The Rock Weekly – October 16, 2024

  • SEE our on-going events at the bottom…including Tonight’s Prayer & Worship Service @ 7pm in the Chapel or Livestream.  Youth/BaseCamp @ 7pm in the Student auditorium.  And Children @ 6:45pm in the Children’s Wing.
  • One Week from SUNDAY (10/27) – Guest Speaker Joel Richardson will be joining us!  He is a New York Times bestselling author, film maker, and internationally recognized Bible teacher.
  • Foundations Class (NEW) – Wednesday nights at 6pm in the Prayer Room (behind the Sanctuary).

 

Who & What Are You Listening To?

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them (the sheep) eternal life…”  John 10:27-28

I propose that who and what we listen to will eventually guide the direction and the significance of our life.  We are all created in the image of God with purpose…significant purpose! God tells us in Psalm 139:13-18 how He created each of us, how wonderfully we are made, and how His precious thoughts over us outnumber the grains of sand!  But purpose doesn’t become significant until we listen to His voice and follow Him!  Jesus tells says “apart from Me, you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5)  On the flip side, Jesus later tells us that He makes known to us everything He learned from the Father and that He now appoints us to go and bear everlasting fruit. (Jn 15:15-16)  This fruit is our significance on earth! But remember that we (as branches) don’t produce our own fruit. We abide in the Vine (Jesus) and as we hear His voice, we respond…we follow Him…and then lasting fruit comes!

Knowing this, why do we so often listen to all the other “voices” to guide our lives when we have the ONE voice available to us that gives life to all things and clearly tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”?  Sadly, I believe it is because it is easier and takes less effort to listen to the louder voices than to quiet our soul and our mind in order to listen to the still, quiet voice.  Listening to His voice requires time and focus…time in prayer.  Time spent that the world would say is ‘foolishness’.   In Revelation 2 & 3, there are 7 letters written to the 7 churches.  At the end of every one of these letters there is one identical statement that is made… “He who has an ear, let him HEAR what the Spirit says to the churches.”  I can’t stress enough the importance of listening to His voice!

So I want to propose something more…that if we don’t listen to what Jesus is saying by His Spirit, then we may not be known by Jesus, and if we are not known by Jesus, we may not spend eternity with Him.  In John 10:27-28, Jesus states, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them (the sheep) eternal life and they shall never perish and no one can snatch them out of my hand.”  Jesus doesn’t just call everyone His sheep, but only those who listen to His voice and follow Him.  And it is ONLY to His sheep that He gives eternal life!  May we be those who listen to His voice, may we be His sheep.

My third and final proposal is this:  If we want to live an eternal life with Jesus, our TOP PRIORITY in our life on this earth should be to learn to hear His voice and then follow the voice!

This week, may I encourage you to pause all the busyness, emails, texts, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, television, etc. and LISTEN to the Good Shepherd…the one who gives life, wisdom, understanding, direction, and truth!  Take unhurried and undivided time out of your day to be with Jesus. Make it your TOP PRIORITY!  I also encourage you to read and meditate on John 10 and let this Scripture help renew your mind in Christ!

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve (listen) what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2

 

Lord, may we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, that we would know your amazing will for our lives and then walk in your ways!

May your love for Jesus be evident through your listening and following.

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/

 

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

 

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

 

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 – *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.