Solid Rock Baptist Church of Rockwell

08/03/2026

Lace Up and Run
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." — Hebrews 12:1

Church, think about this for a moment. Every morning when you wake up, you've got a choice to make. Are you gonna sit on the sidelines today, or are you gonna lace up those running shoes and get in the race?

Now I know what you're thinking — "Preacher, some days I don't feel like running." And I get it. Some mornings you're tired. Some mornings the weight of this world feels heavy on your shoulders. Maybe it's that sin you've been wrestling with, maybe it's a relationship that's wearing you down, maybe it's just the everyday grind of life.

But here's the thing, folks. You don't run this race alone. That cloud of witnesses — those saints who've gone before us — they're cheering you on. And more than that, Jesus Himself is running right there beside you. He never said the path would be easy. He said it would be worth it.

So today, whatever you're facing, I want you to lace up. Put on those shoes of faith. Take that first step. And then take the next one. And the next one after that. One step at a time, with your eyes on Jesus.

Takeaway: You don't have to run fast — you just have to keep running. Lace up today and trust the One who set the race before you.

Let's pray: Lord, give me the strength today to lace up and run the race You've set before me. Help me lay aside the things that hold me back and fix my eyes on You. When I'm tired, be my strength. When I stumble, pick me up. I'm running for You, Jesus. Amen.

07/31/2026

Be Strong and of a Good Courage
Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

I know some of y'all are tired. I know some of you woke up this morning and the weight of it all just pressed right back down on your chest before your feet even hit the floor. Maybe it's been a season of loss. Maybe it's a battle that won't let up. Maybe you're just worn out from trying to hold it all together and wondering if anybody even sees you.

Church, listen — God sees you.

Now look at what He said to Joshua. He didn't just say, "Be strong." He said, "Have not I commanded thee?" That's the key, y'all. This isn't some pep talk. This isn't "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." This is the living God saying, "I am giving you the strength — now go forward with it." The courage He's asking for isn't something you have to drum up on your own. It comes from knowing He's already there where you're headed.

And that last part? "The LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." That means into the hospital room. Into the courtroom. Into the empty house. Into the hard conversation. Into the valley you didn't choose. He's there. He hasn't left. And He's not going to.

So today, if you're hurting, I ask you — don't give up. Not because you're strong enough, but because He is. And He's walking right beside you.

Takeaway: Your courage doesn't come from within yourself — it comes from the God who promised to go with you, wherever you are, right now.

Prayer: Lord, I'm struggling today. I don't feel strong. I don't feel courageous. But I'm choosing to trust that You are with me. Give me the strength I don't have, and help me take one more step — just one more — because You've commanded it and You've promised to be there. In Jesus' name, Amen.

07/30/2026

07/30/2026

Don't Believe in Prayer — Depend on Prayer
Scripture:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." — Proverbs 3:5–6

Church, think about that for a minute. We say we believe in prayer. We post about it. We tell folks we'll pray for them. But believing in prayer and depending on prayer — those are two different things.

Believing in prayer is easy. It's a nice idea. It sounds spiritual. But depending on prayer? That means when the doctor gives you bad news, you don't just think, "Well, I guess I could pray about it." You drop to your knees because that's the first thing you know to do. It means when the bills don't add up, when the marriage is struggling, when the kids are wandering — you're not just hoping prayer works. You're counting on it like you count on oxygen.

See, Solomon didn't say "acknowledge Him when it's convenient." He said in all thy ways. That means every road, every decision, every valley — we go to the Lord first. Not as a last resort. Not as a backup plan. As our only plan.

I ask you today — are you believing in prayer from a distance, or are you depending on it up close, with your whole heart?

Takeaway: Prayer isn't something we just believe in — it's something we live on. Depend on it like your next breath.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I've treated prayer like a nice idea instead of my lifeline. Teach me to come to You first, not last. I don't just want to believe in prayer — I want to depend on it with everything I've got. In Jesus' name, Amen.

07/17/2026

Please pray for me as I stand behind God's Holy pulpit this Sunday and start this series. I expect as long as the Lord gives me liberty to spend around 6 or 7 weeks. If you don't have a home church please join us at 11:15 for prayer and then 11:30 for preaching. If you do have a home church and interested you can watch our youtube channel or listen on all major podcast platforms. PREPARING FOR BATTLE!!! Pastor John

07/01/2026

We will be at Badin Lake and the address is 530 Berry Hill Drive Norwood NC.

06/23/2026

Our two dads from our father's day service yesterday. We had a great time in the Lord yesterday and then celebrated what Christ did for us through communion. Dylan Morton Cheyenne Penley Morton Demitri Stirewalt Krisandra Stirewalt Loretta Stirewalt and of course me the pastor.