Rocklane Christian Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Pastor Seth Amerine
This week we are looking at Jeremiah 15:16 and his statement "For I am called by your name, Oh Lord..." What does it mean to be called by the name of God? What does this say about our hearts, our identity, and our purpose? Survey the book of Jeremiah - why is he known as the "weeping prophet"? In the passage mentioned above how does Jeremiah's "eating" the Word of God relate to him being called by God's name?
We begin the new year with a study on the name of God. We will be looking at 5 intriguing and powerful scriptures that teach us regarding the name of God. We will begin with Jesus' lesson on prayer in Matthew 6:9 when He tells us to pray "Hallowed be your name". What does this mean? How is this already true? How do we make this happen in our own lives and the world around us?
This week, we are reflecting on the meaning and mystery of the Lord’s Table. Communion is one of the most familiar practices in the life of the Church, yet it points to a reality far greater than bread and cup alone.
Together, we’ll explore how this sacred meal shapes our faith, forms our identity, and invites us into deeper participation in the life of Christ.
As you prepare, read Luke 22:19–20, 1 Corinthians 11:23–24, and John 17:20–23, and consider what it means to come to the Table not just remembering the past, but being formed in the present and oriented toward the hope of what is to come.
This week we are looking at the famous story of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8 to help answer the question "Why is Christ's birth 'good news of great joy... for all the people'?" Read the story also consider the accounts and teaching in Acts 5:41-42, Luke 6:46-49, and 2 Corinthians 4:6-18 and what they have to say about resilient joy. Merry Christmas!
This Sunday we continue our study of the "good news of great joy that will be for all the people." that the angel in Luke 2:10-11 said the birth of Christ was. We will be looking at several passages in John as well as other books in the Bible that talk about the light that Jesus shines in our lives. Read John 1 and write down everything it says about Jesus and light. What does it mean that Jesus is the Light?
This week we start a new study where we will be considering the Angle's declaration in Luke 2:10 that Jesus' birth was "good news of great joy for all the people" and ask why? Why IS this birth some 2,000 years ago good news of great joy to us now? Each week we will find new answers in scripture to this question for Jesus' birth is "good news of great joy" for many reasons. This week we will find our answer in Matthew 1:23 - read the verse and consider the question. Also consider John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8, and Luke 2:7 - what do these all have in common? What do they tell you about Jesus and why He is a blessing to your life?
This week we conclude our year-long journey through the book of Revelation in chapters 21-22 and a look to Heaven. Read the text and jot down what it tells you about heaven, what questions it raises, and consider how verse 3 serves as a definition of heaven. As you read and write, prayerfully consider the question: how can we make it on earth as it is in heaven today?
As we enter the home stretch of Revelation, we will spend the next two weeks looking at Revelation's presentation of heaven and hell. This week will be Revelation 20:11-15 and what it shows us about hell. We find that Jesus was the one who spoke the most about this place in the Bible. Why? Because He loves us and wants to save us, because He loves us and wants to be with us forever. This week we consider Jesus' most repeated descriptors of hell, what they mean for the future and our present.
This week we continue our final study in Revelation with a look at two accounts of the second coming and judgement day in Revelation 19:11-21 & 20:1-10. Take some time and read the text and consider the description of Jesus in Revelation 19:11-16, the description of judgement in Revelation 19:17-21 & 20:7-10, and what Revelation 20:1-6 teaches us about our own death and resurrection.
This week we will be looking at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb in Revelation 19:6-10. It is a picture of a wonderful celebration. Consider what this means for us in the future. How are we to prepare for this ultimate celebration?
This week we begin our final study out of Revelation with a look to the end of the beginning. What is eternal life? When does it start? And what does Jesus mean for it to be like? Read Revelation 19:1-5 and notice that they are praising God for His judgement on the prostitute (Rome). What is justice? How is it different from vengeance? how does it relate to forgiveness? Why do we humans develop judicial systems?
This week we conclude our study "In Every Sacred Place" with a look at "Every Sacred Fellowship". If every Christian is a priest or saint, and every effort and moment is sacred - then every relationship we have is sacred as well. Consider Matthew 9:35-38 and why Jesus feels compassion for the people and what He does in response to this and what He asks His disciples and us to do in response as well.
This week we look at the story of Moses in Numbers 11 and Mordecai's advice to Esther in Esther 4:14 to teach us how to stay in the moment God calls us to. This week we look at how the only moment we are assured is the moment we are in and the devil works to distract us from the present moment with his lie that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. We miss our moments because we want to be in a different moment. This week we consider the spiritual practice of learning to stay.
This week we continue our study of the Biblical teaching that every part of the Christian's life is sacred. We will be looking at Colossians 3:17, 23-23 and what it teaches us about how to live our everyday lives and handle everyday efforts. Read the texts and consider what it means to do everything in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God, and working heartily. How would this type of living bring eternal meaning to our lives?
This week we begin a new study called "In Every Sacred Place" where we explore the truth of 1 Peter 2:9 - that every Christian is a priest of and to God. We like to elevate certain people to the role of minister and there is a place for teachers and pastors and elders but we must remember that all who follow Christ are all ministers of Christ. Read Colossians 3:17 and Ephesians 4:11-13 and consider your role in God's kingdom.
This week is family Sunday, and we can’t wait for our children to join in with us for worship! We will be studying Philippians 4:4-9 specifically discussing anxiety, peace, and how technology impacts us.
This week we conclude our current study out of Revelation on spiritual warfare with a look at Revelation 18. Read the text and consider what it tells you about the Babylonian culture. How do these things contribute to her downfall? Where do you see these characteristics in our culture today? In our own heart?
This week we look at Revelation 17 and the role sexual immorality plays in the devil's schemes and spiritual warfare. Read the text and notice how the prostitute leads the multitudes to sexual immorality and ultimate destruction. What is the warning here, and what is the solution?
This week we continue our study of Revelation, emphasizing spiritual warfare. Read Revelation 14:6-20. Why do you think the angel proclaims the Gospel when he does? What effect might this have been intended to have on the believers and the unbelievers? How would hearing the Gospel lead people to "Fear God and give Him glory"? What is the call to endurance in v. 12-13?
This week we continue our study out of Revelation that focuses on spiritual warfare. Read Revelation 13:11-14:5. What do these texts warn us about false religions and false teachers who claim to be Christ followers? Consider how the devil uses these things to draw people, even Christians away from Christ.
This week we look at Revelation 13:1-10 and the first beast which represents the anti-christian kingdoms and "powers that be" that rise and fall. Read the text and consider what it teaches us about our relationship with government. Look at Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. Consider the questions, "When is it ok to disobey the government?"
This week we start another series in Revelation that focuses on spiritual warfare and the battle the devil wages against Christ and against us. We are excited to have Dr. Shane Wood from Ozark Bible College here to kick this series off. Dr. Wood is well known for his biblical teaching on Revelation. He has written several books, most recently "Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation". Read Revelation 12 and consider the names given to the devil, the price he pays for losing the battle, and what he is going to spend the short time he has left doing.
This week we have a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with Tom and Suja Brane of Impact Africa. We've been supporting their work for the Lord in West Africa for many years. This Sunday we're going to hear how the Lord is working there as well as from some of our members who've recently spent time with them in Africa. This will be a great time to learn about their ministry and find out ways we can better support them.
This week we conclude our current study in Revelation with a look at the seven bowls of Revelation 15-16. Take some time to read the text and consider what the bowls mean. Why does the text break from the bowls in 16:5-7 and make the point that it makes? Same question for the aside in Revelation 16:15. How do the people react to the bowls over all? What warning for us to see in their reactions?
This week we are looking at Revelation 8:6-9:21 and the first 6 of the 7 trumpets. Read the text and notice the similarities between the trumpets and the plagues in Exodus. What seems to be the message of the trumpets, consider Revelation 9:20-21. What does the text teach us about suffering and evil that pervades our world today?
This week we continue our study of the 7 seals in Revelation 6-8. Take some time and read Revelation 7 and consider how it answers the final question at the end of chapter 6, "...who can stand?" How do these answers give you hope? How do they challenge you?
This week we begin a new series in Revelation that focuses on the question of evil and suffering in the world. Read Revelation 6, what do you think each seal may have represented to the original readers of this letter? What do they represent to us today? How would you answer the question at the end of v. 17?
This week we conclude our study of Jonah with a look on Jonah 4. Jonah fled God's presence, returned and embraced His presence. But in Jonah 4 we find out Jonah's reason for fleeing in the first place and find him resenting God's presence. Read the text and consider why Jonah fled in the first place, can you relate? What is God trying to say to Jonah with the plant and in verse 11? What is He trying to say to you?
Join us on Sunday as we discover the extent of God's graciousness, mercy and his loving kindness on full display in His reaction towards Jonah and the Ninevites.
This week we continue our study in Jonah with a look at Jonah's reconciliation with the Lord from the belly of the fish in Jonah 2. Read the text and consider what Jonah reflected on in his time in the dark, not knowing how things would turn out. What does it look like to embrace or return to God's presence when you have fallen away?
This week we start a new study in the book of Jonah. This will be a church wide study that our children and teens will be participating in as well. There are many resources for your individual, family, and group use on our website! Take some time this week to read Jonah 1. Why did Jonah try to flee from the presence of God? How do we do this today? What is your Nineveh (the place God is leading you that you don't want to go) and what is your Tarshish (the place you go to escape Him)?
This week we wrap up our series 'Into the Throne Room' while looking at Revelation chapter 5. John leaves us with a powerful vision of Jesus being revealed as the only one worthy to open the scroll that is held in God's hand. In this message, we will examine the reasons for Jesus' worthiness and how that shows us exactly why Jesus is worthy of our worship. Take a moment to read Revelation chapter 5 and see how the song of praise recorded by John should shape our worship of Christ.
This week we are looking at Revelation 4:8-11 and considering God's worthiness. Read the text and think about the meaning of the elders' acts of worship. According to their song, what is God worthy of?
This week we begin a new study in Revelation called "Into the Throne Room". Here John is led by Christ into heaven and given a "God's eye view" on what is happening in Heaven. John begins to use images and language that we can understand to try to help us see what he is seeing. Read Revelation 4:1-8 and consider what truth's John is trying to describe and how these things would have been meaningful to the original recipients of this letter.
This week we conclude our current study on the 7 letters with a look at Jesus message to the church in Laodicea. Take some time this weekend to read Revelation 3:14-22. Consider why Jesus considers this church to be lukewarm. What is it about wealth that makes us complacent? Why does Jesus make a point of saying He only reproves those He loves? And whose door is He knocking on in this text?
This week we return to Revelation with a look at Jesus' message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. Read the message and consider all the doors that Jesus claims to have opened for the Christians in Philadelphia. What are these doors and why or how do we become convinced or worried that they have been shut when Jesus claims to have opened them?
This week we are taking a break from our current study in Revelation as we celebrate the victory of Christ over death for all of us. Take some time to read 1 Peter 1:3-9. What kind of hope does the resurrection of Christ give us? How should it change our perspective on everything?
This week we look at Jesus' message to the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6 where Jesus boldly tries to wake up His followers in that ancient city. Read the text and consider why Jesus chooses to introduce Himself the way that He does. Consider why Jesus is saying they look alive but are actually dead. And evaluate the steps Jesus calls them to take to come back to life.
This week we are looking at Jesus' message to the church in Thyatira found in Revelation 2: 18-29. Take some time to read the letter as well as the story of Jezebel in 1 Kings 16:29. Consider how a caring, outwardly thriving church, could also be a corrupt church?
This week we are looking at Jesus' message to the church in Pergamum found in Revelation 2:12-17. Take some time to read the letter as well as the story of Balaam in Numbers 22-25; 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11. Consider what the difference is between good compromise and bad compromise. How can bad compromise draw us away from Christ? How do we see this happening today?
This week we are looking at Jesus' message to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11. Smyrna is suffering perhaps more than any of the other churches. Read through Jesus' message, what is He saying to those who are suffering? How would it have been encouraging?
This week we return to the book of Revelation. We will be examining the 7 specific messages that Jesus dictates to John for each of the 7 churches meant to receive this book. Read the message to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7, you may also read Paul's last address to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 as well as Paul's letter to the Ephesians in the New Testament. Consider the good things Jesus commends and why they are impressive and relevant to today. Consider the major problem Jesus has with them and consider how this may have happened to them. What steps does Jesus tell them to take to return?
This Sunday we conclude our church wide study focusing on Rocklane's three legged stool metaphor. We will be looking at the last leg that focuses on the fact that doing the Lord's work is an essential element to growing closer to the Lord. Take a look at Paul's final words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:35. Why do you think Paul chose these as his last words to them? Read Matthew 25:41-45 - what does this tell you about the Lord's work?
This week we look at another leg on the stool that holds up our seat that represents knowing God. To know God, trust His people. We are told in scripture that we are a body, a family- that we are meant to help each other along the journaling of eternal life - that is knowing God. Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and consider what it says about how we are meant to lean on and help each other.
This week we continue our study of what it takes to know God more and more. We are looking at the truth that to know God, you must know His Word. Take some time to read Deuteronomy 8:3 and consider the question "Why did God send the manna?"
This week we begin a series examining our mission statement: We exist to help people know God. Read Jesus' words in John 17:3 and God's words in Jeremiah 9:23-24 and consider how knowing God is eternal life. What does that mean? And what can you be doing to know Him more?
This week we conclude our study of Revelation 1 with a look at the aside John gives in Revelation 1:5b-6. He seems to break from his stream of thought to glorify Christ. Read over these passages, when was the last time you were so in awe of, grateful for, filled with wonder at Christ that you couldn't help but stop what you were doing, saying, thinking and glorify Him?
This week we continue our study of Revelation 1 with a look what it says about "us" in Revelation 1:6. Read the text - what does this passage tell us that Jesus has done for us and what should these things mean to us today?
This week we continue our examination of Revelation 1 with a look at the third member of the Trinity credited with sending this letter to the Churches in Asia - Jesus Christ. Read Revelation 1 with particular attention to verse 5 and 12-20. What do these tell you about Jesus? What would this have meant to the original recipients?
This week we continue our examination of Revelation 1, more specifically of who sent this letter with a look at whom Revelation 1:4 called "the Seven Spirits who are before His throne..." As we will see on Sunday, this is how Revelation often refers to The Holy Spirit. Read Revelation 1:4, 4:5, and 5:6 and consider the imagery used to describe the Holy Spirit. What does this tell us about the Holy Spirit? What would this have meant to the original readers and why would it have been important to their current situation?
This week we continue our study out of Revelation 1. As we strive to understand this book we need to spend some time focusing on who it is from. Read the text and pay attention to what role God the Father plays in its transmission to John and what is said twice about God - first by John and then by God Himself. Why would this repeated description be meaningful to the people who received this letter and why is it an important reminder to you and I? How might it affect our reading of Revelation?
We start out our year with a study on Revelation 1. This Sunday looking at the claim Revelation 1:3 makes that those who read this book aloud and those who hear it and keep it will be blessed. There are a lot of startling pictures in Revelation and things that can be hard for us to understand. But when we prayerfully and practically read through this book, we will find it to be powerful and encouraging and life giving! Read Revelation 1 with particular attention to verse 3. What are the 3 things one must do with this book to be blessed by it?
This week we will focus on John 10:22-23. As we bring this year to a close and look forward to
the next, what can this passage teach us? Read John 14:15-31 and consider the role the Holy
Spirit plays in your life.
This week we conclude our study in 2 Kings with a look at 2 Kings 22-23 and the last good king of Judah, King Josiah. Read 2 Kings 21:1-9 and take a look at what King Manasseh did to lead Israel away from God then read the text and consider the steps Josiah took to lead Israel to revival. How can we enact these in our own lives to bring revival in our hearts?
This week we will see Hezekiah's heart for the Lord being tested when the King of Assyria moves against Judah both militarily and in the court of public opinion. We should not think that as our hearts turn toward the Lord it will get easier. There are other things that will challenge our trust in the Lord for all of our days. Read 2 Kings 18:14-19:34 and consider how Hezekiah's trust in God is being challenged and the steps he takes in response.
This week we are looking at the most celebrated king in 2 Kings, King Hezekiah. Read 2 Kings 18:1-8 and identify the active things he did to honor God. Consider how these steps becoming habits would help to purify and correct our hearts. See also Matthew 5:8 and Jeremiah 17:5-10.
This week we continue our study of 2 Kings by again looking to text outside of 2 Kings. We are going to look at the great weakness of 5 out of the 7 good kings we find in 2 Kings. Read 2 Kings 12:3; 14:4; 15:4, 35; 17:29 - what do they all have in common? Then read 1 Kings 11:1-8. What do you think God is teaching you through these texts?
This week we start our final series of 2024! Can you believe it? We will be in 2 Kings studying various kings of Israel and Judah and how they either led their people to or away from the Lord. The study is about our wayward hearts and how they are so easily misled. Which is why we will spend the first Sunday of this study in Jeremiah 17:1-10. Read the text and consider what it tells us about our hearts and how we can submit them to the Lord.
This week we conclude our study of Colossians with a look at Colossians 4:2-6 &12 and see what Paul teaches us about reaching those who are outside of the faith. Read the text and identify the 3 areas Paul addresses in which we can actively reach and move toward the "outsiders".
This Sunday we will be looking at Paul's teaching on Christian maturity within the family in Colossians 3:18-4:1. Read the text along with Ephesians 5:21-33 and consider how these lessons can help our families become more complete or mature in Christ.
This week we continue in Colossians with a look at Colossians 3:12-17 and how maturing in Christ displays itself in the ways we relate to each other. Read the text and consider what things Paul calls us to "put on" and what things Paul calls us to "let" dwell or rule in us. If we follow Paul's teaching how would that display itself in the way we treated other people?
This week we continue our study in Paul's letter to the Colossians Churches with a look at Colossians 3:1-11. Read the text and consider what these verses tell you about yourself as a Christian. Did you know these things? Why or why not? What do they mean?
Paul is pleased with the growth of the Colossians but has some concerns about some 'ideas' that are floating around that are impeding their path on the way to maturity. We will explore how Christ works to help us to grow into maturity, what are the distractions that draw us away from Christ, and what the path is to walk into maturity in Christ.
This week in Colossians 1:15-2:5, Paul will show us just how big Jesus is. As we mature in our faith we will begin to see that Jesus and Jesus alone becomes our source for all things.
This week we begin a new series on Paul's letter to the Colossians. Take some time to prayerfully read Colossians 1:1-14 and consider all the things Paul hears about the Colossian Christians that he thanks God for and all the things he asks God to give them. Make a list of the things that this text is calling Christians to value and consider how important each one is to you.
This week we conclude our current study on family discipleship with a look at Jesus' parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. We are talking about what it looks like to trust Jesus' family together. Take some time to read the text and consider what each member of the family in the parable teaches us about being family to those in our household and those in our church.
This week we continue our study in discipling our families with a look at the parable of the good samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 and what it teaches us about following Jesus Way together. Read the scripture - what is Jesus teaching us about who the neighbor is? How can we help our families engage with this?
This week we are restarting the series that we just finished with one change. We are moving from "Come Follow Me, a study in discipleship" to "Come Follow Me Together, a study in Family Discipleship." In this study we will talk about the importance of being intentional about following Jesus as a parent, as a son or daughter, as a spouse, and as a friend. This series is for you and your family whatever your family looks like. If you are not married and don't have kids this series is still for you and will help you find ways to grow in Christ with other people. Read Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 and consider what this parable means to your family.
This Sunday we conclude our study of discipleship with a look at what it means to trust Jesus' family. Those of us who choose to follow Jesus are a part of the family of Jesus and are brothers and sisters in Christ. We need each other as we strive to be like Jesus not just individually but as a community and a body. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and write down the specific steps this passage gives us toward that end.
This week we continue our study in what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to be like Jesus. Today we focus primarily on following Jesus' way. How did He live His life? How can we walk the way He did? Read Philippians 2:3-8 and consider how God might be calling you to the way of Jesus.
This week we begin a new study on what it means to be a disciple or follower of Jesus. Consider 2 Corinthians 3:18 and John 8:31-32 and what they teach us about following Jesus. How important are Jesus' words to being a follower of Jesus? What does it mean to abide in Jesus' words?
This week we are doing a stand alone study in the second shortest book in the Bible: 2 John. Read this short letter and count the times the words truth and love are used respectively. What actions are we to take if we want to love Jesus and others in truth?
This week we look at God’s awareness of evil in 2 Kings 8:7-15
Read this story and consider why the prophet responds they way he does.
Read John 11:1-37. Can you relate to the comments made in verse 37?
What do these two stories tell you about how God perceives events versus how we perceive
events? Who really has control?
This week we look at a story of suffering in 2 Kings 6:24-7:20. Read the story and consider the king's reaction. Who does he blame? Why does he do this? Read Deuteronomy 28:52-53 - what does this tell you about what Israel is experiencing? What does this story tell you about sin, its effect, and what it means to trust God?
This week we continue our study in 2 Kings with a look at a powerful story in 2 Kings 6:8-23. Read the story and consider why the servant felt like he did and how Elisha's response and prayer for his servant is timely and applicable to us today. Read the stories about Jesus and the disciples in Mark 4:35-41 and Mark 8:14-21. How are these similar to the story in 2 Kings? What is the overarching message?
This week we look at a curious story in 2 Kings 6:1-7 about a floating axe head. Read the story and consider why it is in scripture. Every word in scripture is breathed by the Holy Spirit and profitable for teaching and reproof. So, what is it that God is saying to us through this story?
This week we are looking at 2 Kings 5 and Elisha's exchange with the mighty Syrian warrior Naaman. Read the text and look for the reasons Naaman almost disobeyed Elisha's directive and what he would have missed out on if he had. Consider the excuses for disobedience you can find in both Naaman's story and Gehazi's that follows it. Do you identify with any?
This week we are looking at 2 Kings 4:8-36 and 2 Kings 8:1-6 examining Elisha's interactions with the Shunamite woman. Read these stories and consider what they tell you about the Lord's provision. Why does it seem so important to scripture for us to know God's as Provider? Why is this essential to living as if God is real?
This week we continue our study in 2 Kings as we consider Elisha's interaction with the new king of Israel - Jehoram. This king obviously believes God is real but does not live or rule that way. Read 2 Kings 3 and consider how this disposition shows itself in Jehoram's behavior and contrast that with the behavior of Jehoshaphat and Elisha.
