| Date |
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| December 23, 2007 |
Taking Out the Trash at Christmas
Philippians 3:3-9 |
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| December 2, 2007 |
The Greatest Guide
John 16:12-15 |
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In the rough and often unpredictable terrain of life God has graciously given us the greatest Guide in His Holy Spirit. And one of the most important things the Spirit does is lead the Christian into the truth, revealing all we need to know about Jesus Christ - - the living Word of God - - through the written Word of God. But is there ever a time when we've learned all we need to know about God and the Bible? Come to Rock Creek this Sunday as we learn just how deep and wide the truth is and how much we need the Spirit to lead us there.
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| November 11, 2007 |
The Advocate
John 16:5-11 |
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God has given every Christian His empowering presence through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit indwells the Christian and gives an intimate relationship with God that would not be possible otherwise. But what is the Spirit's role in relation to the world? Join us this Sunday at Rock Creek as we the Spirit's unusual ministry in relation to those who don't follow Jesus Christ.
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| November 4, 2007 |
When God Seems Silent
Habakkuk |
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When we look around and see the evil surrounding us in the world it can be tempting to ask, "Where is God?" This Sunday we'll hear the story of God's prophet Habakkuk who asked, "God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen?" As we find out how Habakkuk coped with the evil and injustice in his world we'll discover where God is in our sorrow and how we can live a life of faith.
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| October 28, 2007 |
When Love Hurts
Hebrews 12:5-12 |
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Does God ever choose for us to suffer? And if so, how do we deal with that? This week at Rock Creek we're going to take a deeper look at God's discipline in the life of the Christian. The Bible tells of real people who wrestled with God in their times of testing and trials and had their faith strengthened. Come discover how we too can persevere and not give up.
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| October 21, 2007 |
Help Is On The Way
John 15:26-16:4 |
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Jesus told his followers that the world will hate them because it hates Him. In fact, the hatred aimed at Jesus while He was here on earth intensified in His absence because that hatred is totally focused on Jesus' followers. Come to Rock Creek this week as discover together just what that hatred can look like in our lives.
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| October 14, 2007 |
Who Hates Us?
John 15:18-25 |
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Every one of us long to be accepted. But Jesus reminds us that if we follow him, not only will people not like us...they will actually hate us. He wants us to know that there will be a cost of bearing his name in this world. Come to Rock Creek this Sunday as we discover who hates us and why.
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| October 7, 2007 |
Are You A Friend Of Jesus?
John 15:12-17 |
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Friendship - - genuine friendship - - is something we all crave. We long to know there is someone who loves us for who we really are; someone who will stick with us through good times and bad. But as great as human friendships can be, how much greater would it be to have Jesus, God incarnate, as our best friend? Is it even possible? And if so, is there any thing we have to do to be called a friend of Jesus? Come join us and find out how we can be Jesus' friend.
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| September 23, 2007 |
How Can God Be Glorified In Me?
John 15:6-11 |
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God wants his children to bear fruit - - to grow - - in their Christian life. But what does it mean practically for us to be growing in our walk with Jesus? In John 15, Jesus says that there are four key elements that should be visible in the life of every Jesus follower. Come this Sunday as we learn how God can be glorified in us.
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| September 16, 2007 |
I Am The Vine
John 15:1-8 |
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We live in an age when everyone seems to be connected to something. Whether it's not being able to leave home without our cell phone or feeling we couldn't survive away from our computer or television for very long, we think that we need these things to function well. But since these devices haven't always been around it's more a case of our wanting them rather than truly needing them. But that's not true when it comes to our relationship with God. We really do need to be connected to Him. Come this Sunday and find out what happens when we are and aren't connected to God.
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| September 2, 2007 |
Give Peace A Chance
John 14:25-27 |
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Since the beginning of time, people have been battling each other, themselves and God. And yet the human heart cries for peace from without and within. Can peace ever truly be achieved? And if so, how? Come to Rock Creek this week as we discover the only way to experience true peace.
