The Rock Weekly – July 31, 2024

  • Tonight – REGIONAL Prayer & Worship Night! @ 7pm in the Chapel or via Livestream.  
  • Tonight – Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room or via Zoom. 
  • Family Sunday with BREAKFAST – Join us this Sunday (8/4) for our free Breakfast in the Foyer at 9am followed by our Family service where we foster group discussions and discipleship. We look forward to growing together with you in Christ.
  • Our Monthly Prayer & Fasting – THIS Monday (8/5) – Wednesday (8/7). Join us for corporate prayer in the Chapel on 8/5 (9-11am) and on 8/7 (10-12pm & 7-8:30pm).

 

One Who Hears and Understands the Word Will Produce Lasting Fruit

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”  Matthew 13:23 ESV

This Sunday is our Family Service, with breakfast served at 9am, followed by a time where we worship, hear the Word, and spend some of the time gathered in groups encouraging one another in the faith!  This Sunday we will continue our focus on discipleship and the purity of our hearts as we read and work through Matthew 13:18-23 where Jesus explains the parable of the sower.

There are more than 40 parables that Jesus taught in the Gospels.  Of the 40+ parables, there are only seven found in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke). The parable of the sower is one of these seven and is also one of only three parables in the Bible that are actually explained by Jesus. In addition, Jesus, while speaking on the parable of the sower, said to the disciples, “Don’t you understand this parable?  How then will you understand any parable?” (Mark 4:13)  I must say that I am thankful Jesus didn’t just make that statement and then do a ‘mic drop’ and move on. But for all our sakes, He graciously went on to explain the parable.  Jesus also told His disciples that, “many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, but did not see it , and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Matt 13:17)  Based on all this, I would consider the parable of the sower to be one of the most important parables in the Bible! And that if we are to understand any of the other parables, we may want to start with understanding this one! 

I know we normally use this email to share insight and revelation we have received during our studies of the Word.  But this one is a little different.  We want to challenge you to take at least 10 minutes tomorrow through Saturday (that’s 30 minutes!) to study this parable in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matt 13:3-23; Mark 4:2-20; Luke 8:4-15) and ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our heart to see and understand this parable with greater revelation…in preparation for this Sunday. 🙂  I believe this parable of the sower is a key to Discipleship that the Lord will unlock in greater measure to us by His Spirit as we seek Him with all our hearts.  

Lord Jesus, By your grace, you chose us and appointed us with the anointing of your Spirit to go and bear fruit that will last as we abound in love to one another in the same way you loved us. (Jn 15:16-17)  We ask that you remove any stones from our heart and keep us from the temptations of worries, cares, deceitfulness of wealth, and pleasures of this world which are the worldly weeds that choke out your seed in our lives.  And would you pour the seed of your love into our hearts (Rom 5:5) that we may increase in fruit and abound in love toward one another (1 Thess 3:12).  May we bear fruit that will last eternally and yield a hundredfold on what you have given to us.  Amen!

Here is a QUESTION to consider as you study the Parable of the Sower:  “What are some practical and tangible things you are establishing in your life (such as prayer; godly mentors; discipleship; studying and responding in action to the Word) that are helping to prepare the soil of your heart to cultivate the seed of God’s Word in you to produce good fruit”?

 

I love you and am excited for this Sunday!
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.