Intro to the New Testament
The New Testament highlights the message and ministry of Jesus Christ. Understanding the purpose and position of the section within the Bible helps us know how to apply it better to our lives.
Psalm 119
The longest chapter in the Bible speaks to our need for all chapters within it. If we desire to live a joyful, God-honoring life, we must be relentlessly dependent upon knowing and applying the Scriptures.
Treasuring God’s Word
Psalm 119:1-16 – If you consider the Bible a hindrance from the life you desire, you will never value it accordingly. God’s Word is a blessing to apply and not a burden to avoid.
2024 Cohorts
We are starting Men and Women Cohorts at our church this year. It is a unique way to go deeper into critical topics yet aligned with other elements of the overall strategy.
Devoted to Scripture
You’ve heard people say that you need to read the Bible, but what if you can’t stand reading? You’ve got to retrain your mind regarding the Bible.
Psalm 119 (Series Overview)
The longest chapter in the Bible speaks to our need for all chapters within it. If we desire to live a joyful, God-honoring life, we must be relentlessly dependent upon knowing and applying the Scriptures.
Steady Steps
When surrounded by people falling along the way, we must ensure that we are stabilizing our pace as we seek to follow Jesus. It’s important to ground ourselves in the promises of God’s Word.
God’s Guidance Leads Out
Exodus 40:36-38 – Throughout all the Exodus journeys, God had proved Himself faithful for the path still yet to come. Like the Israelites, we are grateful for God’s deliverance in the past and dependent upon God’s guidance in the future.
My 2023 in 23 Photos
It is difficult to summarize all that happens in life, family, ministry, and church within a year, but I wanted to try. Looking back helps me see God’s faithful hand all along the way.
Top 10 Sermons of 2023
2023 provided the opportunity to preach 53 sermons from the Book of Exodus. Here are the top 10 sermons I preached that were downloaded from that series.
Rethinking Bible Plans
We often encourage people to read God’s Word daily, but we rarely provide people with assistance so they can experience success. As you think about your personal time in the Word, do you have a plan that will help you grow in your personal discipleship?
Top Posts of 2023
Out of 260 posts, these 10 connected the most in 2023. I pray they can encourage you as well.
God’s Glory Came Down
Exodus 40:34-35 – With all the growing anticipation of meeting with God after the tabernacle’s completion, God’s glory was so intense that Moses was surprisingly unable to enter. This blockade reminded the people of the great chasm between them and God that only the coming Messiah could rectify.
The Most Neglected Prayer Request
If most of our prayer requests could be addressed by a second opinion or an alleviated circumstance, we might not be praying about all we should. Make your personal discipleship a matter of consistent prayer.
Rethinking Women’s Ministry
Women face unique challenges in our culture. The call of the Word contradicts the claims of the world. The Bible provides clear guidance for how to transform an individual life, a group of friends, or even a church’s ministry geared toward raising godly women.
How to Get Your Church in the Word Daily
Our church has created different Bible reading plans to help people go deeper into the Scriptures regardless of how disciplined they have been in the past. Based on the daily reading requirements, there are beginner, moderate, and advanced reading plans.
Some Need Comfort While Others Are Too Comfortable
Some people need loving encouragement, while others need bold confrontation. In addition to knowing what needs to be addressed, we must know how to address the individual people.
God’s Work Done God’s Way
Exodus 37:1-40:33 – After receiving detailed instructions on how to build the tabernacle, the people archived how they fulfilled them precisely. If we are to complete God’s work, we ought to attempt it in God’s way.
The Most Life-Changing Decision in College
The single most life-altering change I made in college was when I finally decided to read the Bible. I became dissatisfied with riding the coattails of others’ biblical knowledge, and I have yet to recover from the transformation that occurred.
Rethinking Men’s Ministry
The Word calls men to be bold leaders for the Kingdom of God, but the world calls men to be passive followers for the kingdom of self. Our churches cannot continue to allow the slide for men to progress.
