Solid Rock Church Sermons

The First Church

In the sermon this past Sunday we looked at the launch of the first Christian church. In chapter 2 of Acts we see the apostles carrying on the mission of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to launch the first Christian church in Jerusalem. In this early example of the church, we see that the primary message of the church is the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This is the central theme of the Bible and the ministry of the church. The power of the unstoppable churc...

The Arrival of the Holy Spirit

In the sermon this past Sunday, we looked at the predominant role of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. Starting at Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit has center stage as Jesus’s Church launches and the Gospel spreads from Jerusalem towards the ends of the Earth. In Acts 2, the promised Holy Spirit arrives with the sound of wind and the appearance of fire. As the Holy Spirit rests on the early Church, the people are filled with power. The first major act of the Holy Spirit is to empower ...

The Unstoppable Church

In the second sermon in the Acts series, we looked at what a Christian church is and what a Christian church is supposed to be doing in the world. We concluded that the church is a public gathering of the citizens of God’s Kingdom made up of those who have believed and professed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.Every believer is part of the church and every church is a part of the unstoppable mission to make disciples of the nations. In Matthew 28, Jesus give His disciples...

The Unstoppable Mission

In the opening sermon of the Acts series this past Sunday, we looked at the connection between the mission of Jesus and the mission of the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to Earth to live perfectly, die sacrificially, and resurrect victoriously, defeating sin and death. These accomplishments set the stage for God to launch His mission to establish His Kingdom on Earth through those who would believe in Jesus. After His resurrection, Jesus hands this mission to the Apostles and tells them not to star...

The Love of The Father

In the sermon this past Sunday we looked at the parable of the loving Father found in Luke 15. While this parable is traditionally known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we looked at the main focus of the parable as the love of the Father. As we concluded the Redemption Stories sermon series, we looked at how the parable illustrates God’s love for all of us. We have all been marked as rebellious children who are desperate, unworthy and incapable of fixing our situation. It’s into this des...

Abide In Me

In the sermon this past Sunday we looked at the beautiful command to abide in Jesus found in John 15:1-11. Jesus uses a vineyard as a metaphor to describe the relationship between Himself, His Father and His followers. The Father is described as a vinedresser who distinguishes between genuine believers and those who pretend to be a Christian. As you would expect, the Father exposes the nominal or “fake” Christians and cuts them off from the vine. And then we read that the Father prunes and w...

Unmerited Favor

In the sermon this past Sunday, we looked Paul’s teaching on the amazing grace of God in Galatians 3. Pastor Jason talked about the difference between earning God’s favor by perfect obedience to God’s Law verses receiving God’s favor through faith. Paul says that it should be evident that no person could ever earn God’s favor through obedience, so the only hope we have is to trust in the work that Jesus has done for us. Despite this truth, the Christians in the Galatian church to whom Paul w...

A Living Portrait

This past Sunday we looked at how God has designed marriage to be a living portrait of His redemption in the world. After four and a half chapters about redemption in Ephesians, the Apostle Paul describes how God has designed marriage to reflect the greater reality of the Gospel. Paul instructs wives to respect and follow their husband’s lead as they lay their lives down in sacrificial love for their wives. In giving instructions for marriage in Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul lets us know in verse ...

Good Things Make Bad idols

In the sermon this past Sunday, Pastor Jason taught from Genesis 22 discussing how good things can easily become bad idols in our lives. Idols can be anything that we love more or are more devoted to than God. As we learned from Genesis 22, even the good God-given gifts like children or ministries can become idols. As Christians, the essence of our faith is that we have confessed that we trust God more than anything else. That confession plays out functionally when God asks us to lay down th...

Indescribable Joy

This past Sunday we looked at the true source of joy in contrast to the vast attempts of our culture to find happiness in fleeting things. In 1 Peter 1, we see the indescribable joy that comes from the living hope we have in Jesus. Because Jesus guards our eternity, we have an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading eternal inheritance. Knowing this truth provides for us a joy that hinges on eternity rather than the cheap momentary things this world has to offer. Our rejoicing in this life is ...

Trials & Redemption

This past Sunday we looked at understanding God’s purpose for trials in light of His redemptive story. In James 1, we see that God uses trials of various kinds to mature believers to be complete in Christ. These trials can come from within ourselves through desires and choices we make, the fallen world in which we live, or from the choices that people in our lives make. We are reminded that God’s redemptive story draws our attention from the circumstances of life and points to His eternal pu...

