The Rock Weekly – August 21, 2024

  • Tonight – Prayer & Worship Service @ 7pm in the Chapel or via Livestream.  
  • Tonight – Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room or via Zoom. 
  • Worship Leader Jake Hamilton will be with us this Sunday, August 25th.
  • River of Life – Spirit led creativity gathering. Tuesday 8/27 at 6:30pm in the Chapel. www.riveroflife.online 
  • See below for other important information on services and weekly events.

 

Jesus, the Radiance of the Glory of God

[Heb 1:3 ESV] 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…

For the past few Sunday’s we have been encouraged to pursue the ways of God and put His commands into action. In light of messages like this, I always find it helpful to go back and meditate on the greatness and majesty of the One I am called to obey, so that I respond to Him with the proper thankfulness, reverence, and zeal. In Hebrews chapter 1, we find one of the most glorious descriptions of the Son of God, and one of the descriptions the Holy Spirit recently highlighted to me, His title as “the radiance of the glory of God”.

I think of this as the Father being the sun, and Jesus being the rays that come from the sun by which we see and can feel and experience its benefits. Without the radiance of the sun, we would never experience it. That’s what the apostles encountered in Jesus’s earthly ministry and what we get to take part in now through the person of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us, “Whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me.” and then says, “The Spirit will take what is mine and make it known to you. (Jn. 12:45;16:15) and so Jesus gives us access to the glory of God in this life and exponentially in the age to come.

Paul points us to this same reality in 2 Corinthians…

[2Cor 3:16-18 ESV] 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

As we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, He shines forth the glory of God in our hearts, thus changes our actions to reflect God’s glory to those around us. Our minds and lives are literally transformed so that we think and act like Jesus. This is the goal of discipleship and Jesus’s ministry as the radiance of the glory of God makes it possible.

Consider this verse in John 17.

[John 17:24 ESV] 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Jesus prays that His apostles, and those who would believe in Him through their testimony, would be with Him and see (experience) His glory. The prayer to experience the glory of God isn’t a prayer that originated in the heart of sinful flesh, but is the very prayer that Jesus is asking the Father to answer, so when you pray, I encourage you to ask with boldness to know His glory.

Jesus, thank You for being the radiance of the glory of God and for giving me access to experience the Father’s glory through your death and resurrection. Strengthen me in this season of life to behold this glory and be changed into your image. Thank you that it is the very desire of your heart for me to experience your glory. So increase my faith as I pray the ancient prayer of Moses, “Show me Your Glory”!  Amen.

Pastor Marcus 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.