Pastor Adam is continuing the Rockhills series on the “shady ladies” who are part of the legacy of Christ. When Matthew outlines the lineage of Christ, he purposely mentions four women with rough backgrounds and reputations. Jesus not only came from them,  he came FOR them. They are not unlike you or me:  imperfect, sinful, poor life choices, rough around the edges.  Today’s teaching was on Rahab. God used all her hurt, her pain and her dark days to honor and glorify God. She went from harlot to heroine. God can change and use you in the same way. God doesn’t waste pain. Are  you ready to live into your new story with God at the front and center?

When Matthew wrote his chapter on the genealogy of Christ, he made a point of emphasizing who Jesus came FOR - not just who he came FROM.  There are many good, wholesome and awe inspiring women in the genealogy of Jesus, yet Matthew fails to mention many of them. However, he seems to make a point of and even draws attention to mentioning the ones who many would consider scandalous.  

God uses people from unexpected places in unexpected ways today just as he did in Ruth’s situation. This book focuses on the management of land and family obligations, but it teaches us a more profound meaning of redemption. God gives new life in abundance where only death and emptiness are expected. And while God is easing Naomi’s and Ruth’s need, he is also bringing about his purpose for the entire nation.

Did you know San Antonio was named after Saint Anthony? He was a passionate follower of God, loved scripture and had a tenderness toward the poor and the sick. One of his famous quotes came when someone asked him what one must do in order to please God. His reply was, “Pay attention to what I tell you: whoever you may be, always have God before your eyes, whatever you do, do it according to the testimony of the Holy Scriptures; in whatever place you live do not easily leave it. Keep these three precepts and you will be saved.”  

If Jesus really rose from the dead, what does that mean for you? What does that mean for your life, your schedule, your heart, your soul? Our culture is comfortable with vague God talk or spirituality talk, but what about Jesus? Who do YOU say that He is?  Just another good teacher? A myth? A fable? Or, do you believe he is the risen Lord?  If you do, what does that require of your life?  How is “close enough” really working for you? 

The resurrection changed everything. It changed cultures and it changed lives.  It still changes lives today. We all have brokenness in our lives that we cannot fix - no matter how hard we try.   We need relief and we need rescue. God provided the rescue in the form of His son.  The Cross + Resurrection = Rescue.

We can become attached to and cling to a lot of things in this world.  It might be your next vacation or adventure, maybe it's a promotion in your job, maybe its education or the education of your children. Pastor Adam encouraged us to cling to grace. To cling to God’s promise. To cling to the CROSS.  Christus Solus.  Christ alone.  It’s enough. It’s everything. 

f Jesus was who he says he was (the Messiah), his actions surely needed to match his words. This week we look into the famous incident of feeding the 5000 (which, incidentally, was counting only the men in the crowd) and examine some of the actions of Jesus as he lived a life of ministry and listened to the voice of his father. 

When we consider all that God is doing in the world today, it still happens one person at a time. The original founder and planter of Rockhills Church taught today on blessings:  being a blessing and receiving God’s blessing. It's more than just putting on social medial that you are #blessed.  But how do we do this “blessing thing” God’s way?  

Teaching Elder Stephen Eckert taught and used an example from C.S. Lewis’ Magician’s Nephew of how a good king is the first in the charge and the last to retreat. That is the kind of king we serve. Jesus put himself between us and Satan as He endured the testing and temptation.  We do not go through anything that Jesus has not already been through himself. We serve a good king who understands and knows our trials, temptations and tests in life.