My longtime friend John Wills preached for me this past Sunday at Grace Fellowship.  It was an awesome message in which he asked a profound question:  “Are you full of words and void of deeds?”  The question was based on these Words of Jesus:  46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49

John went on to share ROCK PEOPLE RULES – the principles by which people who are building their lives on the rock live.  These are some of my quick thoughts on what was shared….

ROCK PEOPLE love God.  They don’t come to church or read the Bible or pray to check off a box and think they’ve done a good deed.  They do these things simply because they love God.  They do much more than this because they love God.  They strive to pattern their life after the example set by Jesus – they actually want to know what God wants and desire to do it.  They fulfill what Jesus said was the GREATEST COMMANDMENT – to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

ROCK PEOPLE love people.  They’re striving to fulfill what Jesus said was the 2nd GREATEST COMMANDMENT – to love your neighbor as yourself.  Rock people love people – not to get something from them; they love in order to give.  I’m still trying to figure out how to be a better rock person to my neighbors and our communities.  God put a love for people in my heart, but it’s a love that needs to be cultivated and developed BY USE…..and I’m working on it.

ROCK PEOPLE live in community.  Coming to church is a great thing to do, but if you really want to grow spiritually you’ve got to be connected with others in a small group setting where you share your lives and where you learn from God’s Word.  John’s pastor says that if the people who join their church don’t get in a small group, they won’t be around in 6 months and probably won’t be missed  (not because people don’t care – but because people don’t know them!)  It’s the same at Grace Fellowship – if you don’t get connected in a LIFE GROUP you probably won’t stick – won’t be around too long and that’s sad because you need us and we need you.  We were made to live life in community with one another.  You need this connection with other followers of Christ as much as you need conviction and commitment! 

ROCK PEOPLE give back.  The happiest people I’ve met are generous.  Rock People take God’s Word seriously and realize they have a responsibility to the world – a responsibility to make a difference in the lives of those who are oppressed, suffering, poor and needy – a responsibility to those who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ – a responsibility to give generously to meet needs and expand God’s Kingdom.

It was a great message – check it out on our podcast at www.gfcfamily.com

Here’s what I’ve discovered:  ROCK PEOPLE ROCK !