Title: “Christ, Our Spiritual Rock”
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
Introduction:
In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul assured them that the spiritual Rock, which followed Israel of old, would be that same Rock which would provide them with their every need. This spiritual Rock in which Paul speaks is Jesus Christ. And just as He was then, He is now “our spiritual Rock.”
I. THE ROCK OF REDEMPTION
“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.” (2 Samuel 22:47)
A. Christ is the door by which we enter into salvation (Acts 4:12)
1. There is no salvation without Him
2. It is by His name alone that we must be saved
B. When we repent of our sins and believe unto salvation, everything becomes new (2 Corinthians 5:17)
C. When we make a total commitment to Christ, the Holy Spirit cleanses us, which is part of the redemptive work of Christ (Hebrews 13:12)
II. THE ROCK OF RESTORATION
“And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” (Isaiah 32:2)
A. Christ is the Christian’s protection (Psalms 32:7)
1. When the storms of life are raging He is our rock
2. He is a shelter in whom we can safely hide
Illustration:
Fredrick Nolan once exclaimed:
“Where God is, a spider’s web is like a wall,
Where God is not, a wall is like a spider’s web”
B. Christ is the Christian’s rest (Psalms 37:7)
1. When we become exhausted by the hurry and scurry of our busy times, we can find healing through prayer
2. When we get tired of the hustle and bustle of our occupied era, we can find strength through the promises found in His Word
C. Christ restores strength in time of need (Psalms 23:3)
1. He is the rock of restoration to those who trust him completely
2. He is the rock of restitution that keeps our souls revived
III. THE ROCK OF RESOLUTION
“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” (Psalms 40:2)
A. Many Christians are undependable
1. They are set up and down, in and out
2. You never know where to find them
B. Christ wants us to be established (1 Peter 5:10)
C. When we give God first place in our lives and simply trust Him, He enables us to make the right choices
D. When we are determined to live for Christ, He establishes our lives and keeps us from falling (Proverbs 3:5-6)
IV. THE ROCK OF REJOICING
“Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.” (Isaiah 42:11)
A. Some Christians mar their testimony by wearing long, unhappy faces
1. They fail Christ, for He expects us to witness for Him joyfully here on earth
2. They disappoint God, because He anticipates us working successfully in this world
B. Christians who are forgiven, cleansed, and on their way to heaven should be the happiest people on earth (Psalms 37:4)
C. If Christ is our rock of rejoicing here below, we shall also rejoice with Him in the life to come for He is the “Rock of Ages”
Conclusion:
Jesus Christ is “our spiritual Rock.” He is the One who was smitten for our sins, and from Him living waters flow.
