General
New Message Series: ENCOUNTER
This weekend we kick-off a brand new series called, “ENCOUNTER“. We’ll journey with Moses and learn how we can encounter the reality of God’s presence in our lives. We’ll talk about how we can know more than just facts about God, but that we can actually know Him and experience Him personally. If you’ve wondered if there was “more” out there, if your spiritual life has grown a little stale, if you wonder if God really is “real”, or if you just want to know God better — then get ready for “ENCOUNTER” … and bring a friend with you!
Rock Bridge PM is Moving!!
Starting Thursday, January 5th our Rock Bridge PM service is relocating to Stage 123. We are very excited about this move and believe it will continue to make church on Thursday night an exciting option for people to attend church who could not or would not normally attend on a Sunday morning.
Please use this as an opportunity to tell people about church on Thursday nights! We’ve seen lots of people be able to attend church since we added Rock Bridge PM but we still hear lots of people who are “in the dark” about Rock Bridge PM’s existence.
Here’s some reasons why we are moving from the Wink to Stage 123 on January 5th:
1-More relational. Stage 123 features a large lobby that will make meeting and connecting relationally with people easier.
2-Easier to access. The long, sloped aisles of the Wink make it challenging for some people to navigate. Stage 123 is flat with multiple entry points.
3-It Fits the “vibe”. Rock Bridge PM is an energetic (people are more awake at 6:30 pm than Sunday am!), casual service created with the weekend worker/traveler in mind. Stage 123 is casual, comfortable, and (by design) very connected (cafe, lobby, worship space all flows & fits together). This venue lends itself to greater “intimacy” with the worship leader, teacher, and with other attenders, creating great potential for the maximum witness of Christ’s presence to occur. {The Wink is better suited for larger crowds and the use of enhanced technology.}
Rock Bridge PM was also created for …
- The person who partied too much on Saturday night and will never make Sunday AM church unless it is Easter or Mother’s Day.
- The person who has an early morning tee time.
- The person whose scheduled is predetermined by the kids’ extracurriculars and/or ESPN and the NFL.
- The person who has stereotyped church as boring, “same ole, same ole” and irrelevant.
We think Stage 123 gives us a better “shot” at helping them understand and experience the difference Jesus and His Church make … and gives YOU a better chance at offering a more desirable and acceptable invitation for people to attend a church service.
“… I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.”
–The Apostle Paul, I Corinthians 9:22b
Video Blog From Matt
Link to the First Wednesday Message.
Repentance
What is repentance?
The word ‘repentance’ should be no stranger to a Christ-follower. Repentance is part of our initial step into Christianity. We often say that when a person becomes a Christian, they “put their faith” in Jesus. Repentance and faith are different sides of the same coin and are inseparable experiences of God’s saving grace. Repentance is the turning from sins and an overall God-less path, and turning to Jesus. As we turn to Jesus, we place our faith in Him as our Savior, Lord, and highest treasure. The result is a life that has a new affection for Christ and a new ambition to live for Him. This also means that we have a new battle. Before Christ (and repentance) we were at war with God and His ways. After Christ (and the new life He gives us), we now are at war with sin.
Because Christians are always at war with sin, repentance is an ongoing part of our walk with Christ. God will continually reveal sins in our lives to produce repentance. This ongoing repentance continually demonstrates that Jesus is our Lord and that our highest desire is to live in fellowship with Him.
Finally, we must understand that repentance is not an endless cycle of sin, remorse, and confession … only to keep on sinning. Repentance is not sorrow for getting caught or sorrow for consequences. Nor is repentance an attempt to “do better”.
Repentance includes sorrow for sin, its consequences, and its offensiveness to God.
Repentance is more than doing better; it is also a conviction that believes Christ is better than sin.
What causes repentance?
Repentance is the right response to God’s revelation. God through the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us about our sins and about Himself. We see sin for what it really is — offensive and dishonoring to God and harmful to us. We also see God for who He is — glorious, almighty, loving, holy, and perfect. This clarity about sin and God prompts us to turn from sin and turn to God.
How do I stay “repentant” before God?
First, would be to pray something along the lines of Psalm 139:23-24, asking God to search us and reveal anything that is offensive to Him.
Second, would be to ask yourself (and perhaps your spouse, mentor, accountability partner, small group) some questions about yourself:
- Are there any idols in my life? Is there anything in my life that is carrying more “weight” than God?
- Have I turned to substitutes for God? Is anything causing me to “forget God”?
- Are my words and speech tearing others down? Critical? Gossip? Condemning? Discouraging?
- Is my heart full of love for others?
- Am I disobeying any known command of God?
- Do I currently have the “joy of the Lord”? {lack of joy generally = lack of repentance}
- What would those closest to me say about my walk with the Lord?
- How unified am I with other Christians? Am I regularly meeting together as commanded by Scripture?
A Sincere Apology
I need to apologize to our entire church family.
Today during one of our services I inappropriately ‘called out’ and corrected two teenagers who I felt were being a distraction. My comments were off target, made in anger, and reflect poorly on the values of Rock Bridge. There is no excuse for this from me or from God’s pulpit. I have spoken with and apologized to the specific family but now I need to do so to our entire church.
