The Rock Church

Tag Archive: passion

  1. A Life Worthy of the Calling

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    A Life Worthy of the Calling — a word by Pastor Tony D'Amico from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "live a life worthy of their calling. He emphasized that our actions should naturally reflect the divine calling we have received from God."

    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

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  2. Sin Magnet

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    “The flesh wars against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.” — Galatians 5:17

    Sin Magnet — a word by Pastor Bill Young from The Rock Church in Draper, UT. "your “wants” will change. The power of your flesh magnet will undoubtedly decrease as you pursue Him with a fiery passion.

    I recently watched a short video on demagnetizing powerful, permanent magnets. One technique heated the magnet to a very high temperature — as high as 1390 degrees! The heat caused the electrons to spin. Then, they realigned within the heart of the metal. As a result, the magnetism of the whole object decreased. Voila!

    Furthermore, did you know that our flesh is just like a sin magnet? Sin undeniably draws us. To put it another way, our eyes, hands, feet, thoughts, and words get us into trouble. I’ve counseled in heartbreaking situations with people. They were situations where people were specifically struggling (and losing) the battle with addictions of the flesh. Alcohol, drugs, and porn are very powerful sins. In such cases, people may need a reliable treatment center. The team at Carrara luxury rehab centers ensures that every client receives tailored support, leading to lasting recovery. Offering a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment, Carrara combines luxury with expert care.

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  3. 20/20 Vision

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    20/20 Vision – a word by Pastor Steele Croswhite from The Rock Church in Draper, Utah. "clarity, joy, and purpose that only He can bring. Pray to Him, offer away — you’re about to live a life of 20/20 vision."

    “O Lord, I give my life to you.” — Psalm 25:1

    This is undoubtedly the most profound prayer of my heart. It’s a simple little sentence found at the top of Psalm 25 — “O Lord, I give my life to you.”

    Christian, is there anyone (or anything) more wonderful, more powerful, more satisfying than Jesus to give our lives to?

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