One of the most successful advertising campaigns in the early 90’s was Gatorade’s “Be Like Mike” commercials. One of the obvious reasons it was successful is that it seems everyone wanted to be like Mike! Michael Jordan was the biggest superstar in the world. He had charisma. He was good looking. His personality was likable. And He was the greatest basketball player anyone had seen. People truly wanted to be like Mike! There is something built into humans that they want to be like their heroes. We all look to examples of who we want to be like in our hobbies, work, and even our faith.
Conflict is a fact of life in this fallen world. We know it. We don’t like it. We try and avoid it. We work hard to be at peace with everyone. But conflict will happen if we are around other humans! Acts 15:36-41 gives us a window into a conflict between two of the most godly Christians in history. We get to see not only how these two men are human like us, but we also see how God works redeeming their conflict for His good.
Solving problems is hard. Solving problems in way where everyone is happy is impressive. In the early church, the biggest problem of the day was the integration of Jews and Gentiles into the church. These two groups were separate in all ways. Gentiles becoming Christians was new for the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. It was difficult for them to comprehend. It was even offensive to some. It is safe to say this was the biggest problem in the early church. How would the leaders of the early church solve this problem?
Easter week is upon us! The most holy week for the Christian is celebrated in many different forms. For us at the Rock this year we are focusing on Palm Sunday (last Sunday - Sermon Video Here), Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. All are invited to our coming Good Friday and Easter Sunday Services! Here is how we will worship:
Holy Week for the Christian is the most important week of the church year. This week begins with Palm Sunday and concludes with Easter Sunday. Without Easter (meaning without the resurrection of Jesus) Christianity is futile according to the Apostle Paul. If Jesus is not risen from the dead, the entire faith is dead. But because Jesus is risen from the dead, we must celebrate. We must worship. We must give our very lives to Jesus!
Humans love the sensational. That is why news outlets air car wrecks, murders, and fighting celebrities rather than people feeding the homeless, neighbors helping one another, and parents patiently raising their children. Christians can fall into the same trap in our faith.
Are you an instruction follower? Some people measure recipes down to the ounce to make sure it is correct. Others figure “close enough” works. Slight variations in taste might not make a difference, so there is not a lot at stake with not following the instructions. It could even make it taste better! Ultimately, it probably doesn’t matter if you follow recipe instructions perfectly. It does matter in other areas. I would like someone building an airplane engine to follow the instructions perfectly. “Close enough” does not work!
“Christians are hypocrites! That’s why I can’t believe in Jesus…” This is a common refrain among people who have been let down by Christians. Looking to people as a source and example of righteousness is a losing proposition. People will fail us. People will fall. When trusted leaders fall morally it seems worse. These are the people we look to as an example of how to live like Jesus. The harsh reality is that Christian leaders fail morally as well. This is why we look directly to Jesus as an example of how to live like Jesus! Jesus does not fall. Jesus does not fail. Jesus as incarnate God is the only human example we can fully trust.
I like a plan. I thrive when events are on the calendar. I love it when I know what my day holds. I relax when I know people well. If I were to choose between the known and unknown, I would choose the known every time. The unknown is more uncomfortable. The unknown can even make my life hard. Can you relate?
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY SERVICE TIME IS 10:00 AM
Donuts and Coffee will be served!!!
Context is everything. Why we do things, believe things, and love things is largely based on context. For example, I love the ocean. I love looking at it, swimming in it, surfing it, and enjoying all the sea life in it. But in the context of being lost at sea for weeks, I don’t think my love for the ocean would be the same. In fact, it could be my enemy. Context in the Christian life is similar.
PLEASE NOTE: SUNDAY SERVICE TIME IS 3:30
“Our failures do not define us…” True or False? Most would immediately say false! And I believe that to be the correct answer. But our answer depends a lot on how we move forward from failure. If we answer false, but never deal with our failure in a way that we truly get over it, then our answer is in word only. With all my heart I believe we can move on from our failures and truly get over them. The solution has everything to do with trusting God’s work in us and God’s opinion of us.
PLEASE NOTE: SUNDAY SERVICE TIME IS 3:30
I’m pretty tired of politics. I understand the need to be engaged. I’ve been passionate about some issues. I felt patriotic yesterday watching the inauguration. But I’m tired. I’m tired of the infighting. I’m tired of the hypocrisy. I’m tired of the media’s stronghold on our emotions. I believe it is time for sober reflection, possible reformation, and some intentional resting in God.
PLEASE NOTE: SUNDAY SERVICE TIME IS 3:30
It is tempting to fall into pessimism and despair. There is much to lament over due to COVID, politics, world events, and personal struggles. In one sense, pessimism can be good when we acknowledge the realities of living in a broken/fallen world. It makes us honest. And, at our best, it drives us to Jesus. But, at our worst, pessimism can drive us to despair, anxiety, and depression. We must cry out to God to take us to a better place.
PLEASE NOTE: SUNDAY SERVICE TIME IS 3:30
The start of 2021 has been rough. There is a temptation when we feel down, depressed, and/or discouraged over life’s circumstances and events to do something to make us feel up, happy, and/or encouraged. Often it takes the form of “treat yourself!” Comfort food. Binge watch. Retail therapy. Favorite cocktail. We can also do things that are genuinely healthy. Exercise. Watching the sunset. Talking with loved ones. Planning something fun. Serving others. But there is an often overlooked thing to be done crucial for our mental health…
PLEASE NOTE: SERVICE TIME CHANGE TO 3:30
Do you ever get tasked with a chore that causes you to ask, “What’s the point?” Of course all of us has. Sometimes we do things over and over again where there is a point, but we forget what it is. Every year we make a big deal over Christmas (and we should!), but we can lose sight of the point of Christmas. This Sunday I want to ask the question, “What is the point of Christmas?” Not in a cynical, nihilistic way. But in a genuine reminder of why Christmas is important to all of us.
PLEASE NOTE: SERVICE TIME CHANGE TO 3:30
We live a complicated existence. On the one hand, we desperately want to be independent and handle life’s challenges without help. There is a cultural value that says, “I’m strong and can do it on my own!” On the other hand, we feel lonely and longing for help. We can feel like the struggles and pain of life overwhelm us. How can we reconcile the two? The simple answer is we can’t. Something has to give.
PLEASE NOTE: SERVICE TIME CHANGE TO 3:30
“The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.” This quote is both silly and true at the same time. But it makes us think. It makes us think particularly about church membership. Are we involved in church? We show up, receive, give when it is convenient, and look out for self above others. Or are committed to church? We have a mindset of giving, service, responsibility, others-minded attendance, and being an example to others by our faith.
PLEASE NOTE: SERVICE TIME CHANGE TO 3:30
May your Thanksgiving be filled with genuine thanks to our faithful God!
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1
PLEASE NOTE: SERVICE TIME CHANGE TO 3:30
Imitation is a crucial element of one’s faith. Jesus called us to imitate him; “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34) Paul even called early believers to imitate him; “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) We need people to look to as examples of the faith. Observation, learning, and imitation are essential elements of discipleship for any individual. Churches also need examples to imitate.
PLEASE NOTE: SERVICE TIME CHANGE TO 3:30
Change can be hard. Change is also inevitable. It seems like many things are changing extremely quickly in our modern world. Technology changes rapidly. Presidents come and go. Fashions change. Even people change. Kids get older. We get older! Change can be overwhelming. But in the midst of all of the changes in life, God is with us. And God is consistent. God never changes. God is our Rock.