Our church has a core value of Christ-like acceptance and my words and their tone violated this foundational principle of Rock Bridge. Additionally, they created an “unwelcoming” atmosphere and uncomfortable moment in our service. We strongly believe that only the Spirit-brought conviction of God should make anyone ever feel uncomfortable at RBCC, not our actions or words. I apologize to all of you and any guests who may have been with you.
A second core value our church shares is radical dependence on God and His Word. We believe that only God can change people and author salvation in their lives. We believe He does this in large part through the sharing and teaching of His Word. Today, I incorrectly believed that my particular method of presenting and communicating God’s Word was more important and more powerful than the simple message of His Word. My dependence was not on God or His Word but on myself and my presentation; that is sinful. As a result, I took the attention off God and His truth. I apologize for the negative effect on your worship experience.
I am deeply sorry for my words and the anger behind them. Along with our elders, our staff, and my wife, I will seek to repent, resolve anger biblically, choose words wisely, and rest in the sufficiency of God’s grace.
Today, I need to ask for your forgiveness.
Matt Evans
Serving
Guest post by Executive Pastor Alfred Turley
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
This weekend Matt taught on this passage specifically and how the church represents the realm of eternity on earth now. And in representing God, we see that each of us has been given gifts and talents, desires and dreams that God wants us to use to represent Him and His Son. Serving Him is supposed to be a joy and privilege, not something we do to earn points with Him or something we do to “be a better Christian.” God wants us to do it out of love and out of a response of gratitude for Him and for what He has done for us.
Serving in a church can be one of the most enriching and encouraging experiences we can know. There is something that happens when we steward what we are given, when we join up with others in God’s church, and when we allow Him to move in us and use us for His glory! It’s truly a recipe for blessing!
I have always been so amazed at all the gifting and talents each of us has. Some of us have a talent to imagine big and to put that imagination and creativity into reality. Some of us just thrive off of being around people and engaging in their lives and loving them. Some love being hospitable, and cooking and serving others physical needs. Some of us have wisdom and can help others make better decisions. Some people are natural leaders, and people readily trust their heart and their judgement in how they direct things. All of these talents and gifts are needed in the body of Christ, the Church! In my own life, I have found serving in Children’s Ministry and Student Ministry, and helping to lead small groups all to be amazing uses of what God has given me, and it gives me great joy to lay those gifts down for His use. It has been a wonderful ride to take what came from Him in the first place and give it back to Him. He has given us so much, and He has given us the life of His own Son, so giving back is the least we can do!
Serving has also been a place where I truly began to engage others and get to know people, and to have them come along side me and support me as well. I have had countless times when I came in great need of a friend and support, and got it every time. And there have been countless times when I have seen serving teams and small groups surround those in need and those hurting and bring healing through community and through the unconditional love of Christ. Those who have struggled to connect to the church relationally: get on a serving team, and get in a small group! You will be stepping joyfully into the open arms of a church ready to love you.
One of the most surprising things about serving has been how challenging it has been, and how it has pushed me to trust in God as never before! Loving each other unconditionally requires that we lean on God and on the power of His Spirit inside of us. So many times I have seen lives changed because a group of people went to God in their needs and His power came and worked a miracle! God wants to be the power that fuels our lives. Serving stretches us and pushes us to trust in Him and lean on Him often, and we grow because of this!
Serving in the church is a joy God wants for each of us. It is a place where He brings us together in loving and supportive community, united around the cause of His heart: reaching a lost and hurting world. God will use our service to grow us and stretch us in a good way, and He will use it to surround us with healthy love and support that will be there when life takes hard turns.
Serving in the local church, specifically Rock Bridge, has been a joy and a great blessing for me and for many others. Please pray and ask God to show you what gifts and talents you have that should be put to use! And take a step of faith! Serve on a team and get in a small group!
Small Groups
Guest post by Discipleship Pastor Brian Holt
We’re more technologically connected then ever before, and yet we’re lonelier than ever before. In “Social Isolation in America”, the authors write that, “while modern technology has made it possible to connect more frequently, email and text messaging do not lend themselves to intimate revelations or in-depth conversations. These are things that may be necessary to combat loneliness and isolation.” In other words, we’ve traded deep, meaningful connections with shallow, surface-level friendships through technology. We “know” more people, but we don’t know them as well – and that impacts us internally. We were created for community (see HERE), and the natural level of community that exists in our culture just isn’t cutting it. In order to thrive, we need others to love, support, and encourage us.
Small Groups are often misunderstood. To many, it sounds kind of lame. Why would I want to sit in a circle, hold hands, and tell everyone about my feelings? It sounds pretty awful. Thankfully, that’s not what small group is all about. In fact, if it were no one would go.
Small Group is so much more. Yes, small group is fun. You’ll have a blast meeting with each other every other week (or every week if you’re daring enough). The food is (usually) excellent. It’s an all-around good time.
But that’s not what makes small group so vital to a Christ follower. You can have friends and spend time with them anywhere. Small Group is vital because it allows for deliberate relationships centered on Jesus Christ. And those relationships help you grow!
