The Rock Church

A Story of Forgiveness at Jericho House

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. — Psalm 147:3

One of the girls at Jericho House shared her story with our Honduras Mission Team, and it was one I won’t soon forget.

After losing her father to alcoholism, Carlita’s life became incredibly difficult. Her mother refused to work and sent Carlita and her siblings out to beg on the streets. That’s when Albia stepped in and brought them into Jericho House. Carlita was only six years old when she arrived. Seeing her now at sixteen and hearing her share what God has done in her life is incredible.

Posted in Missions 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

The Greatest Pardon Ever Offered

Every once in a while, history gives us a story so powerful that it almost sounds like someone made it up.

In 1830, a court sentenced a man named George Wilson to death for robbing the U.S. Mail and taking a man’s life. Before Wilson’s execution, however, President Andrew Jackson did something extraordinary. He signed a full presidential pardon.

Even so, George Wilson did the unthinkable.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

The Interest of Others

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

Our world doesn’t understand this. We like to believe that we intrinsically look out for others. However, more often than not, we look to our own interests only. God calls believers to stand out from the world and its selfishness. The church should certainly look different in this area. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Times of Refreshing

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” — Acts 3:19-20 (NIV)

Peter had just performed a miracle—healing a man who couldn’t walk. The crowd was obviously amazed. But Peter didn’t take the credit. Instead, he pointed people to Jesus. Additionally, he told them to repent and turn to God.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Bearing Fruit in Keeping with Repentance

As we start the new year, many of us reflect on the past and naturally make plans for the future. It’s for sure a season of resolutions and fresh starts. Reading in Matthew 3:8, John the Baptist gives us a piece of timeless wisdom that can always guide us. It guides us not just at the start of the year but every single day: “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad or saying sorry. It’s also about a life transformed by God’s grace.

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

Forgiveness Through Jesus – Illustrated Stories and Park Outreach

We started our day with breakfast, worship, and team time, during which Sarah taught us a conversational tool for sharing the gospel using a Bible story about Jesus. She asked us to fold a sheet of paper in fourths and told us the story from Luke 7:36-50, broken into four parts. Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner at his home, where a sinful woman entered, weeping and washing Jesus’ feet with her tears. Jesus challenges Simon to think about forgiveness in the story he tells Simon about the canceled debt of two men. Jesus says to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Finally, Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Posted in Missions by Brent Kendall

Forgiven By A Friend

“The servant girl at the door said to Peter, ‘You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’” — John 18:17

Imagine how disappointed in himself Peter must have been the second those words left his lips.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

You Are Free Indeed

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

I recently had the privilege of leading a young man to Christ at our citywide “Night of Hope” event. His countenance went from sad, hopeless (and discouraged) to joyful, smiling, and thankful! The transformation happened before my very eyes. He absolutely understood (and believed) that God loved him. Also, he knew Jesus had died for all his sins. God is so good.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Credited

“David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.’” — Romans 4:6-8

Grace is indeed a gift we could never earn. At the same time, our sin has given us an incredible debt before God. And no amount of good works could pay our debt. But the truth is that the Believer is given a credited righteousness straight from Jesus. The word “credited” (in the Bible) is a financial term for transferring a balance to our account — more specifically, a negative account.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton