Set Apart

The Rock Church: Fenton

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Set Apart

Kings and Kingdoms

November 15, 2023 • Michael Fitzgerald • Matthew 7:13–14, 1 John 2:15–17

This week we wrap up our Old Testament study of the kings and kingdoms by moving over a vast period of history. Both the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel were essentially a disaster because the kings and the people chose their own path. We have seen time and time again through this series that without God everything will fall apart. We have also seen that when someone has a heart that is postured after the Lord radical change ensues. Even tho most of the kings were bad we do see a handful of kings that chose to make hard decisions to follow the true King. The Bible says that we are all on a path, the wide way which is rebellion towards God, and the narrow path which is the righteous path. Followers of Jesus traverse the narrow path and are willing to make hard sacrifices to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. We are members/subjects of a heavenly Kingdom - living as ambassadors in this world submitting to Christ as the One True King. We are called to be set apart.

The Kings Love

January 31, 2024 • Brenan Hudgens • John 21, John 17:3, John 15:12–17

During the trial of Jesus we all remember Peter’s threefold denial of being a follower of Him and how Peter went out weeping bitterly over his public rejection. Putting ourselves in the shoes of Peter we can certainly sympathize with his feelings of shame and regret as we have also been faced with the same questions Peter was faced with… Are you a follower of Jesus? As we fast forward to the 21st chapter of John we see the disciples back in their home town fishing when the resurrected Jesus appears to them a third time. Although Peter has seen the risen Jesus, it is likely Peter has not yet come to terms with his denial of Him. Jesus sits down with Peter to ask him a series of questions and commands to draw out his love for Him. He does this because if Peter is going to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and be obedient to the mission He is giving to Him it would have to be motivated out of love and not obligation. Jesus gives Peter the assurance of forgiveness and that His love towards His followers is not contingent on our shortcomings. Jesus extends forgiveness and mercy to everyone who places their faith in Him as their Savior and we can be sure of this truth, that nothing can separate us from His love.

The Kings Compassion

January 24, 2024 • Jeremy Toomey • John 20, Romans 10:17

After the resurrection many saw that Jesus was alive and declared the good news to Thomas but he demanded that he wouldn’t believe unless he could place his fingers in the holes created by the crucifixion. Eight days later Jesus appears in a closed room to all the disciples and meets Thomas where he was at by allowing him to place his fingers in His wounds. Thomas responds with now “I believe” but then Jesus responds by saying “you believed because you have seen me. Those who believe in Me without seeing Me are blessed.” We can learn a lot from this story because like Thomas we have all found ourselves doubting who Jesus is, or even wrestle through our faith in terms of His guidance for our life. We don’t get to physically see all the things that Jesus did, like the people of Thomas’ day, so how do we have faith without seeing? We also see that Jesus didn’t respond to Thomas in anger because of his disbelief but instead with gentleness and compassion showing us that the true King meets us where we are at. His desire is for us all to come to repentance and belief in Him as our theme verse says.

Peace in the Kings Presence

January 17, 2024 • Michael Fitzgerald • Luke 24, Psalm 16:11

Mankind longs to be filled with an everlasting peace that this world cannot comprehend. The problem is most people don’t know where to find true peace. Living life separated from our Creator is the most hopeless feeling one can have. The disciples of Jesus had spent three years being closely discipled by the King of the universe and walked in close fellowship with Him. Jesus told them plainly how He had to go away to do the will of the Father by giving His life- but He left them with the promise that He would return (John 16). The disciples learned what it was like to be in the presence of the Lord and experienced the peace that came with His presence. When Jesus was crucified they were crushed and left feeling hopeless, lost and discombobulated. For those who have placed their faith in Jesus alone, believers know what it is to be in the presence of the Lord through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Even though followers are always in the presence of the Lord, we can feel detached when we do not diligently seek Him as our closest friend. To stay in close fellowship with Jesus we need to have a hunger and thirst for righteousness which comes through spiritual disciplines such as prayer and spending time reading the Bible.