The Rock Church

Election or Selection? by The Rock Church

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” — Romans 13:1

The election season is undoubtedly upon us. And it’s evident that the outcome of the election will be challenging to many. Some will be surprised as well as disappointed. At the same time, many will be angry. On the other hand, many of your fellow Americans will be elated and overjoyed.

As one of your pastors, I want to remind you of something. Above all, no matter what side of the aisle you choose to be on, our all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God is in control. No matter who you vote for (and you should vote), only God’s selection is the one that counts. Biblically, we ultimately believe that God is the one who “removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:20-21). For this reason, our trust needs to be in Him, not in any political leader.

The Bible clearly states that all authority is established by God (Romans 13:1). Knowing this gives me much peace and confidence for the days ahead. I can surely rest in the loving and strong hands of my Savior. The Lord knows what He is doing. Therefore, I can obey and submit to the many authorities set up by our one true King.

Don’t Worry…Pray

We really shouldn’t worry, get angry, or freak out. Instead, God commands us to pray for our leaders. Pray for all those in authority. It says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Pray and don’t fret. To put it simply, this should be our proper response, no matter what the outcome of the elections is.

I have prayed pretty consistently for our political leaders over the years. Not because I agree with their policies or their ideological leanings. On the contrary, it’s sometimes quite the opposite. I pray for them because I fear God, and He commands me to pray. When I do, it’s because I trust in God, not our government.

As you contemplate the future of your life and our country, let me specifically encourage you to apply faith. And as you negotiate your emotional reaction to the upcoming election results, let me encourage you to apply faith. You can do that by trusting in our all-powerful God. He alone sets up kings. Do not fear. Instead, pray for the newly God-appointed leadership of our country.

Hopeful and praying,

Bill

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: 2024 Election, aisle, Bill, Bill Young, Confidence, Daniel, election, Eloection, end times, faith, fear, freedom, Future, God, Hope, king, leaders, patriotism, Peace, policies, politics, pray, president, Romans, safety, the rock church, trust, vote

Honduras 2024 by Brent Kendall

This year’s Honduras 2024 mission theme verse is Philippians 2:13

“For it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.”

We are praying that as we go, God will be working in us to give us the desire and strength to carry out His will.  Here is the week in numbers:

Posted in Missions by Brent Kendall
Tags: honduras, missions, the rock church

A Life Worthy of the Calling by Tony D'Amico

In Ephesians 4, Paul called Believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling. Even now, he reminds us how vital unity and spiritual growth are within the Church.

If we remember, the Church in Ephesus was mainly Gentiles. They were just beginning their Christian lives. Gentiles and Jews had always been very different. Now, they were to be one with them. These verses also guide us today as we live in community. They urge us to live in humility, gentleness, patience, and love — regardless of our differences.

Let’s dive into the first three verses and see how to apply their principles.

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” — Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)

Paul’s description of himself as a “prisoner for serving the Lord” underscores his commitment and dedication to his faith. While imprisoned in Rome, he wanted us to understand, even more importantly, that he was a prisoner for serving the Lord.

He desperately wanted the Believers to live a life worthy of their calling. He emphasized that our actions should naturally reflect the divine calling we have received from God. In fact, this verse is significant as it reminds us to align our daily lives with our spiritual identity. Consequently, we should embody virtues such as humility, patience, and love.

Living in a manner worthy of our calling honors God and strengthens the Church’s unity and growth. Additionally, it fosters a community that mirrors Christ’s love and teachings. Ask yourself, are you imprisoned to the Lord? Is it perhaps other passions?

Look Within

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” — Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

Next, Paul tells us always to be humble, gentle, and patient with each other. Along with that, we should make allowances for one another’s faults because of our love. This verse emphasizes the importance of treating each other with kindness and understanding. Coupled with that, we must recognize that none of us are perfect.

Think about your own life; how often do you see the faults in others but forget to look inward and see faults of your own? This is a great exercise as you look at other’s faults. Instead, reflect on your own. Without a doubt, it will change your perspective.

“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” — Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)

Lastly, at least for this blog, Paul urged the Ephesians to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. That, despite their differences, they were to be united as one body in Christ. Equally important, they shared one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. And above all, one God and Father of all.

His Purpose For Us

By no means is this unity about being identical. Instead, it’s about embracing the diversity of gifts and roles within the Church. Again, this had to have been mind-blowing for those Gentiles. People had told them their whole lives that they were unworthy of God’s love. Now, they were to live in peace with the Jews. That peace could only happen because they had the Holy Spirit in them. How about you? Are you living in peace with others?

God calls us to a life of purpose. It’s His for us, no matter how difficult it may seem at first. Paul wanted us to know it. What’s keeping you from living for the purpose God has for you?