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| August 26, 2007 |
Four Promises
John 14:19-24 |
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Ever had someone you loved leave you? Feelings of abandonment and loneliness can be overwhelming. Some 2000 years ago Jesus' disciples, who had experienced his presence for three years, were told that he was leaving them. The worlds of these followers seemed to be falling apart. But out of his great love, Jesus gave them promises that they would never forget and that we can hold onto even today as his followers. Come to Rock Creek this Sunday to be encouraged by those promises.
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| August 19, 2007 |
What Does The Holy Spirit Do?
John 14:16-18 |
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Face it, the Holy Spirit is said to be doing a number of things in the church that he isn't responsible for (and I'm not so sure he wants to be, either). What is the distinctive, constant, basic ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Church today? Is the Holy Spirit's main job to give us more power? Is he primarily responsible for helping us to perform better? Or maybe he is all about making us more pure? Come to Rock Creek this Sunday. You might be surprised to find out that it might be something else.
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| August 12, 2007 |
Who Is The Holy Spirit?
John 14:16-18 |
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When Jesus left the earth 2000 years ago he didn't abandon us, but gave us the incredible gift of his Spirit. But who is the Holy Spirit? Do you know him? If you are a Christian, Jesus promises that he "lives with you and will be in you." Come this Sunday to Rock Creek as we begin to discover who the Spirit is and what He wants to do in each of God's children.
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| August 5, 2007 |
Jesus Loves Me ... Do I Love Him?
John 14:15 |
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Jesus loves us -- this we know because the Bible tells us so. But do we love him back? And if we say we do love Jesus then how do we know that is true? Is the answer to that question purely subjective, or are there concrete ways of knowing whether or not we really love him? Come to Rock Creek as we discover together what it means to really love Jesus.
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| July 29, 2007 |
Asking For Anything In Jesus Name
John 14:12-14 |
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If you were able to ask Jesus to teach you one thing right now, what would it be? If you read the Bible closely you'll find that the disciples never asked Jesus to teach them how to share their faith; they never asked him how to preach or lead other people. The only thing that the disciples ever asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. Join us this Sunday as we discover how Jesus wants us to pray and what the power of prayer can do.
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| July 22, 2007 |
You Don't Know Me?
John 14:7-11 |
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What would it be like to have such deep love for someone who thinks they love you, but whose love pales in comparison to yours? That kind of pain - - the heartache of loved given but not returned - - has been experienced by many of us but most powerfully by God Himself. We might say we love God, but do we even know Him? Come this Sunday to find out who God is and what it means to really love Him.
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| July 15, 2007 |
Looking For God in All the Wrong Places
John 14:6 |
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Many people are searching for God today. Some think they find Him in nature. Others think that they find Him by living a good life. And still others kick it up a notch by trying to find Him through their religion. But sadly, they are looking for God in all the wrong places. What are the results of a life spent looking for God in all the wrong places? Can we find a way... the way... to God? Join us at Rock Creek this Sunday as we discover where we can find God.
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| July 1, 2007 |
The Only Way
John 14:4-6 |
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The belief among many today is that a true relationship with God can exist within each of the world's major religions. In fact, many think that since there is no such thing as absolute truth, no one way is the right way and any way is okay. But why did Jesus say that no one can have a relationship with God without having a saving relationship with him? Come to Rock Creek Church this Sunday as we discover together why Jesus is the only way.
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| June 24, 2007 |
Don't Worry
John 14:1-3 |
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It is so easy to worry with all at we have going on in our lives. But Jesus tells us not to worry. Since Jesus never tells us to do something without giving us the power to do so, come to Rock Creek this Sunday and discover what Jesus wants you to do next time you're tempted to worry.
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| June 17, 2007 |
Finding the Fountain of Fatherhood
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 |
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How does God want us to parent the children He's given us? This coming Sunday at Rock Creek we are going to talk about how we can encourage our children by celebrating and challenging them and by clearing away any obstacles which would hinder their growth in God.
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| June 10, 2007 |
Will You Really Lay Down Your Life For Me?
