Rock City Church

Are you wrestling with who you are or questioning your purpose? In this electrifying sermon, "Identity Crisis by Design," Pastor David Bendett dives deep into how life's toughest moments—job loss, broken dreams, or shaken faith—are divine setups from God to redefine your identity in Christ! With raw honesty, he shares his own journey through crisis, revealing how God strips away idols, false labels, and worldly comforts to shape us into who we were always meant to be. Packed with wisdom from Psalm 73 and the life of Jesus, this message will ignite your faith and show you that losing the old you is the key to winning in God's plan. Don't miss this life-changing word—watch now, subscribe for more fire-filled sermons, and drop your thoughts in the comments! Key Scriptures Referenced:

The Kingdom of God starts small—like a mustard seed—but when planted in faith and cultivated through obedience, it grows into something mighty that provides rest, refuge, and transformation for others. Pastor David Bendett challenges us to be both the field and the seed: rooted in Christ, extending our branches wide so that even the broken, labeled, and misunderstood can find safety, love, and truth. Rather than living by the world's titles, we are called to wear only the names our Father gives us—sons, daughters, shepherds, servants, friends. The true work of the Kingdom isn't in building movements, but laying down our lives so others may live. Plant the seed. Grow the tree. Let the birds come.

In this week's message, Pastor Jordan Shimon shares how God's Kingdom has always been designed to grow through family — not systems or structures, but sons and daughters walking in covenant relationship. From Abraham's promise to the blessing of Jacob and Joseph in Genesis 48, we're reminded that the Kingdom of God multiplies through love, unity, and generational faithfulness. Discover how embracing your identity as part of God's family releases His authority and purpose in your life.

In The Birds of the Air, Pastor David Bendett teaches how even the smallest seed of faith can grow into a life that provides safety, rest, and hope for others. Rooted in Christ, we are called to reject false labels, embrace our true identity in God, and bear fruit that draws people to His Kingdom.

Pastor David Bendett shares from Joshua 5:13–15, reminding us that the battle is not ours but the Lord's. Victory doesn't come from our strength, politics, or movements, but through humility, worship, and trusting God's unconventional ways. The real fight begins with a circumcised heart and total surrender to His will.

In this message, Dr. Paul Cole reminds us that hope is alive and its name is Jesus. Through the challenges of life—fear, uncertainty, and chaos—Jesus declares, “I AM, RIGHT NOW,” offering His presence, peace, healing, and victory in every situation. Using examples from Scripture including Lazarus, Paul and Silas, and Acts of the Apostles, Dr. Cole emphasizes that faith defeats fear, hope conquers despair, and the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us today. This message challenges us to trust God fully, live boldly, and step into the fullness of His promises without delay. Don't miss this life-changing message—apply it today and experience the power of Jesus right now in your life!

Today, Pastor David Bendett shares his incredible journey from hardship, prison, and personal loss to a life transformed by Jesus Christ. He highlights how vision, obedience, and steadfast faith in God have led him to plant Rock City Church and build a legacy of ministry over the past 13 years. Pastor David emphasizes the importance of godly leadership, teamwork, and serving with zeal for the house of God, inspiring viewers to find their own purpose and contribute to building God's kingdom. Be encouraged to step into your unique calling and make a difference in His house today—say “yes” and get involved!

From the prophets to the ministry of Jesus, Scripture shows that zeal is more than emotion — it's a holy fire that fuels devotion, righteous action, and love for God's people. True zeal protects us from compromise, calls us to repentance, and stirs us to build God's Kingdom above our own.

Special Guest: Brad McClendon

In this message, Pastor David Bendett unpacks the biblical truth behind *toil*—the exhausting labor and striving that came as a result of the curse in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:17-19). Through Scripture, we discover that Jesus Christ has redeemed us from this curse (Galatians 3:13), granting us freedom from fear, stress, worry, and endless striving. Instead, God calls us into a life of peace, rest, and joy as we walk with Him and allow His Spirit to lead us. From the blessings of Psalm 128 to the invitation of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, this sermon reminds us that we no longer labor alone—we are co-laborers with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9). It's time to stop spinning in weariness and start living in Kingdom rest.

