In Titus 3:7, the Apostle Paul mentions two things that are so remarkable. In fact, when you read them, it feels almost too good to be true:
“So that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7
I want to consider two truths:
Truth #1: We are Justified.
Truth #2: We are Heirs.
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The Rock Church recently celebrated 25 years as a church here in Utah. Woo-hoo!!! I’ve reflected on the celebration events and all that people shared. I can’t help but think about how this church has impacted me over the last 18 years of my life.
A friend invited me to The Rock in 2005, the first church invite I ever received. By the following year, I knew I would pursue Jesus with my life. At the same time, my girlfriend’s life soon changed, too. We both became Believers. To add to that, we married in 2010, had two sweet children, and I became a pastor in 2014.
Over the years of doing life in this church, I have experienced nothing but goodness from the hands of my Lord. The Rock family has been an incredible blessing for me. As 1 John 3:1 reminds us:
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
Now, this certainly doesn’t mean every day has been a walk in the park. On the contrary, I have experienced many difficult things. Doors have closed on some of our church plants. Many friends walked away from the faith after I spent years with them. Later on, I witnessed my father become a follower of Jesus. However, the Lord called him Home shortly after.
Through all of the highs and the lows, one thing has always remained the same:
God’s constant provision, comfort, and love for me is through His Son and the local Church.
You (my Rock family) have been one of the most significant ways the Lord has drawn close to me. You’ve comforted and loved me through the good and bad times.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.” Romans 12:15-16
Many of you have celebrated with me in the highs of my life. Along with that, several of you have sat with me in the caves of depression during the lows. All of those moments are reminders of God’s care for me.
Over the last 18 years of pursuing Jesus, this family called The Rock Church, has sweetly blessed my life. In retrospect, I can only sit back and praise God for His kindness and mercy to me. Equally important, I thank Him for bringing me into this family that has loved me like Jesus — at my best and worst.
Can I ask you, how has The Rock Church impacted your life? I’d love to hear from you.
Cheers to you, and cheers to the next 25 years!
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
As a pastor, I am for sure not immune to feeling overwhelmed by difficulties. Also, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, life can sometimes make me feel like I’m drowning.
Perhaps the disciples felt this way. In fact, in the gospels of John, Mark, and Matthew, we are told how these fishers of men were overwhelmed with fear at the sight of their teacher walking on water through a storm. As a result, it says they were “terrified” because they thought they saw a ghost!
Isn’t it good to know we are not the only ones who experience fear and anxiety?
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(In previous posts I have shared my journey through grief and the many ways the Lord has walked with me. This is my latest entry in that collection. These posts have been helpful for me to write and look back on. When intense waves of sadness come, I read them. In the same way, I hope that in your times of sorrow, they can help you as well.)
Over the last year, I’ve read a book series I’ve fallen in love with. But recently, I’ve had to take a break from it. You see, as much as I love the story, I am equally dreading what will happen next. Without giving away any spoilers, I will just say this….the story is not ending how I want it to.
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Every day, I read from Milton Vincent’s book, “A Gospel Primer.” It has a 31-part section that fits nicely into my daily devotional routine. This phrase always catches me each time I read it (on the 14th of the month). He refers to a “grief-stained joy.” That idea resonates with me deeply when contemplating life. Especially today, as I write this, about ten steps away from my wife Jeanne’s hospital bed — it’s awkwardly positioned in our bedroom. This verse specifically comes to mind as I search for solace.
“If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.” — Psalm 119:92
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Yesterday (October 23) marked three years since my father passed away. In previous posts, I have shared some of the things the Lord has guided me through so far on this path of grief. With that in mind, today will be the latest entry into that diary.
But first, a story. As children, my brother and I would oftentimes get our dad a t-shirt for his birthday. We’d get ones with his favorite rock bands on them. I always wanted to wear them to school, but they were obviously too big for me. However, as I got older, I began to grow into the shirts that once drowned me as a child. Today, I still have most of my dad’s shirts. You’ve probably seen me wear many of them often.
These memories have me reflecting on this thought:
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“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.
(more…)Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico
Selah is a Hebrew word of unknown meaning — you’ll see it at the end of verses in the Psalms. While perhaps a musical direction, it’s traditionally interpreted as a blessing meaning “forever”. Whenever I encounter the word Selah in the Bible, I can’t help but think it has been carefully (and intentionally) placed there to catch my eye. Like the conductor of a great symphony, the Lord looks at me intently. He directs my very soul with His baton.
“Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men!” Selah — Psalm 9:20
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As a church, we have been studying the robust book of Hebrews. If you’ve listened to any of the sermons, you will have noticed that Hebrews comes with a ton of encouragement. But at the same time, it also has many warnings. Consider Hebrews 3:12:
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”
Over the years, I have found that this “turning away from God” isn’t always sudden. In my experience of following Jesus (for the better part of my life) I have found that it certainly CAN BE sudden. It can be something devastating to our life of faith, like adultery or addiction.
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Without a doubt, I am convinced that Jesus holds me. This truth permeates the Bible (from Genesis to Revelation). Here’s a snippet of verses:
I love, love, love these verses!
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