Growth Is Gradual
We can only fully mature in Christ by acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. As we observe the rough edges of our spiritual conditions, we can work with Christ’s power to see progress in the most critical areas of our lives.
RC App
We’ve got some wonderful ways you can connect with Rocky Creek Church through some helpful apps. Check out these ways that you can receive helpful discipleship resources and regular updates.
2024 Sermon Plan
As our church prepares for 2024, we seek God’s help through His Word to navigate challenging times. Through faithful preaching, we aim to help our church family stay faithful no matter what comes.
Don’t Enter in Worship (Enter With It)
There’s a difference between entering with worship and entering in worship. Do what you can to prepare your heart before you gather with God’s people.
Pursuing Alignment
In the midst of many opportunities for spiritual growth, we can lack a needed sense of alignment. What if we are guilty of widespread efforts that only provide shallow understanding? Focus might be the component we’ve been missing.
It Can Sound Spiritual But Not Be Biblical
There are a lot of spiritual teachings and teachers out there, but not all of them are biblical. We must avoid being tossed around by somewhat true statements that keep us from the clarity of God’s Word.
Bible Reading Plans 2024
One of the surest ways to grow in Christ is by examining the Scriptures daily. Many people fail at Bible reading because they don’t have a plan or a partner, but we want to help.
Remembering Who We Are
Exodus 34:10-35 – Before reminding the people of some of His expectations, God restated His unique commitment to them. The distinguishing characteristics of our lives are wrapped up in the promises of God.
What a Pink and Purple Stuffed Animal Reminded Me About God
I often struggle with really believing in God’s love for me. I’ve come to grips that God doesn’t love me because I’m lovely, but His love is what transforms me to be more of who I’m supposed to be.
Ministry Matters (Entrust Conference 2024)
We are excited to host our second annual Entrust Conference, “Ministry Matters: Learning to Help One Another.” In ministering to one another, we meet others’ needs and encourage personal growth.
2024 Sermon Series
After much prayer, study, and discussion, our pastors have decided on the preaching direction for 2024. As we consider the state of our church and the challenges of the upcoming year, we anticipate God’s Word equipping us in these critical areas.
Cults and World Religions
When encountering other religions or cults, it can be difficult to share Christ with people of religious backgrounds effectively. It is important to understand shared language and differing beliefs.
Rediscovering Who God Is
Exodus 34:1-9 – God provided Moses with a description of Himself that became one of the most repeated characterizations in the Bible. As we unpack who God says He is, we discover the beauty and balance of His nature.
Outlook Magazine
We have much to celebrate as a church, and we don’t want to rush by the opportunity to do so. Our Outlook Magazine celebrates what Jesus did among us in 2023 and anticipates what He will do in 2024.
Peaceful Family Gatherings
Regardless of your specific traditions, Thanksgiving week is often characterized by food, family, and football, but for many of us, it’s also known for frustration. It’s time to go the second mile in having peaceful family gatherings.
Worshiping on a Monday
Don’t reserve your praise for only on Sundays. If God is good every day of the week, He deserves our praise just as much.
Waypoint (November 2023)
We’re celebrating what God has done at Rocky Creek this year and sharing plans for next year. You can find resources mentioned throughout this Waypoint, including a digital copy of Outlook and Bible Reading Plans, on our website!
Dependent Upon God’s Presence
Exodus 33:1-23 – God invited Moses into a staggering type of intimate friendship with Himself. Moses became so accustomed to that level of proximity with God that He refused to go forward without it.
The Reason Both Your Church and Pastor Fail
Many churches struggle because they expect the pastor to do what he is called not to do. Your leader’s role is not to do all the ministry required but to equip the membership to meet all needs together.
Intentional Encouragement
While we all need to be encouraged, we all don’t need to be encouraged in the same way. Depending upon how we are wired and what is happening, we need something different from those around us.