The Rock Church

Does Following Jesus Make You Stand Out?

“And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” — Acts 1:8 (NLT)

Being a witness isn’t always easy or comfortable. At times, standing out for Jesus might mean looking like the weirdo or the outcast. It can also feel like cultural suicide or even career suicide.

But you know what? We should look different from the world around us. In fact, we should stand out. Jesus certainly did. His followers did, too.

Sadly, I think this is one of the more dangerous things that has crept into Western Christianity at large. This desire to look just like the world. To not rock the boat or let others label us as extreme or different.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Being Renewed

“And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” — Colossians 3:10

There is something incredibly encouraging hidden in that little phrase, “being renewed.” God’s Word reassures you that God, not you, makes you new. Paul doesn’t say, “You just need to do better.” or “Try harder to become a better version of yourself.” The wonderful thing about this verse is that for all who belong to Christ, God is already doing something in you.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Where Are Your Eyes?

“Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” — Proverbs 17:24 (NLT)

Notice that Solomon doesn’t separate the wise from the foolish by intelligence in this verse. Instead, he points out that it’s connected to where they’re looking. The fool isn’t necessarily ignorant. He’s distracted. His eyes roam to the ends of the earth, always scanning for the next thing. A fool wants the far-off answer, the life he assumes is happening elsewhere. He always thinks the grass is greener somewhere else. The wise person, by contrast, doesn’t have to search to the ends of the earth. Why? Because wisdom isn’t far away. Moses told Israel that God’s word was “very near you” (Deuteronomy 30:14). The New Testament goes further: wisdom is not merely a principle but a Person. Christ Himself is “the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico

Authority

Good vs. Evil. God vs. Satan. Two equally powerful beings in an eternal struggle between darkness and light. Yin and yang. Nobody knows who will win or who will lose. But as long as they balance each other out, all is well with the universe, right? Wrong! We call this cosmic dualism. Sadly, many people (who call themselves “spiritual”) use this idea to make sense of the spiritual realm. 

The Bible tells us a different story. It tells us that God is the eternal, sovereign Creator. Furthermore, God created Satan as a rebellious angel who can act only within the limits God permits (Job 1–2). The Bible tells us that Christ defeated Satan through His death on the Cross and His Resurrection (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). Coupled with this, Satan’s final judgment is certain, not undecided (Revelation 20:10).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Yes, Lord!

I am so thankful that I said yes to Jesus. Best decision I ever made. And I love, love, love it when others say yes to Jesus as well. Just like the man in John 9.

“’Yes, Lord, I believe!’ The man said. And he worshipped Jesus.” — John 9:38

There seems to be absolutely no hesitation in his response. In fact, the yes is immediate, and the worship is instantaneous. It’s as if you can’t have one without the other. The created being, reacting to the Creator God. Together with entering into an intimate and loving relationship forever. Without a doubt, it really is the greatest love story that any of us has ever lived!

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

A New Song is Coming

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” — Psalm 40:1-3

There are definitely seasons when waiting patiently for the Lord sounds a lot easier than it actually is.

For the past three months, I have been in persistent back pain. Over the years, I’ve dealt with lower-back issues from degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and mild scoliosis. Probably from all the years of slinging my guitar around… or maybe just bad posture.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

The Power of God

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” — Ephesians 3:20

We take power and electricity for granted. That is to say, I do. I didn’t realize how dependent I am on the power till this past May. 

It was a typical Wednesday morning. And then suddenly, the power went off and on three times. Next, it was partially on, and eventually only certain rooms worked! I called Rocky Mountain Power, and a repairman showed up. He discovered that something had killed one of the two main lines to the house.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Freedom Isn’t Free

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then…” — Galatians 5:1

Over the years, I’ve for sure become something of a history nerd. (Some of you already knew that.) I’ve had the privilege of walking the corridors of Independence Hall in Philadelphia and standing on Lexington Green where someone fired the “shot heard round the world.” Along with that, I’ve traced Boston’s Freedom Trail and explored the fields of Gettysburg. Not once, but twice. Each visit reminded me of the same truth: freedom always comes at a cost.

No one accidentally becomes free.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Salt and Light

My oldest son and I recently attended DTC (our M28 Alliance conference for high schoolers) in Ft. Collins, Colorado. This year’s topic was evangelism – specifically, proclaiming the Gospel without shame. Thank you to all of you who helped raise funds for this conference during the Youth Group Bake Sale on Easter weekend!

Along with many hours of fellowship and fun, a number of tremendous pastors taught, and various M28 youth bands led worship. Some very helpful workshops equipped the teens with practical tools for evangelism. We also spent time going into the surrounding cities to practice engaging people in Gospel conversations and church invites. 

It was an encouraging few days to be around so many youth and their parents, talking about the Kingdom of God. And it was also refreshing getting our minds focused on the importance and beauty of the Gospel. It is indeed the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Pursuing Like Jesus

There have been many times in my life where I’ve been tempted to give up on someone.

I’m sure you’ve been there before, too.

You’ve watched someone make the same bad decisions over and over. Also, you’ve prayed for them and had hard conversations with them. As well as serving them over and over. And yet… nothing good seems to come from it. 

They keep jumping back into the same mistakes. Maybe they have started to avoid you. Perhaps they don’t respond anymore. Or they have flat out disappeared.  

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church