The Rock Church

Author Archives: admin

  1. Radio Silence

    Leave a Comment
    Radio Silence – a word by Pastor Josh Whitney from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "It has been 10 months of radio silence. As a result, a few things have happened. I sing more, I pray more, and I have more time to think."

    “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” — Hebrews 2:1

    What’s the opposite of paying attention? It’s being distracted. It’s not listening carefully. When I’m working on an important project, I turn off distractions. I need to pay attention.

    Admittedly, we live in an age of distractions. They make it difficult to connect with the people in front of us and also the Lord! Because of that, I made a decision ten months ago, to stop listening to the radio.

    (more…)

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor by

  2. Come to the Table

    Leave a Comment
    Come to the Table – a word by Pastor Bill Young from The Rock Church in Draper, UT.  "You can then feast on His mercy, grace and forgiveness. Jesus is inviting you. However, you must come to the table."

    “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” —Revelation 3:20 (NIV84)

    Have you ever felt unworthy? I know have.

    A few years ago, while on vacation in Maine, my wife and I went to a Bean Supper at a little church. We’d seen the sign on their lawn advertising “Bean Supper. All are welcome!” How could we pass that up? We arrived early, but soon realized we weren’t really welcome at all. Folks (who obviously knew one another) occupied every seat. No one acknowledged our presence or greeted us. Indeed, no one seemed to care. As a result, we left without eating a single bean. (I probably had to eat lobster … again!)

    After that experience, we felt:

    • Unwelcomed and unwanted (awkward and out of place)
    • Unvalued and unaccepted (fell short of expectations or rules)
    • Unsatisfied (we were still hungry) 

    I know many people who feel unworthy after a bad church or religious encounter. Perhaps, that’s you?  

    Maybe you felt:

    • Unwelcomed and unwanted (awkward and out of place)
    • Unvalued and unaccepted (unable to meet expectations or rules)
    • Unsatisfied (still hungry for God) 

    If that’s you, I have good news for you. God has an invitation for you. He wants you to attend the most extravagant celebration ever imagined — the wedding feast of the Lamb. When you arrive, Jesus will eagerly meet, greet and seat you. Certainly, He will serve you as the guest of honor.

    “Will you accept His invitation? Will you repent of your sins, humble yourself and come to Jesus?” You can then feast on His mercy, grace and forgiveness. Jesus is inviting you. However, you must come to the table. (Click here to find out more).

    Looking forward to the feast,

    Bill

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor by

  3. Drought, Rain and Prayer

    Leave a Comment
    Drought, Rain and Prayer – a word by Pastor Josh Whitney from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "There is absolutely power in our prayers. Elijah was a man just like us. And God answered his prayers for less and then more rain."

    “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”James 5:16b-18

    Utah is experiencing a severe drought. In fact, 88% of our state is under extreme drought conditions. Due to this, back in June, Governor Cox said, “Because there is power in prayer, we are asking all of you and your congregations to join us in a weekend of prayer this coming weekend, June 4-6.” (On a side note, when I mentioned the governor’s prayer request to pastors in other states, they found it remarkable.) 

    (more…)

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor by

  4. 250 Years of Marriage

    Leave a Comment
    250 Years of Marriage – a word by Pastor Josh Whitney from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "there were five couples in the room who had been married over 50 years! Think about that. Five couples who had faithfully followed Jesus"

    “Keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us”— Philippians 3:17b

    A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to celebrate Krista’s (my wife) parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. There were siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, visitors, well-wishers and distant relations. Naturally, we had a blast! As we celebrated their anniversary, we talked about fond memories, laughed and honored what the Lord had done in their marriage.

    (more…)

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor by

  5. Waiting

    Leave a Comment
    Waiting – a word by Pastor Steve McInroy from The Rock Church in Draper UT. "Waiting for the Lord must be awfully important. I say this because it seems like almost everything in life is enveloped in waiting for Him."

    “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” — Psalm 27:14

    Waiting for the Lord must be awfully important. I say this because it seems like almost everything in life is enveloped in waiting for Him. Everyone waits. We wait not only for birth and death, but even on a daily basis, we wait. Think about it. Today you waited; tomorrow you will wait again. In other words, all of life’s ups and downs, all encouragements (and discouragements) happen, as we wait for the Lord. 

    (more…)

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor, Uncategorized by

  6. This is the Way

    Leave a Comment
    This is the Way – a word by Pastor Steele Croswhite from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "During these seasons, at the right time, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”"

    “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” — Psalm 9:10 (ESV)

    “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” — Isaiah 30:21 (NIV84)

    “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” — Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)

    (more…)

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor by

  7. God’s Great Mercy

    Leave a Comment
    God’s Great Mercy – a word by Pastor Josh Whitney from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "Above all, that has always been God’s instrument to save us — His great mercy! Truly, it is not about our righteousness."

    “O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.” — Daniel 9:18

    In Daniel’s wonderful prayer in Chapter 9, he prays based on God’s character and God’s interests. Daniel petitions God, not because of the Israelite’s righteousness, but because of God’s great mercy.

    (more…)

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor by

  8. God’s Truth

    Leave a Comment
    God's Truth – a word by Pastor Josh Whitney from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "Don’t settle for a soothing lie that may bring God’s judgment into your life. In other words, accepting God’s Truth, even if it is painful,"

    We need God’s truth.

    “We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.” — Daniel 9:6

    Last week, while shopping, I noticed the clerk wore a shirt that had “Love is Love” printed on it. I have seen that saying everywhere. If time had allowed, I might have respectfully asked, “What do you mean by love is love?” However, there was a long line of customers waiting to check out and it wasn’t the right time. I can guess, though, he would have said something about the “freedom to love who you want to love, including sexually.”

    (more…)

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor by

  9. Justice

    Leave a Comment
    Justice – a word by Pastor Billy Johnson from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "we have an eternal future to worship Him in resurrected bodies that aren’t burdened by sin, All because He loved us enough to demand justice."

    God does not turn a blind eye to injustice. To my shame, I can wrongly assume that if justice isn’t served immediately, justice won’t be served at all. As a result, I mistake God’s grace or patience as “looking the other way” when a sin is committed against Him or His creation. I am wrong. God does not “look the other way” when we sin or are sinned against. He doesn’t let anything slip through the cracks. Surely, there is no statute of limitations with God. 

    Next time you question His goodness (or His seemingly slow timing) remember this. God is our judge; we are not His. Indeed, it is sinful for us to judge Him. He is slow to anger, but this does not mean He will let sin and evil prevail.

    (more…)

    Posted in A Word from the Pastor by