The Rock Weekly – April 22, 2026

  • Live Prayer With Israel w/ Worship – This Saturday (4/25) 9-10:30am – Lighthouse Prayer Room
  • 10-40 Window Prayer Meeting W/ Worship. Every Tuesday 5:30pm – Lighthouse Prayer Room

Go to www.therock.org/events for more information and other events

 

The War for Our Attention

“And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’” (Luke 9:35, NKJV)

“…Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word… But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part…” (Luke 10:39, 42, NKJV)

Hello Rock Family,

Last week was such a gift to worship together with childlike hearts and to receive a powerful glimpse of the Lamb-like heart of Jesus through Leif Hetland’s preaching and ministry.

This week, we will be stepping into a conversation that is both deeply practical and profoundly spiritual.

We are living in a time marked by many battles, seen and unseen. There are cultural tensions, personal pressures, and challenges within and outside the Church. Yet beneath all of these, a quieter war is being waged every day.

It is the war for our attention.

This war is seen powerfully in Luke 9–10. Jesus was forming His disciples in the midst of real ministry, real need, and real urgency. Crowds were pressing in, the needs were constant, and opposition was tangible. Their attention was pulled in many directions.

After Peter confessed that Jesus was the promised Christ (Luke 9:20), from that time, Jesus began to speak more directly and frequently about His coming suffering and death in Jerusalem (Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22, 44, 51).

This was a difficult message for the disciples to receive. It did not fit their expectations of the Messiah. And so, their attention drifted elsewhere.

They focused on why they could not cast out a demon, who would be the greatest, and even tried to stop others from ministering in Jesus’ name (Matthew 17:21; Luke 9:46, 49).

Jesus was bringing His suffering into the foreground.

They preferred to keep it in the background.

And yet, in the midst of this tension, Jesus highlights something surprisingly simple:

One thing is necessary, hearing Him. 

What does that mean?

To sit at His feet. To hear His word. To give Him our attention.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, even the Father speaks, emphasizing this same reality:

“Hear Him.”

Maybe we are more like the disciples than we realize.

They struggled to listen to Jesus’ words about the suffering He would face and what it meant for their lives. In a similar way, we often find it difficult to give our attention to what Jesus says about His return and how we are to live now in light of the coming Day.

This Sunday, we will explore what it looks like to engage the war for our attention by choosing the one thing that is needed.

Before then, take a few moments this week to read Luke 9:18–10:42 and consider:

  • What is currently capturing my attention?
  • Are there things I am keeping in the background that Jesus wants to bring into the foreground?
  • What might it look like for me, in a practical way, to “hear Him” in this season?

Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the necessity of giving You and Your story my attention. Give me a hearing and understanding heart concerning Your suffering, Your mission, and Your return. Show me areas where I can redirect my attention to Your word in this season. Strengthen my resolve to choose the good portion, to sit at Your feet, and to align my life with Your story.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt 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
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 MORNING PRE-SERVICE PRAYER  8:15-9:15am –
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.