The Intimate Presence and Love of Christ

Paul desires and so prays that his readers are strengthened by God’s Spirit so that they may know intimately Christ’s presence and love. 1. Paul prays that the Spirit will strengthen their inner beings. 2.Paul prays that Christ might be more and...

Adopted as Sons and Daughters

As we continued the Redemption Stories this past Sunday we looked at the implications of our adoption into God’s family. In Galatians 4, we looked at the comparison between the servants of the house vs. the children of the house. While we used to be strangers in reference to knowing God, now through faith we have been immediately adopted in His family. We looked at the example of Jesus as He came to Earth, submitting Himself to the laws of nature that He created in order to rescue us from ou...

Trusting In Jesus Alone

As we continued the Redemption Stories sermon series this past Sunday, we looked at a clear call from God to let go of any confidence we have in our ability to impress Him and to trust in the work of Christ alone for our salvation. While this struggle manifests itself in the early church through ritual acts like circumcision, the modern day church displays this struggle in the form of religious performance and moral façade. In Philippians 3:1-14, the Apostle Paul ardently denounces any confi...

The Journey Through Darkness

In the sermon this past Sunday, we looked out how God leads his children through seasons of darkness as a loving Father. We looked at the redemption story of Israel and their journey through the darkness and suffering of slavery. Every redemption story begins with an epic struggle of despair and hopelessness. Being a child of God doesn’t infer an absence of darkness, but rather it promises the presence of God’s light in the midst of a dark and fallen world. From Israel’s example, we learned ...

A Better Story

In the first sermon of the new sermon series, we looked at the reality that every life is telling a story. With our choices and actions, we all write stories with our lives where we are the main character, and the storylines are driven by our own ambitions. In the stories we write, most often our failures are the hidden truths all throughout our story that we attempt to disguise as the failure of others or caused by “situations”. The heartbeat of the Redemption Stories sermon series is that ...

Declare His Glory to the Nations

This past Sunday we looked at Psalm 96 and were reminded of God’s Mission for His glory to be known among all nations, peoples, and families. God fulfills the Mission to display His own glory as He works through His people to fulfill the Great...

Marks of a Church on Mission

As we continued the A Church on Mission sermon series we looked at the identity markers of a church on mission. In Acts 11-13, the church of Antioch was a pivotal place for the advancement of the Gospel beyond the Jews to reach the gentiles. It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians”. They took the commission of Jesus to heart by sharing the Gospel and teaching all that Jesus commanded to all people. In their example, we see a deep dependency on God in praye...

You Are

This past Sunday, we were reminded in Matthew 5:13-16 that our identity as Christians is to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. These titles are not earned by our moral abilities, the good works we have done or from all the mission...

Women of the Kingdom

In the sermon series this past Sunday, we looked at discipling women of Kingdom. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus, he instructs Titus to set up the discipleship process within the church. He reminds Titus that women of the Kingdom are to live in a manner that reflects the sacred nature of being created in the image of God. Paul commissions Titus to release the spiritually mature women of the Kingdom to train the younger women in the faith on how to navigate life in a way that leads them...

Men of the Kingdom

In the sermon this past Sunday, we looked at the God-given design and calling on the men of God’s Kingdom. As the Apostle Paul lays out the structure of discipleship within the Church for Titus, we see that all men are called to the character of Christ described in the qualifications of the Elders. The role of Elder is not an elite role in the church for the special few. But instead, the role of the Elder is something that all Christian men should aspire to. Paul clearly calls Titus, along w...

Raising Up The Next Generation

In the sermon this past Sunday, we continued to look at our inward Mission as a Church: to invest and engage in making disciples of the next generation. Whether you have children in your home or not, every believer is mandated to engage the next generation and lead them towards spiritual maturity. There is a significant difference between conforming our children into our image verses participating in the work of the Holy Spirit to conform our children into the image of Jesus. In Titus 2, Pau...

Love One Another

In the sermon this past Sunday, we looked at the second part of our internal mission as a church: to love one another. In 1 John 3, we were challenged by the truth that the way we love one another greatly impacts the Mission we are on and is a primary identity marker for the Church. Jesus told us that we will be known by the world as his disciples by how well we love one another. In contrast to the pop culture perspective on love, the Bible defines and measures love by willing sacrifice. Lov...

Serving the Body

In the sermon this past Sunday, we continued the A Church on Mission sermon series, looking at God’s design for believers to serve the local church. God has filled every believer with His Spirit, distributing supernatural gifts that enable us to do ministry beyond our natural abilities. According to 1 Corinthians 12, everyone who knows and loves Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit and has a spiritual gift with which to do ministry for the good of the church. A healthy church consists of bel...

