The Rock Weekly – November 8, 2023

  • Tonight – Prayer & Worship – 7pm in the Chapel.  Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room.
  • Water Baptisms this Sunday.  Email Family@therock.org. 
  • Need Turkeys and Help!…for our Community Thanksgiving Meal – Join us Thursday 11/23; carry-out, dine-in, or volunteer. More info here. Bring turkey donations this Sunday.
  • The Giving Tree will be set out in the Atrium this Sunday. Take a tag to bless someone, or let us know of a family that needs help this Christmas.   
  • Lighthouse Coffee (in Partnership with Lost Coffee): Now Hiring – We are partnering with Lost Coffee and opening up to the community Mon-Fri mornings from 7-9am and need help serving coffee and loving our customers. Contact Pastor Andrew (andrew@therock.org) for info.

 

Praying For The Middle East Conflict

Over the last month, the world’s attention has been drawn to the war between Israel and Hamas and many are feeling the need to respond and support one of these two sides. People are being influenced by their own perspectives of righteousness, others are being swayed by the media outlets they are listening to, while others are being fed ideology from their religious affiliations. If ever there was a time to seek the Lord and understand His promised plan for Israel and the Middle East, it is now! The amazing thing is that the Word of God is filled with His prophetic perspective that instructs us on how to be His ministers of reconciliation both to the Jew and the Gentile. As the Holy Spirit leads us to encounter the heart of Jesus, we are to lift up our voice in intercession and in bold witness of the Good News to others. It is through these words that Jesus will lift the blinding veil for the world to encounter Him as the soon returning King. 

 

Over the coming weeks and months, we will look more closely into what the Word says concerning God’s heart for Israel and the Middle East, but for now, I wanted to highlight one passage that the Lord has led me to intercede. I pray these 4 truths from Romans 11 will increase your faith as you contend for Jesus’s purposes in prayer.

 

  • Romans 11:25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
    • This verse tells us that the hearts of many Jews are hardened to the Gospel. The NKJV uses the word ‘blinded’ (2 Cor. 3:14). Either way, many Jewish people’s hearts are unmoved when Jesus is preached and the eyes of their hearts are darkened and they can’t see the glory that we see in Jesus. May we pray that their hearts are softened and their eyes are opened to His majesty. 
  • A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
    • This phrase, “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in”, is a prophecy concerning the end time outpouring of God’s spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:17-21). This is what we pray over Hamas, the Palestinian people, and the surrounding Arab nations. God wants to fill Gentile believers with the “fullness of God” (Eph. 3:19) and make them bold messengers for the Gospel. This fullness is not just the number of Gentiles that are to come into the kingdom, but also for the Gentile church to walk in the fullness of power, purpose and godly character. Pray for the believers in Gaza, the underground church of Iran, and the believers all over the Middle East to burn brightly for Jesus during this season. 
  • Romans 11:11 & 31 “So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous…[31] so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.”
    • Ask yourself this question: Am I following Jesus in such a way that some would look at my life and be jealous of my relationship with Jesus? This is the life in Jesus we are called to live, and God wants His chosen people to look at the Gentiles walking in the “New Covenant” (Jer. 31:31-34) blessings, filled with joy, led by the Spirit, experiencing supernatural power, love and peace, and be provoked to jealousy so as to receive Jesus as their Messiah. Pray for the church to really walk out Rom. 12:1-2! 
  • Romans 11:20-22  “…They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear (God). [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you. [22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.”
    • Pray for the church not to be ignorant toward the Jewish people, but to walk in the fear of the Lord. This ignorance is at the heart of some denominations that have embraced a theology that says the church has replaced Israel. Pray that the church would have eyes to see God‘s plan for His people, and that God would stretch out his hand of kindness towards Israel and they would run into the compassionate arms of Jesus. 

 

Lord, we ask that you would give us divine insight and revelation to uphold Your chosen people in prayer. Open Your word. Reveal Your truth. Cause us to walk humbly before you as we hold out the word of life to both Jew and Gentile. We trust Your leadership!

 

Love you all!
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/

 

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.