The Rock Weekly – January 17, 2024

  • Tonight – Prayer & Worship – 7pm in the Chapel.  Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room.
  • Converge Conference 2024 – Save the date, March 7-9 with special guest John Bevere.

Raised with Christ, Seeking Christ, Hidden in Christ

[1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1–4 (ESV)

In this season of fasting, where we are focusing on Jesus, the Lord has brought me back to the book of Colossians and the exhortation that we find in Colossians 3. I hope this meditation encourages and strengthens you as it has me for the last couple of days. 

Firstly, this passage tells us that we have died (vs 3) with and been raised with (vs 1) Christ. What a magnificent reality! This is a continuation of thought from Colossians 2:9-15, where we see that we are united with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection. In Ephesians 2:6, this is even further developed to let us know we are “seated” with Christ in heavenly places. This means we can look sin in the face and pronounce, “I am dead to you and I live for God.”! (Rom. 6:11). This means that God has changed the status of our relationship with Him and made us sons and daughters who are “new creations” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). We have been called to walk in the authority of our King and be His “image” on the earth (Col. 3:10, Rom. 8:29, 2 Cor. 3:18), so that others can encounter Jesus and join the family of God. 

Secondly, because of the aforementioned realities, we are to “seek” and “set” our minds on things that are above. Seeking describes a place of desire and pursuit. It is not passive, but it actually changes what we give our time and energies to and people around us observe a lifestyle that is seeking the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33). But these observable actions come from an overflow of what we are “setting” are minds and hearts on. We only “seek” things above if we “think and pray” about things above. We must see everything in His light and against the backdrop of eternity. We see things not as they appear to men, but as the Holy Spirit reveals them through the Word of God and prayer, and then we pursue those things with our whole heart. 

Lastly, we are given the hope that our life is hidden with Jesus, and when He is revealed at His second coming, our true life will also be revealed with Him in glory! This reality grips my heart with so much awe and wonder! John says it like this, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared: but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself as He is pure.” (1John 3:2-3). Jesus will return in the full glory of His Father (Matt. 16:27), and will wrap us up in that same glory in our resurrected bodies (1Cor. 15:43), and all of our “seeking” the things that are above because we have “set” our minds on things that are above will be rewarded in the Messianic Kingdom! (Rev. 11:18)

Holy Spirit, help us to know what Jesus has purchased for us, so that we will pursue these heavenly realities with all our mind and strength. Let us walk with a spirit of revelation and let all we do be in light of the backdrop of eternity. We want to be those who are dead to sin, alive to God, and revealing Him to others. Amen.

 

Love,
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.