Think what the local church would be like if all of its people were radically devoted to Jesus Christ, irrevocably committed to each other, and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside of God's family with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It would be a church against which the gates of hell could not prevail.
Pastor Adam began his teaching with this quote and expressed his heart that Rockhills would be this type of church. Worship music is great, a children's program is wonderful, but we don't want to be known for such things. We desire to be known for this radical, irrevocable and relentless pursuit of Jesus Christ and others.
The Church is made up of different people, personality types and temperaments, who blend together to make up the Church. Pastor Adam used the analogy of a cake: it is made up of chocolate, sugar, raw eggs, flour, vanilla, etc. None of these singular ingredients are very desirable or tasty, but once blended together, they make a delicious cake.
INVITATION: Who is the YOU God created you to be? Are you trying to do or be something that you aren't called to? Are you comparing yourself to others? What is YOUR passion in life? What captures your heart and attention? What would you say defines your life? Join us this week as we consider some of these questions in relationship to the Church and the mission of Jesus Christ to the world.
MONDAY: Matthew 16:13-18: Sometimes we read these verses and take the only at face value: Jesus is saying he is the Messiah. We've heard that a million times - right? However, if we consider the culture and the context, this was a bold and radical statement. It would have rocked these people to their very core. Jesus was stating HE was the fulfillment of the law. He was the solution. Up to this point, the MO was to work hard enough and obey rules. Jesus not only fulfilled the law, he abolished it! What about you? Do you have a BOLD relationship with Jesus....one that permeates every fiber of your being, or is the Christian journey and story of Jesus something you take for granted? Is your personal relationship with Jesus about working hard and behaving correctly? Or is it deeply rooted in love and grace? How can you pray about a more personal and radical journey with Jesus this week?
TUESDAY: Luke 9:23-24: Jesus is serious about being "all in" with Him. As you think about it, what will people remember you by? Your job performance? Your football team? Your political views? What will they say about your relationship with Jesus? What will they say about the way you loved? "What good is it for a man to gain the world but lose his soul?" Do you spend more time, energy and emotion on the world than on your soul? How can you be more "all in" with Jesus?
WEDNESDAY: Acts 2:42-47: These verses describe the early church. Many people lament that today's church isn't like "the early church." The early church certainly seemed to fulfill the quote Pastor Adam used about people being radically devoted to Jesus, irrevocably committed to each other, and relentlessly committed to reaching others with the gospel. All you can do is YOUR part. How is your commitment to Jesus, others in the Body and in spreading the gospel outside the Church?
THURSDAY: Ephesians 4:1-6: These verses address unity within the Body of Christ. The Church. It is clear we are to make allowance for one another. How are you doing with that? Some words used: humility, gentleness, patience. As you consider these "fruits" in your life, how might you take this into prayer today?
FRIDAY: John 17:20-21 & Matthew 16:13: Jesus is not trying to build a brand. He is all about relentlessly reaching those who need to know Christ. When we (individually or as a Church) only look inward, it is the beginning of the end. Rockhills wants to be a church that reaches beyond its own walls. What might your role be in that? How has God equipped and called you?
SATURDAY: Luke 19:10: Jesus is all about seeking and saving the lost. Are you about the same thing? How might that look in your life today and this week? What about moving forward in the weeks to come? How might you pray about His particular calling on your life? It doesn't have to look like anyone else's. How has God build YOU?