Mercy Road Church

Mercy Road Church

por Mercy Road Church

Test Everything | Following Jesus in an Age of AI | Week 3

In Week 3 of our “Following Jesus in an Age of AI” series, Pastor Mike Lotzer explores what it means to test everything and practice biblical discernment in a world where anything can be faked. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 and Daniel 6, this message identifies the warning signs of deception—including flattery, false consensus, artificial urgency, and irreversible commitments—and challenges us to slow down before we sign, send, share, spend, or click. Pastor Mike also shows how the example of Daniel and the Bereans teaches us to examine what we hear, see, and believe through Scripture rather than simply trusting what sounds convincing. This message is for anyone navigating AI, online scams, misinformation, difficult decisions, or spiritual confusion who wants to grow in wisdom, discernment, and the ability to recognize and hold fast to what is true.

More than a Machine | Following Jesus in an Age of AI | Week 2

In Week 2 of the “Following Jesus in an Age of AI” series, Pastor Mike Lotzer explores what it means to remember that we are more than a machine in a world increasingly shaped by AI. Looking at Daniel 2 and the creation account in Genesis 1:26–27, this message addresses artificial intelligence, the fear of AI taking our jobs, human identity and value, and what makes people uniquely valuable as image-bearers of God. Through Daniel’s response to Nebuchadnezzar’s impossible demand, we see the difference between panicking and praying, human intelligence and God’s wisdom, and temporary human kingdoms versus the eternal kingdom of God. This message is for anyone wrestling with the rapid changes brought by AI, wondering about their value and future, or needing a reminder that their worth is not determined by what they can produce but by the God who created them and desires to dwell within them.

Don't Fear the Future | Following Jesus in an Age of AI | Week 1

In Week 1 of our “Following Jesus in an Age of AI” series, Pastor Mike Lotzer explores how Christians can respond to the rapid rise of AI without fear, panic, or losing sight of what it means to be human. Drawing from Isaiah 41:10 and Daniel 1, this message examines AI, anxiety about the future, biblical wisdom, human identity, and how followers of Jesus can engage emerging technology with discernment rather than fear. Pastor Mike challenges us to learn from Daniel, who lived faithfully in a rapidly changing culture without allowing Babylon to define his identity or allegiance, reminding us that we can trust an unknown future to a known God. This message is for anyone feeling anxious about artificial intelligence, concerned about the future of technology, navigating AI in work or family life, or simply wondering how to follow Jesus faithfully in an age of rapid technological change.

Make Every Effort | Come Away | Week 4

In Week 4, the final week of our “Come Away” series, Pastor Mike Lotzer explores the biblical gift of Sabbath and what it means to intentionally make room for rest, worship, and the presence of God. Drawing from Exodus 20:8–11 and Hebrews 4:9–16, this message challenges us to rest in the finished work of Jesus rather than striving to earn God’s acceptance, while also creating practical order and margin in our homes, calendars, digital lives, and commitments. Pastor Mike explains how Sabbath rest requires intentional effort and offers a practical rhythm: “Divert daily. Withdraw weekly. Abandon annually.” This message is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, overcommitted, distracted, or spiritually exhausted who wants to experience deeper soul rest and learn how to trust God with their time, work, responsibilities, and relationships.

Daily Sabbath Rest | Come Away | Week 3

In Week 3 of our “Come Away” series, Pastor Chad Murphy explores the gift of daily Sabbath rest and what it means to intentionally make time for God in the middle of a busy life. Looking at Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Matthew 11:28–29, Hebrews 4:9–11, and Revelation 3:20, this message examines how Jesus modeled a rhythm of prayer, rest, and withdrawing from the demands of life to draw near to the Father. Pastor Chad challenges us to recognize busyness as a barrier to spiritual growth and offers practical rhythms for daily rest, including a morning pause, a midday breath, and an evening release. This message is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, exhausted, distracted, or too busy to spend meaningful time with God—and wants to develop a deeper daily rhythm of prayer and spiritual rest.

