Rocky Creek

Not only were we created through Jesus, but we were also created for Jesus. As he holds all things together, even our spiritual growth is kept from shifting when it is placed in his hands.

Fully Pleasing to God - As the gospel transforms us from the domain of darkness into saints standing in the light, our lives are meant to be fully pleasing to God. Disciples strive to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

Paul recognized the Colossian church as a group of disciples who had been changed and yet were still being changed by the gospel. As disciples, the gospel should be continually bearing fruit and increasing within us and through us.

Samuel remembered God’s faithfulness in the past to help him go forward. As individuals and as a church, it is important to celebrate his activity in the previous year as we anticipate his work in the coming year.

Herod felt threatened when his throne was challenged by Jesus’ birth. There is only room for one king on the throne of your life, and you cannot experience peace until Jesus sits upon it.

The Book of Revelation reveals a different perspective that happened at the birth of Jesus.  While the enemy comes to bring chaos, Jesus has come and will come again to bring peace.

Joseph thought he had been betrayed by Mary and yet surrendered his personal feelings to obey God’s commands.  In our relationships, we must submit to God’s Word to experience God’s peace.

When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they told them that peace on earth had come.  As we look around us, how do we reconcile this supposed peace with the state of the world?

The Word: All Things New (Rev 21:1-8) - What once was broken will be made right again. Jesus is making all things new.

Priests could never sit down in worship because sacrifices would always need to be offered. Once Jesus offered himself, he sat down at the right hand of God for the task was finished once and for all.

In Paul’s description of the Church, he explained that Jesus’ cross broke down sinful, ethnic boundaries we established. How are we to combat racism within the Body of Christ?

Learning biblical information does not guarantee biblical transformation. We must learn how to apply the Word of God into our lives.

As the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, the early church was born. This body of believers met together day by day and saw God do amazing acts in their midst.

Before the cross, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an act of humble servitude. Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

As Jesus began his public ministry, he gathered disciples in order to teach them how to live for the Kingdom. As he once encouraged them to be salt and light, we are called to the same lifestyles as his followers.

As God’s people wavered in their devotion, Malachi promised that the promised Messiah was drawing near. This great and awesome day of the LORD would change everything.

King Josiah stumbled upon the neglected Word of God and it changed the nation. We must blow the dust of the Bible and encounter God’s claims upon our lives.

As David neared his death, he gave final instructions to his son, Solomon. Out of all the wisdom he could have given, he urged his son to walk in the ways of the LORD.

Samuel was called to be a prophet during a time when the word of the LORD was rare. His ministry was established by God’s presence and determined by God’s Word.

Even though the people had gotten out of Egypt, Egypt hadn’t gotten out of the people. Growing impatient with God’s timing, the people used a gift from God as an idol for God.

Once Israel died, his sons feared Joseph’s retaliation. While Joseph had been hurt by their evil, he viewed his suffering role as critical in the good God was doing.

God miraculously gave Abraham a son but later commanded to sacrifice him. Instead of Abraham having to go through with Isaac's death, a ram in the thicket became the substitute.

It didn’t take long before sin corrupted God’s good creation. While disobedience brought about brokenness, God revealed a plan to redeem what had fallen.

The Bible is not a collection of disconnected, moralistic stories. It is the one overarching story of how the cross of Christ will rescue a fallen people.

Similar to our context, Ezra the scribe lived in a time when the Word of God had been neglected. How are we to reorient our lives to what the Bible teaches?