Gospel Community

This past Sunday we looked at the importance of true Gospel community in the Mission that we have been called to by Jesus. In Ephesians 4, we were reminded that the purpose of community as believers is to display and reflect the Triune God and that we...

Amazing Grace

In the Easter sermon this past Sunday, we looked at how the resurrection of Jesus truly displays the amazing grace of God.  In John 10, Jesus declares to His followers that He is the Good Shepherd because, unlike the other religious leaders and systems of their day, Jesus was truly going to stand between His people and death. In the same way that a shepherd places himself between danger and his flock, Jesus says that He will protect His sheep from the wolves by laying His life down and takin...

Your Will Be Done

As we continued our sermon series A Church on Mission this past Sunday, we looked at the role of prayer in our church ministries and daily lives.  In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us that prayer isn’t about manipulating God to do what we want, but rather prayer is a time to submit our wants and desires to God in worship. As we pursue a daily prayer life, we are pursuing contentment in what God provides for us.  Through prayer, we receive forgiveness and remind ourselves to be ambassadors for God’...

Building The Church

When we hear “build” and “church,” we typically think of church buildings. This past Sunday, we looked at what it means to truly build the church. In 1 Corinthians 3, we were reminded that the Church is made up of people, not buildings. The mission of Jesus is to build a prevailing church on Earth through His disciples. His disciples do the faithful work of the farmer, but only Jesus can cause hearts to change and the Church to grow. The only reason we are considering building bigger buildin...

Sowing & Reaping

As we continued the sermon series A Church on Mission this past Sunday, we looked at the topic of financial giving. In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul reminds the church that there is a deep connection between sowing financially and reaping financially. We learned that God calls Christians to give regularly to the work He is doing through the local church from the joy in their hearts. God promises to take care of the needs of all who trust in Him. God also promises that when you sow generously, you wi...

The Songs We Sing

As we continued the sermon series, A Church on Mission, we looked at the topic of worship from a biblical perspective. This week we focused on the expression of worship, corporately, through the songs that we sing.  In Psalm 150, we observed that when we gather together in corporate worship, we are stepping into a God-ordained time where we boast in the Lord. In order for our singing to be considered true biblical worship, our lyrics must boast about what God has done and/or who God is.  In...

Created to Worship

As we continued the Church on Mission sermon series this past Sunday, we shifted our focus to the topic of worship. We concluded that the Bible teaches that we were created to worship God in every aspect of our life, but because of sin, our hearts are prone to worship the idols of creation, rather than the Creator. Idol-worship occurs when we pursue the passions of our flesh and carry out of the desires of our body and mind.  When we turn to Jesus in true repentance of our idol-worship, He r...

A Church On Mission

This past Sunday, we launched a new sermon series entitled A Church on Mission, in which we looked at the clear and singular mission that Jesus gave His church in Matthew 28:16-20. In His final address before His ascension back to Heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples to make more disciples and multiply God’s Kingdom on Earth. The Church today is the fruit of that mission. We carry the torch of the same mission: to walk with Jesus, living for His mission in our everyday lives. We are a chur...

A Better Kingdom

In the final sermon in the Revelation series this past Sunday, we celebrated the final appearance of God’s Eternal Kingdom. All who have trusted in Jesus will become the holy city of God, adorned in beauty and splendor as a bride who is ready for her groom.  As the kingdom of man gives way to the Kingdom of God, Jesus will put death to death and restore eternal and abundant life, making all things new according to the riches of His grace. As the glory of God fills His Eternal Kingdom, the sa...

The Book of Life and the Death of Death

As we continued the Revelation series this past Sunday, we looked at Revelation 20:11-15.  In this final scene of judgment, we see the created world exposed to the revealed majestic presence of the Holy God seated on His throne.  At this moment in human history, all the people who have ever dwelled on earth will be divided according to what they have done with Jesus. Those who have trusted in Jesus will be judged by whether or not their names are written the Lamb’s Book of Life. Those who ha...

All Member Meeting 2016

The Final Battle

As we continued the Revelation sermon series this past Sunday, we looked in Revelation 20:1-10 where God displayed His sovereign power and authority over Satan by seizing, binding, throwing, shutting and sealing Satan in order to restrain him from deceiving the nations for a period of time known as the Millennium Reign of Christ. Despite different views on the literal or symbolic use of “1000 years,” we rest assured that those who place their faith and trust in Jesus will be resurrected into...

