Rhema Rock Of Refuge Ministries

Working in Unity – Part 5: Jesus in Our Streets
(The Effect of the Great Commission in Action)
The early Church was built on obedience, not convenience. Jesus gave His disciples two inseparable instructions: to go and make disciples and to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit. The Great Commission could not be fulfilled without the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit was never given for private experience alone. Authority was given by Jesus, but power was released through the Spirit so believers could be effective witnesses.
When God visits His people, He calls them into a higher level of ministry. If there is no response through action, the Holy Spirit becomes reduced to emotional moments that help no one. The Spirit empowers movement, not comfort. The Church must move from encounter to obedience.
Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples, baptise, and teach all nations, and this mission is accomplished only through the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest hindrances to the Great Commission is shame. When believers are ashamed of Jesus, they silence the Gospel. We boldly share sports, trends, politics, and opinions, yet hesitate to share Christ. Social media proves this reality—many react to worldly topics, but few respond to Jesus. Still, Jesus remains rejected by the world yet chosen by God to save it.
The world desperately needs Jesus. The overwhelming prayer requests of people reveal brokenness that no system can fix. The answer is Christ. Those who receive Him are given the right to become children of God. Salvation remains the power of the Gospel, and people who believe the message will be saved.
The growth of the early Church was the act of God responding to obedience. While people often attribute disasters to God, they overlook that alignment with God’s purpose releases blessing and transformation. Three thousand souls were added in one day—not through private church, but public witness. Today, many churches recycle believers instead of reaching the lost.
Signs and wonders do not precede obedience; they follow it. The Holy Spirit’s impact is limited when believers remain in the upper room. Jesus Himself came down the mountain to minister to broken people, and so must the Church.
God continued adding people daily because the Church remained steadfast in apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, unity, generosity, gladness, simplicity of heart, praise, and togetherness. This lifestyle produced favour with all people, and God responded by saving many. True revival is uncapped when the Church takes Jesus into the streets.

Working in unity Part 3: Kingdoms of the earth
Acts 2

Working in unity Part 3: Kingdoms of the earth
(Which kingdom do you belong to?)

Scripture:
📖 Genesis 11:3-4 NKJV
“Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.””

This message contrasts the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of man, and the kingdom of Satan, using the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) and the calling of Abram (Genesis 12). The people of Babel were preserved from the flood because of Noah’s relationship with God, but their sinful nature remained untouched. Without redemption, pride quickly surfaced. Pride has been central to sin since the fall of Adam and Eve, when humanity desired independence from God rather than obedience to Him.
The serpent’s deception in Genesis 3 planted doubt, encouraging Adam and Eve to act apart from God with promises of self-exaltation. That same message still echoes today—suggesting that disobedience to God leads to progress, freedom, and greatness. Babel reflected this mindset: “Let us make a name for ourselves.” It was unity without submission to God.
There are three kingdoms at work in the world. When the kingdom of man operates without the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of Satan infiltrates it. Satan has no authority except what people give him through unbelief and disobedience. His nature is to exalt himself above God, as seen in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. In contrast, Jesus taught us to pray for God’s kingdom and will to be established on earth.
God has given humanity a powerful weapon against Satan: the Name of Jesus and the Blood of Jesus. Our warfare is spiritual, not physical, and through Christ we can pull down every proud thought that opposes God (2 Corinthians 10:3–6).
Nimrod and the people of Babel used the right tools but with the wrong heart—building independently of God. Abram, however, responded to God with an uncalculated “yes.” He left everything in faith, trusting God to make his name great. From this point, the kingdom of Genesis 11 (self-made) stands in conflict with the kingdom of Genesis 12 (God-made).
Babel sought to gain the world while losing their soul; Abram was willing to lose all to gain God. Faith, not self-effort, pleases God. Without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). God rejected Babel’s work because it was built without faith, but He approved Abram because of his trust in Him.

Key Truth: A fallen world needs a Savior, not self-made greatness. Faith in God is the foundation of true unity and lasting impact.

Which Kingdom Do You Belong To?
Today the question is not about unity, progress, intelligence, or ability. The question is which kingdom do you belong to? The people of Babel were united, skilled, and strategic—but they built without God. Abram had no plan, no structure, and no certainty—yet he had faith, and that faith pleased God.
Many today are building lives, careers, families, and even ministries while quietly leaving God out. Self-made success may look impressive, but without God it leads to emptiness. You can gain the world and still lose your soul. God is not impressed by towers built in pride; He is drawn to hearts surrendered in faith.