God's heart for His children is to live in true prosperity—not the fleeting wealth of the world, but the eternal inheritance that comes through Christ. In the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), we see the dangers of demanding an inheritance prematurely and the grace of the Father who restores without shame. True sons and daughters understand that their greatest inheritance is found in being with the Father, walking in humility, and trusting His timing. Real prosperity is found in obedience, gratitude, faithfulness, and walking in step with the Spirit. ✨ Whether you are navigating financial challenges, seeking God's wisdom in your work, or longing to understand biblical prosperity, our hope is that this message will encourage and equip you to rest in the Father's love and power to provide.

What does it truly mean to be meek? In this powerful message, we explore the strength and authority found in meekness—not as weakness, but as power under restraint. True meekness is anchored in identity, humility, and obedience to God's will, not driven by anger, pride, or entitlement. Those who choose the way of the meek walk in freedom from bitterness and revenge, and inherit something far greater than earthly riches: the Kingdom itself. This teaching reminds us that our greatest inheritance is not land, title, or possession—but people, purpose, and God's presence both now and forever.

#FirmFoundation #JesusIsOurRock #ChristianSermon #BiblicalTeaching #HolySpiritLed #ChurchOnline #FaithUnderFire #SpiritualGrowth What are you building your life on? What does it mean to have Jesus Christ as our true foundation—especially when life's pressures test what we've built.? Whether you feel spiritually stagnant, pressed by trials, or are ready to deepen your walk with God, this teaching will reignite your understanding of what it means to build on the Rock and not the sand. Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3:11 Matthew 7:24–27 Ephesians 2:19–22 Psalm 127:1

In this powerful message titled “Subverting Expectations,” we are reminded that God rarely moves how we expect—but always moves with purpose. Drawing from recent encounters in the “Super Normal Natural” series at Rock City Church, Pastor Jordan Deal explores the tension between our desire for control and God's call to surrender. True Lordship requires yielding every area of life to Him—our plans, timing, desires, even our understanding of leadership. God often hides His glory in places we least expect: in our pain, in the ordinary, and in people we might overlook—including children. Through scriptural examples like Elijah's encounter with the still small voice and Jesus' transfiguration, we see that God intentionally subverts expectations to draw us closer, deepen our faith, and form us into vessels of glory. This sermon calls for repentance—not from sin alone—but from our rigid expectations of how God should work. Ultimately, we're invited to live a life fully yielded to Christ, trusting that His unexpected ways are far better than anything we could imagine. Let Jesus interrupt your expectations—and meet you right where you least expect Him.

Are you truly free? In this powerful message, “The Journey of Deliverance,” we explore how deliverance is not just a one-time event but a lifelong journey of healing, freedom, and transformation. From breaking soul ties and renouncing shame to walking in our God-given authority over the enemy, this teaching will guide you through what it really means to be delivered by the power of Jesus. Learn how to identify spiritual strongholds, walk in your authority as a believer, and embrace the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. This message is personal, practical, and rooted in Scripture—packed with insight on demonic oppression, the orphan spirit, and the supernatural freedom available through the blood of Jesus.

Today's message is from special guest speaker Brad McLendon

Experience the supernatural promise of Pentecost! In this powerful message, we unpack the Baptism of the Holy Spirit—the Promise of the Father—and explore how the fire of God still fills, empowers, and transforms believers today. From the upper room to the ends of the earth, this same outpouring of power is available to us now! Whether you're new to the idea of being Spirit-filled or longing to go deeper, this message will stir your hunger for more of God's fire, boldness, and supernatural authority.

The Bible says to “desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1 Cor 14:1). Why? Because prophecy builds up, speaks truth in love, and reveals the heart of God to both believers and unbelievers. In week 2 of our SuperNormalNatural series, we explore why prophecy is called “the greatest gift” and how it empowers the Church to move in love, truth, and supernatural clarity. God is still speaking—and He wants to speak through you.

Welcome to the kickoff of our brand-new series, SuperNormalNatural — a bold and biblical look at what it means to live a Spirit-empowered life like Jesus did. This isn't hype, and it's not just history — it's the present-day reality for every believer.

In a world often characterized by conditional love and fleeting relationships, the message of God's eternal, unconditional love stands as a powerful beacon of hope. Join us as Otto Kelly delivers a profound message about the magnitude of divine love, challenging believers to comprehend the depth, width, and intensity of God's affection for each individual.

What does it really mean to be *part of a spiritual family*? In today's heartfelt and challenging message, Pastor Amber Bendett reminds us that church is not just a building or a service—it's the household of God. Drawing from Ephesians 2:19 and Matthew 12:48, Pastor Amber Bendett unpacks the powerful truth that we are *no longer strangers, but members of God's family*. ⛪ Church isn't just a service—it's a *home*, and *you belong here*.

Wilderness, Testing & Promotion | Sunday, May 4th, 2025 In life and faith, there are seasons that test us, refine us, and ultimately promote us to new levels of spiritual authority and maturity. This transformative process is often painful, marked by hardship and wrestling, but it is essential for us to become the people God created us to be. Drawing from deep personal experience and biblical wisdom, this message explores the wilderness of testing, the power of the cross, and the path to promotion in God's kingdom.

In this powerful Easter Sunday message, *“Just As He Said,”* we reflect on the fulfilled promise of Jesus' resurrection—a promise that many heard, but few understood or believed. Just as Jesus foretold, He was crucified and rose again on the third day. Through Luke 24 and other scriptures, we see how even His closest followers needed reminding of His word. This sermon explores how we, too, often forget God's promises in times of pain, loss, or delay. Yet even in our doubt, Jesus remains faithful. The resurrection is not just a past event—it is a present and living truth that empowers us to rise with Him into a new life through the Holy Spirit. Whether you're struggling with hope deferred, spiritual fatigue, or uncertainty, this message calls you back to trust in what Jesus already declared: He is risen—just as He said. **

Today we celebrate the *Triumphal Entry*—the powerful moment when Jesus rode into Jerusalem as King, six days before His crucifixion. Crowds shouted **“Hosanna!”**, laying down palm branches and clothes in worship, not just as a celebration, but as a prophetic fulfillment that had been declared over a thousand years earlier. In this Palm Sunday message, we uncover the meaning behind the cry of *Hosanna*—a deep plea for deliverance, renewal, and victory. It's a cry that still echoes today in the hearts of the broken, the bound, the spiritually blind, and all who desperately need the saving power of **Yeshua**. We dive into the powerful connections between the **Old Testament prophecies** and their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus, revealing how this moment was not just historic—it's deeply personal for us today. This sermon calls you to bless the Lord from the house of the Lord and embrace the only true Deliverer who can bring prosperity, healing, and peace.

In a world obsessed with success, status, and self-promotion, the Kingdom of God flips the script. This message explores a powerful, counter-cultural truth: that in God's Kingdom, our greatest boast isn't in our accomplishments—but in our losses. In our weakness. In the places we feel least impressive… yet most dependent on Christ. Join us as we dive into Paul's words in Philippians and 2 Corinthians, where he lays down a radical challenge: boast in your weakness so that Christ's power can shine through. We'll confront pride, explore the dangers of misplaced confidence, and discover how boasting in our weakness becomes a weapon against the enemy and a testimony of God's power at work in us.

This week Pastor David Bendett shares a powerful message on prayer and how to build a consistent, daily connection with God. He emphasizes even Jesus' disciples needed guidance in prayer, which is why He gave us the Lord's Prayer as a model (Matthew 6:9-13). This prayer teaches key principles like humility, trust, worship, forgiveness, spiritual warfare, and seeking God's will over our own.