To get involved in a Rock Bridge Small Group in Dalton or Calhoun, come to GroupLink at each campus on August 14th right after the 2nd service.
To get involved in a Rock Bridge Small Group in Chatsworth, stop by the Small Group booth in the lobby after both services.
What You Don’t See
Watching ducks can be a fairly peaceful and entertaining experience. They are beautiful, naturals in the water, and can twist their necks almost 360 degrees (which is a skill I’d like to have). However, what we normally don’t see is below the surface of the water where ducks’ feet are pretty busy “paddling”. In other words, “there is more than meets the eye” to a duck; it takes more than what we see to make a duck … well, a duck.
This is especially true in a local church. We see preachers and singers. We see buildings and bulletins. But just like our friend the duck, it takes (way) more to make a church … well, a church.
What most people don’t see are the people who prepare the bulletins, pick-up the trash, mix the sound, manage the lighting controls, run the computers, pray during the services, make the volunteer schedules, put out the signs, check the batteries in the microphones, call the first-time guests, send out letters, count the offering, make meals for the sick and bereaved, visit the sick, teach the children, change the diapers (I know my son’s can be particularly nasty, sorry), hang out with the teenagers, check the toilets (and toilet paper), lead the small groups, organize the prayer requests, send out the prayer list, answer the phones … you get the idea.
So I want to acknowledge and thank those members of the church that we don’t normally see, encourage, or appreciate. Thank you for making the church function. Thank you for doing what needs to be done with grace, humility, and excellence. Thank you for giving without expecting. Thank you for serving without selfishness. What would we be without you?? One thing is for sure, we would not be a church. So …
thank you for BEING the church!
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 12:4-5 {NLT}
Weekly Rundown (3.6.2011)
- Today’s message summary: Each one reach one. What if … each one of us prayerfully, intentionally, and boldly sought to point one person to Christ … ?
- God wants to use us to point people to Jesus.
- Praying for the people God puts in our lives and praying for our church to boldly declare with our words, actions, and invitations who Jesus is!!
- Next week: Vision Weekend.
- We’ll be reminding ourselves who we are as a church and how God is leading us.
- Great time to bring a guest to church with you.
- Please pray for God to reveal Himself to us and to our guests!!
- Our summer children’s camp is taking shape. Excited to be partnering with other churches in our area!!
- Making great progress at our new building in Calhoun.
- Check out the pictures here!
- Budget update: We made a big step of faith in our 2011 budget by substantially increasing our missions giving. In February, our church met our monthly budget needs!! This is a huge praise.
- To put this in perspective, we rarely make budget in January due to the Christmas holiday effect and we projected “growing” into this new budget over the course of the year.
- Making budget in February is a welcome surprise and demonstrates that God often responds AFTER we step out in faith.
- Thanks so much for faithfully giving and letting God’s grace grow you to be even more generous. Our budget is discipling our church, providing medical care and food for expecting mothers in Bolivia, supporting 20 different missionaries in India, helping the hungry and homeless in our own community, and providing the logistical support we need to be one church in multiple locations.
- Update on Beth: Still fighting the “EB virus” but hoping to turn the corner this week as the medicines take effect. Praying for her immune system to get stronger and more mature; praying for no more infections.
- Have a great week!!
How to Make a “Spiritual” Financial Decision
This weekend our church will give in a unified matter beyond the regular tithe and offering, a practice we see frequently in the Scriptures. We’re calling this our “Less is More” offering. This is a great opportunity to make a financial decision that honors God. This does not have to be a scary process or a “pin the tail on the donkey” type experience either. God loves a cheerful and intentional giver, and this offering should be both.
1) Fight the fight against unbelief. God wants to be our provider, not money. To overcome fear in the financial realm, we must believe that “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus“. [Philippians 4:19] It is very hard to make a faith-based decision when fear is rampant. God’s character of love is the antidote for fear.
2) Resolve to give generously. Don’t come up with something “off the top” of your head or just what you can spare. Giving generously requires you to pray, to plan, and to prepare. The definition of generosity applies to each person and family differently. However, the example and standard of generosity is the same: Christ on the cross (2 Cor. 8:9).
3) Evaluate needs vs. wants. Special offerings and other giving opportunities give us the chance to identify poor spending habits, unwise stewardship, and perhaps even areas of greed. Where these things surface, be honest and when necessary, repent.
4) Read scriptures about generosity and pray for the “eyes” to see the amount God wants you to give. Fill your mind with biblical thoughts about giving. Ask God to help you see the amount. Here are some common ways I think God often “shows” us the amount He wants us to give:
- An expected blessing (A raise or higher than expected bonus; a lower than expected bill; etc.)
- A prompting to do something that normally would not even be an option (One time God prompted Beth & I to give our entire life savings!)
- Special unity with your spouse (I cannot overestimate the importance of this!!)
5) Ask: Does this amount require me/us to trust God? God wants you to trust Him. By trusting His heart which is full of love, mercy, & grace for His children our gift honors God as our Lord and provider.
I’m excited about this weekend as we seek to excel in the grace of giving!! (2 Cor. 8:7)