Receive the Gift | Come Away | Week 2

In Week 2 of our “Come Away” series, Pastor Mike Lotzer explores what it means to receive Sabbath as a gift from God rather than viewing it as a burdensome rule or restriction. Looking at Exodus 20:8–11, Mark 2:23–28, and Matthew 11:28, this message addresses hurry sickness, productivity and performance, trusting God enough to stop, and creating space to receive God’s presence and rest. Pastor Mike challenges us to consider whether we are receiving, rejecting, or replacing God’s gift of Sabbath and reminds us that we are creatures—not the Creator—and we don’t have to carry the weight of being our own savior. This message is for anyone who feels constantly rushed, overworked, defined by achievement, or unable to slow down and find true rest for your soul in God’s presence.

The Gift Of Sabbath Rest | Come Away | Week 1

In Week 1 of our “Come Away” series, Pastor Mike Lotzer explores why Sabbath rest is a biblical command, an act of trust, and a gift from God—not a reward for finishing everything on our to-do lists. Looking at Mark 6:30–32 and Exodus 20:8–11, this message examines how Sabbath helps us break free from the idols of productivity and performance while creating quiet space to hear God’s voice. Pastor Mike also draws from 1 Kings 19 and Elijah’s experience with God’s gentle whisper to show why slowing down and making room for God matters in a noisy, busy world. This message is for anyone who feels overworked, constantly busy, defined by achievement, or simply struggles to slow down and trust that God can work while we rest.

When Frustration Becomes Disobedience | Failing Forward | Week 6

In the final message of the “Failing Forward” series, Pastor Chad Murphy explores “When Frustration Becomes Disobedience” through the story of Moses in Numbers 20. This powerful sermon examines how grief, pressure, anger, and repeated frustration can leave us vulnerable to spiritual failure, and how Moses’ disobedience at the rock reveals the importance of trusting God and honoring Him even when we are at our breaking point. Discover what the Bible teaches about anger, frustration, obedience, spiritual maturity, confession, forgiveness, discipline, and God’s redeeming grace, including the reminder that failure does not have to be the end of our story. This message is for anyone struggling with frustration, regret, or the consequences of past mistakes, offering hope that God’s discipline is not the end of God’s story with you—and His love and grace can redeem our failures and help us move forward.

The Failure of a Team of One | Failing Forward | Week 5

In Week 5 of our “Failing Forward” series, Pastor Chad Murphy explores “The Failure of a Team of One” and what happens when we try to carry every responsibility, burden, and challenge by ourselves. Looking at Exodus 18:13–27, this sermon examines Moses’ struggle to lead Israel alone and highlights the biblical importance of community, delegation, humility, discipleship, and sharing the load. Pastor Chad challenges us to recognize that good intentions don’t always lead to good methods, that receiving help requires humility, and that God never designed us to live the Christian life in isolation. This message is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, burned out, isolated, or like everything depends on them, reminding us that failure can refine us and that we are stronger when we trust God and invite others to walk alongside us.

The Failure of Entitlement | Failing Forward | Week 4

In Week 4 of our “Failing Forward” series, we examine “The Failure of Entitlement” and how unrealistic expectations, selective memory, and a lack of perspective can distort the way we see God, our circumstances, and the blessings in our lives. Looking at Numbers 11, this sermon explores the Israelites’ complaints in the wilderness, Moses’ frustration, and the difference between bringing our burdens honestly to God and rejecting Him because life isn’t going the way we think it should. Discover how gratitude, perspective, humility, contentment, and trust in God can help us overcome entitlement and recognize the bigger picture of God’s faithfulness. This message is for anyone who has struggled with “I deserve better,” dissatisfaction, complaining, or taking God’s blessings for granted, offering a practical challenge to examine where entitlement may be shaping our hearts.

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