In this powerful message, Lacie Panknin shares a transformational encounter with God that reshaped her understanding of identity, trauma, and surrender. For years, she took pride in her work ethic, integrity, and accomplishments, believing they reflected God's grace in her life. But a deeper revelation exposed a blind spot—hidden wounds from past trauma were still influencing her responses to others. In a moment of what felt like defeat, she heard Jesus speak: *“And now, you can learn to love like Me.”* Through this encounter, Lacie realized that true freedom comes not from striving, but from surrender. She describes a vision where God led her to lay both her past pain and personal successes before Him, challenging her to let the cross be greater than anything done to her. Drawing from Galatians 2:20 and 1 Corinthians 3, she unpacks the choice between reacting in the flesh or responding in alignment with Christ. This message is a call to build a life on eternal foundations—seeking God's perspective, releasing offense, and allowing His refining fire to bring transformation.

Discover the transformative power of vulnerability in your faith journey. Explore how embracing intimacy with God and others can lead to deeper connections and a fuller life. Join us as Pastor Jeremy Haines reflects on the risks and rewards of true intimacy.

In this heartfelt message, Otto Kelly shares his personal journey of faith and the transformative power of recognizing God as our true Father. By reflecting on his own experiences, he emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity in Christ and how it shapes our lives and relationships.

Conflict is inevitable—even in the Body of Christ. The ones we love the most can hurt us the deepest, but Jesus understands that pain better than anyone. He was betrayed, abandoned, and crucified, yet His response was, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) When believers sin against us, how should we respond? Matthew 18:15-16 gives us a clear process for handling conflict with love, humility, and a goal of restoration. Winning an argument isn't the goal—winning people back to Jesus and relationship is. In this message, we explore: The importance of going directly to the person first (Matthew 18:15) How to seek reconciliation while guarding against bitterness The role of love in covering a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8) Trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us in each unique situation We are called to live in peace, clothed in mercy, kindness, humility, and patience (Colossians 3:12-15). Let's ask the Lord for the supernatural grace to forgive, forget, and bring healing where it's needed.

Everything God created in the Garden was good—but why did He allow a deceiving serpent and a deadly tree to exist? Was it a test of devotion, or part of a greater plan pointing to Christ? We are not meant to be alone—we have Jesus, our spouses, and the Body of Christ to strengthen, support, and uplift one another. When we love and aid each other, we reflect God's divine plan for unity and purpose. This week, we dive into the profound mystery of why it was “not good” for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) and how God's design for relationships, marriage, and the Body of Christ reflect His love and purpose.

In this sermon, we delve deeper into the profound mystery of marriage as a reflection of Christ and His Bride, the Church. Drawing from Ephesians 5:25-27 and 1 Peter 3:7, we explore the biblical call for husbands to love, honor, and dwell with their wives in understanding, just as Christ does with us. This teaching highlights the divine design for husbands to spiritually lead, sanctify, and cherish their wives while recognizing the "weaker vessel" mystery—not as a sign of inferiority but as a reflection of spiritual sensitivity and unique gifting. Through grace, we are empowered to embody Christ's love in marriage and relationships within the Body of Christ.

In this message, Pastor David Bendett explores the "great mystery" of unity described in Ephesians 5:29-32. God's design for oneness extends beyond marriage to include unity with Him, within ourselves, with our spouses, and as members of His Church. Through nourishing and cherishing relationships—just as Christ loves and nurtures His body, the Church—we are called to live in harmony and maturity. True love, rooted in divine alignment, brings healing, restoration, and spiritual growth. Join us as we uncover God's heart for unity and learn how to walk in this calling by His grace.

Sermon from January 19, 2025

In a world often divided, tthe power of coming together as a community of believers. This message, deeply rooted in the spirit, is one that needs to be caught more than taught, urging us to listen closely to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Listen as Brad McClendon shares God's heart for Rock City Church on New Year's Eve for the coming year. Tuesday, December 31th, 2024

Listen as Brad McClendon shares God's heart for Rock City Church for the coming year. Monday, December 30th, 2024

As we embark on this spiritual journey, I invite you to consider a profound challenge: to immerse yourself in the scriptures as we step into 2025. This isn't merely a call to read but to engage, to let the living word transform and guide you. Our world is filled with distractions, yet the scriptures offer an anchor, a way to combat the chaos and walk in truth and light.

The birth of Jesus Christ marked the dawn of a new era, a monumental shift that introduced a divine kingdom unlike any before. It was a pivotal moment in history, heralding the arrival of a kingdom that transcended earthly rule and human governance. This was not merely the birth of a child but the establishment of a new order that challenged existing powers and offered a revolutionary way of life. Jesus' birth was the inception of a kingdom with eternal significance, one that would redefine authority and bring hope to a world in desperate need of salvation. This kingdom, born in a humble manger, promised a reign of justice, peace, and everlasting life.

Supernatural joy is a transformative power that comes from a relationship with Christ. This joy fills our hearts even amidst trials, offering a peace that surpasses all understanding and a light that guides us through life's darkest moments. It is not merely an emotion but a state of being that arises from a deep relationship with Christ. In this message, David Bendett emphasizes how joy can flourish even in the face of hardship, encouraging us to embrace our unique stories and trust in God's plan.

Today marks the 12th birthday of Rock City Church in Corpus Christi, TX. Special guest Prophet Kevin Leal brings us a word of encouragement and activation.

This is our final service in our current sanctuary that we have been in for nearly 11 years. We are prepared to move with the cloud of His presence into the new sanctuary starting next week. What will change? What won't change (except for the better)? The vision. The mission. The message. The worship The people. The model. The cloud.

In a world filled with distractions and challenges, the gospel remains a powerful message that calls us to action. Pastor David Bendett passionately shares his journey and the urgency of preaching the gospel, emphasizing that we all have a role in advancing God's kingdom on Earth.

We all have a responsibility to the gospel, driven by the love that has changed our lives. This love encourages us to explore and understand the gospel deeply through scripture and discipleship. Be confident in sharing your story, knowing that every believer, regardless of background, can minister to others. Remember, the power of the gospel comes from the Holy Spirit, not from us, and it is through Him that true salvation happens. The gospel reveals God's righteousness and builds our faith, helping us live by it each day. Follow the Spirit's lead in your daily life, ready to encourage and uplift others under Christ's guidance. In these times, love each other well and be an encouragement. Embrace everyone with the grace of the gospel and strive to reach all people.

Join Dr. Paul Cole in this impactful teaching from Acts 8 as he explores the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch—a powerful example of the gospel's universal reach and God's inclusive love. Dr. Cole shares personal experiences from his time in Ethiopia, reflecting on the profound presence of God he encountered in an Orthodox Cathedral, which reshaped his perspective on faith. Through the story of Philip, a layman led to a divine encounter on a “dark desert highway,” Dr. Cole highlights how God's Spirit moves personally in each life. He draws from Scripture and real-life examples to emphasize that no one is beyond God's reach and that, as Christians, we are called to be “Phillips” to others. Watch this video to discover how the gospel message breaks barriers, offers hope, and calls each of us to spread God's love and grace in a world in need.

Discover the incredible benefits of fasting when done with the right understanding and purpose. Many people misunderstand fasting, thinking it's a religious duty, a diet, or a time to punish the body. But fasting is much more than giving up food or breaking bad habits. In this sermon, David Bendett explores what fasting truly is and how it goes beyond physical health, unlocking spiritual benefits that can transform your life. Learn how fasting is a spiritual discipline that can deepen your connection with God and bring more than just temporary relief from cravings.

Faith Demands a Response | Dennis Gaxiola by Rock City Church