mercy Archives - tangible theology

Pour Yourself Out

November 1, 2014 by Chris Sicks Leave a Comment

My fraternity, which periodically did service projects, had a very good motto: “Give expecting nothing thereof.” It’s based upon Luke 6:35—“love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” Do you see how radical this is? Jesus wasn’t saying, “love your coworker, even if he’s unable to do anything for you.” Or, “love your wife and don’t expect anything in return.” Jesus was actually calling us to love our enemies, and expect nothing in … [Continue reading...]

Feeling Fruitful?

August 26, 2013 by Chris Sicks Leave a Comment

I think Jesus must have had Psalm 1:3-4 in mind when He said, I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (John 15:5-6) Jesus and the author of Psalm 1 describe two types of people, those who abide in the Lord and bear fruit, and those who dry up because they … [Continue reading...]

How Jesus Shows Me Mercy

August 18, 2013 by Sara Sicks 1 Comment

By Sara Sicks When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, my husband was the director of mercy ministry at our church. Because of Chris’ position, one might think that his wife understood and practiced mercy ministry herself. Looking back, I think I understood mercy mostly as an idea. Yes, I had provided meals to others in their tough times. I spoke with and prayed for people going through difficult circumstances. And it's true, doing those things can communicate Christ’s love … [Continue reading...]

Credible Love

July 31, 2013 by Chris Sicks Leave a Comment

When I was an atheist, I wanted Christians to show me tangible proof of God’s existence. Without proof, the Christian message lacked credibility. While you and I can’t provide nonbelievers with proof that God exists, we can provide evidence. Deeds of mercy are tangible evidence that what we believe about God is true. No one has to take a “blind leap of faith.” We offer tangible love and then declare the intangible gospel so that people will see Christ. And then we trust the Holy Spirit, the … [Continue reading...]

Tangible Grace

July 25, 2013 by Chris Sicks Leave a Comment

"The kingdom of God is the structure of reality. . . It is the church’s purpose to keep this threatened, difficult-to-believe kingdom of God constantly before people’s eyes.” —Dale Bruner When he graduated from college, John Meinen was a Zen Buddhist with a heart for serving the poor. A “poster child for postmodern relativism,” John believed that morality is culturally conditioned, that people are inherently good, and the world is an illusion. Then he went to Bangladesh. “The beggars … [Continue reading...]