John 13:36-38 |
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Temptation is something that is common to us all. And every one of us is capable of giving into temptation. Are there certain steps that we normally take which put us in danger of falling into sin? And what does Jesus do when we fall? Come this Sunday as we learn from the life of Peter what it means to follow Jesus faithfully.
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| June 3, 2007 |
All You Need Is Love
John 13:31-35 |
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How are others supposed to know we are Christians? Is it because we attend just the right church? Is it because we are actively involved in serving others? Is it because of who we do or don't vote for? Not long before he was crucified, Jesus gave the mark that would show other Christians and the world that we truly belong to Jesus. And it is a mark that stands the test of time - - it is love. Do you have that mark? Come this Sunday to find out.
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| May 27, 2007 |
Darkness Falls
John 13:18-30 |
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Jesus is the light of the world. So how brightly does that light shine in the darkest night as he is betrayed by one of his own followers? To what lengths does Jesus go to extend love to the one person he knows is going to hand him over to his enemies? Come to Rock Creek this Sunday as we see the darkness of sin overcome by the light of love.
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| May 20, 2007 |
How Deep Is Your Love?
John 13:1-17 |
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The world we live in is filled with people clamoring for power and climbing over each other to get to the top. Jesus calls us, by his loving words and humble actions, to live radically different lives. Why should we lay aside our own agendas and serve those around us? Come to Rock Creek as we discover why God wants us to demonstrate the humble heart of Jesus to others.
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| May 13, 2007 |
Parents Who Put God First
Selected Scriptures |
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The best way to raise our children and love them deeply is to worship God and love Him with all our entire being. That means God, not our children, must be the focal point of our homes. Come this Sunday and find out why we cannot expect to raise godly children unless we "have no other gods before" Him.
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| May 6, 2007 |
The Price of Praise
John 12:37-50 |
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How much do we desire to have people's approval? How many times do we try to say just the right thing, or wear just the right article of clothing, so that someone else will be impressed? One of the saddest verses in the Bible is about the religious leaders who failed to follow Jesus because they valued the praise of others more than the praise of God. What are the consequences of placing praise from people above praise from God? Come to Rock Creek this Sunday and find out.
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| April 29, 2007 |
The Heavy Heart of Jesus
John 12:27-36 |
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As we watch the tragic events of death and destruction unfold all around us, we should have no doubts that mankind is capable of unspeakable evil. But evil has never been uglier than in the callous murder of the Son of God. Come to Rock Creek this Sunday as we see Jesus' heart grow heavy over the mission he was put on earth to fulfill: to die for our sins so we could experience God's love and forgiveness.
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| April 22, 2007 |
How To Save A Life
John 12:20-26 |
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The Christian life is about life and death. When we follow Christ we experience a quality of life - - eternal life - - that we never imagined. But in order to experience the life that God wants us to live we must continually die to ourselves. Our potential will never be reached except through death to sin and denial of our selves. Come to Rock Creek and discover how to save your life by losing it in Christ.
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| April 15, 2007 |
Save Us...NOW
John 12:12-19 |
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This Sunday we'll think about the very first Palm Sunday. This event is usually seen as a beautiful celebration of Jesus. But the story has another side - a side that most of us each spring do not pause to hear. For many who sang Jesus' praises that day were the same ones who yelled, "Crucify him" one week later. How can that be? Is it possible to worship Jesus but do so only for what he can do for us? Come to Rock Creek Church as we think deeply about worshipping Jesus for who he really is - - not for who we want him to be.
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| April 1, 2007 |
Broken and Spilled Out
John 12:1-11 |
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How should we approach our time of worship together as a church? Every time we engage in worship we tread on dangerous ground because at any moment our masks may be torn away and our true motives exposed. Come this Sunday and witness one woman's powerful act of worship. Come and see what it looks like to be broken and spilled out, sitting at Jesus' feet with reckless abandon.
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| March 25, 2007 |
Belief or Unbelief?
John 11:45-57 |
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When someone claims to be God, we are forced to make a decision to either acknowledge their claim to be true or reject it as false. There are really only two possible responses: Belief or unbelief. Come this Sunday as we discover how people responded to Jesus' revelation that he was God by raising a dead man back to life. While some chose to believe and followed Jesus, others refused to believe and condemned him to die.
