The Rock Weekly – July 3, 2024
- Tonight – Prayer & Worship Night! @ 7pm in the Chapel or via Livestream.
- Tonight – Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room or via Zoom.
- Stand Conference (for Israel) – July 12 & 13 at The Rock; hosted by Jeremy Jacobs and Turn Ministries https://turnministries.us/standconference/
- Family Sunday & Breakfast at 9am – Join us this Sunday (7/7) for our Family Sunday, a time where we enjoy breakfast together and group discussions during the service. We look forward to growing together in community.
Created for Koinonia (Fellowship)
“They (the new believers) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer…All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as they had need. Every day they continued to meet together… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47
We are now on the 3rd and final day of prayer and fasting for July (always the 1st Mon-Wed of the month). Once again, it has been a very special time and I am encouraged to see so many pressing into the Lord in a deep way. Also, this coming weekend is our Family Sunday, with breakfast served (breaking bread) at 9am in the foyer and then having some special group time as we gather together, open the Word, and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and revelation. For our service, we will be focusing our discussion on the importance of koinonia, which is the Greek word for fellowship. Acts 2:42-47 will be the primary Scripture that we will launch from. Here are some thoughts in preparation for Sunday…
When we think of fellowship, we often think of ‘friendship’ or ‘getting together with others’. But fellowship according to the Bible has a much deeper meaning. We know Acts 2 explains the birth of the Church. As the Holy Spirit was given by the Father, Peter began to preach, and 3,000 people repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, and received the Holy Spirit. But the next statement (Acts 2:42) goes beyond the initial step of attaining righteousness through repentance and Christ’s forgiveness ,and begins to describe the daily actions of what a new believer did as a follower of Jesus in the early church. “They devoted (constantly attended) themselves to the apostles’ teachings, to the fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” From this description we see that everyone was in awe because the power of God began to manifest through wonders and miraculous signs. Then the ‘fellowship’ went into action as the new believers took on a new mindset (of the Spirit) and everything they had owned became available for the common good of all the believers. But it gets even more crazy…They began selling their possessions and gave to anyone in need. They didn’t just say a prayer to follow Jesus and then go back to what they were doing. Everything changed!…including the control of all their assets. 🙂
I often hear people say that we need to be an Acts 2 church, but I am not sure they really understand what they are saying. Even as I write this, I am convicted in my heart of not quite being in the place where I would offer everything I owned for the common good. But I will tell you that true Koinonia takes us out of the world’s way of living and puts us face to face with becoming a living sacrifice and dying to the things of this world…including our possessions and goods.
I’m not saying to go and sell everything tomorrow or this Sunday and give it away. But what I am asking is that we take a deeper look into what true fellowship with believers is intended to look like according to God’s purpose and plan and then by the leading of the Spirit, we begin to change our ways and watch God respond in a powerful way! “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved!” (Acts 2:47b)
Here are some QUESTIONS to consider:
- In the context of Acts 2:42-47 and Phil 2:2-4, how would you define Fellowship (Koinonia)?
- What could it look like for you personally to walk in Fellowship with others…from a Biblical standpoint?
- In Phil 3:10 and 1 Cor 12:26 we see that Fellowship also includes suffering. How could you walk in this type of Fellowship with others?
- What part of Fellowship are you actively doing, and what parts are you lacking in?
- Are you willing to pursue a life of Fellowship (Koinonia) with Jesus and the body of Christ with the understanding you now have? 🙂
Lord Jesus – give us the mind of the Spirit and may we have the same attitude you had on this earth and as you were on the cross. We want to pursue a life that is sold out, but it is difficult as our flesh continues to try to rise up. I thank you that I have been crucified with Christ and that I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20) Thank you for loving me. Help me to pursue the life you created for me…a life of Koinonia. Amen.
I love you and look forward to being with you in fellowship on Sunday!
Have a happy 4th,
Pastor Mike and your Rock Staff
IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORSHIP & PRAYER SERVICE 7:00pm * In-Person & On-Line *
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream: https://www.therock.org/live/
GROWING IN THE WORD – 6:00pm Wednesdays
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99757846764?pwd=Tm8zQ0JQWk1xeHFBcEU5anNFN1l4dz09
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:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85340164797?pwd=V0lmWFRRL0R6Tm56QTdRUHNoMWI3QT09
ZOOM Meeting ID: 853 4016 4797
ZOOM Phone Option +12532158782,,85340164797#
SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE 9:45am *In-Person & On-line*
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream: https://www.therock.org/live/
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
Have a Question, Need Prayer, Help, Feel Alone, or Disconnected?
Please email us at family@therock.org and put QUESTION, PRAYER, NEED HELP, or CONNECT ME at the top of your email.