The Rock Weekly – July 29, 2026

  • TONIGHT – Foundations Class at 6pm in Rm 6 or Zoom 

 

Side-Stepping Obedience

Dear Rock Family,

The last two Sundays have been really special. I’ve been thinking about Marcus’ message from the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 5-7) regarding Jesus’ teachings of the daily practices, priorities, and endurance we are to live in as we await His return,  and Dana’s message about the precious and costly nature of friendship with Jesus. At the intersection of these two messages are themes of obedience and submission. 

The Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount teach us to be obedient to the customs and ways of Heaven rather than culture (or our own fleshly desires); to submit to God’s ways rather than the world’s. Friendship with Jesus—and moving through what R.T. Kendall called the “divine betrayal barrier,” when God’s plan feels painful or confusing—requires us to trust God’s goodness and plan even when it doesn’t make sense; It requires us to obey what God has actually said, even when obedience is costly or difficult. 

This Sunday I want to teach a message on obedience, and more specifically, to share what I’m learning about our sneaky inclination to side-step obedience through our carefully curated sacrifice. 

It’s not too dissimilar from what Jesus encountered with the religious elites of Israel as recorded in Matthew 15:3-8 NLT. 

Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 

Some of the Pharisees of that time found a religious workaround that allowed people to appear devoted to God while avoiding a command God had clearly given. And some two-thousand years later many of us find the same tendency in our own hearts. We hope we can dodge full-submission if we put together enough religious exercises.  

Father God, would you help us? You know us, you know every intention of our heart, you know every word before we speak it. Would you search us and expose every offensive way. Holy Spirit would you prepare us for this Sunday by making us soft and tender to your conviction, that we would be yielded to your ways. Grant us the gift of grace for humility and repentance so that we can obey you more. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Grace and peace,
Pastor Andrew and your Rock Staff



 

IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORSHIP & PRAYER SERVICE  7:00pm *Children’s Ministry available*
Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

FOUNDATIONS CLASS – 6:00pm Wednesdays through 9/23
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99757846764?pwd=Tm8zQ0JQWk1xeHFBcEU5anNFN1l4dz09

 

YOUTH ~ ABIDE YOUTH (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 PRE-SERVICE PRAYER & COMMUNION – 8:15am
In the Prayer Room (behind the Sanctuary). All are welcome.

 

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

 

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