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| March 11, 2007 |
Lazarus, Here! Outside!
John 11:38-44 |
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The Christian need not fear dying because we trust in Jesus, the one who has all power over death. We can put our hope fully in the Savior so that we can have calm and confidence when we face our last enemy. Come to Rock Creek this Sunday and discover how this kind of faith can change not only how we die, but also how we live.
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| March 4, 2007 |
Your Brother Will Rise Again
John 11:17-37 |
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One of the hardest things about death is that we have no control over it. And for people who have been told we have the power to determine our own destiny and make ourselves a success, the truth that we can't decide when we leave this earth and we can't take any thing with us when we go makes us feel small. But there is hope. Come this Sunday and discover that God didn't intend for death to be the end but rather the beginning.
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| February 25, 2007 |
The Goodness of God's Glory
John 11:4-16 |
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We've heard it said before: "This is for our good and God's glory." But what is our reaction when God's glory doesn't seem to have our good in mind? Come this Sunday to see what it means to trust that what God does always brings glory to Him and goodness to us.
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| February 18, 2007 |
Sharing Our Smarties
2 Corinthians 8:1-13 |
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If we are going to build bridges to each other and our community, not only will it mean sacrificing our time and talents, but our treasure as well. Jesus said that our hearts follow our treasure because where we spend our time and money is a good indication of what we consider most valuable. Come this Sunday as we hear how God wants us to give sacrificially, gratefully and generously so that we can be bridge builders.
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| February 11, 2007 |
Discovering Our Divine Design
1 Peter 4:10-11 |
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God has given each Christian at least one gift He wants us to discover, develop and deploy in His service. Come to Rock Creek this Sunday as we talk about building bridges to others through our gifts.
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| February 4, 2007 |
Bridge Building Pothole #2 - 'I'm Burdened'
1 Corinthians 12 |
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God has given each Christian at least one gift He wants us to discover, develop and deploy in His service. Come to Rock Creek this Sunday as we talk about building bridges to others through our gifts.
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| January 28, 2007 |
Bridge Building Pothole #1 -
"I'm Busy" Selected Scriptures |
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If we are going to build bridges to each other and our community, we're going to have to slow down. Jesus calls us to a different pace than the world sets for us. Are we ready to both listen and obey his call to live at that pace so that we can be bridge builders?
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| January 21, 2007 |
Let's Build A Bridge To Each Other
Mark 2:1-12 |
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Can you imagine being part of a church family where people are passionately served and serve each other. God is calling Rock Creek Church to be a place where we give each other the gift of trusting vulnerability and dependable faithfulness. Come Sunday to catch that vision.
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| January 14, 2007 |
Let's Build A Bridge To Our Community
Selected Scriptures |
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Before time began, God began to build a bridge of grace to undeserving sinners that culminated in the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the Cross. And now God calls us to be bridge builders according to the design of Jesus Christ. He wants us to be bridge builders to those who don't yet know Him; to a disbelieving world full of skepticism, hostility and lostness that must discover the same incarnational influence as the first century experienced when Grace and Truth himself suddenly bridged that Great Chasm and became flesh. You're invited to Rock Creek as Pastor Mike continues a series that will help us envision the mission God's given to Rock Creek Church.
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| January 7, 2007 |
Let's Build A Bridge
Matthew 5:13-16 |
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Before time began, God began to build a bridge of grace to undeserving sinners that culminated in the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the Cross. And now God calls us to be bridge builders according to the design of Jesus Christ. He wants us to be bridge builders to those who don't yet know Him; to a disbelieving world full of skepticism, hostility and lostness that must discover the same incarnational influence as the first century experienced when Grace and Truth himself suddenly bridged that Great Chasm and became flesh. And God calls us to build bridges of grace and truth to those within our church family. He calls us to continually look to identify and meet relational needs in those we call our brothers and sisters in Christ. Come this Sunday as Pastor Mike begins a three-part series that will help us envision the mission God's given to Rock Creek Church.
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