Church on The Rock Homer Church on The Rock Homer

Is it too soon to talk about Christmas? My son has asked several times in the last week if we can put the tree up again. I don’t think he’s mentioned it to my wife or it would be up again already. How often is it during a holiday season that you forget to intentionally connect with the purpose of the holiday? Thanksgiving is about tryptophan and naps, not people. Memorial day is about a fun day to travel in summer, not honoring the ultimate sacrifice of those who serve. Christmas is about that one thing I hope is under the tree and not the incarnation of Jesus. It happens quickly in the hustle of life that we fail to slow down and see things as they truly are. 

That is the story of the Triumphal Entry and Palm Sunday. We too quickly rush to assume what God wills or purposes upon the foal of a donkey. Today, we have the benefit of hindsight on our side.

Pastor Matt McCarter

  

Have you ever painfully watched as someone in charge got it all wrong?  Ever had a supervisor care intensely about all the wrong things while neglecting what was important?  Ever watched someone in power exercise that power in wasteful ways and miss the opportunity to bring about meaningful change?  Ever had someone with the power to make a decision on your behalf, delay the decision in a way that cost you dearly? It’s frustrating when those with power don’t use their power in ways consistent with how we see fit.  In fairness, they probably have some perspective that we lack.  But that doesn’t make it less maddening. What about with God?  Ever been frustrated, disappointed, or confused by the way in which He wields or seemingly fails to wield His unlimited power on earth?  I have. In this message, we will look at John 11.  It is the story of an astonishing miracle.  And every single character takes issue with the way Christ gets it done. 

When is the last time you got knocked off your feet with an illness? Mine was about a year ago, after a couple of days without improvement I headed to the Doc, only to find out that I just had a virus and needed to wait it out. 

As I get older, there more and more comes a period where the recovery process turns from helpful to painful. My body stiffens while at rest and what once brought me comfort is now what causes me additional pain. How often do we remain in pain seeking healing while the answer is elsewhere?In this message, we take a look at John 5, Jesus healing the Lame Man at Bethesda. My hope is the same as John’s, that we will again encounter a wonderful healer, a mighty savior!

Pastor Aaron Weisser dissects Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well and the miracle of God's grace.

Do you remember the first time you heard some old man tell you that life gets faster as you get older? How about the statement that life is too short? The best things in life, money can’t buy? 

Are you old enough now to know the truth of those statements? For most of us there is an initial disbelief when the aged and wise come along and share their knowledge. However, with time there comes a realization surpassing the knowledge, or gumption, we previously held. 

The same was true for Nicodemus, when Jesus uttered the words, you must be born again. Nicodemus cannot fit the notion into his understanding of the world and yet it would prove to be true in time. 

In this message we examine Jesus’ life changing interaction with the esteemed Pharisee. My hope is that by the power of God’s Spirit we will know and rejoice in the second birth. 

Pastor Matt McCarter

Pastor Aaron Weisser takes a look at the justice of God in an unjust world, the purpose of God when my life is in chaos, and the ways of God when everything has gone south.