Mt. Rock Brethren in Christ Church

Compassion - When you allow the pain and suffering of someone else to impact you to the point of doing something to help.

Jesus told His disciples the fields are ripe for harvest, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers. Then He told them to go. He sent them out. Jesus commissions His followers to bring the Good News of the Kingdom to those who do not yet know Him.

Followers of Jesus Christ give generously, cheerfully, willingly out of the abundance God provides. This week we learn that we are blessed for a purpose. You have an inheritance! Use it for good!

Generosity shows our heart attitude of faith in God’s provision and compassion for the needs of others.

When we think about stewardship we are usually reminded of budgets and money and making sure we spend and save wisely. Or we remember hearing messages about tithing and giving to the church. Stewardship is actually a much broader topic that connects everything we do with what God is doing in the world. It gives us very different perspective on possessions and shows us how to live with an open hand. This Sunday we will discover that We Are Stewards!

As we wrap up our series on the heart of prayer, we do not want to miss one of the greatest expressions of the transformation Jesus works in our hearts - joy. Rejoicing is the outward manifestation of the inward joy, gratitude, and appreciation we have for Who God is and what Jesus has done in us and for us. We Rejoice!

Prayer is not about a formula or specific format. It isn't about saying the right words. When we come before the Father in humility, we pray with a focus on aligning our hearts with the Father's heart for bringing the Kingdom to earth, and we simply believe. Pray in faith.

There are many examples of fasting in the Bible. We’re often taught that fasting is a way to break through and have God hear us. But, is that really the case? In Isaiah 58 we see God’s heart for a true fast. As we wrap up the Week of Prayer and Fasting, let’s make sure we understand what God expects and what is the real result of true fasting.

God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. As Israel moved from slavery to the promised land, God commanded that they observe the Sabbath Day, not as an arbitrary rule to follow, but as a gift of redemption. Faithfully observing a sabbath rest helps to realign us with our Creator and Master as well as renewing our relationships with those around us.

When the Church gathers one of the things high on our priorities is learning. We value learning together around God's word. In this message we are going to look at what it means to learn, what we are meant to learn, and how we learn.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people are instructed to be sensitive to the needs of others and respond with the same humility, compassion, justice, and mercy that God shows them. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples on their last evening before His death. He told them to follow His example and serve each other in humility. In this third message of our We Are Church series we look at what it means to serve. Pastor Ron

The Church is a community of Christ followers that gathers around a common purpose. There are many good things we do when we gather, but the overarching purpose is to encourage and build up our brothers and sisters. In this second message of our series We Are Church, we focus on why We Gather.

Beginning a new series We Are Church to go back to basics. What does it mean to be "the church"? What are we called to do as the church? This first session is We Worship. Our worship leaders Donovan and Kim lead us through what it means to live a life of worship.

Testimonies of thankfulness from members of the recent discipleship groups.

The church has a mission to oppose the forces of evil with truth, right/just living, delivering news of peace, faith/faithfulness, proclaiming message of God’s salvation, and applying His Word. God empowers and equips His church for this mission in each of these areas because they are His weapons of victory over darkness.

The church has a mission to oppose the forces of evil with truth, right/just living, delivering news of peace, faith/faithfulness, proclaiming message of God’s salvation, and applying His Word. God empowers and equips His church for this mission in each of these areas because they are His weapons of victory over darkness.

As members of the body of Christ, we can walk daily in the power of God’s Spirit in us. In our study of Ephesians, we are learning to walk in love, unity, and harmony. The key to walking in harmony is to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ and serve others in humility.

As members of the body of Christ, we can walk daily in the power of God’s Spirit in us. In our study of Ephesians, we are learning to walk in love, unity, and harmony. The key to walking in harmony is to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ and serve others in humility.

As followers of Christ and members of His body we are not only to walk in unity with our spiritual family, we are to live out our new life before others. The light of His Spirit transforms our hearts and changes how we live. The light of Christ shining through our lives exposes others who are still in darkness to His light and to the heart change they can also experience. Continue to walk in light! Big Idea: The Light of Christ in you exposes others who are in darkness to Him. Continue to walk in light.

As followers of Christ and members of His body we are not only to walk in unity with our spiritual family, we are to live out our new life before others. The light of His Spirit transforms our hearts and changes how we live. The light of Christ shining through our lives exposes others who are still in darkness to His light and to the heart change they can also experience. Continue to walk in light! Big Idea: The Light of Christ in you exposes others who are in darkness to Him. Continue to walk in light.

One of the big challenges facing churches, especially as they grow, is keeping unity. Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus and surrounding area helps the church to understand our identity as followers of Christ – individually, but especially as the body – and teaches us how to live in unity together.

One of the big challenges facing churches, especially as they grow, is keeping unity. Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus and surrounding area helps the church to understand our identity as followers of Christ – individually, but especially as the body – and teaches us how to live in unity together.

Do you ever feel inadequate in yourself to accomplish anything of importance? What if someone prayed for you to receive power to live and to love as Jesus does? As we wrap up Ephesians three we find the Apostle Paul praying for the Ephesian believers that Jesus in them by his Spirit would give them power and they would grasp the immensity of His love. Paul prays this just before he instructs them how to live in the Light. Paul’s prayer is for us today as well!

Do you ever feel inadequate in yourself to accomplish anything of importance? What if someone prayed for you to receive power to live and to love as Jesus does? As we wrap up Ephesians three we find the Apostle Paul praying for the Ephesian believers that Jesus in them by his Spirit would give them power and they would grasp the immensity of His love. Paul prays this just before he instructs them how to live in the Light. Paul’s prayer is for us today as well!

Bishop Lynn Thrush provides the 125th Anniversary Celebration address to current and past Mt. Rock Brethren in Christ members.

On the eve of Mt. Rock's 125th Anniversary we take time to reflect on the history of God's provision through the years. It seems only two things have been constant in the life of Mt. Rock Brethren in Christ congregation - change and the message of Good News. The congregation has seen many changes over its 125+ years. Changes in buildings, ministries, leaders, giving, music, culture, and so on. However, the message of God's Good News for us in Christ Jesus never changes! Journey with us through the history of Mt. Rock Brethren in Christ, and consider God's plan for us today as we peer into the next steps of our journey through the words of Hebrews 12.

Grace and revelation from God are triggers for action, not jewels of knowledge to store up. The Apostle Paul talks of his commission to proclaim to Gentiles the mystery of Christ revealed to him, and encourages the church to do the same as fellow heirs and servants of the Good News

Grace and revelation from God are triggers for action, not jewels of knowledge to store up. The Apostle Paul talks of his commission to proclaim to Gentiles the mystery of Christ revealed to him, and encourages the church to do the same as fellow heirs and servants of the Good News

Last time we learned about our spiritual life through Jesus Christ. Not only do we have new life in because of His resurrection, this week we will hear the good news that the war is over. Hostility is dead. Jesus brings peace and unity through His death on the cross. Through Christ we have spiritual unity with other followers and with the Father. How does that truth impact the way we treat each other?

Last time we learned about our spiritual life through Jesus Christ. Not only do we have new life in because of His resurrection, this week we will hear the good news that the war is over. Hostility is dead. Jesus brings peace and unity through His death on the cross. Through Christ we have spiritual unity with other followers and with the Father. How does that truth impact the way we treat each other?

This week’s passage talks about life’s path. You were on the wrong path, following the wrong person, living the wrong way of life, and ending up in the worst possible place. There was no way back. But God rescued you from yourself and your path of error. God put you with the One who blazed the trail, set you on the path of true Life, and you end up at an even better destination than you hope. Come learn of your new Spiritual Life in Christ.

This week’s passage talks about life’s path. You were on the wrong path, following the wrong person, living the wrong way of life, and ending up in the worst possible place. There was no way back. But God rescued you from yourself and your path of error. God put you with the One who blazed the trail, set you on the path of true Life, and you end up at an even better destination than you hope. Come learn of your new Spiritual Life in Christ.

The Apostle Paul prayed for Ephesian believers to have spiritual insight. This insight would lead to greater perception and understanding of the hope, inheritance, and power that is theirs in Christ Jesus. Spiritual insight and understanding lead to action – living in the confidence of our inheritance in Christ. Walk with us through Paul’s prayer as we also receive Spiritual insight.

The Apostle Paul prayed for Ephesian believers to have spiritual insight. This insight would lead to greater perception and understanding of the hope, inheritance, and power that is theirs in Christ Jesus. Spiritual insight and understanding lead to action – living in the confidence of our inheritance in Christ. Walk with us through Paul’s prayer as we also receive Spiritual insight.

