The Rock Weekly – May 3, 2023

  • Tonight – Prayer & Worship Night – 7pm in the Chapel. And Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room.
  • Tomorrow – National Day of Prayer – Castle Rock. From 12-1pm on the East Steps of 301 Wilcox (County Building)
  • This Sunday – FAMILY BREAKFAST at 9am.  And BAPTISMS during the Service. Email Family@therock.org.
  • This Monday – Discipleship Training Course with international trainer, Joe Stewart. Mondays at 7pm in the Chapel for the next 3 weeks. These are the last discipleship training classes until Fall. Don’t miss out!
  • May 7-28 – Isaiah 62 Fast – Join us for prayer at 7am Monday – Friday in the Chapel and over Zoom as we join with millions of believers asking the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus as the Messiah to the Jewish people. Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81706973753?pwd=bkhtRlNxL3E3SnZCTU1oSFNHcHJNQT09     OR   by Phone:   +17193594580,,81706973753#       Password: 1
  • Saturday, June 17th – Training on Home Defense Fundamentals and Concealed Carry will be offered for FREE by head of security, Mike Spray, at 12:30pm at The Rock. This course is part of a national training day to increase safety and protection for our children. Nationaltrainateacherday.com Must register by May 31st. REGISTER HERE 
  • June 7-10th  – City Quake Colorado, Early-bird pricing ENDS TONIGHT!  In partnership with churches across Colorado to see the gospel shared and the power of God revealed in our communities. City Quake Colorado Registration LINK

 

The FREEDOM Is Only In The SURRENDER

“For creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.”   Romans 8:19-21

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5:1

“For he who was a slave when he was called in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, likewise he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ.  You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”  1 Cor 7:22-23

There is a great dichotomy between what the world calls freedom and what the Word calls freedom.  When I googled the definition of freedom, this is what came up: “Freedom – the power or right to act, speak, and think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.”  Sadly – this is a very accurate definition of how the world defines freedom and it is what we are ‘taught’ by the world to strive for.  But in the end, if we find this freedom, it will lead to death. We cannot live for ourselves or the things of this world and at the same time follow Jesus. And if we try to live with one eye on Jesus and the other on this world, it will not end well. The Bible calls this ‘lukewarm’. (Read Revelation 3:16) This warning of being ‘lukewarm’ is found in a letter written to the church – to believers, not unbelievers!  1 John 2:15-17 tells us that the world offers us “a desire for physical pleasure, a craving for the things we see, and a pride (or a self-confidence) in our achievements and our possessions.” If we have these desires and this pride in our hearts, then this love of the world will keep us from God’s love being in us…from true freedom. But if we forsake these worldly things and we become a slave to God’s righteousness and His will, we will live in FREEDOM forevermore!

The original downfall of mankind from freedom into worldly slavery happened in Genesis 3:6, “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.”   Nothing has changed!  Satan is still using the same tricks to lure people into his slavery and into death. But Jesus came to purchase us from sin and set us free!  It was from a tree that sin conquered man, and it was on a tree that the Son of Man conquered sin!  Jesus says, “Yoke with me and learn from me”, which means come under His Lordship and under His rule and He will give us magnificent freedom and abundant life that the world can’t offer.  And He offers us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and lead us in the paths of righteousness! (Ps 23:3)  

Lord Jesus, Thank you for giving Your life for our freedom. And thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit so that we can walk free from sin and become slaves to Your righteousness.  Lord, Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Help us to fully die to our old selfish ways, to our pride, and to the desires of the world, so that our minds are renewed and our lives are transformed into being more and more like You Jesus!  Through Your Spirit, we ask that You reveal God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will and that You strengthen us to fully walk in Your ways that we may please You, walk in Your favor, grow in the knowledge of God, and bear much fruit!  (Rom 6:18, Matt 6:13, Rom 12:2, Col 1:10) 

I love you and am praying for you! You are the beloved of Christ and the apple of God’s eye!
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.