Bedrock Church Sarasota

Community Changes Everything

In this powerful message, we're reminded of our deep-rooted need for authentic community as believers. The early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47, provides a compelling model of what true Christian fellowship looks like. We're challenged to devote ourselves to four key elements: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. This isn't just about attending church; it's about centering our lives around Jesus and His people. The message emphasizes that our commitment determines our condition - where we invest our time and energy shapes who we become. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to examine our own lives and ask: Are we truly devoted to Christ and His community? The parallels drawn between the unity of sports fans and the unity we should experience in church provide a vivid illustration of the joy and purpose we can find in genuine Christian fellowship. This message invites us to move beyond superficial connections and embrace the transformative power of authentic community in Christ.

Clear Words From a Kind God | Pastor Blake Harcup

In this powerful message, we're reminded that God's timing is perfect, even when we're impatient for His promises. The story of Pentecost in Acts 2 illustrates how God orchestrated the perfect moment for the Holy Spirit to descend, bringing together people from all nations to hear the Gospel in their own languages. This miraculous event draws parallels with the Tower of Babel, but instead of confusion, God brings clarity and unity. We're challenged to consider: are we using our gifts for our own glory or for God's kingdom? The speaker emphasizes that it's not about the gift itself, but the purpose behind it. God speaks to us in our 'heart language,' meeting us where we are with His love and grace. This message encourages us to wait on God's timing, trust in His plan, and be ready to respond when He calls us to action.

God's Will For Your Life | Pastor Blake Harcup

Are we living our faith to its fullest potential? This powerful message challenges us to move beyond a 'grocery getter' Christianity and embrace the true mission God has for our lives. Drawing from the book of Acts, we're reminded that Jesus began a work that we're called to continue. The Holy Spirit, mentioned over 50 times in Acts, isn't just for ancient times - that same power resides in believers today. We're encouraged to shift our focus from obsessing about the end times to embracing our role in God's mission. Like the disciples who were transformed from doubters to bold witnesses, we too can experience this radical change when we align ourselves with God's purpose. The message beautifully illustrates this using the analogy of a high-performance car - we have immense spiritual power available, but we need to 'turn on the speed key' by fully engaging in God's mission. This isn't about our abilities, but about who God is and what He can do through us when we say 'yes' to His calling.

Rooted Part 2 | Pastor Chris Dowd

In this powerful exploration of Psalm 1, we're challenged to examine where we're truly rooted - in the world or in God's Word. The passage paints a vivid picture of two contrasting paths: one that leads us away from God through worldly influences, and another that anchors us firmly in His truth. We're reminded of the slippery slope that begins with simply listening to the wrong voices, progresses to learning from poor examples, and ultimately leads to promoting harmful ideologies. However, there's hope! By cultivating a love for God's Word, meditating on it day and night, and living out its truths, we can become like trees planted by streams of water - fruitful, resilient, and prosperous in all we do. This message urges us to critically evaluate the voices we allow to shape our thinking and to actively choose to delight in God's law, recognizing that our spiritual nourishment and growth depend on it.

Rooted | Pastor Chris Dowd

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine where we place our trust. The central passage, Jeremiah 17:5-8, presents a stark contrast between those who trust in man and those who trust in the Lord. We're reminded that relying on our own strength or the approval of others often leads to spiritual drought and isolation. However, when we fully trust in God, we become like trees planted by streams, flourishing even in difficult times. This imagery beautifully illustrates the peace and fruitfulness that come from a life rooted in faith. The message encourages us to reflect on areas where we might be turning away from God and instead invites us to lean completely on His wisdom and strength. It's a call to surrender our self-reliance and embrace the blessings that come from trusting God with every aspect of our lives.

Dangerous Distractions | Dr. Kevin King

In this powerful message, we're challenged to maintain a kingdom perspective that keeps us on mission, even in the face of adversity. The Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians serves as our guide, reminding us that difficult circumstances, challenging people, and conflicting emotions should not deter us from our divine purpose. Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel, even while under house arrest, demonstrates how we can turn obstacles into opportunities for God's glory. We're encouraged to see beyond our immediate struggles and focus on the bigger picture of God's kingdom work. This perspective shift can transform our approach to life's challenges, helping us to rejoice in all situations, knowing that Christ is being preached. As we reflect on this, we're invited to examine our own lives and ask: Are we allowing temporary setbacks to distract us from our eternal mission?

Why Does God Allow Suffering? | Dr. Kevin Richard

In the face of life's most challenging moments, we're confronted with the age-old question: Why does a good God allow suffering? This powerful message delves into the heart of this dilemma, reminding us that while we may not have all the answers, we can develop a framework for enduring evil and suffering while remaining grounded in faith. At the core of this framework is the profound truth that 'God is love' - a statement that gives us a glimpse into the very nature of the divine. As beings created in God's image, we too are designed for love, but our freedom allows for the possibility of choosing against God. This choice has brought death and decay into the world, setting the stage for the ultimate redemption story. The gospel, as Jesus himself proclaimed, is not just about personal salvation, but about the coming of God's kingdom - a restoration and renewal of all creation. We're called to live in this 'already but not yet' reality, where suffering still exists, but where we can also witness and participate in God's ongoing work of redemption. This message challenges us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and to trust in the ultimate goodness of a God who stepped down to sacrifice Himself for us.

Give Peace a Chance | John Cartwright

In our exploration of Philippians 4, we discover a profound truth: God offers us His peace, but we must first empty our hands to receive it. This peace surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It's not the absence of challenges, but rather a sustaining force that carries us through life's storms. We're encouraged to find our joy in the Lord, not in our circumstances, and to practice graciousness in our relationships. By letting go of our burdens - difficult days, dysfunctional dynamics, and deep distresses - we create space for God's peace to fill us. This message challenges us to shift our focus from earthly troubles to the unchanging nature of God, reminding us that our ultimate security lies in His love and provision.

A Second Rescue | Pastor Ryan McDermott

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine our spiritual lives through the lens of Lazarus' resurrection. The story in John 11 isn't just about physical resurrection, but spiritual rebirth and freedom. We're asked to consider: are we truly living in the fullness of our faith, or are we still bound by our 'grave clothes'? These grave clothes represent sins we can't leave behind, hurts we've received, or lies we've believed. The message reminds us that Jesus not only brings us to life spiritually but desires to set us free from these lingering bondages. We're encouraged to identify our own grave clothes and seek God's help in removing them, emphasizing that true freedom comes not just from being saved, but from fully embracing the new life Christ offers.

Are You All In? | Kyle Mason

In this powerful exploration of 1 Kings 18, we're confronted with a timeless question: How long will we waver between two opinions? The story of Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal serves as a stark reminder of our tendency to divide our loyalties between God and worldly idols. Just as the Israelites struggled to fully commit to God, we often find ourselves caught between faith and doubt, obedience and compromise. The dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel isn't just ancient history—it's a mirror reflecting our own spiritual battles. Are we, like the people of Israel, waiting for a spectacular display before we'll commit? Or can we recognize the 'still, small voice' of God in our daily lives? This message challenges us to examine the areas where we're 'limping between two opinions' and calls us to make a decisive choice for God, letting His consuming fire purify every aspect of our lives.