The Rock Weekly – February 7, 2024

LOVE: The Ligament that Binds the Body Together

“From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament (joint), grows and builds itself up IN LOVE through the work of each individual part.”  Eph 4:16

 

Hello Rock Family,

I was so encouraged this past Sunday as we had family time in the ‘living room’ going through Romans 12:3-13 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and then hearing from many of you what the Holy Spirit revealed as the Scriptures were opened, read, and discussed in groups and then as the church together.

I encourage you to continue to saturate yourselves in these Scriptures every day this week and believe the Lord will give an increase in revelation of His will and ways for His body.  Our God has designed each of us as only one part that belongs to all the other parts (Rom 12:5) and has orchestrated for us to work together…even with the parts that are so different from us.  Imagine for a moment – if you had no context for the body and you were to look at a hand and then at an eye, you would likely think, these two have NO similarity and don’t need to work together.  But can you imagine your hands not working with your eyes?  That would be a scary sight at the dinner table. 😊 We often don’t realize how important our brothers and sisters are to us accomplishing what we were created for.  There is often a mindset in the Church that, “I can do it with Jesus.” Sadly, this is one of the main reasons why the Church has accomplished so little.  We often don’t grasp that God set things up so that ONLY TOGETHER can we accomplish what God has for us to do.   So if the enemy can lie to us and make us think we don’t need each other or create division between the church, it is going to be quite difficult to accomplish much…if anything at all.

This is where LOVE comes in!  Ephesians 4:16 highlights that in order to be ONE body in Christ, we MUST be joined and held together by supporting ligaments or joints built up IN LOVE and through the work of each part.  So LOVE is not a “part” of the body, but it is the critical LINK between the body parts that joins us together!  And this love is the love of Christ…the Agape love.  It is a love defined in 1 John 4:7-12. It is a love the world does not understand and cannot offer.  This love encompasses faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, selflessness, hope, joy, and peace – all aspects of the nature of Jesus Christ! 

 

“And over all these virtues, PUT ON LOVE which binds them (as supporting ligaments) all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14

Lord Jesus, help us by Your divine power to clothe ourselves with Your love as the binding agent for perfected unity of the body of Christ.  Teach us Your ways…to love one another without a trace of offense, unforgiveness, selfishness, jealousy, or anger.  Purify our hearts by the fire of Your Spirit so that we may live and walk in this love and that the body of Christ may be built up, strengthened, and held together by this bond of LOVE.  We know that this is your will and we commit to make every effort to be completely humble, gentle, and patient with others and to bear with each other in LOVE. Amen.

 

I love you all and am honored to be part of you and that you are part of me!

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/

 

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

 

EMBER – Young Adults (Ages 18-29) – Friday Nights at 6:30pm
https://www.therock.org/ember/
Meet in the Chapel for a time of worship, prayer, teaching, and connection.

 

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION – 1st & 3rd Saturday of the 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.