Podcast Summary: Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages

Episode: It's Time to be the Church (Sermon Only)

Date: September 20, 2025
Speaker: Red Rocks Church Pastor

Main Theme / Purpose

This sermon centers on the urgent call for followers of Jesus to truly “be the church” — not just attend services, but embody the presence, love, mission, and healing power of Jesus in a hurting world. Against a backdrop of recent tragedies and divisiveness, the pastor exhorts the church to reject hate and division, rally together in faith and authentic community, and actively participate in God’s redemptive plan.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. We Are the Church, Not a Building

• The speaker highlights the transformation that occurred when Jesus died and the veil in the temple was torn, signifying no more separation between God and His people (01:45).
  • "No more will you be separated from my presence... you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you." – Pastor (03:15)
• Emphasizes 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (The Message):
  • Believers carry God’s Spirit; wherever we go, we ARE the church.

2. God’s Plan in a Hurting World

• The Church as God’s Strategy:
  • Jesus’ followers are not only “the church” but also “the plan” for reaching the world (06:50).
  • Cites Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you... and you will be my witnesses…”
• Responding to Recent Tragedies and Evil:
  • References several painful events (school shooting in Minnesota, train attack in Charlotte, Charlie Kirk assassination in Utah, local shooting at Evergreen High School) to highlight the darkness and trauma affecting people (11:00).
  • Stresses the spiritual reality behind earthly events.
    • "God's real, Satan's real... Heaven's real, Hell's real. Satan really does want to kill, steal and destroy every single good thing that God wants to do in and through us." (14:19)
• Purposeful Response:
  • Encourages the church not to be passive or play religious games, particularly in dark times.

3. Rejecting Division and Living Counter-Culturally

• Warns against societal and online divisiveness after tragedies (17:00).
  • "May we be the place that says: not on our watch. We’re not going to get involved in the hate. We’re not going to get involved in hurling insults. We got too big of a calling." (18:15)
• Cites 1 Peter 3:8-9: Do not repay evil with evil, but with blessing.
• Urges for compassion, humility, unity amidst differences in background and opinion.

4. God Is Still at Work: Stories of Revival

• Despite the discouragement and negativity seen on social media, God is moving powerfully through the church (21:30).
  • Testimonies of church growth and spiritual hunger across Denver and the nation.
    • “Some of you need to get your head out of your phone and start paying attention to what God's doing in the church... because a revival is starting in our country.” – Ryan Weman, Austin Pastor (21:55)
  • Recent stats at Red Rocks: +5,000 in attendance, 278 salvations last week (24:30).
  • Youth and young adults experiencing significant spiritual momentum (40 youth salvations, 25 young adults), pushing back against narratives about Gen Z (25:50).
• "God's not losing. And I've read the end of the story. God doesn't lose. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (29:05)

5. Inspired by the Early Church: Acts 2 Blueprint

• Acts 2:42-47 gives foundational practices for being the church:
  • Devotion to the “big meeting” (weekly worship)
  • Fellowship and small groups (“breaking bread in homes”)
  • Radical prayer and generosity (33:00)

Practical Applications:

• 1. Don’t Miss the Big Meeting
  • Emphasizes biblical roots (Matthew 16, Hebrews 10:25) for gathering; God's presence is uniquely powerful when believers assemble and worship (36:45).
  • Coming to church isn’t only for personal need, but also to encourage and minister to others.
    • “I’m not just going for me, because I am the church and I’m going on mission.” (40:30)
• 2. Get into a Small Group
  • Acts 2: those early believers continually gathered in small settings for real, mutual support.
  • Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (48:30)
  • Stresses need for both joy and authenticity in small groups.
    • "The joy of the Lord is our strength… but we need to get real too." (50:10)
• 3. Pray For Each Other Like Crazy
  • The early church was “constantly” devoted to prayer (Acts 2:42), which is central to experiencing healing and God’s presence—church as a hospital, not a courtroom (53:20).
  • Challenges attendees to seek prayer and to pray for others during service, modeling vulnerability and support.

6. Invitation & Evangelism: Don’t Keep It to Yourself

• Cites the exponential growth of the church in Acts.
• Encourages believers to invite others into God’s presence and community, sharing stories of dramatic life change among those who were invited (57:50).
  • "Somebody took a chance, and somebody invited me, and I experienced the presence of Jesus, and it changed my life forever." (59:05)

Memorable Quotes

• "We are not a Christian country club; we’re a front porch for prodigals. And it’s messy." — Pastor (44:10)
• "If this is your church... I am the church and I’m going on mission." (40:30)
• "This is a hospital, not a courtroom." (53:20)
• "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1, 29:05)
• "If you don't find a small group you like, that's God telling you to start one." (51:25)
• "We are the church. And we’re going to praise our God in the middle of the chaos." (19:45)

Notable Moments with Timestamps

• Opening Welcome, Imperfect People & God’s Presence (00:02–04:00)
• Theological Foundation: Becoming “the church” after Jesus’ death (05:30–07:15)
• Reflection on National and Local Tragedies (11:00–15:00)
• Pastoral Call Against Division, 1 Peter 3:8-9 (17:00–19:00)
• Testimonies of Revival, Ryan Weman’s Encouragement (21:30–23:00)
• Local Growth: 5,000 additional people at Red Rocks last week; youth revival (24:30–28:00)
• Acts 2 Blueprint for Church Life (33:00–36:20)
• Challenge to Attend, Participate, and Serve (Hebrews 10:25) (36:45–44:00)
• Small Group Life, Joy & Authenticity, Real-Life Example (46:00–51:15)
• Prayer Emphasis, Invitation for Ministry Time (53:20–56:00)
• Evangelism & Real Testimonies of Changed Lives (57:50–59:40)
• Closing Prayer & Call to “be the church” this week (1:00:00–end)

Tone & Final Charge

The speaker’s tone is passionate, authentic, encouraging, and at times urgent—balancing humor and gravity. He repeatedly returns to themes of humility, unity, and the miraculous power of God at work in ordinary, imperfect people.

Final Quote:
"We are the church. Red Rocks, it’s time to be the church. Amen." (1:02:50)

Takeaway for Listeners

• The call is to move beyond merely attending church services, and instead to recognize our identity and mission as God’s church everywhere we go.
• Practice authentic community: gather, serve, encourage, join a small group, pray generously.
• Reject fear, division, and apathy. Be messengers and ministers of Jesus’ hope in tangible ways.
• No matter your background or brokenness, you are welcomed, loved, and needed in the family of God.

For Further Engagement

• Join a small group or serve team at Red Rocks Church.
• Look for someone to encourage or pray for, both inside and outside the church.
• Consider inviting someone into the church community this week.