Learning to live out a life worthy of my calling,

Tony

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico
Tags: Apostles, calling, career, Change, christ, christian, directions, disciple, Ephesians, Following Christ, freedom, gentleness, God, Grace, growth, guidelines, how a Christian should live, humility, instructions, mirror, passion, Patience, Paul, perfection, perspective, principles, prisoner, Purpose, slave, slavery, teaching, the rock church, Tony, tony damico, unity, what is my purpose?

Life Is But A Breath by The Rock Church

As you’re probably aware, on July 13, there was an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The bullets fired in this senseless act of violence killed a man; he was shielding his family from harm. They also critically injured two other men while grazing Trump’s ear. The bullet that hit Trump would have been lethal if he hadn’t turned his head immediately before the bullet passed by. Shortly after I heard the news, I started thinking. I thought about the possible retaliation against other political figures and even the divisions that could arise in the Church. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: asassination, Billy, billy johnson, breath, death, divided, division, election, eternity, God's Kingdom, gospel, king jesus, kingdom, life, politics, prepared, president, ready to die, salvation, shooting, the rock church, Trump, Trump 2024

Will You Be My Neighbor? by The Rock Church

When asked what the greatest (or most important) commandment was, Jesus said it was to love God and love your neighbor. 

“Jesus answered … ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’” — Mark 12:29a – 31

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: Change, Christ's love, clothed, commandment, Corinthians, fragrance, golden rule, imitating GOd, important, impossible, jesus, love, love your neighbor, loving, Mac, Mark, neighbor, new in Christ, new life, perfume, priority, sacrifice, sanctification, serving, Steve McInroy, summer, the rock church, truth, Witness

A Sliver of Heaven by The Rock Church

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” — John 15:12

As I write this, I am in a hotel room with my wife and three amazing kids. It has become a summer tradition for my family (along with our extended family) to journey to Lake Powell for our annual “Croswhites Do Lake Powell” family reunion.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: affection, body of Christ, brother, connection, Croswhite, delight, depression, Eternal, eternity, Family, Father, freindship, Future, glimspe, glory, Heaven, Hope, John, John 15, joy, lake powell, lonely, lost, love, love one another, Mother, need, reunion, safety, sister, songs, steel, Steele Croswhite, the rock church, Time, unending

Titus — Truth That Leads to Godliness by The Rock Church

New Sermon Series at The Rock Church

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸ The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” – Titus 3:4-8

Posted in News, Series by The Rock Church
Tags: act, apostle paul, Church, epistle, expositional preaching, God, godliness, godly, godly lives, jesus, letter of titus, live, local church, Paul, preaching, Series, sermon, Sermon Series, the rock, the rock church, titus, trc, truth, watching world

The Rule of Rehoboam by The Rock Church

“When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. … 5 Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD, ‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’” — 2 Chronicles 12:1,5

I recently read this story in 2 Chronicles 12:1-8. I encourage you to read the whole passage. In light of our King Jesus series, I thought there were some timely lessons from the rule of Rehoboam.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: abandoned, america, Chronicles, consequences, danger, discipline, fool, foolish, God's Law, hard-hearted, humble, Jerusalem, Judah, kings, law, leadership, LORD, nation, Rehoboam, repent, shemaiah, shishak, sin, solomon, stubborn, the rock church, unfaithful, vote

Mission to the City — Sign-ups are Open by Brent Kendall

The Rock Church has been serving Utah for over 25 years and we are so excited for this year’s Mission To The City (MTTC) July 27 to Aug 4. It promises to be our biggest one ever! There are serving opportunities for everyone (families included). Please encourage your friends and family (and YOU) to sign-up now ( www.trc.life/mttc ).

Additionally, this year’s MTTC will culminate in an epic, three-day/weekend celebration of The Rock Church’s 25-Year Anniversary of being in Utah. You won’t want to miss any part of this incredible week of serving and celebrating. Please contact Nate Beldock with questions (flyguy820@cox.net).

Posted in Uncategorized by Brent Kendall

If You Can’t Be Kind, Be Quiet by The Rock Church

I recently taught at church about how to treat fellow believers when we disagree politically. Christians who differ on such issues should always do so with a spirit of kindness, graciousness, and understanding. Indeed, this spirit honors King Jesus.

I know a little bit about conflict. Like everyone else, I’ve had my fair share of personal skirmishes with my wife, kids, family, co-workers, teammates, etc.  Additionally, for the past 33 years, I have been called in to help hundreds of other people resolve their broken relationships. In fact, just this past week, I had the opportunity to help resolve a dispute between two dear friends. Fortunately, humility carried the day, and all was well.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: agree, anger, Bill, Bill Young, bitterness, campaign, conflict, conflict resolution, conservative, culture, debate, democrat, diagree, disagree, dispute, election, fights, gracious, humble, humility, issues, kind, king jesus, liberal, mean, political, politics, post, president, quiet, redeem, redemption, relationships, republican, Resolution, social media, the rock church, trolls, USA