We Are Rock Point | Part 2

The big idea

We are Rock Point when we grow in biblical community — sitting in circles, not just rows — because we were never meant to go on the journey of faith alone.

God never intended us to walk this life of faith alone; He designed us to grow through real, physically present community. Like redwood trees that survive storms by intertwining their roots rather than growing deep alone, we survive and thrive spiritually by being known, accepted, supported, and developed by others.

Point 1 of 7

Pastor Bill uses the picture of giant redwood trees that survive storms not through deep roots but by intertwining their roots with the trees around them. He applies this to the church: we are meant to be linked together, not standing solitary, because that is how we withstand the storms of life.

Point 2 of 7

Working through Philippians 1:27, Pastor Bill shows Paul telling the Philippian church to stand together with one spirit and purpose, fighting together for the faith. He argues the enemy is fine with people sitting in rows on a private spiritual quest, because uniting in real community is what actually defeats him.

Point 3 of 7

He traces how technology has changed friendship: from expensive long-distance calls that let friendships fade, to social media and texting that let us feel connected to people who are not truly present. He tells the story of a blogger who received $100,000 from strangers who called her their friend though they'd never met her, and notes how people now skip parts of classical concerts, picking and choosing rather than staying present for the whole experience.

Point 4 of 7

Reading Galatians 6:1-2, Pastor Bill draws out four marks of real community. He tells his own embarrassing story of lying to a young boy at a batting cage rather than admit he'd broken a rule, showing how fear of being truly known leads us to hide in plain sight rather than receive help.

Point 5 of 7

He explains that being known must be followed by real acceptance, a place to be honest about struggles without being run off like a rejected outsider, and then by tangible support in carrying burdens, whether spiritual, physical, or emotional.

Point 6 of 7

He plays a testimony video of a self-described hermit who reluctantly joined a small group and found she needed people more than she realized. He explains a pastor's job is to equip the saints, not just perform ministry, and community is where believers push each other toward Jesus rather than settling for comfortable fellowship.

Point 7 of 7

Using the illustration of kids and even a zoo monkey eating only the creamy center of an Oreo and discarding or throwing back the cookie part, Pastor Bill says people often want acceptance and support without being known or developed. He argues the whole cookie makes us vulnerable, and vulnerability is what makes us unstoppable, quoting Galatians 6:3 that thinking we're too important to help others is only fooling ourselves.

Take it into your week

Pastor Bill's charge is to get the whole cookie — don't just want the creamy middle of community, take all four pieces: being known, accepted, supported, and developed.