Twenty-one days. In 21 days we begin a 40-day journey that could change your life. March 2nd is the day we will begin this adventure. For centuries Christians have used the season leading up to Resurrection Day, Easter, as a time of spiritual preparation. We call this season Lent. It is the 40 days prior to Easter, not counting Sundays. Although the season was originally meant to be a time of spiritual exploration and growth, over many years it has broken down to a modest observance if observed at all.
But this year at Rock Church we are going to use these forty days to go on a spiritual journey together. We're going to take what was ancient and make it new again. We're going to take this journey together as a body of Christ. The theme for our journey will be “Like Jesus.” To be a Christian is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Contrary to what we have often been taught, the goal of discipleship is not simply to increase knowledge. It is not some legalistic observance of a set of rules. Ultimately, true discipleship is becoming like the one we follow. So for us, to grow deeper in discipleship is to become more and more like Jesus. Knowledge may inform that, good works may reflect it, but in the end it is transformation into the likeness of Christ that makes true disciples.
So on this 40-day journey we are going to explore and experience what it really means to become increasingly “Like Jesus.” This journey will be experiential and, if we allow it to be, transformational. Of course, it is entirely voluntary. There will be a variety of ways that you can participate. I would encourage everyone to prayerfully consider what aspects of the journey you want to engage in.
At the heart of the process will be the teaching series “Like Jesus.” Each of the six Sundays of our journey the message will explore different aspects of what it means to be like Jesus. This is the foundation of the journey. I would invite you to make a commitment to be with us in worship every week during the six weeks of this journey. Based on the weekly theme there will also be a daily email with a prayer focus, devotional thought and a link to a brief daily video teaching. These emails will be opt-in only. In other words, you have to decide that you want to do the daily component of this journey. If you would like to be added to the daily email list, please email Lynette and let us know.
There will also be other daily or weekly opportunities. For example, some may choose to fast one day a week for the six weeks. We are going to offer a weekly prayer meeting for those who want to be a part of an intentional time of corporate prayer each week. Some may choose to journal throughout the journey has a way of reflecting on how God is working in your life. And each week, out of the message, there will be action items. Ways to put into practice being more like Jesus.
We will kick off this 40-day journey with an Ash Wednesday service on March 2nd at 6:30 p.m. at our Plaistow campus. This will be an opportunity for us to be together we a whole Rock Church family. So let the countdown begin. In 21 days we will begin a spiritual journey as a church that will help us to experience God at a deeper level and to grow in our likeness of Christ, that we may increasingly reflect the Jesus within us.
This Sunday we launch a 3 week mini-series based on John 17 entitled “One.” I look forward to us begin together in person or online this Sunday. Have a great week. I love you all.
Pastor Steve