Rockhills wants to be a church that is willing to do do whatever it takes to help people find and follow Jesus. That takes individuals who are willing to do whatever it takes to help others find and follow Jesus. Does that describe you? What do you do when you cannot find a way in your Christian journey? What if relationships disintegrate? What if job situations disappear? What if life gets messy? What if others judge you unfairly? What kind of “can do” attitude do you have as you seek to follow Jesus and also help others find and follow him?
In this series on “Words that Stick” we are looking at phrases that might be encouraging and helpful in our daily walk with God. Words that can be used as a simple “breath prayer” or mantra in your life. They can be motivating and timely reminders, helping us all to “pray without ceasing” (I Thes. 5:17). In the first message of our series "Words That Stick” Pastor Adam focused on “be the branch” from John 15. That phrase, spoken by Jesus, is a reminder to stay attached to the true vine. The second week Pastor Adam encouraged us to remember to “catch the wind”--a reminder to pay attention to the Holy Spirit in your life.
INVITATION: Today’s words that stick are “wreck the roof.” They are a reminder to be bold and courageous in your faith as you seek to live day to day, and even moment to moment, following Jesus Christ. Pastor Adam had us all focus on a scene set in Capernaum in Israel. Many scholars believe this incident actually occurred at Peter’s home. The people of Capernaum had already heard about Jesus, who had just recently healed a man with leprosy. Curiosity and interest was building and Jesus was drawing crowds.
MONDAY: Luke 5:17-18 & Mark 2:1-3: Four friends apparently decided to carry their paralyzed friend to see this person Jesus who had been healing and teaching. The “important” people (teachers of the law and Pharisees) already had the front row seats, and most of the other best seats within the home. The four men could not find a way into the house to bring their friend before Jesus. In that day and age being paralyzed was basically a death sentence from a health standpoint and also made you an outcast from a spiritual and social standpoint. The general consensus was “either you or your parents sinned” and that was the answer for your condition. Thus, people such as this paralytic were outcasts in general, but particularly in religious environments such as within this home. Fortunately, the paralytic had some very committed and determined friends (the Mark verses tell us there were four of them). We don’t know how the paralytic himself felt, but he had four friends with a bias for action and ingenuity. How intentional are you in your life of following Jesus? How do you feel about Jesus when in the presence of “important” and powerful people?
TUESDAY: Luke 5:19: These friends saw their plan “A” wasn’t going to work, so they had to go with plan “B” or even “C.” They went on the roof, made a hole, and lowered their friend into the middle of the crowd. You can imagine that this was probably embarrassing. You can also imagine this was likely very messy. Yet, these four men persevered in order to bring their friend before Jesus. How intentional are you to bring people before Jesus? Are you willing to pray for God to bring someone into your path in the next days or weeks in order for you to do that? What is your reaction when things are not as easy as you thought they might be? Are you willing to persevere for the cause of Christ and for the benefit of others?
WEDNESDAY: Luke 5:20-21: The four friends were probably confused when Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic because what they had actually come for was healing. Or that’s what they thought. The religious folks began mumbling about how Jesus was blaspheming because only GOD could forgive sins. They did not recognize Jesus for who He was - the Son of God. God himself. If Jesus was physically walking around in your neighborhood, your town, your job today, do you think you would recognize him? Scripture talks about “My sheep recognize my voice.” You have to have regular contact with someone in order to recognize their voice. You must listen. Do you listen to Jesus and the Holy Spirit in your life so you will be able to “hear His voice” and also to recognize Him?
THURSDAY: Luke 5:22-26: Jesus had bigger purposes than only healing this paralytic. Pastor Adam talked about how Rockhills must have a bigger purpose than simply to meet together within our new building, with our back turned against all those who are “outside” the walls of the church. Many churches prioritize the experiences going on inside the walls of a church. Are you ready and willing to go out of your way and to great lengths to help people find and follow Jesus? Are you willing to pray about how you might serve the faith community around Rockhills (or wherever your church home is)? We cannot open up to our new neighbors in October unless we have volunteers willing to serve. Could that be you? It might be messy. It might be inconvenient. We need help with technology, set up, tear down and in our children’s department in order to move forward in October. We also would love to have several small groups to offer folks in order to grow and form community. Will you pray and see if you sense an invitation from God regarding this?
FRIDAY: Deuteronomy 31:6: Living with a “whatever it takes” type of faith takes courage. But you are not alone. How might you ask Jesus to go with you into your day today? What courage and strength do you need as you seek to follow Jesus and point others to him? Are you willing to call on the strength and courage of Jesus IN you and step out and serve at Rockhills as we “wreck the roof” and bring others to know Jesus?