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Key Verse:
1 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV) For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
The word “ROCK” is an analogy that describes the steadfastness of Christ. It describes His strength, endurance, power and unchanging love for us all.
I. The Rock of Redemption.
2 Samuel 22:47 (ESV)
“The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation,
dictionary.com defines redemption as follows:
1. an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed. 2. deliverance; rescue. 3. Theology . deliverance from sin; salvation. 4. atonement for guilt. 5. repurchase, as of something sold.
Christ is the door by which we enter into salvation.
Acts 4:12 (ESV)
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
John 10:7 (ESV)
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
When we repent of our sins and believe unto salvation through Jesus Christ, everything becomes new. We are changed.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
When we make a total commitment to Christ, the Holy Spirit cleanses us. This is part of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
II. The Rock of Restoration.
Revelation 21:5 (ESV)
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Sin robs Mankind of many things, most importantly fellowship with God. Jesus Christ restores our relationship with God! Christ is the Christian’s rest. When we become exhausted by the hurry and scurry of our busy times, we can find healing and restoration through prayer and the promises found in His Word.
Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Christ restores our strength in time of need. He is the rock of restoration to those who trust Him completely.
Psalm 23:3 (ESV) He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
III. The Rock of Resolution.
Psalm 40:2 (ESV)
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Many people are undependable. They are up and down, in and out. You never know where to find them. Christ wants us to be established.
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
When we give God first place in our lives and trust Him implicitly, He enables us to make the right choices. When we are determined to live for Christ, He establishes our lives and keeps us from falling.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
IV. The Rock of Rejoicing.
Romans 5:1-4 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Some Christians mar their testimony by wearing long, unhappy faces. They fail Christ, for He expects us to witness and work for Him joyfully here on earth. Christians who are forgiven, cleansed, and on their way to heaven should be the happiest people on earth.
Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He becomes the very desire of our hearts and He will give Himself to us.
Conclusion:
If anything besides Jesus is your Rock, then your rock is movable. Only Christ is the UNMOVABLE Spiritual ROCK! If Christ is our rock of rejoicing here and now, then we shall also rejoice with Him in the life to come, for He is the “Rock of Ages.”