Welcome to the Church on the Rock-Nashville, Arkansas weekly sermon podcast! We're delighted to have you join us as we explore and share the teachings that guide our faith and inspire our community.

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Each episode features insightful sermons that aim to strengthen your faith and provide spiritual nourishment. We hope these messages will not only uplift you but also inspire you to share God's love with others.

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Church On The Rock Nashville (COTRN) Podcast

Date: April 13, 2025

Title: Am I In Christ?

Host: Pastor Ronnie Bevill

Opening Prayer

Pastor Ronnie leads a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for the day and the worship.
He prays for softened hearts and open minds to receive the message.
A specific prayer for himself to be used by God.
A prayer for the message to reach a heart in need of eternal change.
A final request for everyone to leave ready to share the message of eternity.

Ice Cream Encounter & Testimony (1:03 - 4:00)

Pastor Ronnie shares a story about a recent dinner with Brad and Donna Sullivan.
Describes an encounter at Dairy Queen in Texarkana with a man who recognized his COTRN hat.
The man's powerful testimony:
- Former prisoner and drug addict.
- Out of rehab and living in a halfway house.
- Working at Chicken Express and enjoying his job.
- Clean since July 23rd of the previous year.
- Feeling healthier and enjoying life.
- Identifies as a child of God.
- Strong desire to return to prisons to share his testimony and offer hope.
- Taking classes and praying for the opportunity to help others.
Pastor Ronnie's encouragement from this encounter – Jesus happening in an unexpected place.
Reflection on how often we keep our faith within the church walls.

Message Title Introduction: Am I In Christ? (4:00 - 4:30)

Transition to the morning's message.
Title: "Am I In Christ?"

Matthew 7:21-23 - The Haunting Verse (4:30 - 6:55)

Reading of Matthew 7:21-23 (Jesus speaking about those who call him "Lord, Lord" but are not known by Him and are called "workers of lawlessness").
Pastor Ronnie shares how this verse has always been on his mind.
Ponders how those involved in church activities can be unknown by Jesus.
Explains that individually, each person in that group would claim their actions were done in Jesus' name.
The underlying issue: They were focused on their own efforts to earn something from God.

Ephesians 2:8-10 - Grace Through Faith (6:55 - 8:20)

Reading of Ephesians 2:8-10 (Salvation by grace through faith, a gift of God, resulting in good works that God prepared beforehand).
Explains that if we are truly in Christ, good works will naturally follow as an extension of our identity in Him.
Contrasts this with those in Matthew 7 who believed their works saved them, trusting their own efforts more than Christ's power.
Warns against this imbalance.

The Test: Examining Ourselves (8:20 - 9:10)

Question posed: How do we know if we are in Christ?
Reference to 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Paul urging believers to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith and to test themselves).
The question arises: What is this test? What questions would be on it?

Question 1: Do You Love Jesus? (9:10 - 13:45)

Initial thought: Of course, we love Jesus (being in church, etc.).
Transition to Romans 10:8-10 (The word of faith is near, confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection leads to salvation).
Reasoning for this verse: When you first meet someone, you learn what's important to them, what's on their heart, their priorities.
Pastor Ronnie shares personal examples of what he talks about first (wife, family, grandchildren).
He also shares that he quickly asks others about their relationship with Jesus and their church involvement.
Discussion in small groups about better ways to ask about salvation beyond "Are you saved?"
Suggestion: "Are you in Christ?" or "Is Christ in you?"
Ultimately, our standing before God in judgment will depend on being covered by the blood of Christ, not our own righteousness.
Pastor Ronnie emphasizes his simple life centered on family and God, with his work supporting that.

Self-Reflection Question (13:45 - 16:50)

Pastor Ronnie asks: If he were to talk to you, what would be the first things you talk about yourself?
Humorous examples: deer on the camera, sports teams.
The ideal: The very first thing someone learns about you is that you are ready to speak about Jesus with joy and love.
The impact if the body of Christ lived with His word on their lips at any moment.

1 John 4:10 - God's Love for Us (16:50 - 17:50)

Reading of 1 John 4:10 (Love is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son).
Pastor Ronnie's belief: Jesus paid a debt we couldn't, for a life we didn't earn.
His personal commitment: To live in a way that his love for God is evident in everything he does.

Love as a Verb (17:50 - 19:30)

Clarification of "love" – not just an emotion but an action.
Love that encourages us to connect with others, understand their struggles, and speak the love of Christ into their lives.
Encouragement for those feeling called to step out and speak into someone else's life.

Point 2: Commandments? (19:30 - 23:55)

Reading of 1 John 2:3-6 (Knowing God by keeping His commandments; those who claim to know Him but don't are liars; walking as Jesus walked).
Reading of 1 John 3:23-24 (His commandment: believe in Jesus and love one another; keeping commandments means abiding in God and God in us through the Spirit).
Reading of John 14:15 (Jesus: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments").
The question: What are Jesus' commandments?
Encouragement to read Exodus 20 (The Ten Commandments) to understand God's heart and His desire for our walk.
Addressing the "Old Testament law" discussion: The apostles taught God's moral law (the Ten Commandments) to new converts, revealing God's heart.
The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-31): Love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself (referencing Deuteronomy 6 and Leviticus 19).
Emphasis on consuming the whole Word of God for a clearer picture of Jesus and His design for our lives.
The Pharisees made a list of rules, but the core is: Do you love God? Do you desire to know how He wants you to live? Are you striving to live that way?

Point 3: Do You Love One Another? (23:55 - 31:45)

Question: Do you love the people of God?
Addressing potential feelings of dislike or hurt from past church experiences.
Reading of John 13:34 (Jesus' new commandment: love one another as He loved us).
Reading of 1 John 2:9-11 (Hating a brother means being in darkness).
Reading of 1 John 4:7-8 (Love is from God; whoever loves has been born of God and knows God because God is love).
Reading of 1 John 4:16 (God is love; abiding in love means abiding in God).
Reading of 1 John 4:20-21 (Harsh words: If you say you love God but hate your brother, you are a liar; whoever loves God must also love his brother).
Pastor Ronnie's honesty: Admitting he hasn't always liked everyone in church.
Defining "hate" in this context: A refusal to share Jesus with someone, often based on differences.
The love of Christ and hate cannot coexist.
If you embrace hate, Christ is not truly present.

The Fruit of a Believer (31:45 - 34:00)

If you are truly a believer and disciple, the fruit of your life will be:
- Loving God and talking about Him.
- Being a witness and ambassador for Him everywhere.
- Obeying His commandments out of genuine desire to be like Him.
- Loving one another and desiring what's best for each other.

The Ultimate Desire (34:00 - 35:40)

Question: Can anyone name anything better than a relationship with Jesus?
The ultimate reward: Hearing "Welcome, my good and faithful servant" at judgment.
This signifies not perfection, but loving well – loving like Jesus with everything you have.

Personal Reflection (35:40 - 36:40)

Pastor Ronnie shares his personal reflection on these questions: "Have I loved well?"
His desire to love everyone in the congregation because Christ in him loves them.

Altar Call and Baptism Announcement (36:40 - 37:30)

Transition to the altar call and announcement of baptism following.
Encouragement to reflect on the message and God's Word.

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