The Rock Church

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)

In Acts 3, Peter performed a miracle—he healed a man who couldn’t walk. The crowd was amazed. However, Peter didn’t bask in the attention. Instead, he used that moment to speak hard truth with bold love.

He told the people to repent and turn to God. Their sins would be wiped away. Times of refreshing would come from the Lord. That hard truth wasn’t just for the people in that crowd. He meant it for all of us. It doesn’t matter if you’re 16 or 60. Maybe you’ve followed Jesus for decades. Perhaps you just recently surrendered to Him. Peter’s message still applies to you today.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Breaking Walls

Admittedly, the news cycle loves walls—border walls, paywalls, and also social-media echo chambers. Two thousand years ago, Paul wrote about one of history’s most infamous walls: a five-foot stone balustrade in Herod’s temple. It warned Gentiles, “Enter and die.” In Ephesians (2:14-18), he stunned his readers with the headline: “Christ has destroyed the dividing wall of hostility.” In fact, the claim still shatters our walls today.

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

Beyond Imagination

In Titus 3:7, the Apostle Paul mentions two things that are so remarkable. In fact, when you read them, it feels almost too good to be true:

“So that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7

I want to consider two truths:

Truth #1: We are Justified.

Truth #2:  We are Heirs.

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

Free

Christian, we are free! Romans 8:1-2 states “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” We have tremendous freedom as believers. We must never let go of that truth!

Yet there is another truth that we must never let go of either! In 1 Corinthians 8:12 Paul writes “… when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.” These two parallel themes run throughout Scripture. We have tremendous freedom in Christ and a mature believer limits their freedom for the sake of others.
(more…)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin