Friends And Family: The Rock Church Podcast

Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles and methods of interpreting the text of the Bible.  Some people avoid studying biblical hermeneutics because they believe it will limit their ability to learn new truths from God’s Word or stifle the Holy Spirit’s illumination of Scripture. But their fears are unfounded. Biblical hermeneutics is all about finding the correct interpretation and using that interpretation to transform our lives. We want to see the truth, know the truth, and live the truth as best we can, and that’s why biblical hermeneutics is vital.

Have you ever looked at something new and wondered what in the world it’s for? This can be incredibly frustrating! And it doesn’t help when other people give their thoughts and feelings on what it’s intended purpose is. The same thing is true of the Bible. Reading and studying the Bible can be confusing if we don’t start with a basic premise. That premise is — the purpose of the Bible is to reveal the glory of God. Understanding that simple truth brings clarity in things that might otherwise be confusing.

So many people think all religious books are similar. What makes the Bible any different? The truth is The Bible is vastly different from other texts. It is one thing to affirm the Bible’s claims, it’s another to be absolutely convinced. This requires reading the Word. One of the greatest causes of doubt is not spending time with God. Through faith and reading, the evidence of the Bible becomes incredibly clear.

Before we jump into a study on how to read the Bible, we must investigate that the collection of books that we currently hold is authoritative. If we believe that the Word of God is His true revelation to mankind, we must have absolute confidence in it’s accuracy.

Pastor Greg concludes The Elements of Community sermon series with the final chapter, The Element of Community.

What are somethings that get you excited? Everyone loves it when their team wins, when the kids make good grades, or when you get a promotion. Is that what defines you or is there something different? Paul gives us instructions in Galatians 6 which tell us, without a doubt, what is the only thing we should boast in. He tells us very effectively where are focus should be.

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the

Pastor Greg continues with The Elements of Community sermon series with part 6, The Element of Freedom.

For a lot of people the word “religion” gets a bad rap. And sometimes, it should! In Galatians 4, Paul says that we are free from the bonds of religion, but we are free to grow and become like Jesus Christ. But how does that work in the church in Laurel, Montana, in 2017? Or maybe a better question is, how is our religion different from others around the world? Paul boldly answers this question and it should resonate with us today and forever.

Parents did you know that you are the #1 reason your youth keep the faith as adults? That's right! No other influence comes close to matching the influence of parents on the religious faith and practices of youth. You have Parent Power!  Youth Pastor Nate Lohmoeller joins us to talk about what's new at Ascend Live and some of the challenges and trends that face our youth today.  

For a lot of people the word “religion” gets a bad rap. And sometimes, it should! In Galatians 4, Paul says that we are free from the bonds of religion, but we are free to grow and become like Jesus Christ. But how does that work in the church in Laurel, Montana, in 2017? Or maybe a better question is, how is our religion different from others around the world? Paul boldly answers this question and it should resonate with us today and forever.

Why do you go to church? Why do you read your Bible or pray? Why do you give to the poor? There’s a lot of answers to these questions ... but the Bible says these things don’t change your right-standing before God at all. OK then ... so what does? Is there anything we can do? Or has Christ already done it all?

We call ourselves a “faith family.” What does that mean? Do we understand what “faith” really means? It isn’t just faith in the Christ who died 2,000 years ago on our behalf. It’s also faith in the Christ who lives and dwells in us now to give us every single thing we need to live out the Christian life today and tomorrow.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see. Grace, by definition, is unmerited favor. It causes us to get what we don’t deserve. We can never fully comprehend God’s Grace. When grace is void, things get really tough. But when grace overflows it is truly glorious. When it is present in those we do life with, it builds those relationships in ways that nothing else can. The element of grace if simply amazing.

In the Kingdom of God there are no insignificant jobs. “What about pulling weeds?” Very important. “Shaking hands on Sunday morning?” Same. “Airing up footballs for Sports Camp?” Ditto ... Everything matters! God has created you for a purpose. The church (us) is God’s representatives to our city. It is an important job that includes everyone. Get on board! You matter!

Pastor Greg Payton joins us again as we dig into how save people serve people, what it means, and how we can serve at The Rock Church.

We trust God to deliver us, but even if he doesn't, are we determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences?  We should be faithful to God whether he intervenes on our behalf or not.  Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-Nego trusted God when they were pressured and thrown into the fire, but they chose to stay faithful to Him no matter what happened.  God always walks with us through the fire.  

Are you Good Enough for God? Of course you are!  If you think you are not good enough for God, that is not true.  God uses all of us.  He encourages do-overs, He empowers the broken, and He exalts the faithful.

What drives you to do what you do? There are so many motivators in our culture that cause us to do something. The Bible says that the greatest of these is love. But what happens when you don’t love? Are you off the hook? Should saved people only serve those they love? The life of Enoch, one of the oldest men in the Bible give us insight into this dilemma. Through his life we can see why saved people serve people.

Saved people serve people. It just what they do. Christians are full of excuses as to why they can’t or don’t serve. However, God’s plan for reaching Laurel is still the same: you! In the Bible we find tons of examples of people who, by our culture’s standards, were not fit to serve. But God in His infinite wisdom chose to use them to accomplish his purpose. Flaws and all. It doesn’t depend on status, IQ, athletic talent, or lots of money. Instead, it starts with a rock-solid confidence in God and a willingness to live according to His Word no matter the consequences.