The Rock Weekly – March 19, 2025

 

Be Glorified Through Our Lives

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”  Psalm 115:1

I have a close pastor and friend of mine who preached a message a number of years ago titled, “Don’t touch the glory”.  This has had a significant impact on my life and has helped me to stay humble – and give all the glory to my Creator and my King!  But this can be difficult and I definitely don’t live this perfectly!  We live in a world that is constantly telling us the opposite.  This is why Paul reminds us in Romans 12 not to conform to the social norms, expectations, or values of this world, but instead to allow the Spirit to continually renew and refresh our minds with God’s will!  Ambition, self-importance, self-preservation, pride, jealousy, need for more, fear of loss, desire for pleasures in this life…these things are so prevalent in our society and considered “wisdom” in the world’s eyes. 

Yet, God not only has no value for these things, but finds them detestable in His eyes!  He is looking for those who will actually put others above their own needs. Those who will live by the Spirit and not the flesh. Those who will offer their lives to God as a living sacrifice. Those who will love the same way Jesus loved us…humbling Himself to the point of death so that we could have life.  And in doing so, this gave the Father glory!  Crazy right?! 

In John 12:23-25,27-28, Jesus says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The one who loves his life will lose it, while the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must FOLLOW ME….Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No. It was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Here we see that Jesus calls us to live this very same life – “Whoever serves me must follow me.”  The only way to true life is through the death of our flesh, as lived out by Jesus, so that Christ can live in us – giving the Father glory!

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20)

I pray today that we catch the essence of God’s plan for us and that our lives will give glory to God!  May we surrender our ways to the Holy Spirit and allow the power of the Spirit to flow through us…giving glory to God. 

Lord Jesus, teach us how to live our lives according to the Spirit and not the flesh!  Help us to humble ourselves before you daily, to take up our cross daily, to die to our selfish nature, to become a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to You, so that no matter the insults, trials, or persecution we face for living for Christ, that the Spirit of glory and of God would rest up on us (1 Peter 4:14) so that we would glorify You. Amen!

May God get all the glory!

Pastor Mike and your Rock Staff

 

 

IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORSHIP & PRAYER SERVICE  7:00pm * In-Person & On-Line *
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The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

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YOUTH ~ BASE CAMP (6th – 12th Grade) – WEDNESDAY NIGHT – 7:00pm
Invite a friend and come have a great time. If you have any questions, email jaden@therock.org

 

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION – 1st & 3rd Saturday of each Month
https://www.therock.org/foodbank/
Email Lindy@therock.org if you would like to volunteer or have questions.

 

SUNDAY MORNING PRE-SERVICE PRAYER  8:15-9:15am – *In-Person & On-line*
ZOOM Direct Video Link:
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ZOOM Meeting ID: 853 4016 4797
          ZOOM Phone Option +12532158782,,85340164797#

 

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE 9:45am  *In-Person & On-line*
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OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE  Here are some ways you can partner with The Rock as you practice generosity – our regular tithe/giving, compassion help, missions, and our food bank.  Click on the following link or graphic.  www.therock.org/give

 

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