The Rock Church

The Death of Death — Easter 2023 by The Rock Church

Easter at The Rock Church

Of all our fears in this world, there is none greater than the fear of death. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, it is everyone’s deepest fear. But what if something happened that meant we no longer had to fear it? What if something (or Someone) ushered in the death of death?

Every Easter, Christians celebrate that when Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose again on the third day, He conquered the power of sin. Surely, the empty tomb is the proclamation that death is forever defeated. There is a power stronger than the grave — found in the life of Jesus Christ.

Posted in News, Series by The Rock Church
Tags: Church, death, Draper, Easter, Easter Series, Easter Service, Easter Week, God, jesus, Resurrection, spring, the death of death, the rock, the rock church, trc, Utah

Refreshing by admin

We’re wrapping up our “Delighting in God’s Word” series at church, and I get the privilege of preaching our last teaching. As I’ve read and reflected on the verses, one thing comes up repeatedly. The author has such a refreshing relationship with the Lord that it literally changes every aspect of his life. This is equally true for each of us and is unique to the Christian faith. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Bryan, Bryan D. Edwards, bryan edwards, commandments, delighting in Gods word, discipleship, fearing God, friends, life, refresh, relationship, renew, seeing, sight, spring, the fear of the Lord, the rock church, understanding

Shield of Faith by Tony D'Amico

“In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” — Ephesians 6:16

Paul used this metaphor to represent the Christian’s faith and belief in God. This shield unquestionably extinguishes all (not just some) of the flaming darts the evil one shoots at you.

Just as a physical shield protects a warrior in battle, so, too, the Shield of Faith protects us from the devil’s spiritual attacks. It’s a shield that deflects the lies, temptations, and fears, as well as the doubts that Satan throws at us. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico
Tags: comfort, Grace, hebrews, journey, love, Mens night, protection, satan, see, shield, shield of faith, sight, storm, surrender, the devil, the rock church, tony damico, trials, trust, weak

Doctrine? by admin

One of my best friends recently moved to a small town in South Dakota. He asked me if I could help him find a church there. After I did a quick Google search I was amazed to find 34 churches in this “small” town! I also visited some of their websites and read their statements of faith, values, leadership details, etc. In the end, I was able to categorize those 34 churches into three separate groups:

• Churches I wouldn’t even consider going to 
• Churches I’d visit because they’re historically biblical 
• “Proceed-with-caution” churches 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: bible, Billy, billy johnson, Church, church doctrine, church shopping, decisions, discernment, growth, mature, the rock church, trust

Let it Snow! by admin

I have a love/hate relationship with snow. The lovely song that Frank Sinatra made famous, “Let It Snow,” brings a certain whimsical set of emotions. Yes, the snow is beautiful! Yet, my back is aching, and driving is stressful. When pondering the statement “let it snow,” I can’t help but be reminded of the One (and only One) who controls the snow.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Christmas, control, disciples, drown, emotions, faith, Go, jesus, Mac, Matthew, out-of-control, snow, Steve McInroy, storm, the rock church, trial, uncertain, weather

Pathway to Joy by admin

“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” — Proverbs 11:2

“For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” -Timothy Keller

The dictionary defines pride as “a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in conduct, etc.”

Pride is thinking only of yourself all the time. It bolsters attitudes and thoughts like: you “can’t be wrong” or you “have to be the best.” Inversely, pride rears its head when you think you are “always wrong” and “not good at anything.” In either scenario, your eyes are only on yourself.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: blessing, C.S. Lewis, contentment, dignity, freedom, happy, honor, humble, humility, joy, meek, path, Philippians, pride, proud, proverbs, self, self love, self-loathing, selfishness, Steele Croswhite, the rock church, walk

Pocket Gopher and Proverbs by admin

Last fall, I had a pocket gopher problem. This pest somehow got into my backyard and started tunneling everywhere. It created dozens of mounds around my garden. Then it started moving toward my trees, which could kill them! So I declared war on the gopher. After watching various YouTube videos, I tried flooding, poison, and traps. Unfortunately, none of it worked; the gopher kept digging. Fortunately, the YouTube algorithm suggested a video for a particularly effective trap. I ordered it, and the gopher was dead within five minutes of setting it.

I thought of my gopher problem when I read these verses in my quiet time last week:

“Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.” — Proverbs 6:28-29

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: adultery, caution, consequences, danger, discipline, Flood, gopher, Josh Whitney, lukewarm, pest, proverbs, road signs, signs, sin, the rock church, warning, Wisdom

Red Sea Faith by admin

“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalms 37:3-4 NIV84)

I’ve recently been reading Exodus; I saw a great dichotomy — the balance between patiently waiting and taking action. Sometimes it’s hard to know which one to do. Moses and the Israelites were “pinned down” between the Egyptian army (bent on destroying them) and The Red Sea. They had nowhere to go.

So, the Hebrews did what I often do — they started whining and grumbling! We are told in Exodus 14:13-14 that, “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’”

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: action, be still, Bill Young, delight, Egypt, Exodus, faith, fear, grumbling, hebrews, Israelites, moses, move on, ocean, pasture, Psalms, red sea, Rock, stuck, the Lord will fight for you, the rock church, trials, trust, waiting

Mercy My Sin Never Saw Coming by Caleb Yetton

The Rock Music has released our new song, “Mercy.” It has been an honor to play a small part in writing and recording this song. Indeed, God has been so kind to our little local church in Draper, Utah (of all places) to allow us to put out so much original music. 

I’ve helped release several songs over the past 15 years. This one is unique. From the first time we led worship with this song (April 2022), it has been a particularly special song for our body to sing together.

First and foremost, we write and record music for Jesus to be exalted and, secondly, for our local body. We want the music to be a blessing to the saints who call The Rock Church their home. Anything beyond that is just icing on the cake. And, of course, more glory for God. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton
Tags: acceptance, Adam and Eve, broken, brokenhearted, caleb yetton, compassion, cords of religion, darkness, friend, gospel, light, lonely, lost, mercy, Music, need direction, new song, Savior, sin, suffering, tender, tender mercies, the rock church, The Rock Music, TRM

“Mercy” — TRM’s New Song is Available Now! by The Rock Church

The Rock Music is thrilled to announce that their new single “Mercy” is available now.

Longing and intimacy fill this passionate proclamation. As it highlights the tender mercies of God, this heartfelt anthem draws listeners into an experience of worship through music and melody.

Posted in News, The Rock Music by The Rock Church
Tags: apple, apple music, caleb yetton, Isaiah, kim croswhite, mercy, Music, praise, song, spotify, Steele Croswhite, streaming, The Rock Music, TRM, Worship