The Rock Church

Jesus People

I recently had a chance to close our Philippians series with a message entitled “Jesus People.”

As Paul closed this incredible letter, he left us with what seemed like a simple farewell. But it was so much more. It was a reminder of who we are and how we’re called to live.

First and foremost, we belong to Jesus. Before others define us by our careers, accomplishments, successes, or failures, they recognize us as people who belong to Him. We don’t earn our identity. On the contrary, God gives us our identity through His grace.

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Colossians Sermon Series

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.”  — Colossians 1:15-18

What does it mean for Jesus Christ to be truly preeminent in everything?

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Staying in the Lane

Recently, I was driving our Subaru Outback when I had a small (but memorable) reminder of how easy it is to drift.

Our Outback has a feature called Lane Keep Assist. It monitors the lane markings on the road, and when the vehicle begins to drift, it sounds an alarm. At the same time, it gently pulls the steering wheel back toward the center. On this particular trip, I lost concentration for just a moment. Before I realized what was happening, the alarm sounded, and the steering wheel corrected my direction. It jolted me to full alertness. Thankfully, I stayed safely on the road.

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Hope When Everything Is Stripped Away

When I tragically lost my father five years ago, I began a journey through grief that I never would have chosen for myself. And every now and again, I’ve tried to write down some of the things the Lord has patiently taught me along the way. This is the next entry in my journal through the valley of grief.

Grief has a way of stripping life down to what is real.

It can reveal that the things you once leaned on can’t hold you. Also, it often forces you to come face-to-face with things you’ve done everything possible to avoid. Sometimes, it leaves you wrestling with realities you cannot change, explain, or escape. You become desperate to find relief. There must be something to make the aching stop. And when you find yourself there, you ask,

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Guess What? I Love You!

I think it was about a year or so ago, I playfully asked my three-year-old granddaughter, “Guess what?” And she wholeheartedly said, “What?” Then I laid it on her, “I love you!” It was a fun grandpa moment.

Next, I added this part. “Guess what?” To which she excitedly responded, “What?” And I gleefully said, “Jesus loves you, too!” I didn’t realize at the time how endearing these little exchanges would become. However, I began to hear her play the “Guess What?“ game with others. First, I heard her asking her Dad. Then came her Mom and her little sister. On top of that came her cousins and even aunts and uncles. Who knows, maybe even the kids in the Toddlers’ Room at church? 

Life Is Hard

Like many of you, I have had my share of challenges. I can sometimes feel isolated and alone, even in a crowded room filled with people I love. Genesis reveals that humans would truly struggle. The Bible certainly shows us examples of this time and time again.

Fast forward to the present. Sometimes, we can feel like the main characters in a tragic play that has no ending. That alone is tragic! Over the years, I have heard of countless difficulties that people have faced. These stories made my life seem like a fairy tale. Some of you and your loved ones are in it right now. It’s undoubtedly excruciating, and maybe even blinding. You’re facing health issues, loss of loved ones, debt, difficult marriages, job challenges, and on and on. This also makes us vulnerable to the devil. He loves to kick us when we feel down. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us that the enemy is looking for someone to devour. I think he fiendishly attacks our minds. It makes us feel helpless and as if we cannot escape. I often talk with people who are struggling. Life is indeed hard.

Tell People You Love Them

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” — John 13:34 (NLT)

Tell people you love them — it’s such a simple gesture. I’ve noticed this in our church. I often hear people saying “I love you” to each other. It’s wonderful. And of course, we bless our family and friends when we share this sentiment.

When was the last time you told your spouse you loved them? Say it to them when you’re alone together. Also, say it in front of your kids all the time. Equally important, tell your kids you love them all the time. Even in the most frustrating of times, expressing this can diffuse conflict. It also helps grow you closer. I very rarely, if ever, heard my father tell me he loved me. There were so many lost opportunities. Don’t miss yours. Tell people you love them today.

Guess What? Jesus Loves You!

