The Rock Weekly – August 7, 2024

 

From Hard Hearts to Renewed Minds

“Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles [Godless] do, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. 19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.
20 But that is not how you came to know Christ, 21 assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.”
– Ephesians 4:17-24 CSB

Last week we did a deep inspection of our hearts together through the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. As we continue in that vein of examining our heart (and understanding that the Biblical term “heart” applies to more than just your cardiovascular system) I am reminded of the exhortation from Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. 

In Ephesians 4:17-24 Paul encourages the believers to stop acting like the Gentiles–which is literally non-jewish people, but also signifies the people who were living outside of covenant with God. He continues, they are excluded from the life of God because of the hardness of their hearts. We don’t want to be the Matthew 13 hard hearts that can’t receive the Word of God. Instead we want to take off our former way of life, and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and also to put on the new self. 

As we wrap up our three days of corporate monthly fasting, I want to encourage you to finish strong by asking God to give you the empowering grace that enables us to put on the new self which is according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

Ask the Lord what old patterns, habits, and routines need to be put off, and what new patterns, habits, routines need to be put on. 

Father God, would you empower us by your Holy Spirit to take off our former way of life which was corrupted by deceitful desires, and instead to put on the new self. Would you give us strength to renew the spirit of our minds so that we don’t walk as the Godless do, in the futility of their thoughts, but instead that we would operate with the mind of Christ. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit which makes all of this possible. Amen. 

Be blessed this week,
Pastor Andrew & The 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.