This Sunday we begin a new series out of 2 Kings that will focus on the life and ministry of Elijah's successor Elisha. Read 2 Kings 1-2 and consider what rises to the surface of Elijahs' final assignment as a prophet of the Lord and how he passes the torch to Elisha. Consider the statements Elisha made, the questions he asks, and the miracles he performs. What is going on in him as he watches his beloved mentor and spiritual father depart from this world? Consider this question: How does one who claims to believe in God, live as if God is not real?
This week we conclude our study of the spiritual disciplines with a look at confession and guidance. Take some time to prayerfully read 1 John 1:9, James 5:16 - how does confession help us be with Jesus? And Proverbs 18:1, 12:15, and 15:22 - how does seeking guidance from other Christians help us be with Jesus?
This week we are continuing our series on the spiritual disciplines, looking at the discipline of worship. Take some time to read Psalm 96:1-9; Genesis 4:2-7; John 4:23; Romans 12:1 and consider what they say about worship.
This week we are examining the spiritual disciplines of submission and service. Take some time to read Ephesians 5:15-21; Philippians 2:3-4; John 13:1-20 and consider what they say about submitting and service and how could these disciplines give you freedom?
In a world that increasingly values indulgence and complexity, the Christian disciplines of fasting
and simplicity have been largely forgotten or pushed to the edge of the Christian life, preserved
only for those “spiritual” few. This Sunday, we will unpack these two disciplines to find the
freedom and joy that can be experienced by incorporating them into our everyday spiritual lives.
This week we continue our examination of the spiritual disciplines with a look at prayer. Take some time and read James 4:1-8 and consider why they were struggling to pray? Can you relate? Do a study of the prayer life of Moses (emph. Exodus 4:13, 32:14; 33:12-18) with particular consideration to what Moses prayed about what motivated each prayer. How did Moses change over time and what spurred on those changes?
This week we continue our study of spiritual disciplines, habits scripture gives us to draw near to and experience the rest and freedom of the presence of God. This Sunday we are discussing meditation (Psalms 63:6; 119:97, 101-102), study (Romans 12:2; John 8:31-32), and Solitude & Silence (Mark 6:31; Ecclesiastes 5:1-2). Take some time read these passages and consider what each discipline is and how they help us be with Jesus.
This week we begin a new study on the spiritual disciplines as found in scripture in the life of Jesus. These practices are keys being with Jesus, maturing in Him, and finding the rest and freedom that He promises us in our everyday life. A good companion book to this series is "Celebration of Discipline" from Richard Foster.
This week we are looking at the last 3 chapters of 1 Kings. Each has a story about King Ahab. Read each story and consider why Ahab made the mistake he made and how living his ways is miserable. Consider how him knowing who God is and being humble before him could have changed the outcomes.
This week we continue our study in 1 Kings with a look at 1 Kings 19 and what happened after the triumph at Mt. Carmel. It is striking that very often after our greatest victories we experience some of our lowest moments. Why do you think this is? Read 1 Kings 19 - what surprises you about Elijah here? Particularly considering the events of 1 Kings 18. What steps does God bring Elijah through to restore his hope and his confidence? What makes 1 Kings 19:14 different from 1 Kings 19:10?
This Sunday, we will be diving into 1 Kings 18. The people of Israel are wavering between two opinions. Elijah the prophet of God is going to call them back to the one true God. He calls them to follow God wholeheartedly and to cast aside all other idols. In preparation for this week's sermon read over 1 Kings 18 and spend time praying over this passage.
This week we conclude our examination of the credibility of the Gospels with a look at J. Warner Wallace's investigation of the, if true, the most important event in human history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Read 1 Corinthians 15 (part of Paul's letter written within 15-20 years of Jesus' life on earth) and consider Paul's explanation and defense of the resurrection. How does he defend the resurrection claims? Why does he say the resurrection is so important to Christianity? What does it mean, not just to our eternity but to our everyday lives?
This is our fourth week in our study examining the credibility of the Gospels. This week we are focusing on the accuracy of the Gospels. How do we know that what we have now is what they wrote down then? Read Isaiah 55:10-11 and 2 Timothy 3:16 – how have these passages been proven true in and around your life? What does this say about the credibility of scripture? If you’re reading the book read chapters 8, 13, and 14. See you Sunday!
This week we continue our examination of the credibility of the Gospels with the help of J. Warner Wallace's book "Cold Case Christianity" with a consideration of corroborating evidence. If you have the book read chapter 12. Also, read the Gospel accounts of the feeding of the 5,000 found in Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13. Compare them and contrast them. What details are different or new to each? If you were to tell this story using all four of the accounts how would you tell it? How do they help form a more complete picture of what happened? How does this help establish the credibility of the accounts?
This week we continue our examination of the Gospels as eyewitness accounts with the help of J. Warner Wallace and his book "Cold Case Christianity". This week we will be examining the credibility of the gospels. Read 1 Peter 5:1, 2 Peter 1:16, John 21:24, 1 John 1:1, Acts 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 15:7-8 and consider what these say about how apostles saw themselves - what about themselves did they want their readers to know and why is this important now?
This week we begin a new, church-wide study based on J.Warner Wallace's excellent book "Cold-Case Christianity". Wallace was an atheist and a cold case homicide detective. He read the Gospels found that they sounded like eye witness accounts he spent his career working with. Long story short, he investigated and became a Christian. This series will be a great opportunity to invite your unchurched or unchristian friends and family to either come to service or watch online or perhaps read the book with you. This Sunday we will be looking at chapters 3 and 10 in the book considering the distractions the adversary brings to keep us from seeing the evidence and a look at the evidence we see in creation. Read Isaiah 1:18; 40:26; Romans 1:20; 1 Peter 3:15 and consider what they say about evidence.
If you want the book you can buy it on Amazon.com or in our cafe: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830785302?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_HR4JDMDWFD6V431QXV6R
There is a kids version of this book you can read through with your kids. you can get it on amazon, in the cafe or in our kidslane: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0781414571?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_75GHYTMFMAE2NGHJGPYS
There is a participant's guide with guided discussion you can pick up online. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1434711447?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4BGEEESVW70M2CYXRZ59
There is an 8 week video study you can do on Right Now Media. If you don't have an account email our Involvement Pastor Dion Reed at dion@rocklanechristian.org. Here's the link to the study: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/314411
There is also a series of discussion questions published with every sermon we do on the app and website with each sermon.
I hope and pray that you and your families, small groups, friend groups, and more can join us in going further in this series than Sunday morning!
We will be taking a look at what the Bible says about heaven. The big idea is that often we
carry around some pictures of heaven that are very simplistic about something that is very
complex. Read Revelation 21 and 22 and consider how your views of heaven compare to what
scripture actually tells us and how this affects our spiritual journey.
This week we conclude our current study out of 1 Kings with a survey of the kings that followed King Solomon in 1 Kings 11-16. Take some time to read the text. Consider the things that are repeated about each king. What does this tell you about how a person's obedience or disobedience affects others?
This week we look at the dramatic downfall of King Solomon in 1 Kings 11:1-13. Take some time to read the text along with Deuteronomy 7:3-4, 17:17, and 1 Kings 8:59-61. Identify Solomon's sins. How do you think he got here? What warnings should we heed from this?
This week we continue our examination of First Kings chapters 4-9. We are continuing to consider the warning from last Sunday that accomplishment threatens wisdom. This week we're looking specifically at the prayer that King Solomon offers at the dedication of the temple in First Kings chapter 8. Read First Kings chapter 8 and consider the main subjects of his prayer and why those were important things to pray about in light of such a great accomplishment.
This week we begin a 2-part survey of 1 Kings 4-9:9. We are looking at Solomon's breathtaking accomplishments and talking about the danger we face in our accomplishment of thinking it all comes from us and is for us. Read through the text, notice things Solomon says and does that help him remember where his accomplishment comes from and what it's really for. Consider God's statement to Solomon in 1 Kings 6:11-13. Why does he tell Solomon this when He does? What does this tell you about God's priorities in your accomplishments?
This week we continue our study in 1 Kings with a look at 1 Kings 3:16-28 and the first test of Solomon's wisdom. Read the story and consider what it tells you about wisdom and what it tells you about love and when the best thing to do in love is to let go.
This week we look at 1 Kings 3:3-14 in which God offers to give Solomon anything he asks for and Solomon asks for wisdom. Read the text and identify marks of Solomon's humility. Notice it was his humility that caused God to be so pleased with him (see James 4:10). What does it mean to be humble and why is humility essential to both wisdom and obedience?
We begin the new year with a new study in the book of 1 Kings and the life of King Solomon called "Wisdom and Obedience." We begin this study with a look at the final days of King David's life. 1 Kings 1 begins with a statement about David's aging. Read chapters 1 and 2 - especially consider David's words and actions. What do you learn about his priorities and state of mind in his old age? When you consider his final words to Solomon, what ultimate legacy is he leaving behind?
This week we'll be looking at God's design to use the mutual love of believers to open the eyes of a skeptical world. And, we'll discuss some of The Deceiver's obstacles designed to make our love shallow. There are many scriptures addressing this topic. The verses below will get us started:
John 15:12, I Thessalonians 3:12, I John 4;21, Romans 14:19, I John 4:4
This week we conclude our currents series in our Christmas Eve service considering the gifts beneath the tree and the gifts that Christ has provided for us. Just like you have to open a gift before you can use it - the gifts from Christ are numerous and wonderful but we must open them first! Read the following texts and look for the gifts from Christ you find in them and what you must do to open those gifts. Ephesians 2:8-10; Luke 11:1-2; John 13:14-15; and John 14:27.
This week we look at the importance of growing deeper in the faith - striving to mature in Christ - in the midst of Christmas time. Read Ephesians 4:11-15 and Philippians 2:12-13, what do these tell you about maturing in Christ and what you can do to pursue a deeper, growing relationship with Him?
This week we continue our examination of what it means to choose to make Jesus the reason for our season rather than expecting other people to make Him the reason for theirs. We are considering the lights that go on the tree – just like we must put the lights on the Christmas tree we must choose to shine Jesus’ light into the world around us. Take some time to read Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:14-16 and Mark 2:16-17 and consider what Jesus is trying to teach us here about how to shine His light.
This week we begin a new series that's all about Christmas! This time of year, we often say “Jesus is the reason for the season!” We say this because many Christ-followers celebrate the birth of Christ (the greatest gift ever given) this time of year. We often get upset with the world for not making the season more about Jesus. In preparation for this Sunday consider a few questions: Why should we expect the world to celebrate Jesus’ birth? How can you and I make Jesus the reason for our season?
This week we conclude our current study out of Hebrews and our year long journey through this letter with a look to Hebrews 13:8-25. Here we are reminded that as a church we must work to keep Jesus in charge and avoid being drawn away from Him by false teaching. We must go to Jesus "outside the camp" because there is no life to be found in the camp. Read the text - what are some things you find here that every church ought to do together to keep Jesus in charge of their congregation.
This week we find a list of priorities in Hebrews 13:1-7 that should be regularly checked on and maintained in a Christian Church. Maintaining these emphases will help us keep Christ in the driver’s seat, leading us in His will. Read the text and write down the different areas that we are called to maintain and consider how you can help our church focus on these areas.
This week we return to Hebrews one more time this year in a series called "A Christian Church". The book of Hebrews is about holding fast to Jesus or, as Hebrews 2:1 says, keeping from drifting away from Him. This series focuses on how we are meant to help each other remain faithful to Christ. This week's text is Hebrews 12:14-29. Read the text and consider what it calls us to do to help each other draw near to Christ.
This week we conclude our survey of D.A. Carson's "Praying with Paul" with a look at Chapter 11 and Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21. Read the text (and the chapter if you have the book) and consider what Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians and why he prays it.
This family Sunday we continue our series studying of the prayer Paul offers in one of his epistles. Our guide will be D.A. Carson and his book "Praying with Paul". This week we will be examining 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
This week we begin a brief series studying a few of the prayers Paul offers in some of his epistles. Our guide will be D.A. Carson and his book "Praying with Paul". This week we will be examining 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12. In verse 11 Paul says, "With this in mind, we pray constantly for you..." With what in mind? Read the text and consider what was on Paul's mind that facilitated him praying "constantly" for the Christians of Thessalonica? Consider what this means to your own mindset as you pray.
We conclude our current study in Hebrews this Sunday with a look at Hebrews 12:1-13. After giving us all these examples of the faith the writer says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses..." Read the text - what are these people witnesses to? What does it mean that we are surrounded by them? And what is the central answer to this - since we are "surrounded" by "witnesses" like Abraham and Moses and so many others - so what? What does the text call us to do with this?
This week we look at a series of brief examples of faith found in Hebrews 11:24-40. Read the text and make two lists - one with the positive things that came from faith and one with the negative. Have any of these shown up in your life? Why do you think the text makes a point of bringing up examples of people who suffered dramatically because of their faith along with stories like the Red Sea, Rahab and the walls of Jericho where there was dramatic deliverance?
This week we look at the faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses' Parents. How did the faith of our spiritual fathers affect their biological children? Read Hebrews 11:17-23 - what does it teach you about how to help those you have influence over, especially your children grow in their faith?
This week we are learning about faith from "Father Abraham" in Hebrews 11:8-19. Take some time to read the text along with Genesis 12:1-4. What promises did God make to Abraham? What did Abraham have to do in trusting those promises? What promises has God made to you? What risks do those require?
This week we will take a look at examples of faith by our biblical forefathers. What did faith produce in these men and how can we walk in faith as they did. Take a look at Hebrews 11:4-7.
We are concluding our study of the fear of God this Sunday with a look at Proverbs 14:26 which says, "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence..." Where do you draw your confidence from? How can the fear of the Lord give a person "strong confidence"? Consider the question posed to Job in Job 4:6, "Is not the fear of the Lord your confidence?"
This Sunday we will be examining Proverbs 14:27's claim that "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life..." As you consider this passage - what gives you life? what drains your life? How is a healthy fear of the Lord a fountain of life for us?
This week we continue our examination of the fear of the Lord with a look at Proverbs 8:13, "The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil." When you think of evil, what do you think of? What evil do you find in your life? How does the fear of the Lord produce "hatred" for evil (not people but evil itself)? Read Proverbs 3:7 and Proverbs 16:6.
This week we continue our study of the Fear of the Lord in scripture with a consideration of Proverbs 9:10 which tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." Take some time and prayerfully consider what the difference is between knowledge and wisdom. How is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Read Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7; 15:33, and 1 Corinthians 3:19 for further understanding.
This week we begin a new series on the fear of the Lord. The scripture is filled with references to the fear of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, being a source of life and confidence, and being a treasure both to us and to God. It is a wondrous and wonderful state of being. This week we will be talking about what the fear of the Lord is and looking at Proverbs 1:7's claim that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
This Sunday is Family Sunday, and Matt Schar, our new children's pastor, is sharing the word with us. We will be studying the call of Abram and his family in Genesis 11:27-12:9. When God speaks, new things happen and for Abram and his family everything changes. Come ready to wrestle with God's word!
Have you ever experienced a time when you felt you where "holding on for dear life"? As we maneuver through life we constantly come up against different pressures and influences that try to push or pull us like leaves blown by the wind. As we look around our world today, it's clear that people feel lost and adrift, without anything consistent and dependable to keep them grounded and secure. This week we are wrapping up the Hold Fast series by looking to Jesus, the only sure anchor which we can tether ourselves to so that we may be able to Hold Fast to Him no matter what comes.
This week we begin a brief study in Hebrews 10 called "Hold Fast". Here we examine how to hold fast to Jesus in a world desperately trying to get us to let go. Read Hebrews 10:19-25 with a thought toward how Christian community helps us hold fast to Jesus.
This week we conclude our study of Joel 3 with a discussion of evil in the world. Sometimes our hardships come from evil in the world. Why do the evil often prosper while the faithful suffer? Read Joel 3 and prayerfully consider what Joel is saying to Israel and might be telling you about evil in the world.
This week, we continue our study in Joel with a look at Joel 2:18-32. The prophet is teaching us how to turn to the Lord in our hard moments (even when they’re our fault) so that we might grow. This week he talks about the importance of remembering Gods love and goodness in our hardship. Read the text and write down all the reasons we have for knowing He is good and that He loves us.
This week we continue our study of the book of Joel with a look at Joel 2:1-17. Here Joel confronts Israel's sins and presents an impassioned plea for repentance. Read the text and consider why should we take sin so seriously? What the the essential pieces to "returning to the Lord"? And does the notion that Jesus could come back at any moment excite you or scare you?
This week we're starting a new study out of the book of Joel. Joel writes to the Israelites in a time of national crisis and calls them to turn to the Lord. Read chapter 1 and consider what tangible steps Joel calls on Israel to take to draw near to God in their moment of suffering. What do you think Joel is trying to get across?
This week we conclude our current study in Hebrews with a look at Hebrews 10:1-18. As you read the text, consider what realities the OT law and the sacrifices that it demands is a shadow of? What does it mean to have the law written on our hearts? And how is this text making the point that Jesus is better than the OT ways?
This week we look at Hebrews 9 and the new temple that Jesus has provided for us. We will see how Jesus has not only made a way for our sins to be wiped away but also for us to have a purified conscience. Read the text and consider how Jesus' blood purifies our conscience and how a purified conscience equips us to do the Lord's work.
This week we will be continuing our study in Hebrews by jumping into chapter 8. We are going to be comparing the old covenant with the new one through Christ. Spoiler alert, Christ created a better covenant for us... join us this Sunday to see why!
This week we examine Hebrews 7 and finally discover who this Melchizedek guy was! In addition to Hebrews 7 read Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalm 110:4 to see the old testament scripture that the readers of Hebrews would have been familiar with and thought of when they read the letter of Hebrews. How does Jesus complete us? How does He make our lives abundant? How does Jesus bless us? How does Jesus give us constant access to God?
This week we continue our study out of Hebrews with a look at Hebrews 5:11-6:20. This series is about how Jesus is always the better way. This week we learn that He is a better hope. Read the text and consider what it means to grow and mature in the faith. What is the risk if you choose not to mature in your faith? And how does maturing in your faith help you find a greater "assurance of hope" in Christ?
This week we begin a new study out of Hebrews. Our text is Hebrews 4:15-5:10. We will be considering what it means that Jesus is our "Great High Priest". For the Jewish Christian, the writer is trying to show them why Jesus is a better high priest then they had ever had. For you and I - what are some alternatives to Jesus that we are tempted to trust more than He? As you read the text, consider what it means to "practice the presence of God".
This week is family Sunday! That means our kids from kidslane will be joining us in the main service and you will see some of them as well as some of our teens helping serve in various ways. This is appropriate as this Sunday we conclude our church wide study of the armor of God with a look at what Paul calls the "Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" in Ephesians 6:17. What is the significance of Paul calling it the Sword of the Spirit? And why is it a sword? Read Matthew 4:1-11 and Hebrews 4:12 as you consider these things.
This week we are discussing the helmet of salvation in Ephesians 6:17. Why do you think Paul made salvation the helmet in his metaphor? How does or can our salvation protect our minds? Read 1 John 5:13, Romans 8:1, and John 8:36 - how do these scriptures help you answer that question?
This week we examine the "shield of faith" in Ephesians 6:16. Read it, what makes the devils darts "flaming"? How does the shield of faith "extinguish" said darts? How do we "take up" this shield? Why and how "In all circumstances"?
This Easter Sunday we will be talking about the "shoes for your feet" in Ephesians 6:15. Read the verse and consider the following questions: Why does Paul call it the Gospel of Peace? How does it make us ready or prepared and for what? How do we put such shoes on?
This week we continue our church-wide study of Paul's armor of God in Ephesians 6 with a look at the breastplate of righteousness. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:16, and consider the question, "How does righteousness protect us?"
This week we begin a church-wide study on what Paul calls the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20. This week read Eph. 6:10-14a, 1 Peter 5:8, John 8:44. What do these texts tell you about the devil? What is the first piece of armor Paul recommends and how will it help you today in real life situations where you encounter the adversaries' deceptions?
This week we conclude our brief series called "What God says about Human Sexuality" with an examination of what God's Word says with regard to transgenderism. This is a hot topic in this world right now and we (especially our kids) are getting all kinds of information from everywhere about this topic. We are going to look at Jesus' words in Matthew 19:4-6 and discuss this topic with the grace and truth that characterized Jesus teaching.
This week we are continuing our examination of what God says about human sexuality. We are going to be discussing in love and truth particularly at what He says about homosexuality. We will be focusing on who we are or can be in Christ and how the Gospel and homosexuality interact. Prayerfully consider 1 Corinthians 6:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Romans 1:18-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 all under the umbrella of John 3:16, Romans 8:1 and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This week we begin a brief series on what God says about human sexuality. In this day and age such a subject is confusing and polarizing for many. We will be examining scripture in a spirit of grace and truth to see what God says about this sacred gift that He designed and gave to us. This week we will be looking particularly at Genesis 2:24, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Psalm 27:1-4, and Exodus 33:17-19. Read over these texts - what do the first two tell you about God's intentions for sex? What do the final two tell you about the desires of our heart?
This Sunday we will be primarily looking at Jesus question to Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” Three times Simon Peter had blatantly denied the Lord. Simon needed restoration and Jesus is in the business of restoration! Jesus is in the business of redemption. This is a story of hope and grace and restoration for anyone who has ever failed.
This week we conclude our first study out of the book of Hebrews (we will be back in this letter several times) with a look at Hebrews 4:1-13. Read the text and consider what it means by "His rest" and how we can enter that rest, as verse 7 says, "today".
This week we are looking again at Hebrews 3:6-19. This time, in heeding Hebrews' warning about repetitive sin we are going to talk about how to battle sin and the danger of a hard heart. Read the text looking specifically for pointers on how to battle sin. Also, Read Numbers 13-14 with particular attention to the Numbers 14:39-45.
This week we are back in Hebrews with a look at Hebrews 3:7-19. In this text the writer refers to what happened with the Israelites back in Numbers 13-14. In preparation for this Sunday check out both texts. What is Hebrews telling us about obedience? about hard hearts? and about how to find rest?
This week is family Sunday! Our friends from kidslane will be joining us for service and both the students and the children will be participating in the service in many different ways. Because of this, we will be taking a week off from our study in Hebrews to focus on a subject that all ages need to think about: peace. While adults deal with anxiety and worry - it is so important for us to remember that our kids are dealing with it too - at a younger and younger age. While there is much that can be said about this the most important truth to be mentioned can be found in John 14:27 where Jesus says, "I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart." Jesus has made peace of mind and heart a gift to us, available to us at any time no matter what is going on. How can we enjoy that gift? How can our kids enjoy it too? This will be our topic on Sunday! Can't wait to see you there!
This week we look at the first 6 verses of Hebrews 3 where the writer makes the point that Jesus is superior to Moses. Often times we Christians put more faith in other Christians than we do in Jesus - this is most clearly seen by the amount of people who leave the faith all together when Christians fail. Compare verse 5 and 6 and consider the 4 differences the writer makes between Moses and Jesus and how that can help us keep our faith in Jesus above all others.
This week we examine Hebrews 2 and observe a dire warning about drifting away from Jesus. Read the text with particular focus on the question posed at the beginning of verse 3 and consider the following: what would we need to "escape" from? How do people "neglect" or "ignore" the Gospel? And, based on the rest of the chapter, what makes this salvation so "great"?
Today we begin a new sermon series, one of several this year, out of Hebrews called "Remembering Jesus." Read Hebrews 1 with particular focus on the statements made about Jesus in the first 3 verses. Make a list of each state made about Jesus and why it is important to remember. Read Hebrews 2:1 and consider why it is so easy for us to "drift away" from Jesus.
This Sunday as we flip the calendar and begin another year, we will take a look at how Ezra focused on 3 things that changed how he viewed God, others and made a difference in the lives of the people around him. Join us as we start 2023 and see how the right priorities can make for a better year.
This Sunday is Christmas Day! We will be bringing this current series to a close with a look at 2 Samuel 24:17-25. Read the text and consider how David expressed love for God particularly in verse 24. We hope you will join us for Christmas Eve at 4 and Christmas service at 10:30!
So far we have considered how a man after God's own heart talks to God, honors God, worships God, and represents God. This week we will see the man after God's own heart fail God. We will be looking at 2 Samuel 11-12 and doing an essential study on sin. Read the text - what led up to David's failure? What were the consequences? How did he get back to God?
This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 9 and the kindness King David showed to King Saul's grandson Mephibosheth (say that 5 times fast). When you read the text, notice how eager David is to show this kindness - he is taking the initiative. Why is that? (give special attention to v. 1 and 3) Also, what risk is David taking in doing this? How are his actions towards an enemy's descendants different or surprising in that world at that time?
This week we continue our study in 2 Samuel 6:12-23 with a look at worship. Read the text and list all the ways David and the Israelites worshiped. Why were they worshiping with such passion and joy? Why should we? What was Michal's problem? Do you relate to her? Try to understand David's response.
This week we examine one of King David's first acts as the new King of Israel. Read 2 Samuel 6:1-15. What was David saying by making this the first thing he did? What mistakes were made? How does this story parallel with how you and I should be living today?
This week we begin a new series studying 2 Samuel. We will be examining the life of King David. His road to the throne was a difficult one. King Saul, driven by murderous jealousy, made David into a fugitive - pursuing him, trying to take his life for years. Yet, in all the time, David remained faithful to the Lord due in no small part to a habit he picked up in the wilderness. Take a look at 1 Samuel 23:3; 30:8; 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19, 23; 21:3. What do all of these have in common? What does this teach us about our relationship with God today?
This week we conclude our series out of Philippians with a close look at Philippians 4:4-13. Take a moment to read the text - what does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? Why can/should we do this always? Why does Paul repeat it? In this text what practical steps does Paul give us that can help us rejoice in the Lord? Do you rejoice in the Lord?
Rejoice in the Lord! This week we continue to look at Paul's letter to the Philippians see the importance of these 4 words: Rejoice in the Lord! There are things on the prowl that can kill joy and cut us off from its source. Read Ch3 and join us Sunday!
This week we look at Philippians 2:12-18. We will be discussing what it means to be made complete in Christ - while you're here on earth. Read the text along with Philippians 1:6 and consider what God calls you to do and how He will help you become whole in Christ.
This week we continue our study of Paul's letter to the Philippians in Philippians 2:1-11. We will be considering what it means to think like Christ and how that can affect both our individual joy and our unity as a church. Read the text as you prayerfully examine your own life for areas in which you may need to renew your way of thinking to be more like Christ.
This week we will be discussing what it means to live as one worthy of the Gospel, or, as a citizen of Heaven. Have you ever thought about all the different roles you fill and how they affect your day to day life? Whether its husband, father, wife, mother, son, daughter, employee, volunteer or even citizen, the roles we fill have a significant impact on the way we live our lives. In Philippians 1:27 Paul instructs us to live lives worthy of the Gospel. The language he uses is indicative of someone who is a citizen of a specific location. So, as you go about your day, ask yourself, "Am I living first and foremost as a citizen of Heaven? How would my life be different if I focused every day on allowing the Gospel of Jesus to be the guide by which all my decisions and interactions are governed?"
This week we pick up where we left off in Philippians 1:12-26. We will be studying Paul's reassurance to his Christian family in Philippi as they are surely worried about his imprisonment. Read the text with a mind toward what Paul says makes his suffering worth it. How is Paul able to maintain joy? What matters most to him
This week we begin a new study of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. In the four chapters of his letter Paul mentions joy, rejoicing, or peace some 15 times. This letter is about all the abounding blessing Christ has for each of His followers. This week we will focus on Philippians 1:1-11 and focus on the sort of love Christian’s should employ for each other. --
This week we are doing a stand alone study of the Lord's prayer. Jesus is going to teach us how to pray with power and intimacy. Read Matthew 6:5-15 and consider how you might strengthen your prayer life.
This week we finish our series on divine paradoxes with a look at what Paul says about works in Ephesians 2:8-10 and what James says about works in James 2:14-26. Take some time to read these two texts and prayerfully consider how they give us a great understanding of works and salvation rather then contradicting each other.
This week we are talking about love, hate, and your parents! Consider the commandments in Exodus 20:12, 21:17, and Leviticus 19:18 and see how Jesus and Paul quote these in Matthew 19:19, 22:39, and Ephesians 6:1-4. What do these passages say about how we are to treat our parents, others and even ourselves? Then consider Luke 14:26. What could Jesus possibly mean by this? What is the context - read Luke 14 in its entirety and consider how Jesus is not contradicting Himself. He said it this way on purpose in order to draw you deeper into truth. What is He trying to help you understand? (also consider Matthew 11:28-30 and Matthew 14:22-32)
“This week we are looking at the struggle with sin that is common to every believer. How can we be saved from our sin and yet at the same time still be sinful? Either we are free from sin or not, right? Paul has a great deal to say about this in his letter to the church at Rome. Spend some time in the Book of Romans as you prepare for worship this Sunday. We will hit the highlights of chapters 1-6 but our primary text can be found in Romans 7:14-25. Read it carefully - and then maybe - read it carefully again. See you on the Lord’s Day!”
This week we are considering the Bible's teaching on testing God. In Matthew 4 Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:16 which expressly says, "You will not put the Lord your God to the test..." But God says through His prophet Malachi in Malachi 3:10 "Thereby put the Lord your God to the test..." Which is it? While it may appear to be a contradiction - it is actually a paradox. There is a way of testing God that is wrong and there is a way of testing God that He invites us to. Take some time to prayerfully examine Matthew 4:5-7, Deuteronomy 6:16, Exodus 17:1-7, Malachi 3:10, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:8-10, and Judges 6:36-40.
This week we examine what Jesus and the apostle Paul teach us about judgement. In one passage it seems they tell us not to judge while in another they seem to tell us to judge. Read Matthew 7:1-5, John 7:24 (read the first 23 verse for context), 1 Corinthians 4:3-4, and 1 Corinthians 5:12 (see first 11 verses for context) and consider what sort of judgement we should avoid exercising and the kind we are called to engage in.
This week we will be studying the divine paradox in Mark 8:35. Take some time and read Mark 8:27-36. What deeper truth is Jesus drawing us into?
This week we begin a new study called Divine Paradoxes. We will be examining a series of statements and teachings that Jesus and other Biblical figures made that at first appear contradictory but upon further examination are not only true but open the doorway to deeper truths about God, ourselves and our relationship with Him. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and look for the paradoxes - consider what deeper truths they reveal.
This week we consider current events and discuss how God is good even though He allows suffering in this world.
This week we close out our series in 1 Samuel with a look at the dangers of bitterness in our hearts. Take some time to read 1 Samuel 24 and 26 and examine how David refused to be bitter when he could have. In prayer and self-reflection consider if there are any roots of bitterness in your heart that need to be dealt with.
This week we examine the friends that helped David during his time as a fugitive in 1 Samuel 18:1-5 with Jonathan, 1 Samuel 22:2 with the 400 men, and 1 Samuel 25 with Abigail. Read these texts and determine how each were good friends to David. Who do you have in your life that are such friends to you? To whom are you such friends to?
This week we continue our study of 1 Samuel with an examination of Saul's final downfall. We will examine Saul's jealousy and self-centered heart and check ourselves for symptoms of these problems. Read 1 Samuel 18 (if you're feeling ambitious read all the way to chapter 31) and take some notes on Saul's jealousy and what it led him to do.
Do you like a good underdog story? Do you ever feel like the underdog? Join us this Sunday as we look at the story of David and Goliath and talk about how a simple shepherd boy was able to defeat a mighty giant.
This week we do our second annual state of the church address. Here we will recap the previous year, celebrate what God has done and look forward to what is coming in the future!
How can mankind be both Noble (aspire to greatness) and Cruel (commit such evil)? How do we even determine what is really right or really wrong? If God is our creator, and we are made in his image, what does that say about God? These are some of the questions Francis Schaffer challenges us with this week. What is the world’s answer to them? What is scripture’s answer to them? What is your answer to them?
This week we begin a short series based on the book "He is there and He is not Silent" by Francis Schaeffer. The purpose of the book and this series will be to strengthen our faith in the fact that God, as described in scripture, is the only answer to the big questions human being ask. This week it is the question of existence. When we look at the world and mankind we find that the only possible answer to where it all came from is the Judeo-Christian God. Read Romans 1:19-20 - what is Paul saying here and how is it true?
This week we conclude the current study in 1 Samuel with an examination of King Saul's two great sins in chapters 13 and 15. We will be discussing specifically what it looks like to be a person after God's own heart. Read the stories and see what you can deduct from Saul's mistakes about what it looks like to have a heart like His.
This week we continue our examination of the first King of Israel's (King Saul) rise and fall. We are examining how and why Saul rejected the profound opportunity God extended to him for an abundant life. This week we will be looking at Saul's initial calling in 1 Samuel 9-11 and see things that - had he remembered them - his story may have gone better. Read the chapters and write down how God was faithful to Saul during this time. How would remembering this have helped Saul later? Write down the ways God has been faithful to you (don't forget the Gospel!!) and consider how remembering these things might help you. Also, read Deuteronomy 8:2!
This week we begin a new study in 1 Samuel. We pick up where we left off in 1 Samuel 8. This series will be an examination of the rise and fall of King Saul, the first king of Israel, and will be called "Chasing After Empty Things". Read the text and consider how Israel is chasing after empty things rather than allowing God to lead them to fullness.
This week we conclude our series called "Basic Christianity, a simply presentation of the Gospel" with an examination of what it means to "walk by faith, not by sight." If Jesus is the lifeline or rope that God has provided for our salvation all we have to do is hold onto Him for God to save us - how we strengthen our hold on Him? How is our faith useful for living?
This week we continue our series on Basic Christianity with an examination of the 4 things Jesus Himself calls us to do in order to receive the free gift of salvation that He offers.
This week we continue our simple presentation of the gospel with an examination of the heart of Christianity - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Take some time and read 1 Corinthians 15 - why is the resurrection so vital to the Christian faith? What does Jesus' resurrection mean to your life right now?
Join us Friday live or in person at 6:30 for our Good Friday service. This will be a simple service centered around remembering the suffering that Jesus chose to endure and the sacrifice God chose to make on our behalf.
This week we discuss God's solution to our problem of sin. He sent Jesus to make things right. Take some time to read Romans 5:1-11 and Hebrews 2. Consider the gravity of your sin, what Jesus did to save you, and how what He did saves you.
This week we continue our series called "Basic Christianity, a Simple Presentation of the Gospel" with a look at sin. Last week we established that God created us to be in relationship with Him. Today we discuss the problem everyone of us has (Romans 6:23) that prevents us from having that relationship - and that is sin.
This week we begin a new series that will be a simple presentation of the Gospel. This will be an important reminder for many of us, and a great opportunity to bring an unchurched friend. This week we will be looking at Genesis 1:26-27 and what the Bible says about who we are, why we have meaning, and what we need most.
This week we conclude our study of biblical principles of money with a look at what money is really for. God does give us wealth and material things - what are they for? What are we supposed to do with them? Take some time and read 1 Timothy 6:17-19 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-13 to consider the answers to these questions.
In Old Testament times a horse could open a lot of doors - could take you a lot of places - but before this could happen the horse would have to be broken-tamed. So it is with our wealth. God wants us to use our wealth - to control it - to get it to serve us and Him rather than the other way around. This week we examine biblical principles on how to “break” our wealth and control it. Consider reading Jesus’ famous teaching in Matthew 6:19-24.
This week we begin a 3 week study on what the Bible says about money. This Sunday we will be looking at a parable Jesus gives us in Luke 12:13-21 that provides a stark warning about money. Read the parable as well as John's dire words in Revelation 3:15-17 and identify the warning, consider what real riches are, and examine your own attitude toward wealth.
This week we finish up our first of four studies this year in 1 Samuel with a look at 1 Samuel 4-7. Read the text with a special notice to the unhealthy relationship the Israelites have with the ark of the covenant. Consider what good things - even things of God that we can sometimes value more than God and depend on in place of God.
This week we look at 1 Samuel 2:12-3:21 and we examine what it means to honor God above all else. Read the text and compare Eli with Hannah - which did each honor more God or their child/children? Compare Samuel with Hophni and Phinehas. Who did they honor? And how? All the while consider the question, "Who or what do I honor more than God?"
This week we continue our study of 1 Samuel called "Not by Might". Here we examine Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2:1-11 and consider the importance of being truly in awe of God and how that helps us to depend on the Lord and prevail in life. Consider reading the text and prayerfully finding ways to be in awe of God more often.
This week we begin a new study on the first 7 chapters of 1 Samuel called "Not by Might". We will be examining what it looks like to depend on the Lord and actually prevail. Take some time to read 1 Samuel 1 and consider what it looks like for Hannah to "pour out her soul before the Lord" and notice her face was no longer sad before she knew what God's answer to her prayer would be. And finally, consider what she did with her son after God blessed her with him. How do these occurrences guide us in our own prayer life?
As we wrap up our series “To Know God” we will add our 3rd and final leg and ask the question: What does it mean to do God’s work? Ephesians 3: 6-10, James 1:27, Matthew 5:14-16, and 1 Corinthians 3:9 are good verses to start with.
This week we look at the 2nd leg of the stool - the importance of transparent Christian relationships. Over and over again in scripture, we are called to counsel each other, confront each other, confess to each other, weep and rejoice with each other. We need each other! Take some time to read 1 Corinthians 12 and consider how God means for us to be a body.
Last week we talked about how knowing God is eternal life, the only thing worth boasting about, and the best thing in life. This week we examine the truth that if we want to know God we must be in His Word. We will be looking specifically at Deuteronomy 8:1-3 and Moses' profound words to the Israelites about God's Word. Read the text and prayerfully consider what it means and why it is true.
This week we begin a new series about the greatest venture of any human being - eternal life itself - knowing God. This will be the first of a four part series where will discuss what it means to know God and why it is so essential. Prayerfully read John 17:3 and Jeremiah 9:23-24 and consider what the scriptures say about knowing God.
Have you ever had to repeat yourself because someone wasn’t paying attention to what you were saying? Have you ever felt like no one really cared what you had to say? Have you ever wondered “God, can you hear me?” This week we will be diving into this question and more as we look at what Scripture says about God hearing us. Hope to see you Sunday and have a Merry Christmas!
Join us for Christmas Eve! We will have two services at 4 PM or 6 PM. We will be celebrating the joy that Christmas provides and sharing things you can do to bring joy into your life today regardless of what is going on around you.
This week we talk about conviction and our future. What is God saying to us when we feel convicted of sin or something else in our lives? What sort of attitude should we have toward our future that can "Renew our minds" and transform our lives today? Take some time to read Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:1-3, Psalms 78:4, John 3:30, and Acts 13:36 and consider what they say about the Christians attitude toward the future.
This week we consider what kind of relationship God calls us to have with our present and how that can help to renew our minds. Specifically, we are going to talk about being aware - being aware of ourselves, others, and the blessings God has given us. Take some time to read Psalm 118:24, Isaiah 43:18-19, Matthew 6:34, 1 Timothy 4:16, Philippians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and reflect on what they call you to be aware of.
This week, in our first service in our new worship center, we are continuing our series titled "The Gospel According to Ebenezer Scrooge" in which we are using Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" as a parable to help us understand the Biblical process God uses to transform us by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). This week we look at how God means to renew our minds through our past. Read the following texts and consider what a healthy attitude towards our past should be. Deuteronomy 4:9; Proverbs 24:16; 26:11; Ecclesiastes 7:10; Matthew 18:21-22, John 8:36; Romans 12:2; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Philippians 4:13; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 1:9
This week we begin a new series called "The Gospel According to Ebenezer Scrooge". Here we will be using the timeless classic as a parable to help us examine and understand deep truths in scripture that will help us realize the offer of Romans 12:2 to be transformed by the renewal of our minds.
This week we conclude our final study in Acts with a look at Paul's harrowing journey to Rome by sea. They spend weeks in a storm and end up shipwrecked and yet, through it all, Paul remains stubbornly calm. Read Acts 27-28 and pay attention to Paul's calm and how it affected those around him.
This week we look at another aspect of what allowed Paul to face imprisonment and persecution with strength: his clear conscience. The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of your conscience. Take some time and read through Paul's defenses he presents in Acts 21-26 paying attention to how certain Paul is of his own innocence. Also take a look at Hebrews 9, 1 Timothy 1 and 1 Corinthians 8 for further examination of what the Bible teaches about your conscience. You can also go to Biblegateway.com and look up the word "conscience" to see where it shows up in scripture.
This week we begin our last series out of Acts. For the next three weeks we will be surveying Acts 20-28 and the final years of the Apostle Paul's life. Paul never shines brighter than he does in the end of Acts. Read Acts 20-21 and pay attention to Paul's clarity of purpose.
This week we look at the 3rd lesson we should have learned from COVID-19, and it has to do with hurry. During the pandemic, with work going remote and schools and businesses shutting their doors, many of us were forced to slow down from the hurried pace of life. This Sunday we are going to be discussing the dangers of living a hurried life and how we can reclaim the life Christ has called us to and how we can eliminate the curse of hurry from our lives. Check out Psalm 23 and reflect on what it means for our Lord to "make (us) lie down in green pastures."
This week we look at the second of 3 lessons we should have learned from COVID 19 and it has to do with unity. During the pandemic there were a few things that challenged the unity of our churches - namely lock downs and differing opinions on how to handle the pandemic. This Sunday we are not going to be discussing the differing opinions but rather the bigger subject of how God may have been using the pandemic to teach us how to be the church and remain together in spite of our differences. See Romans 12:5 and Ephesians 2:13-16
This week we start a new, 3 week series about lessons we (the Church) have learned or should have learned from the COVID 19 pandemic. In this series we will focus on 3 lessons that God has been trying to teach us - not just in this pandemic but throughout history. This week we look at John 16:33 and James 1:2-4 and how Jesus has already defeated this pandemic and every other trouble we face in this life.
This week we conclude our current series about firsthand faith with a look at how God uses disturbances in our lives to move us to action that will make a difference. In preparation, meditate over Matthew 24:34-56, Ephesians 2:8-10, and the story of Jonah.
This week we are talking about doubt. Every Christian has them, but many feel guilty for them and try to hide them, leaving them unaddressed. This week we will be looking that famous story about “Doubting” Thomas in John 20 and discuss healthy ways to address our doubts.
This week we are talking about change. God means to transform us. This is not an overnight process as many of us wish it could but - but rather a lifelong journey. It is not a performance - but rather has to start on the inside. Read Romans 12:2 and consider what it means to "be transformed by the renewal of your mind".
Frederick Buechner is quoted as saying, “What we hunger for perhaps more than anything else is to be known in our full humanness, and yet that is often just what we also fear more than anything else.” This week we examine the tension between our desire to be known and our fear of being found out. We are going to talk about sin and the essential nature of getting those sins out in the open. See Genesis 2:25; 3:7, 1 John 1:9; James 5:16.
This week we pick up where Adam left off in our series called "Firsthand". If you are reading the book, we will be covering chapters 2 and 5. Consider your faith - does it bring you the peace and fulfillment that it promises or does it leave you feeling empty? Why do you think that is, and how does it relate to firsthand and secondhand faith? The scriptures we will be using are Exodus 5:22-23; Psalm 23:5; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Matthew 15:3; 2 Timothy 1:5.
This week we begin a new series based off the book “firsthand” by Ryan and Josh Shook. We will begin to ask questions about what faith is, how we come by it, and who or where are we placing our faith. Scripture helps begin this discussion in places like Hebrew 11:1, Matthew 17:20, and Romans 1:11.
This week we end our current series in Acts in Acts 17:16-34. Read the text and consider how Paul attempts to share the Gospel with the Athenians. How does he use their culture to reach them? How can we employ this strategy in America?
This week we are looking at Acts 10 & 11. In it the Lord sends two visions to two men. Read the story and consider what it tells you about the accessibility of the Kingdom of God.
This week we examine one of the most important events in the history of the church - the conversion of Saul the Pharisee and prosecutor of Christianity to Paul the Apostle of Christ and author of most of the New Testament. Read Acts 9 and consider how hostile Saul was towards Christianity. Why? Consider the single question Jesus presents when He appears to Saul - why does He ask this? Why does He then leave Saul blind for 3 days?
This week we look at Acts 8:26-40 and an encounter Philip has with an Ethiopian. Read the text and consider what it is telling you about sharing your faith. What role does the Holy Spirit play? How did Philip begin his conversation? Where did Philip start from with the Gospel?
This week we get back into the book of Acts with a series about the kingdom of God and how the Holy Spirit has kept it growing for thousands of years. Read Acts 8:1-25 and consider specifically what it has to say about the intentions of your heart within your faith.
This week we end our series of Daniel's writings with a survey of the dreams and visions he shares in chapters 7-12. Here we will find 3 things God wants us to know about the end times.
This week we look to the famed story of Daniel and the lion’s den in Daniel chapter 6. Read the story and consider the following questions: why did Daniel choose the lions den? What do you think you would do? What are a few things said about Daniel in Daniel 6 that all Christians should desire be said about them?
This week we examine the famous story of the writing on the wall in Daniel chapter 5. Read the story and determine what mistakes Belshazzar made. Prayerfully examine the 3 words the Lord wrote on the wall and Daniel's interpretation of each. What might God be trying to say to you with these?
This week we look at Daniel 4 which is written by King Nebuchadnezzar. He receives another warning in a dream about a simple truth that he just doesn’t know yet. It’s a truth we all struggle with at times-but knowing it makes all the difference. Read the chapter and consider what this truth is and why it’s so important.
This week we are looking at the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace. Take some time and read Daniel 3. Why does Nebuchadnezzar build the statue and make the demands that he does? How do our three heroes respond and why? What does their behavior tell you about what they valued most in life?
This week we examine Daniel 2 and see how Daniel reacts to a scare situation. How do you react to fear? What does or would your reaction to fearful situations tell the world about God? If you read ahead, read through Daniel 2 and consider how Daniel handles the situation and how his handling of it affects King Nebuchadnezzar's attitude towards God.
This week we continue our study in Daniel. We will see his first test when he is asked to do something that went against his faith. Read Daniel 1:8-21 and consider how he conducted his "protest" and what happened as a result.
This week we begin a new study in the book of Daniel. Read Daniel 1:1-7 and pay attention to what Babylon does to try to indoctrinate Daniel and his three companions and consider how these same things happen today to Christians in the world.
This week we close out our series called “It Starts At Home” with a look at the importance of having authentic relationships with our kids so that they can have authentic relationships with other people. Consider what the Bible says about the importance of real, deep relationships with other people. Also consider what the greatest obstacles are today that stand between us and real relationships.
This week is the second message in the series “It Starts at Home”. In this sermon, entitled “Romance Starts at Home”, we will be delving into the book of Proverbs and noting in particular that the “passing on of wisdom” is one of the overarching themes of the book and a key component of successful parenting. This message will also encourage parents to not shy away from some of the difficult issues facing our kids today especially surrounding the topic of romance and sex. Reading the first chapter of Proverbs would be a great way to prepare for Sunday’s message.
This week we start a new series entitled “It Starts at Home”. Our first message will focus on how faith starts at home. We will be taking a look at the importance of being imitators of God throughout our children’s lives, Ephesians 5:1-2. We will also take a look at how to keep our families from becoming a 3-ring circus. Take a look at Deuteronomy 6:4-9 in preparation for Sunday’s message.
This week we conclude our first series in Acts with a look at the death of the first Christian martyr Stephen. Read Acts 6:8 to 7:1 and pay particularly attention how Stephen is loving his audience by sharing these truths no matter what it costs him. Consider how the church can love in such a way.
This week we examine two of the greatest and constant threats to the ministry of the Church: division and burnout. In Acts 6:1-7 we find both of these things threatening a growing and vibrant church and we find the apostles solution summarized in one great word: Delegation! Read the text and consider how delegation made the difference.
This week we are looking at Acts 4:32-5:11 and the strange story of Ananias and Saphira. As we examine this story we will be considering in particular what sort of habits and mindsets kill a church. I would encourage you to read the story and, as you do, ask yourself “why?” with each development. Why did Ananias and Saphira do what they did? Why did Peter say what he said? And why did God respond the way He did?
This week we return to our study of Acts called “Beginners Guide to Church”. Here we have been learning about how the church worked when she first came into being. This week we look at Acts 5:17-42 and study how the church obeys. We will look at the apostles and how they continued to obey God in the midst of adversity. We hope to see you Sunday!
This week we return to our study of Acts called “Beginners Guide to Church”. Here we have been learning from how the church worked when she first came into being. This week we look at Acts 3:1-12; 4:1-13 and study how the church reaches. Consider Peter and John’s interaction with the man who was lame from birth as well as the various speeches they present in this text. Consider what these texts teach us about Christian outreach.
This week we celebrate Easter and conclude our series “Vermeer’s ‘Allegory of Faith’” with a look at Vermeer’s depiction of faith's foot on the world. In this simple image Vermeer is proclaiming that the Christian-the Christ follower has overcome the world. What does this mean to our lives today? And how is it true? If you like to read ahead look to John 16:33; 1 John 5:1, 4-5; Romans 8:35, 37; Psalms 23:4; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:11-13. What do all of these passages have in common? What are they all saying about overcoming the world and how to do it?
This week we are talking about Jesus – we will be examining His nature, what exactly He did for us and how He was able to accomplish it. There are some profound, essential truths about Jesus that Vermeer is communicating to us in his work “Allegory of Faith”. Take some time to read Philippians 2:5-8 and John 1:1-3,14. What do these verses tell you about Jesus Christ?
This week we examine three items that are on the floor in Vermeer’s painting “The Allergory of Faith”. These items are an apple with a bite taken out of it, a serpent, a stone or brick that has apparently crushed the snake. This week we are examining sin – what R.S. Sproul calls “cosmic sin”. In preparation you may consider reading the story of the fall of man in Genesis 3, as well as what scripture has to say about sin and the “Cornerstone” in Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:19-22, and Luke 20:9-18.
This week we begin a new series called “Vermeer’s ‘Allegory of Faith’”. We will be examining a painting that is full of Christian metaphor that has been preaching the Gospel in its own way for over 400 years. This week we will talk about the Christian discipline of setting our minds on things above found in Colossians 3:2-10. You can find the painting online in different places. Here’s one: (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437877). Examine the text and see if you can find it exemplified in the painting. Consider a few questions: what does it mean to “set our minds on things above”? What are the “things above”? How does setting our mind on these things affect our behavior?
This Sunday we are going to do something a little different. We are going to do our very first “State of the Church” address. 2020 was a long and difficult year for many. Our church has gone through a lot. This Sunday we are going to recap 2020 and talk about our exciting future as we continue with our mission here at Rocklane to help people know God!
Last week we ended with this Quote from Ray Steadman; “God’s first concern is not what the church does, it is what the church is……..” We asked; what if the Church was just the Church? We will pick up right there and answer, What the Church is! The Holy Spirit reveals this to us in Acts 2: 43-47. So get a head start and start devoting yourself to this scripture!
Join us this Sunday we will be taking a look at Acts 2:42 and asking the questions, "How did this small group of new believers operate in a way that completely changed the world? What can the Church today learn from the early Church about how to operate in a way that can alter human history?"
This week we continue our study of the book of Acts, continuing to learn how the New Testament Church did things. So far we have talked about how the church began and how the church decides and this Sunday we will examine Acts 2:1-41 and learn how the church speaks. Read the text and jot down what happened before Peter preached the first Christian sermon after Christ. Also, take note of the main points he made and then consider how the crowds responded. Then examine your own life and the life of our church – are we doing this? How can we improve?
This week we continue our series in Acts called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit: Beginners Guide to Church.” We will be covering Acts 1:12-25 and 16:6-10 and examining how the church made major decisions. Moral decisions aren’t that tough – at least we know what we should do. It is the amoral decisions- the ones where there is no clear right or wrong that can be difficult. Read the text and jot down the steps you see the apostles taking as they make the major decision of who would take Judas Iscariot’s place as an apostle.
This week we begin a study in the book of Acts. We will be doing several studies out of Acts this year. This first one is called “The Beginners Guide to Church”. We will be examining how the church started and get refreshed and reminded on how we need to operate and what we ought to be doing as His church today. Read Acts 1:1-11 and consider what the text says about the church and how it is/should apply to us today.
This week we bring to a close our study of 2nd Peter with a look at 2 Peter 3. Here Peter’s goal is to stir up our “sincere minds”, another translation says to “stimulate wholesome thinking”. Read through chapter 3 and jot down the things Peter mentions that would help us think correctly. Prayerfully consider which and how you may need to apply them.
This week we look at 2 Peter 2 and examine what the adversary’s response to the Bible is. Peter warns us of false teachers and what their teaching produces in our lives. Read the chapter and make a list of what Peter says about false teaching, and prayerfully examine your life for any of these affects.
This week we continue our study in the book of 2 Peter with a specific focus on the importance of scripture in our lives. Sunday we will be examining 2 Peter 1:12-21 and talking about how we can know the Bible is the Word of God and should be trusted. Read the text and consider the following questions: Why is Peter so committed to reminding his readers of something that they “already know”? (v.12-15) Why is Peter’s statement about being an “eyewitness of His majesty” important to the overall credibility of the Bible? (v. 16-19) How can we treat the Bible as “a light in a dark place” in our everyday lives? (2 Peter 1:20-21)
This week we begin a new year with a study in 2 Peter as we strive to awaken within ourselves a hunger for the Word of God.
After an incredible Christmas holiday this week we will look ahead in anticipation of the New Year. New Year’s is always a time of renewed hope and purpose! It is a time when we often resolve to move forward and be better. Unfortunately - more often than not - our good intentions are quickly overwhelmed. This week God’s word will challenge us to make one very significant resolution. Join us Sunday as we focus on Philippians chapter 3 and establish our goal for 2021!
These days many of us are longing for things to return to “normal”. This week, this Christmas we are going to be looking at Isaiah 9:6 and learning some wonderful truths that will never change not matter how “normal” or abnormal our lives may become!
This week we finish our series in Joseph and we watch Joseph display one of the most meaningful moments of forgiveness in all of scripture. Joseph will teach us that part of trusting God means forgiving people who sin against us. If you want to read ahead read Genesis 44, 45, and 50 and be prayerfully considering who you need to be forgiving.
So far, Joseph has displayed relentless trust for God in times of great adversity – but can he trust God in times of prosperity? This week Joseph finally catches a break and it’s a big one. Here we examine the discipline it takes to maintain trust in God in an environment that is even more hostile toward faith than adversity – the times of prosperity. If you would like to read ahead we will be focusing primarily on Genesis 41.
This is the Sunday after Thanksgiving! And we are going to spend the Sunday after Thanksgiving with Joseph in prison where he has been serving for years with no end in sight for a crime that he did not commit. The challenge this week is this, “trusting God means being thankful, even when He allows you to suffer.” If you want to read ahead we will be covering Genesis 29:19-23, 40, 41:1. Happy Thanksgiving!
This is our 3rd week of Discover Rocklane. This week is about Discovering Church leadership. You can find notes to follow along down below.
This will be our second week with Joseph in the book of Genesis. We will be reading through Genesis 39 and talking about the difficult task of trusting God in unfair situations. Read through this chapter and consider unfair situations you’ve found yourself in, maybe you’re in one right now. What do you think God wants you to do in these types of situations? What did Joseph do?
This Sunday we begin a new series out of Genesis called “Trust”. In it, we will examine the very difficult life of Joseph. He dealt with betrayal from his family, enslavement in a foreign land, the false accusation by an employer’s wife, and wrongful imprisonment. He was forgotten by the world for years and during that time he had no idea what God was doing. And yet, through it all, he trusted God relentlessly. I cannot think of a better topic for today. This Sunday we will be examining Genesis 37 and the trusting God in a dysfunctional family.
This Sunday we conclude our study of 1 John entitled “Blessed Assurance” with a look at how our faith in Jesus can give us the assurance of our salvation that God means for us to have. Read 1 John 5 with particular attention to vs 4-5. How can you overcome the world?
This week we will be studying 1 John 3:11-22; 4:7-21 together and examining the notion that we can find assurance of our salvation in God’s love – in acting out God's love towards others and in recognizing – over and over again – how much God loves us. Read the text and jot down what it says about loving other people as Jesus does along with all things profound truths about how much God loves us – what He gave up and is still doing for us today
This week we are looking into 1 John 4:1-8 and examining the 5 tests the preacher of old Jonathan Edwards drew from the text for determining if a thing (idea, action, movement, teaching etc.) is from God. One of the great reasons we deal with doubt in our eternity is because there are so many lies out there. How do we determine what is true? The Holy Spirit is there to help us with this.
This week we look at 1 John 3:1-10. We are talking about how assuring it ought to be that we are children of God. Read the text and examine what it means to be a child of God – how that knowledge to affect our everyday lives. Also, consider what this text has to say about being a child of God and dealing with sin in our lives.
This week we examine the purpose of your life in 1 John 2:7-17. We encourage you to spend some time prayerfully reading the text, perhaps once a day, and jotting down any thoughts or questions that may arise from it. What is John saying here about the purpose of your life? Also, see John 13:34-35.
This week we begin a 6 week study of the letter 1 John called “Blessed Assurance”. This Sunday we will be covering 1 John 1-2:6. We encourage you to spend some time reading over this text. What is John telling us about our salvation and about Jesus?
This week we close out our series on Rocklane’s core values with our 7th and final core value: We must reach the lost. We are going to be looking at Romans 12:2 and how a renewed mind – thinking in new ways will help us do this. Hope to see you Sunday!
This week we examine Core Value #6: Everything Christian is a Minister. Take some time and look up the meaning of the word minister. Why has our culture and churches starts to see minister as a select group of people rather than every single Christian? Why is this dangerous to the Cause?
This week we examine our 5th core value at Rocklane: The Youth are the Heartbeat of the Church. Consider Jesus stark warning in Matthew 9:42. According to the Barna Group 64% of 18-29-year-olds who were raised in the church left the faith in 2019. Why is this? What does the church do to feed this and what can the church do to battle this?
This week we take a look at Core Value # 3: The Church is the United Family of the body of Christ! We will take some time to unpack the idea of unity and what things help keep us united. Then we will take a look at our responsibilities in maintaining it.
This week we look at our second core value: The Bible is our governing source of absolute truth. This Sunday we talk about the profound experience of hearing God speak directly to us through the Bible and how essential this is to our church! Texts of interest: Isaiah 40:8, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 55:10-11.
This week we look at the first Core Value of Rocklane Christian Church that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and the Head of the church. These core values are designed to undergird our effort to accomplish our mission to help people to know God. Our primary texts will be John 14:6 and Colossians 1:18. Hope you will join us online or in service this Sunday!
This week we begin a new series called “Core Values” where we examine who we are and what we are here to do as a congregation. This week we cover the vision statement and get refocused on the main purpose of our congregation – the mission we are trying to accomplish together.
This week we finish our brief survey of the life of Jacob and his relationships with each other. This Sunday we are looking at Jacobs relationship with God and what it took to humble Jacob and make him an effective vessel for the Lord. Look to Genesis 28:10-22 and 32:22-32 and pay particular attention to what God seems to be trying to communicate to Jacob. See you Sunday on campus or online!
Here we see Jacob once again seeing someone for what he could get from them. He wanted Laban’s daughter. We also see Jacob experience some divine justice and Laban basically does to Jacob what Jacob did to Esau.
This week we begin a new series called “Other People” based on the life of Jacob in Genesis. During this series we will present this thesis: The Christian’s life work is meant to be their relationships with God and other people. This Sunday we will be examining about favoritism goes against our ability to love other people as Christ would. Read Genesis 25-33 and makes notes on how favoritism adversely affects all the players.
This week we close out our series on respectable sins with an examination of discontent. For those who read ahead check out 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and Philippians 4:11-13. And consider these questions: In what situations did Paul say he could be content and why? Why is discontentment sinful? Is there discontentment that is not sinful but healthy? And in what areas of your life do you struggle with being discontent?
This week we talk about self-control. Many of us exercise self-control in some areas of our lives but not in others – putting the “healthier” areas of lives at risk! Take some time and read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 and prayerfully examine what Paul is saying there about self-control.
This week we examine four areas where sinful pride sneaks into the Christian’s way and leads to contempt and judgment for others.
This week we continue are examination of Respectable Sins based on Jerry Bridges book by the same name. The first sin we will address is ungodliness. This is not so much an action but an attitude. Do you live as if God were with you all the time? Do you treat God as relevant to your entire life?
This week we begin a 5 part sermon series that works from Jerry Bridges’ excellent book “Respectable Sins”. It is a series about the sins that we in the church don’t often address. This Sunday we are looking at my favorite parable in Luke 18:9-14 and the importance of being aware of your own sinfulness.
This week we close out our series on Obedience in the life of Abraham with an examination of what was surely the most difficult moment of Abraham’s life. Read through Genesis 22 and ask yourself this question, “What might God be asking you to put on the alter today?”
This week we examine the fateful story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18-19. Take some time to read through this story and the why of each character. Why did God do what He did? Abraham? Lot? What lessons can we learn here?
Today we examine Genesis 17:1-14 where Abram receives a new name! In the same way God makes you and I into something new, through our obedience!
Today we continue our examination of obedience in Genesis, specifically what it has to do with trust. Trusting God is essential to obeying Him. We will be reading through Genesis 15-16, take some time to read the text and see how God works to help Abram trust Him.
This week we continue our study of the life of Abraham called “Obedience”. We are looking at three occurrences in Abrahams life found in Genesis 12:10-15:1 that show God weaning Abram off of his control. Abram tries to control his situation and makes it worse, when he trusts God great things happen!
This Sunday we begin a new series called “Obedience” that looks at the life of Abraham as described in the book of Genesis. This week in particular, we are focusing on the relationship between faith and obedience. Read Genesis 12:1-4 and Hebrews 11:8 and consider how Abrahams faith is displayed in his obedience.
This week we bring to a close our series “Pray Like Jesus” by looking at the 3 prayers Jesus offered from the cross. These prayers can be found in Luke 23:34; Matthew 27:46; Luke 23:46. Take some time to read those prayers, keeping in mind the state Jesus was in as He offered them.
This week we examine a sorrowful prayer offered by Christ at Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-46. Here we see Jesus praying for something He wants but also praying for God’s will above His own. Read the text and consider the balance we must strike between presenting our desires to God, as we should, but praying for God’s will above all else – know that God’s will can be costly – consider where it led Jesus.
This week we begin a short series called “Pray Like Jesus” in which we will be examining three prayers of Jesus that He offered just before and during the greatest trial of His life. This week we will be looking at what we call the High Priestly Prayer of John 17.
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This week we draw our series “Newton’s Third Law of Motion” to a close by studying the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9. Read the story and try to identify where these people went wrong and why God acted as He did. As you do this ask yourself this question: how do I allow Christ to be the source of my identity? Genesis 11:1-9
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The Equal and Opposite Reaction to Righteousness Genesis 6-9
Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” - “Noah was a righteous man,” Noah desired the ways of God. - “blameless in his generation.” Noah was known as a man of integrity. - “Noah walked with God.” Noah depended on God for direction.
The equal and opposite reaction to Noah’s righteousness: - Work of eternal significance. - Salvation for you and those around you.
Proverbs 3:5-6; 22:1; Matthew 5:6, 12; Romans 10:1-4; 14:14, 23; Philippians 2:3; James 3:16
This week we are discovering church leadership. How is our church run and why? Take some time to look up what the Bible has to say about eldership in the book of Acts, 1 Timothy, and Titus. And take time to pray for Rocklane’s leadership.
Read More: Union in Truth by Dr. James North, Christians Only by James DeForest Murch, and The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement by Foster, Blowers, Dunnavant, & Williams
Series: Ghost: A study on the Holy Spirit Sermon: Marginalizing God Primary Text: John 16:7 Discussion Guide: Why do you think the Holy Spirit is the more neglected of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)? What does it mean to marginalize something? o How can this be used as a strategy in battle or conflict? o How do we marginalize the Holy Spirit? Read Micah 3:8 o How is the Holy Spirit our “power”? Read John 3:1-8 o What role does the Holy Spirit play in salvation? o What does it mean to be born again? Read Luke 24:34 o What is Jesus saying and why does He say it? o What was the result in Acts 2 of the Disciples following Jesus’ instruction in Luke 24:34? Read Matthew 28:20. o How is Jesus with us today? What can we do to connect with and grow in the Holy Spirit?
Matthew 5:29; 6:10, 33;19:21-22; Luke 17:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 3:8; Revelation 21:5
Matthew 6:33; 12:30; 16:23; Luke 17:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:6; James 4:7
Resources: “Homosexuality and the Christian” by Mark A. Yarnhouse “Is God Anti-Gay?” by Sam Allberry “Means of Grace” by Kent Paris
Resources: “Erasing Hell” By Francis Chan “The Great Divorce” By C.S. Lewis “Reason for God” By Timothy Keller “Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It)” By Brian Jones
Resources: Mark 10:45; Luke 18:9-14; 22:27; Romans 2:21-24; 7:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Resources:
“God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist and Racist?” by David T. Lamb “Big Book of Biblical Difficulties” by Norman Giesler “Encyclopedia of Biblical Difficulties” Nelson Gluek
Resources:
“Reason for God” – Timothy Keller/“Belief” Francis Collins/“Language of God” Francis Collins “Evolution Impossible” Dr. John F. Ashton “The New Answers Book” Ken Ham www.alwaysbeready.com /Does God Exist?: Building the Historical Case” a DVD series from True U featuring Dr. Stephen Myer “The Advancement” L. Russ Bush “Christian Apologetics” Douglas Groothuis “Science Reveals God” Bob Hoskin “The Death of Evolution” By Jim Nelson Black, PH. D.
Resources:
Reason for God” – Timothy Keller “More Than a Carpenter” - Josh McDowell “Is the Bible True, Really?” - Josh McDowell “Literalism: Isn’t the Bible historically unreliable and regressive?” – a sermon by Timothy Keller http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm fuseaction=category.display&category_id=29 www.alwaysbeready.com “Is the Bible Reliable?: Building the Historical Case” a DVD series from True U featuring Dr. Stephen Myer “This Dangerous Book” – Steve and Jackie Green