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Tell people Jesus loves them! Jesus told us this and then demonstrated His love fully on the Cross as He submitted Himself to die for us. People absolutely need to hear Jesus loves them over and over again. I know I do! Like a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. Or, better yet, it’s like a dive into a sparkling pool of water at just the right temperature. Perhaps it’s like Jesus throwing us a lifebuoy when we’re desperate for Him.

Sometimes, turning to my Bible and hearing from Jesus feels as if He is right there. Always holding me close while I weep, tremble, and doubt. He is with me. And that’s all I really need. Along with that, He has also promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Did you hear that? NEVER! (Deuteronomy 31:6) And NO ONE can snatch us from His hand! (John 10:28) Oh, please, Lord, tell me again. Because I really need to hear that right now. How about you?

“Guess what?” Jesus and I love you!

Mac

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Not Ashamed

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” — Romans 1:16

Lately, this verse has stirred something fresh in me. It has reminded me again just how beautiful and powerful the Gospel truly is.

Twenty-three years ago, Jesus completely turned my life around. He transformed it. It had absolutely revolved around me. Now it centers on Him. And in that surrender, I found something I had been missing all along—real, lasting joy. But it wasn’t in circumstances or achievements. It was in Christ… and in sharing Him with others.

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Look for the Living — Resurrection Sunday

I want to share a story with you that really helped me understand the joy of the Resurrection a little bit more. But before I do, let me share some verses from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 24.

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Waiting on the Sabbath — Holy Saturday

Marley was dead to begin with. 

That’s the first line of Charles Dickens’ story, “A Christmas Carol.” In 1843, Charles Dickens spent the entire first page of that book explaining just how dead Jacob Marley was. Then he ends his point with “There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.” 

Well, the same must be understood about Jesus’ death. It must be fully understood that Jesus Christ was emphatically dead. Jesus willingly endured the humiliation and the pain of the events leading up to the Crucifixion. He willingly endured the nails through His hands and His feet. He willingly breathed His last and gave up His life on the Cross. Jesus was dead. 

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Not the End — Good Friday

It was a long night that turned into a darker morning.

Jesus had already been awake for hours. Arrested in a garden. Betrayed by a friend.

They dragged from one trial to another while the city slowly woke up.

First, the religious leaders, then Pontius Pilate, finally, mocked by soldiers who treated the King of Heaven like a criminal. They struck Him and spit on Him. They pressed a crown of thorns into His head and wrapped Him in a robe to laugh at Him. “Hail, King of the Jews,” they said. But their sarcasm accidentally told the truth. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. Yet pressure from the crowd was louder than his conscience. And so the sentence was given: crucifixion.

Roman crucifixion was designed to be slow and humiliating. Jesus carried His cross through the streets to a hill called Golgotha. Nails were driven through His hands and feet. The cross was lifted. And there the Son of God hung between heaven and earth.

Yet, what’s astonishing is not just the suffering. It’s His words.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

The Reason He Came

In the middle of injustice, Jesus offered mercy. In the middle of pain, He offered grace.

For hours, darkness covered the land. Then Jesus cried out and breathed His last. The earth shook. The temple curtain tore in two. And a Roman centurion looked up at the cross and said, “Surely this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54)

That evening, a man named Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body and placed it in a tomb. A stone was rolled across the entrance.

It looked like the end.

But Good Friday is called good for a reason. Because what looked like defeat was actually redemption’s beginning. The Cross was not the failure of Jesus’ mission—it was the very reason He came. 

And in three days, the world would see that death never had the final word.

This was not the end.

Tony

Reflection Questions for Today

1. What part of the Good Friday story stands out to you the most, and why do you think it sticks with you?

2. How does Jesus’ response to suffering and injustice challenge the way we typically react to difficult situations?

3. If the Cross represents both sacrifice and new life, what might that look like in your everyday life right now?

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

Unimaginable Love — Maundy Thursday

Imagine knowing you had less than 24 hours to live. And you know that betrayal and suffering are coming. What would you say to the people you love most?

That’s the moment we step into today in Holy Week — Maundy Thursday. In John 13, Jesus and His disciples are gathered in the upper room, preparing for the Passover meal. The disciples didn’t know it yet, but this would be their final night with Jesus.

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