The Wedding Feast and the Great Divide

In the sermon this past Sunday we made it to the exciting part of the story where the victorious king returns to make war against his enemies and rescue his bride. In Revelation 19 we saw that, at the return of Jesus, the saints will unite with one thunderous voice to worship Him as their King and stand before Him in righteousness and purity.  While the saints enjoy the fulfillment of all that has been promised, His enemies will also reap what has been sown. At His return, Jesus will establi...

The Fall of Babylon

We returned to the Revelation series this past Sunday, looking at the final strategy of Satan to dethrone Jesus and make himself God. We learned that Satan uses the intoxicating pleasures of wealth and immorality to seduce people away from God and that the intoxication of sin always gives way to deeper and darker sin. Promising pleasure, Satan always leads his loyal followers in desperation, shame, suffering and death. Despite His greatest efforts, Satan will be destroyed according to God’s ...

The Holy Spirit

The Greatest Gift of All

The False Prophet

In the sermon this past Sunday, we looked at the continuation of the plan of Satan to wage war against God and His followers through raising up two earthly leaders: the Antichrist and the False Prophet. This week we looked at how the False Prophet will use the influence of the Antichrist and economic sanctions to control the people on Earth.  Through his influence, the False Prophet will require the people on Earth to receive the mark of the beast, mimicking the Seal of the Holy Spirit with ...

The Antichrist

In the sermon this past Sunday, we continued the Revelation series by looking at the character and strategies of the antichrist in Chapter 13. We noticed that Satan’s strategy is to masquerade as God in order that we might follow and worship him. Through pretending to be God, Satan’s followers are lured into finding their identity, joy and security in the things of earth. On the other hand, the Saints of God are those who find their identity, joy and security in the things of heaven.  Throug...

The Defeat of Satan

As we continued the Revelation series this past Sunday, we looked at the imminent defeat of Satan.  In this section, we saw that Satan’s primary purpose is to thwart God’s divine plan for humanity and to kill God’s people. Jesus demonstrated His power and secured the final victory over Satan at His resurrection. Despite Satan’s momentary reign on earth, inflicting suffering and persecution on God’s creation, he will be ultimately defeated at the end of human history before the eternal age be...

God's Sovereign Protection of the Saints

As we continued the Revelation sermon series, we looked at the first of three textual interludes in the book of Revelation, where the story line takes a break to provide information about the situation regarding the saints and the great conflict. In each of these breaks, there is a significant emphasis on God’s sovereign control, even over Satan and his demonic forces as they unleash suffering and persecution on God’s people. In the first half of Revelation 7, God commands His angels to seal...

The Seven Trumpets

As we continued the Revelation series this past Sunday, we looked at the blowing of the seven trumpets. With each trumpet, we see the growing crescendo towards the final coming of the Kingdom of Jesus.  As the events related to each trumpet unfold, we see the true motives of Satan revealed as he releases suffering and death on those who have rejected God and followed Him on earth. Satan always promises life and always delivers death while God always delivers what He promises. God’s mercy wil...

The Seven Seals

As we continued in the Revelation series this past Sunday, we looked at the breaking of the seven seals, unveiling the plan of God to end human history and begin the eternal age. With each of the seals, God’s plan includes his sovereign control over the events of human history and Satan himself.  With the first seal, God releases human depravity to run its course. As the seals continue to be opened, the inhabitants of earth pursue conquering one another, causing an outbreak of civil war that...

The Throne of Worship

As we continued the Revelation series this past Sunday, we turned a corner as we looked at Revelation 4 and 5. In these two chapters, we saw the unveiling of the throne room of God and His majestic presence. In the majestic presence of “He who sits on the throne,” all of creation, along with the church and the angels, will gather together with voice to worship God for who He is and what He has done. This beautiful and powerful image of what will be, when God’s glory is revealed, inspires and...

Letter to the Church in Laodicea

As we continued the Revelation series, we looked at the seventh and final letter to the churches, written to the church in Laodicea.  Jesus reveals himself to the Christians in Laodicea as the only one who is faithful and the source of authority over creation.  Even though they had exchanged their trust in Jesus for pursuit of security and purpose in their wealth, Jesus reminds them that he alone can satisfy their longings, he alone can clothe them in righteousness and he alone can heal thei...

Letter to the Church in Philadelphia

Letter to the Church in Sardis

As we continued the Revelation sermon series this past Sunday, we looked at the letter to the church in Sardis. In this letter, Jesus points out that their inner identity doesn’t match their outer identity. While they are trying to portray on the outside that they are people of eternal life, on the inside they are dying. Jesus reminds the believers that He alone is the authority over the church and that He sees the content of their hearts. In response to their unfaithfulness and inconsisten...