Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages

<p>We celebrate Baptism this weekend as we watch hundreds of people go public with their faith by getting baptized. Water baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration that a person’s former way of life has been put to death, and he or she is raised into a new creation in Christ.</p>

<p>Pastor Doug Wekenman addresses the topic of mental health and how we can view it from a Biblical context. When we trust in Jesus we can declare a ‘sound mind’ even when we don’t feel it because Jesus died to set us free! When the storms of life come we can cling to the promise of 2 Timothy 1:7 “for God has not given is a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.”</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson addresses the topic of Baptism and why it is important in our Christian faith. Baptism is not required for salvation, it is simply an outward expression of an inward change. There are three questions we can consider when it comes to the topic of baptism; "should I be getting baptized?", "who should I invite to a baptism service?", and "if I am baptized already, is there an area in my life God is asking me to be obedient?".</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson closes out our “I Am” series with a message on Jesus’ statement, “I Am the Vine.” He reminds us that there are practical ways to stay connected to God and therefore find purpose in our lives. When we pray, find God-centered community, and get into The Word we find ourselves closer to our Creator and we see the fruit of walking with Him in our lives.</p>

<p>Pastor James preaches on the sixth “I Am” statement in the Gospel of John where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, the life.” Jesus takes Thomas’s questions about ‘when?’, ‘where?’, and ‘how?’ and replies with a ‘who.’ All we need to do is look to Jesus. He can handle our doubts and our questions and He will lead us through those questions into deeper relationship and eternal life through Him.</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson reminds us that because of Easter everything changes! Our God is big and powerful but also close and personal. There is nothing He cannot handle and the promise of Easter is that because of Christ we can live in freedom. </p>

<p>Jesus is our Good Shepherd and that means that not only does He care about us, but He walks with us through every season. Even in the darkest valleys of our life He promises we will never be alone.</p>

<p>Doug Wekenman continues our "I Am" series with Jesus' third "I Am" statement in the gospel of John where He says, "I am the door." In this one statement Jesus proclaims that He is the one and only way to abundant life both here on earth, and forever in Heaven. The door is not exclusive, but it is specific. Jesus came to save everyone, and in His perfect love and grace He gives us the option to choose Him or to choose our own way. He made a way when there was no way!</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn continues our "I Am" series with the second "I Am" statement from the Gospel of John, "I am the light of the world." He gives us context into the true magnitude of that statement to its original audience. The same life-altering message of freedom that it offered back then is true for us today.</p>

<p>Doug Wekenman kicks off a new series about the book of John. The "I Am" series will explore the seven "I Am" statements Jesus makes in the Bible and ask the question, "Who is God?" Jesus says He is the "Bread of Life" and that means that not only is He our provision (what we need) but He is also our satisfaction (what we want). When we look to Him as our source, we find that only He can satisfy our deepest hunger.</p>

<p>Pastors Shawn and Jill Johnson answer questions about how to build a lasting marriage.</p>

<p>We live in a world that is saturated with sex, and yet people are wildly unhappy. The world's ways of approaching love, sex, and intimacy are not working. There is a better way! There is freedom from addiction to sex and pornography for those who are willing to do the hard work of feeling and healing.</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson shares Bible-based strategies for dating and singleness. Taken from Genesis 24, Shawn shares four things to consider before you start dating, with the most important being your relationship with Jesus. Only when you are fulfilled in Him can you successfully pursue a healthy relationship with others.</p>

<p>Pastor James Powell teaches us how to build relationships through courageous conversations. He uses Biblical passages to show us that we can create great conversations by earning attention before giving opinions, making joy a serious goal, asking great questions, and choosing encouragement when in doubt.</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn encourages Red Rocks Church to focus on the word "Devoted." By looking at the early church's actions in Acts 2, we learn that they were devoted to showing up, praying, getting in groups, giving, serving, and inviting others. What is God asking you to devote yourself to this year?</p>

<p>James Powell shares four ways we can create a better ending to the story we will tell with our lives. By being God-centered, faith-focused, servant-hearted, and future-oriented, we can begin building a greater tomorrow beginning today.</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson shares how we can discover God’s plan for our lives and experience the life change it brings. Through prayer, reading the Bible, and finding a community to support you, you can live the plans God has for you. </p><p><br></p><p>If you just said "yes" to accepting Christ, we'd love to celebrate with you and share resources to help you get started. Text "Yes" to 30301.</p><p><br></p><p>Are you or someone you know struggling? Know that you're not alone. Please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. </p>

<p>Doug Wekenman encourages us that yes, we can change and decide what story we will tell through the grace of Jesus. He walks us through the Bible story in which Jesus heals the paralyzed man at the pool, showing us that turning point in that story, as well as our own stories, is whether we want to change.</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson reminds us that the difference between a messy Christmas and an amazing Christmas is the lens with which we view it. A good Christmas is not defined by what has happened to us this season, but is based on what God’s done for us by sending us Jesus. Merry Christmas, Red Rocks Church!</p>

<p>James Powell encourages us to think differently about Christmas by slowing down the chaos, pushing back against fear, trading in routine for relationship, and being driven by devotion. </p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson shares three ways we can kill the lies that keep us from experiencing the life God has planned for us. By asking for God’s power, praying with God’s people, and reading God’s word we can stop believing lies and start seeing the good plans God has for us.</p><p><br></p><p>This special message was recorded live from Red Rocks Church’s God Behind Bars campus in Denver, CO. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.redrockschurch.com/locations/gbb/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://</a><a href="http://www.redrockschurch.com/locations/gbb" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.redrockschurch.com/locations/gbb/</a></p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson acknowledges that we might feel both excited and scared about giving to build God’s Kingdom. Shawn explains the four stages of giving that we might find ourselves in. We can have confidence that when we give back to God what is his to begin with, we are aiming at the right target.</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson shares his thoughts on money and the church through sharing his own story and encouraging us that it’s all God’s money to begin with. </p>

<p>Jimmy Rollins reminds us that we’re using Kingdom Currency that’s not ours to begin with.</p>

<p>Pastor Shawn Johnson teaches what baptism is all about and what it means for us. Hear stories of life change and see just a few of the hundreds of baptisms that happened this weekend—a testament that God is just getting started in our lives and through Red Rocks Church. Let's celebrate, Church! </p>