Mercy Rescued Me, Grave Rebuilt Me

On Wednesday, April 29th 2026 Pastor Matt Cottrill's teaching draws a crucial distinction between two of God's most profound attributes: mercy and grace. While we often use these terms interchangeably, they represent distinct yet inseparable works in our spiritual journey. Mercy is God withholding what we deserve—the judgment and condemnation our sins have earned. Grace, on the other hand, is God giving us what we don't deserve—righteousness, relationship, and transformation. The study anchors itself in Psalm 103:17-18, revealing that God's mercy spans from everlasting to everlasting, existing before our first sin and extending beyond our last failure. Yet this mercy comes with a covenant requirement: obedience to God's commandments. The teaching powerfully illustrates how mercy rescues us from the pit of sin, but grace then rebuilds us into vessels of purpose. Through the story of the woman at the well in John 4, we see this dynamic in action—Jesus exposed her past without condemning her person, then offered her living water that would transform her future. This is the sequential work of mercy and grace: mercy addresses our past, grace establishes our future. For anyone struggling with shame, past failures, or feelings of unworthiness, this message offers profound hope. Our history may be deep, but God's mercy is deeper. Our past may be strong, but His grace is stronger.