The Rock Weekly – December 11, 2024

 

Worship With Our Lives

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others (koinonia), for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  Hebrews 13:15-16

I was so encouraged by the response of everyone last Sunday as we worshiped our hearts out together, singing to the Lord with songs, shouts, hands lifted, dancing (for the young & young-at-heart), taking communion with joy and thanksgiving, and having ‘Koinonia’ (fellowship in the Spirit) with one another for over an hour before getting into the Word.  I am confident of this, that these times of worship to the Lord are pleasing to Him and they prepare our hearts to receive His word – through teaching, correcting, rebuking, training in righteousness, and encouraging with great patience and careful instruction (2 Tim 3 & 4).  Worship to the Lord is like tilling up the soil of our hearts before the seed of His word is planted in our hearts and minds.  I want to encourage you to never miss corporate times of worship or discount them as less valuable.  These special times cultivate the soil of our heart so that the seed (God’s word) takes root and produces fruit.

And worship isn’t just a Sunday morning activity. According to God’s word, we are to offer our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God as our spiritual act of worship. (Rom 12:1)  And we are to give God a sacrifice of praise through Jesus and this is described as three things…1. The fruit of lips that confess His name.  2. It is doing good for others.  And it is 3. Having Koinonia together.  (Heb 13:15-16)  With these ‘sacrifices’ of praise, God is pleased.   It is interesting that the Greek word for sacrifice actually means, “an offering; an official sacrifice prescribed by God; hence an offering the Lord accepts because it is offered on His terms.”  

Jesus, I pray that our times together on Sunday morning would increase in corporate worship, shifting our full attention to the King of kings!   That said, may our worship not just be a Sunday morning activity, but may we live our daily lives in this manner by which we continually confess the name of Jesus to others, continually do good for others – responding with acts of kindness and love regardless of someone’s response to us, and continually having Koinonia together (on Sundays and throughout our weeks – through Family Discipleship Groups and other means)…that our lives would be a living sacrifice that is truly holy and pleasing, becoming an uninterrupted spiritual act of worship to you Lord!

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.”  Romans 12:1 NLT

I love you all and I am very excited for this Sunday as Pastor Dan Yeackley releases a word over The Rock.

Pastor Mike & 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.