Right now, God is calling people the way He called Abram: “Come out… and trust Me.” He is calling you to step away from independence, pride, fear, and self-reliance, and to give Him an uncalculated yes. This is not about religion; it is about surrender. Not about making a name for yourself, but allowing God to write His name over your life.

This moment is for you.
Jesus is standing at the door of your heart. He is not asking for your perfection—He is asking for your faith. Step out, come forward, and surrender your life to Him. Today, choose the Kingdom that lasts forever.

Working in Unity – Part 2: Building in Unity

Genesis 11:1–9 reveals the power of unity through the story of the Tower of Babel. Humanity shared one language, one vision, and one purpose. Their unity was so strong that God Himself acknowledged that nothing they planned would be impossible for them. However, their unity was misdirected—rooted in pride, self-preservation, and the desire to make a name for themselves rather than trusting God’s promises.

Human nature is wired to build. Even animals instinctively build for survival and continuity—birds build nests, bees build hives, ants and termites construct complex structures, and animals dig burrows and shelters. Jesus acknowledged this truth in Matthew 8:20, yet He revealed a deeper reality: while creation builds, humanity is called to build with purpose and alignment to God. If animals cooperate to build, how much more should the church of God build together in unity.

Genesis 10 introduces Nimrod and Babel as the foundation of an empire. The tower was not merely architectural ambition; it was a statement of distrust in God’s promise never to flood the earth again. The people built out of fear and unbelief. This raises a vital question: what are we building today because we do not fully trust God’s promises?

Psalm 127 reminds us that unless the Lord builds, all human effort is in vain. God resists self-made empires built in pride and self-glory. Many churches, ministries, and organizations have failed because of the “me, myself, and I” mentality. When unity exists without God’s direction, it becomes dangerous rather than fruitful.

Key questions must be asked when we unite: What are we building? Who is it for? Did God instruct us to build it? Who holds ultimate authority? What impact does it have on the community? The people of Babel had the right materials but the wrong mandate. Their downfall was pride, and James 4:6 reminds us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Genesis 11:1 shows that unity is powerful—it can produce both good and evil depending on what unites us. Communities, churches, businesses, schools, and even entertainment spaces exist because people unite around a shared vision. When unity breaks down, organizations fail.

In conclusion, Jesus declares in Matthew 16:18 that He is the one building the church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. He builds on the revelation of who He is, not on human ambition. The church is not buildings made by hands; it is God’s people. Acts 17 confirms that God dwells in people, not structures.

God is committed to building His people—perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling them (1 Peter 5:10). The question remains: Jesus is building the church—are you building with Him, or against Him?

WORKING IN UNITY – PART 1: CUTTING EDGE
(Effectiveness of Your Tools)
This sermon teaches that God expects every believer to be effective in the work assigned to them—whether in parenting, career, ministry, business, or community impact. Effectiveness is not accidental; it requires unity, responsibility, wisdom, and God’s involvement.
Using 2 Kings 6:1–7, we see the sons of the prophets working together to expand their dwelling place. Growth required action, shared vision, and unity. When the place became too small, they increased their capacity, then filled it—establishing a continuous cycle of growth that continues until Christ returns.
God operates through two creation principles:
Structure – human effort and hard work

Breath of Life – God’s spiritual empowerment

Many people miss one of these principles. Speaking faith without action produces no results, while working hard without God leads to exhaustion. True effectiveness comes when effort and God’s presence work together.
The sons of the prophets sought approval and alignment from Elisha before acting. Once approval was given, they moved immediately. Vision that stagnates eventually dies, and procrastination postpones destiny to the grave. Obedience requires urgency, and progress demands diligence. However, growth without God’s presence is meaningless—wherever we go, God must go with us.
When the axe head fell into the water, it revealed a key life principle: things will go wrong. The issue is not failure, but who stands with you when failure happens. What we lose—peace, joy, relationships, direction, or ourselves—can be restored in Christ. Restoration begins with honest diagnosis: “Where did it fall?”
The stick thrown into the water represents the cross of Christ, reminding us that our solutions are found at the cross. God restores, but we must also take responsibility—“Pick it up yourself.” God will not do what He has empowered us to do.