Friends and Family: The Rock Church Podcast

After just 14 verses into Paul's letter, Colossians, he begins to communicate some critical theology. This was a culture where syncretism had taken hold. Different theologies we being combined at will. Paul makes three different declarations concerning Jesus Christ. The first declaration is that Jesus Christ is Lord over everything. This might seam simplistic in nature, and we might even believe it whole-heartedly. However, for most, it doesn't change their everyday life. If Christ is truly Lord over creation, it changes everything!

Before a voyage to sea begins, the captain sets a course strategy for reaching the destination. Knowing the capabilities of the vessel, the winds, the currents, and the weather conditions are carefully calculated in order to ensure the best route to reach the destination. The same is also true in the life of a Christ follower. In the first chapter of Colossians, Paul gives us a step-by-step plan for setting a course in a manner that pleases God.

Pastor Greg Payton opens up a new sermon series, Anchored, a study on the book of Colossians. 

In 1958 a man named Clifton Hillegass started a business called "Cliff's Notes". The plan was simple. "Cliff" would read a book and write a short summary of the essence of the book. What if someone were to write a Cliff Notes (Or Spark Notes if you're younger than age 25) version of the Bible. Can the Bible be summarized? If so, what is the main point? A good working title for this summary could be called, "Tell Me the Story of Jesus." In every book of the Bible Jesus is the grand subject. It is a true story that reveals the Glory of God through our redemption in Jesus Christ.

Most scholars concur that there are five major covenants in the Old Testament, and one covenant in the New Testament. In addition, one theologian lists 3573 promises in the Bible. If that is even remotely accurate, then it would serve us well to know at least some of them. However, are there promises that only apply to a specific group of people? Or, can we claim all of the promises in the Scriptures? Learning the read the Bible gives us insight on these promises and how they can give us comfort in our lives here on earth, and for eternity.

Is it possible that a book written over a span of several thousand years, by several different authors, can still be relevant today? The answer is a resounding yes! The entire Bible was inspired by God. This inspiration is one of the things that set it apart from any other book ever written. For example, the Ten Commandments were given to God's people shortly after their exodus from Egypt. These commandments are more than just history. They are relevant to our daily lives today! Understanding how to read the Bible correctly gives us insight into these applicable, life-changing truths today.

We often think of worship as music, or singing in church on Sunday mornings.  But worship often has many looks and feels to it. Some members of The Rock Church Worship Team talk about what worship looks like and their passion for leading worship. 

We have learned over the past few weeks about the importance of reading the Bible. However, we don't read the Bible just to gather more information. The inspired Word of God still speaks to our hearts and lives today. Those truths cause us to take action, to change our lives for the better, to forgive others, and so much more.

We all wonder about the saints in heaven.  In Hebrews 12:1 it states that we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.  What does this mean and how is it interpreted in the Bible? In our first episode of Ask the Pastor, Pastor Greg digs into a listeners question about "Do our loved ones in heaven look down upon us?"

Biblical Exegesis is the critical explanation or interpretation of scripture. By understanding this process, it is much easier to understand and even apply what the Word of God is telling us. The Bible is the revelation of God in our own hands! Let's know what it says!