The Rock Church

Be Ready by admin

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” — Matthew 25:13

We recently spoke at church about the inevitable return of Jesus Christ. We emphasized the importance of being ready for that day. Jesus certainly talked about His return many times in the gospels, especially in Matthew 24 and 25 (the Olivet Discourse). First, He shared signs of the end of the age. Then, He concluded with parables (to teach the importance of being ready).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: end times, Josh Whitney, prophecy, the rock church, Time

Transformed by admin

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” —  2 Corinthians 5:17

I recently gave a message called “The Transforming One.” In it, I talked about the importance of accurately understanding our identity in Christ. I can’t stress that enough. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (NKJV) Who I think I am, absolutely affects what I do. For this reason, there is power in understanding our God-given identity. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Bill Young, butterfly, Change, I am, identity, Identity in Christ, meaning, new, Purpose, sanctification, security, the one, the rock church, transformation, Victory, Victory over Darkness

The Word is a Spectacular Gift by Caleb Yetton

The Rock Pastors recently visited the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. (with 50 other leaders from the M28 Alliance). This massive museum was full of enlightening insights about the Word of God. It was a very encouraging couple of days; we saw the incredible impact the Bible has had on our world’s history.

During a museum tour, I heard something that impacted me. Throughout history, countless faithful Christians never held a Bible in their hands. Owning a Bible was not expected or viable for centuries (due to exorbitant cost, the churches’ guarded actions, or a genuine risk). Since the Reformation, the printing press, and tireless work by Bible translators (in the last couple hundred years), access to God’s Word has become commonplace. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton
Tags: bible, bible museum, Bible Study, caleb yetton, gratitude, history, pastors, privilege, the rock church, Washington DC

THE CHURCH Series by The Rock Church

The Wonder and Beauty of God’s People in the World

“I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18b

What makes the local Church unique, remarkable, and unlike anything else in the world? How does it impact people’s lives?

Posted in News, Series by The Rock Church
Tags: Church, local, local church, Series, sermon, Sermon Series, the church, the local church, the rock church, topical sermons, trc, Utah

Be Refreshed by God’s People by admin

Last week, the pastors and deacons of The Rock Church got away together. We went to Eden to spend some uninterrupted time together. For three days, we ate, sang, laughed, and prayed. We shared what the Lord was doing in our lives. There was even time for some brothers to golf and hike together. (It may not surprise you that I stayed back at the house to spend the afternoon with a cat who lived nearby.) 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Acts, brothers, bryan edwards, build, committed, deacons, devoted, eden, encouragement, fellowship, friendships, pastors, refreshed, relationships, retreat, sisters, small groups, the rock church, Time

Be Defined by Good Habits by Tony D'Amico

Author F.M. Alexander said, “People don’t define their futures, they decide their habits, and their habits decide their future.”

We all have habits. They range from the mundane (like brushing our teeth or what we listen to on our way to work) to practicing an instrument or creating art. Habits can be amoral, while others can be sinful. Whatever type it is, it will affect you (positively or negatively).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico
Tags: distraction, habit, identify, identity, patterns, plans, reading the word, repetition, Romans 12, sanctification, surfing, the bible, the rock church, tony damico

God’s Doing by admin

I’ve been reading a book called “A Body of Divinity.” It was written in 1692 by a Puritan named Thomas Watson (I love the Puritans). 

The chapter on the covenant of grace explains how much better it is to have that covenant than the previous covenant of works. He said something that I had to re-read a few times. Then I had to stop and think about it for a little while. I oftentimes have to do that because his excellent illustrations of truth and significant points about God’s Word challenge me. This particular point encouraged me so much that I wanted to share it with you.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: ambassador, angels, believer, billy johnson, bride groom, covenant, divinity, Grace, identity, initiation, marriage, puritans, relationship, the bride of Christ, the rock church

Seasons by admin

I certainly love the different seasons of the year in Utah. This year, we had record-breaking heat, and it seemed like the hot summer would never relent. Now we anticipate the fall leading into winter. They say, “A hot summer leads to a cold winter!” I like and dislike many things in every season. As a young man (with a bit of wanderlust), I tried to escape the cold winter by living in Arizona, California, and Florida. Those are all fine places, but I yearned for a more dramatic change of seasons, similar to my Midwest upbringing.

We moved our family to Utah in the spring of 1999. It wasn’t for the remarkable topography and weather; we wanted our lives to bear fruit. In retrospect, it was a sweet season for our young family of five. I honestly believe it was a pretty simple plan. We raised our faith-filled sails, and God (the Holy Spirit) billowed us along.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: advice, autumn, body of Christ, Christs body, end times, exhausted, fall, football, fruit, leaves, Mac, meditate, moving, Psalms, roles, Steve McInroy, the rock church

A Work in Progress by admin

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” — Philippians 1:6

Right now, there are no doors in the upstairs of my home. As a matter of fact, there is also no furniture, functioning bathroom, pantry, bedroom, or living room. We are walking on “ram board” floors, and wiping drywall dust off our clothes every few minutes. None of this is surprising since we’re blessed to be smack dab in the middle of some home renovations.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: broken, building, construction, cornerstone, demolition, displaced, faith, home remodel, Philippians, Steele Croswhite, suffering, the rock church, trials, trust, waiting

Soccer Cleats by admin

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith…” — Romans 12:4-6

These verses explain how the Church is made of different parts (people); they fulfill unique functions, like a human body. We do not have the same roles, but collectively, God uses us to do incredible things. I recently witnessed a powerful example of this.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: billy johnson, body of Christ, games, Gifts, Josh Whitney, kingdom, members, Romans, soccer, sports, Talents, team, the rock church