Downtown Cornerstone Blog
Apr 29
2021

Mercy Ministry Update | April

Mercy Ministries, Mercy Update | by Pastor Justin Keogh

The Mercy Ministry Updates are a regular snapshot of our Mercy Ministries in DCC, where we are working to serve and uphold the value and dignity of God’s most vulnerable image bearers in our city. For more regular updates in each focus area, please request to join our Mercy Focus groups in Church Center (linked below).

Gospel Framework

The Bible, as God’s inspired word, displays God’s good design and our radical need for a savior, found only in Jesus, and calls us to live out our new identity in Christ as we engage the world around us.

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people…14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
– Titus 3:1-8, 14

Titus chapter 3 gives us a beautiful summary of the gospel—our nature and need of salvation (v.3) and the gift of God's grace in Christ (vv.4-7)—and connects our salvation with our response of living a gracious life of service to others (v.1, v.8, v.14). We see in these few verses the precise relationship between grace and works: that "he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His mercy" (v.5), which then leads us to be devoted to good works that are excellent and profitable for people (v.8) and in particular cases of urgent need (v.14).

The grace of God changes our hearts and enables us to love Him and others. Jesus summarized the whole law with these two dimensions: first, a whole-life devotion to God, and second, a love of others (Matt. 22:34-40). The apostles James and John reiterate the relationship between faith and works in their letters (as Paul does in his): that saving faith is faith in God's work for us that produces good works to others (James 2:14-26; 1 John 4:7-21). As we reflect and cherish God's grace and mercy to us when we were apart from him, it will motivate us to extend grace and mercy to others.

Mercy Ministry Training: This Sunday, May 2nd @ 1PM

Join us as we look at Scripture's call to serve those in need around us, introduce our current Mercy Ministries, discuss opportunities for us to serve, and pray together for our city. This training will focus on two related topics:

  • Understanding more of the complexities of what leads people into vulnerable situations, as well as the complexities that it takes to get out of them.
  • And related, how we as individuals and as a church then prioritize and steward our efforts as we serve.

This is an excellent place for those who are looking to get started, ask questions, meet others, and take the next step in serving with our Mercy Ministries. We’ll be hosting this as a hybrid training both in-person and online. Read more and register below.

Register

Stay Connected

Learn more about our Mercy Ministries HERE. Join the focus area city groups in order to hear more regular updates, events, and opportunities to serve:

For the Kingdom,

Pastor Justin