The Rock Weekly – June 5, 2024
- Tonight – Prayer & Worship Night! @ 7pm in the Chapel or via Livestream. Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room or via Zoom.
- Child Dedications on Sunday, 6/30 – Join us as we recognize parents and partner with families to dedicate their young ones to the Lord. For more information email family@therock.org
- Maranatha Prayer at The Tent. Mon-Fri* from 7am-9am. All ages welcome. https://www.therock.org/maranatha/
Living in Light of the Return
I have been impacted recently by the instruction from the apostles as they wrote to their respective congregations concerning the return of Jesus. It seemed to really influence and motivate their encouragements to stay faithful as a follower of Messiah. The amount of examples of this in the New Testament is vast, but here are three passages that the Holy Spirit has highlighted to me personally from the apostle Peter. I pray that they bless and encourage you in your continued pursuit of faithfulness to Jesus.
Stay faithful in Trials
[1Pe 1:3-7 ESV] 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In this passage, Peter is reminding his readers that the resurrection of Christ has purchased for them an inheritance (vs 4). We will be remade (born again) to receive this inheritance, and we can live this life in faithful service to Jesus with this hope that is alive in us (living hope). This inheritance and the fullness of our salvation will be when Jesus returns (revealed at the last time/the revelation of Jesus Christ), and because of that hope, we can rejoice in this future inheritance (in this we rejoice) as the Spirit empowers us in the trials we find ourselves in. The faith we display through real testing in this life will be rewarded when Jesus is revealed from Heaven at his second coming.
Right Thinking in Light of the Day
[1Pe 1:13 ESV] 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is going to bring us such a precious gift of grace when He splits the sky. This includes the dead coming back to life (1 Thess. 4:16), resurrected bodies (1 Cor. 15:35-55), partnership with Him as He leads the nations as king (Rev. 5:10), and being priests in His House of Prayer for all nation (Is. 56:7). Because of the surety of what is coming, confirmed by the resurrection of Christ, we can set our hope fully in this life on that coming Day. So Peter tells this congregation to think rightly about their life in light of that day. Meditate on the word as you talk to the Holy Spirit and let your mind be renewed concerning this coming grace.
Pray and Love
[1Pe 4:7-9 ESV] 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Since the end of this age is coming, we need to be a people of prayer. This is Jesus’s most consistent encouragement when he taught Peter about His second coming. Watch and Pray! (Matt. 24:42; Mk. 13:33; Lk. 18:7-8; 21:36). As we remain in prayer, we continue to be a people that lay down our lives for one another. In big and small ways we show hospitality to one another. Peter goes on in this passage to encourage believers to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit in serving and ministering to everyone around them.
My encouragement to you is to continue to evaluate your life in light of where this is all going.
Lord empower us to walk in a manner worthy of Your death and resurrection and glorious return. Keep us from being lulled to sleep by our culture and cause us to set our hope fully on the inheritance that will be given at Your return. When our faith is tested, strengthen us and give us the mind of Christ concerning all that You have purchased for us.
Have a blessed week,
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://us02web.zoom.us/j/7709609677?omn=83428418208
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 – ON BREAK UNTIL JULY 6TH
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.