 | 1 Corinthians 10 | Genesis 15 | 1 Peter 1:6–9 | Matthew 10:27–28 | 2 Corinthians 6:17–7:1 | Proverbs 9:10
🎙 Speaker: Pastor Tommy Orlando
📍 Series: Follow: The Story of Exodus
What is love? What is hate? Our culture’s definitions often twist both: love is reduced to blind affirmation, and hate is confused with any confrontation of sin. But the Bible paints a very different picture. True love tells the truth. True hate is not confronting sin, but leaving people enslaved to it.In this message, Pastor Tommy Orlando closes out our series The Way by showing how Jesus redefines love and hate. On the cross, He gave the ultimate confrontation of sin and the ultimate demonstration of love. As His followers, we are called to embody a love that is courageous enough to speak truth, and a hatred of sin that flows from our love for God and others.📖 Scripture: Proverbs 21:2, Luke 6:27–28, Matthew 5:43–45, 1 Corinthians 13:4–6, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, Psalm 45:7, Proverbs 8:13, Romans 5:6–9🙌 Join us for The Way of Love and Hate as we explore how the way of Jesus leads us out of cultural confusion and into the freedom of His truth.
For many people, the idea of “faith” seems like blind optimism... believing without evidence. But biblical faith is nothing like that. Faith is not the absence of reason; it is trust rooted in the character and promises of God.
Today's sermon by Jesse Mathews
What did the first Christians call themselves? Before the word Christian was ever common, the earliest followers of Jesus described their faith as “The Way.”
In this message, The Way I: All Roads Lead, Pastor Tommy unpacks why that name matters—and how it directly speaks to one of the most pressing cultural questions of our day: Do all roads lead to God?
Through Scripture, history, and real-life examples, we’ll see why Jesus’ words in John 14:6 are the foundation of Christianity:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Join us as we launch a brand-new series, The Way, exploring what it means to follow Jesus in a world full of competing ideas, philosophies, and promises of “truth.”
📖 Scripture focus: John 14:5–6, Acts 4:11–12, Romans 3:21–26
🎥 Series: The Way | Part 1 — “All Roads Lead”
⛪ Mercy Hill Church — Milwaukee, WI
The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 doesn’t just reveal the wandering heart of humanity—it magnifies the extravagant grace of the Father.
Last week, we looked at the younger son’s rebellion and the way all forms of wandering—whether open rejection of God or subtle resistance to His call—leave us in a place of spiritual famine. But the parable doesn’t stop there.
This week, we focus on the Father’s response: the run, the robe, the ring, and the feast. Each one reveals God’s overwhelming grace, restoring us to full sonship, empowering us with His authority, and celebrating our return with joy beyond measure.
At the same time, Jesus shows us the heart of the older brother—resentful, legalistic, and blind to the Father’s goodness. His reaction warns us of what happens when religion replaces relationship and when we fail to rejoice in the salvation of the lost.
📖 Scripture: Luke 15:20–32
👉 In this message, you’ll discover:
Why God’s grace is unreasonable and limitless.
How the Father restores repentant sinners to full sonship.
The danger of a hard heart like the older brother’s.
Why rejoicing with heaven over the lost is the mark of true faith.
🙏 Take a step today: think of three people in your life—someone you love, someone you know, and someone who challenges you—and begin praying for their salvation.
💬 Share this message with someone who needs the reminder that no one is beyond the Father’s extravagant grace.
#WhenWeWander #ProdigalSon #Sermon #Grace #Luke15