It's all about Jesus! In the first section of his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul presents a praise poem to bless God for the amazing spiritual blessings He pours out on His people. It was God's plan from the beginning to bless those who would unite with Jesus Christ. Together we praise and glorify God for His grace in providing spiritual blessings.

It's all about Jesus! In the first section of his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul presents a praise poem to bless God for the amazing spiritual blessings He pours out on His people. It was God's plan from the beginning to bless those who would unite with Jesus Christ. Together we praise and glorify God for His grace in providing spiritual blessings.

Today we begin our series in Ephesians with an overview video from The Bible Project and a read through of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Church in Ephesus. Follow along and enjoy hearing the full context of Ephesians.

Have you ever regifted something you were given and did not really want? Or maybe you heard someone had a need and you helped out of a feeling of obligation and gave an inferior gift? I hope not, but we often do this to the One Who deserves our very best. Can we honestly say we give God the best of our time and our talent and our treasure? We’re looking at Malachi and a few other passages that will help us learn not to shortchange God, but to show our love to Him by giving our very best. Big Idea: We love God by giving Him our best.

Have you ever regifted something you were given and did not really want? Or maybe you heard someone had a need and you helped out of a feeling of obligation and gave an inferior gift? I hope not, but we often do this to the One Who deserves our very best. Can we honestly say we give God the best of our time and our talent and our treasure? We’re looking at Malachi and a few other passages that will help us learn not to shortchange God, but to show our love to Him by giving our very best. Big Idea: We love God by giving Him our best.

Big Idea: Let your love for God motivate your obedience to God.

Big Idea: Let your love for God motivate your obedience to God.

Just as children grow up and take on a more mature, adult way of dealing with the world, revelation will one day be complete. When Jesus returns and all is fully revealed, the gifts of the Spirit will cease. Although the gifts will not be needed faith, hope, and love will continue on unending. One of these is the most excellent way of life and must be our highest goal. Pastor Ron

Just as children grow up and take on a more mature, adult way of dealing with the world, revelation will one day be complete. When Jesus returns and all is fully revealed, the gifts of the Spirit will cease. Although the gifts will not be needed faith, hope, and love will continue on unending. One of these is the most excellent way of life and must be our highest goal. Pastor Ron

What is the greatest impact of love? In this message from our series The Greatest we will explore what love is and what love does. From that understanding we then learn what love should look like in our lives as we follow Jesus. Pastor Ron

What is the greatest impact of love? In this message from our series The Greatest we will explore what love is and what love does. From that understanding we then learn what love should look like in our lives as we follow Jesus. Pastor Ron

Covering the first three verses of 1 Corinthians 3 to understand that love is the greatest spiritual gift. Without love, the other gifts are useless.

Covering the first three verses of 1 Corinthians 3 to understand that love is the greatest spiritual gift. Without love, the other gifts are useless.

Following Jesus is not a matter of cleaning up our act and behaving better. It isn't about becoming a better version of ourselves. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me means our old nature is nailed to the cross with Jesus, and His life is now becoming our new nature. You are becoming more like Jesus, the new you. Pastor Ron

Following Jesus is not a matter of cleaning up our act and behaving better. It isn't about becoming a better version of ourselves. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me means our old nature is nailed to the cross with Jesus, and His life is now becoming our new nature. You are becoming more like Jesus, the new you. Pastor Ron

Happy Father’s Day! As a husband and father, I want to do my best to take care of my family. One example is when we travel anywhere I do the driving. Sitting in the driver’s seat isn’t about control but about caring and protecting. But if I insist on sitting in the driver’s seat in my life, my heavenly Father is not able to direct me in His best will for me. Following Jesus means denying ourselves, giving up control, letting Jesus in the driver’s seat. Pastor Ron

Happy Father’s Day! As a husband and father, I want to do my best to take care of my family. One example is when we travel anywhere I do the driving. Sitting in the driver’s seat isn’t about control but about caring and protecting. But if I insist on sitting in the driver’s seat in my life, my heavenly Father is not able to direct me in His best will for me. Following Jesus means denying ourselves, giving up control, letting Jesus in the driver’s seat. Pastor Ron