Selfish Worship
It’s problematic when even our motives for worshipping center on ourselves. Worshipers must realize that worship is ultimately not about them.
Missions (Entrust Institute Course)
In this course, students are introduced to Christian Missions through a brief examination of biblical and theological foundations, historical missions, modern missionary practices, and the future of missions around the world.
Exodus
In the Book of Exodus, we discover a relentless God who will do whatever it takes to redeem hopeless people in inescapable bondage. God delivers us so profoundly that we should devote our lives wholeheartedly to Him.
The Unexpected & Unstoppable Plan of God
Exodus 1:1-7 – As the Book of Exodus commences, God reminds us of how He kept His promises to an unlikely family to fulfill an uncommon calling. God sets the stage to use His people to accomplish His purposes, and nothing can stop Him.
My 2022 in 22 Pictures
How do you summarize a year in the life of an individual, family, and calling? I went through the archives and decided that the best way to do it was by sharing 22 pictures that best summarize what God did around me in 2022.
Top 2022 Posts
I pray that the weekly resources I post are helping you grow in your personal discipleship. Here are the top 22 posts from 2022.
How Should I Read the Bible?
The Bible is not a book to cram information into your mind. It is God’s Word for you to study as it studies you. As you prepare a plan with which to read the Bible, ensure that you know how you should be reading the Bible in the first place. Consider what God is saying. It’s time to go the second mile in reading the Bible.
A Spiritual Resolution Worth Keeping
It’s that time of the year when we make New Year’s resolutions that we only keep for a few days. If you really think your goal is worth it, you will see it through.
Fear Not – There Is Good News
Luke 2:1-20 – The angels announced the gracious and glorious arrival of Jesus to a group of panicked shepherds. The gospel emboldens our lives once we comprehend that Jesus actually came for us.
Open the Bible as a Family This Christmas
Don’t celebrate Christmas this year by overlooking Christ. Guide your family to open the Scriptures and discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Exodus (Series Overview)
In the Book of Exodus, we discover a relentless God who will do whatever it takes to redeem hopeless people in inescapable bondage. God delivers us so profoundly that we should devote our lives wholeheartedly to Him.
When Should I Read the Bible?
Since God is the most forgiving relationship in our lives, it is easiest to neglect our obligations to Him over other people. But neglecting His Word affects our lives greatly. If you have a plan, you need to decide when you will make time to meditate on God’s Word daily.
Vision + Mission 2023
Our church desires to take the Great Commission seriously and do our part to make disciples with all the opportunities given. We are prayerfully working toward some milestones in the coming year for the gospel’s sake.
The Attempt to Remove Divine Authority Creates Moral Anarchy
When a culture tries to rid itself of the notion of God, it finds something more disturbing than authority. Attempting to remove divine authority from our lives actually creates moral anarchy among us.
When Christmas Songs Misrepresent Christmas
Some of our beloved Christmas songs take our eyes off Jesus, but even some of the sacred ones are not exactly scriptural in their content. To understand what happened on that first Christmas, we need to go back to the book.
The Unseen Threat
Our greatest dangers are not the ones we can see. There is a battle raging all around us, even if we live our lives seemingly unaware.
What Should I Read in the Bible?
The Bible is a big book full of complicated stories, challenging situations, and complex settings that often seem foreign to us. Most of us never finished reading the Bible because we never started in the wisest place. It is important to know how you ought to progress.
2023 Sermon Plan
For 2023, our church is going to study the Book of Exodus in its entirety. The breakdown of the book charts a course for us as we study the Word of God together.
Fear Not – You Are Favored By God
Luke 1:26-38 – God graced Mary so she could carry Jesus in her womb, and she was willing to follow His plan no matter the cost. The favor of the known God should also diminish the fear of unknown circumstances in our lives.
Fear Not
Consider what it must have been like during that first Christmas when God invaded some people’s plans for His own. The presence and promise of God were meant to rid them of fear and embolden them to go forward.
