The Rock Church

Abraham’s Faith

When we read about Abraham’s faith in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews (Chapter 11), it’s incredibly inspiring to think of the belief he displayed. He left the land of his people and followed the Lord’s calling on his life; he went to the land that God would give to his descendants, the nation of Israel. Abraham believed God to do unbelievably miraculous things. Genesis 15:6 says that “[Abraham] believed the Lord and he counted it to him as righteousness.” 

I often wonder what I would have done if I had been in his shoes. It can be easy to read Hebrews 11 and forget what Abraham’s faith looked like in a real-life. In a practically lived-out sense. I can wrongly think that Abraham’s faith was a flawless, unattainable faith with no doubts in it. However, when I was reading through Genesis recently, I was struck by something in Abraham’s interaction with the Lord. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Royal Family

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” – 1 Peter 2:9-10

Praise Jesus, that He has brought us into His Royal family! But, Christian, do you ever feel like you don’t belong? Do you feel alone? Do you feel like you’re unworthy? The Bible says you DO belong because God has shown you mercy. Not because of what you have been or what you’ve done but because of what Jesus did for you. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

A Higher Calling for our Families

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’” — Deuteronomy 4:9-10

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

A Personal Savior

“And (Jesus) said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” — Mark 5:34

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

The Golden Calf

As I read through Exodus this year, I was struck by something new (in an otherwise very familiar story). I’ve heard and read about the events found in Exodus 32 many times in my life. It’s the story of Aaron making an idol of the golden calf for the Israelites to worship; this happened when Moses took too long returning from Mount Sinai. However, the Lord brought a new wrinkle of the story to me when I read it this time. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Boast in the Cross

“… when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” — 1 Corinthians 2:1-12

This week is Holy Week. It’s an extremely significant time. More than any other week of the year, we reflect on the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. The event we are remembering this week is the center of Christianity. It is the crux of our faith and hope of our salvation. It is what differentiates Christianity from all other world religions. The entire message of the Old Testament culminated on the Cross. The entire New Testament (and beyond) was fueled by the empty tomb. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Content with Daily Bread

“…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” — Proverbs 30:8b-9

Going through the book of Proverbs in our Get Wisdom series has been a real blessing to me. I was especially encouraged (and challenged) by our recent messages on money (Money Wise and Matter of Honor). If you missed those messages I invite you to watch them this week. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

The Lord Reigns

As another Christmas season winds down, we turn our attention to the fast approaching new year. This week of the year is filled with examining 2018 while looking ahead to and planning for 2019. It can be a time of hope-filled anticipation for all that the next 365 days will hold.

For some of you, the start of a new year doesn’t sound all that bright and exciting. For you, a new year means being reminded of what a grueling year you have just been through. Perhaps it means realizing you’ll have to slog through another tough year of medical trials, family issues, or financial uncertainty? Being in the midst of hardships is so daunting.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

The Stance of Grace

“The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” — Exodus 34:6-7a

During the past year, I’ve come to know that Grace is a lot like an amazing pair of socks (from a company called Stance). If you have ever worn Stance socks, you know what I am talking about! Can I hear a resounding, “AMEN!”?

For years, I had heard about this particular brand of socks. A few people told me they were the most comfortable socks they had ever owned. Not only that, but they had all sorts of cool designs. I had seen them here and there and even checked out their website; I never bought a pair. Well, everything changed last year.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Burdens to Bear

Last week, I was absolutely crushed to hear of a 30-year-old man who committed suicide in California. I know it is the extremely tragic and unfortunate truth that this sort of thing happens daily, but reading this particular story hit really close to home. This man was very close to my age, he was a husband, a father of three boys, and he was also a pastor at a church. The more I read about his story, the more my heart broke for him, his family, and his church. Thinking about the whole situation has brought to mind some thoughts I’d like to share.

The first thing I’d like to acknowledge is that this life is NOT easy. I don’t think we should sugar coat it. I’m not saying that it’s all bad, but it sure ain’t all simple. The daily pressures of just being a contributing member of society alone can be awfully heavy. Then, on top of those forces of life, we as Christians, have to pick up our cross daily and choose to follow Jesus (against the flow of culture around us). Again, I’m not saying it’s bad, in fact, I’m convinced this is best thing in the world. But, I think we are remiss if we try to brush it off as just a nice stroll in the park.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton