We encourage you to join us as Rudi Botha, one of our Elders, brings the word and this week from Numbers 11 and a sermon titled, The Outpouring. As we enter into this first week of Prayer and Fasting it's good that we are focusing on the work of God when we, his people cry out for him to feed us. What's surprising is whom He pours out His Spirit upon. Read Numbers 11:10-18, 24-30 in preparation for this encouraging word for this season we are in.
Prayer & Fasting: Matthew 17:14-21, February 26th, 2023
We encourage you to join us as Joey Hutchison, one of our Elders-in-Training, will be bringing his first message at The Rock on Prayer & Fasting taken from Matthew 17:14-21. He'll also be introducing our 30 Days of Prayer & Fasting starting March 1st. Our desire is to go before the Lord for the month of March asking Him what his will and plan is for our Ministry Centre in the future. Our Vision Team and Elders felt it would be wise to take the time to commit ourselves and plans to the Lord as we Vision Forward!
Christ: Our Living Hope—Thriving in Babylon, 1 Peter 5:1-14, February 19, 2023
This Sunday we conclude our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! This week, we arrive at the conclusion of Peter's letter that is somewhat of an addendum. He speaks directly to the elders of all the local churches in Asia Minor who would receive and read these letters to the church. He then speaks to those hearing the instructions to the elders with a few words and then he wraps up the letter with a great synopsis as we will do as well. Read 1 Peter 5:1-14 to prepare!
Christ: Our Living Hope—Being the Faithful Church, 1 Peter 4:12-19, February 12, 2023
This Sunday we continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! This week, we arrive at the end of chapter 4 where we find Peter summarizing the key teachings in his letter so far while again, encouraging the church to persevere to the end despite the persecutions they are enduring. He also points to how we see our joy and blessings increase in direct proportion to how our sufferings are a reflection of those Jesus also endured. Read 1 Peter 4:12-19 to prepare!
Christ: Our Living Hope— Long, Slow, Distance • 1 Peter 4:7-11, February 5, 2023
We continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! This week, we arrive at Peter's conclusion to a long section on everything from submission to governing authorities to what our response should be to all forms of conflict, whether slanderous attacks, maligning and reviling and how our responses should mirror those of Christ who suffered worse for our sakes. This week in Peter's conclusion to this section we learn how and why the Christian life is a long obedience in the same direction. Read 1 Peter 4:7-11 to prepare!
Christ: Our Living Hope, Remain Faithful, 1 Peter 3:18—4:6, January 29, 2023
We continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! This week, we arrive at what theologians and commentators unanimously consider one of the most difficult passages to understand in the whole Bible. Since chapter 2 Peter's primary focus has been on encouraging the Christians in Asia Minor on how they should appropriately respond when they are persecuted, maligned, slandered and even reviled as a result of their faith in Christ and obedience to His Word. This next passage, besides its difficulty understanding, leads us to his and our greatest challenge. Read 1 Peter 3:18—4:6 to prepare!
Christ: Our Living Hope, The Fear of Man, 1 Peter 3:13-17, January 22, 2023
This Sunday we continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! We arrive at the middle of chapter 3 where we hear Peter's most encouraging words so far when it comes to the persecution the believers in Asia Minor were experiencing simply due to their obedience to the Word of God. Peter answers the why as well as the how which leads to the who it's all about. Peter exhorts us to see the fear of man for what it is and to not let it prevent us from giving a defence for the hope that is in us. Read 1 Peter 3:13-17 to prepare!
Christ: Our Living Hope, Unity in the Church, 1 Peter 3:8-12, January 15, 2023
We continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! We arrive at the fifth and final section of Peter’s words on the “household codes” where he will express his concern for everyone in the churches. His teaching here is intended to exhort and encourage every Christian on how they are to behave in general, and specifically, how to live circumspectly in a world that opposes both their lifestyle and potentially even their very existence. Great lessons for us today so we hope you will join us! Read 1 Peter 3:8-12 to prepare!
Christ: Our Living Hope, Wives, Husbands & The Gospel, 1 Peter 3:1-7, January 8, 2023
This Sunday, we return to our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! Having laid the ground work for how we are to live 'honourably' in every sphere of our lives in this world, Peter then took us into the realm of government and civil authority and what our submission in that arena should look like and why, and then into what are referred to as the 'house codes' starting with servant and master relationships. This week Peter speaks into the marriage relationship: Wives, Submission, Husbands and the Gospel.
Gospel Stories 2022: January 1, 2023 Rock Church Gathering
Sunday, January 1st, 2023 is like Christmas this year, a holiday that falls on a Sunday. This Sunday we gather together to worship our Lord and will also provided an 'open mic' for those in our church family who felt led to share a Gospel Story, a testimony of how the Lord has blessed them, encouraged them and led them in their faith and walk with Jesus Christ in 2022. Many came forward! Join us and be encouraged by what the Lord is doing!
Advent 2022: When God Came Down • Part III, December 18, 2022
We continue our Annual Advent series for this season titled, When God Came Down. As the big day approaches we anticipate the arrival of Jesus Christ at the first Christmas by examining once again the stories surrounding this great event found in Scripture. Along with our Advent Readings and Candle Lightings each Sunday, we will look at the Incarnation from the perspective of the Trinity—Father, Son & Holy Spirit. We hope you will join us this Sunday as we consider God the Son, Jesus Christ's birth at the First Christmas!
Advent 2022: When God Came Down • Part II, December 11, 2022
We continue our Annual Advent series for this season titled, When God Came Down. As the big day approaches we anticipate the arrival of Jesus Christ at the first Christmas by examining once again the stories surrounding this great event found in Scripture. Along with our Advent Readings and Candle Lightings each Sunday, we will look at the Incarnation from the perspective of the Trinity—Father, Son & Holy Spirit. We hope you will join us this Sunday as we consider God the Holy Spirit's role and His participation in the coming and birth of Jesus at the first Christmas!
Advent 2022: When God Came Down, Luke 1:26-38, December 4, 2022
This Sunday we continue an annual tradition at The Rock as we begin our Advent series for this season titled, When God Came Down. As the big day approaches we anticipate the arrival of Jesus Christ at the first Christmas by examining once again the stories surrounding this great event found in Scripture. Along with our Advent Readings and Candle Lightings each Sunday, we will look at the Incarnation from the perspective of the Trinity—Father, Son & Holy Spirit. We hope you will join us this Sunday as we begin with The Father and His relationship to the coming of His only begotten Son at the first Christmas!
Christ: Our Living Hope, Be This Way, 1 Peter 2:18-25, November 27, 2022
This Sunday we continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! Having laid the ground work for how we are to live 'honourably' in every sphere of our lives in this world, last week Peter took us into the realm of government and civil authority and what our submission to them should look like and why. This week he moves into the first of what are known as the 'Household Codes,' looking at the servant and master relationship. It's going to get even more interesting ;-) Read 1 Peter 2:18-25 in preparation!
Christ: Our Living Hope, Honour Everyone, 1 Peter 2:13-17, November 20, 2022
This Sunday, we continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! Having laid the ground work for how we are to live 'honourably' in every sphere of our lives in this world, Peter now moves to the first of several very practical ways to do that and in one of the most challenging areas of human life—submission to those in authority and first up, you guessed it—governing authorities! Be prepared, this is not politics as usual. Read 1 Peter 2:13-17 in preparation!
Christ: Our Living Hope, So That They May See, 1 Peter 2:11-12, November 13, 2022
This Sunday we continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! This week we arrive at a central hinge or pivotal point in Peter's letter to the elect exiles in Asia Minor. Just two verses that require us to slow down and digest deeply. Last Sunday, we learned how 'honoured' we are to have been caused by our Heavenly Father to be born again and invited into His family and Kingdom. This week, we learn how He expects us to live 'honourably' in every sphere of our lives in this world. Read 1 Peter 2:11-12 in preparation!
Christ: Our Living Hope, Part V, Come to Jesus, 1 Peter 2:4-10, November 6, 2022
This Sunday we continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! At this point in his letter, Peter changes course briefly to center the hearts and minds of those to whom he's writing this letter on the cornerstone of our faith and the church—Jesus Christ! In this brief passage we read some of Peter's most profound words about who we truly are as elect exiles, as committed Christians.
Christ: Our Living Hope, Part IV, The Love of The Father, 1 Peter 1:22—2:3 , October 30, 2022
We continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! Following on from last week where we learned about the order in which Peter and Paul as well laid out their letters, it's always good Theology, Who God is and What He Has Done first, before we learn How Then We Should Live. Orthodoxy (upright knowledge or truth) before Orthopraxy (correct conduct or ethics). We then were challenged to be holy as God is Holy which leads to this week where we will learn what all of that should lead to in the Christian life. Read our text 1 Peter 1:22—2:3 in preparation for this week's message!
Christ: Our Living Hope, Part III, How Then Should We Live, 1 Peter 1:13-21
This Sunday we continue in our series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! So far in our study we've heard the apostle Peter address the 'elect exiles' of the dispersion in Asia Minor and remind them of the great salvation that they have received. Peter knows full well the trials and persecutions that they've been under and he fears it will only get worse, therefore his main desire is to encourage them. This week Peter encourages them to live out their hope and salvation with great confidence.
Christ: Our Living Hope • Part II, 1 Peter 1:3-12, October, 16, 2022
We continue our new series CHRIST—Our Living Hope in 1 Peter! Last Sunday we spent some time reminding ourselves about the Apostle Peter's story, as well as discovering what his motivation was for writing this letter to the churches in Asia Minor at that time and the context that they were living in. This Sunday we will continue with a passage that Peter writes with a pastor's heart to encourage these churches. Read 1 Peter 1:3-12 in advance to prepare.