Christmas Is in Need of Radical Reformation
In all the hustle and bustle of Christmas activity, it seems as if we lose Christ in the midst of it all. We must learn to slow down and quiet our souls if we can celebrate Jesus during this time.
Aligning Our Lives with the Mission of God
Trace the movement of the mission of God throughout the pages of Scripture and the history of the Church. Learn what Christ has called us to do worldwide, and discover how you can be involved.
Why Should I Read the Bible?
With the growing exposure to bite-sized social media updates and quick exposure to news, we are losing our ability to read long and read well. While there is a great danger to this for many facets of life, none is as dangerous as what it means for our ability to handle Scripture.
Fear Not (Series Overview)
If you think our days are full of reasons to fear, you must consider what it must have been like during that first Christmas when God invaded some people’s plans for His own. Met by God, these individuals were all overwhelmed by uncertainty, but the presence and promise of God were meant to rid them of fear and embolden them to go forward.
When the Compromises Come
Nehemiah 13:1-31 – Nehemiah left the city for a short time, and opposing voices emerged in an attempt to change direction. When compromises come among the people of God, we must commit to rerouting to God’s expectations.
2023 Sermon Series
While we don’t know what might happen in 2023, we know who will reign throughout it all, and that’s why we go to His Word for direction. In the Scriptures, we discover our redeemed identity and our redirected activity.
Before You Get Married
Why do some couples make it and others don’t? Undeniably, some marriages end because they never experienced a healthy beginning.
How Often Should I Pray?
We often wonder how much we should pray to be considered a serious Christian. It’s not about reaching some type of goal. It’s about forming a type of relationship. We don’t want the bare minimum in the way that we prioritize talking with God.
2023 Bible Reading Plans
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.
When We Celebrate God’s Work
As the people dedicated the wall’s completion, a joyous celebration commenced. When we celebrate God’s work, we should be known by sincere thanksgiving.
2022 Annual Report
We are consistently amazed at what Jesus is doing through the Rocky Creek Church family. As we celebrate what He has done in 2022, we anticipate what He will accomplish in 2023.
How Do I Pray When I’m Anxious?
Realize that you haven’t sinned when anxiety hits, but you could sin by how you address it. Jesus provides helpful clarity in how He took His anxieties to God in prayer. It’s time to go the second mile in praying through your anxiety.
3 Steps to Staying Thankful
When everyone seems stressed out, it isn’t easy to maintain a thankful attitude. Even if it doesn’t come naturally, you must resolve to find the goodness of God still lingering on this earth to embody the type of gratitude to thrive.
Waypoint (November 2022)
Waypoint is a quarterly event intended to celebrate what God is doing through our church family. At the November 2022 gathering, we celebrated what God did in the past year and looked ahead at what we prayerfully anticipate doing in the coming year.
When We All Know Our Roles
Nehemiah 11:1-36 – The people of God organized their efforts and installed leaders in critical areas. When we all know our roles, we are better if we serve according to our giftedness and others’ requirements.
Entrust 2023 Courses
The Entrust Institute is a unique learning experience partnering with a local church to achieve seminary training and practical ministry experience. We have an exciting slate of courses scheduled for 2023.
How Can I Diversify My Prayers?
If you pray about the same things in the same ways, day after day, you shouldn’t be surprised that your prayers are boring. To get out of a prayer rut, you have to change your strategy. What if one simple change could enliven your prayer life?
When the Commission Becomes the Competition
When the commission becomes the competition, all of our churches are in danger. We must consider how to strengthen those churches down the road as eagerly as we would for those around the world.
What Happens at the Final Judgment?
There is coming a day when Jesus will declare the eternal state for every person. What Jesus will do with us then depends on what we do with Him now.
When We Give Together
Nehemiah 10:1-39 – As the people commit to keeping the covenant, they also agree to fund the temple’s financial requirements. When we give together, we join our generous offerings and stand amazed at what God does through aligned efforts.