The Rock
Partial Outline: FULL PDF HERE
Dt. 32:3-4, 15, 18, 30-31; 1 Cor. 10:4 (Note the capital “R” in Rock)
One of the more common names of the Lord Jesus Christ is “the Rock” [not to be confused with Dewayne Johnson]. Charles Rolls points out the description in our text (Dt. 32:3-4), “is a record of His glorious name, His great power, His good character, His grand work, His gracious ways, His guiding truth, and His governing attributes.”1
Several other places in the Bible where the Lord is called A ROCK:
- 2 Samuel 22:2 – “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer” (cf. Ps. 18).
- Psalm 94:22— “But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” He is not only my deliverer, He is my defender.
- Psalm 61:2— “…when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” I need someone who is bigger than myself! Higher than my problems; circumstances; higher than my sin!
- Psalm 95:1— “…let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” Thank God, our salvation is solid and unchanging.
- Matthew 16:18— “..Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [i.e. “the rock”—Christ].
- Romans 9:33— “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:4— “…that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
What is there about a rock that Christ would be likened to a Rock?
I. There is STABILITY upon the Rock (Ps. 40:1-2).
A rock is unmovable—Christ is a fixed/settled rock—Unchanging (like the Rock of Gibraltar). “The Rock of Ages”—Always there, never removed from us.
A. Rock or Sand? (Mt. 7:24-27).
A preacher visited a dying Welsh lady. Seeing her weakened condition, he bent over and whispered, “Sister, are you sinking?” With a great effort she raised herself a little and answered, “Sinking? Oh, no! Did you ever know a believer to sink through a Rock? If my hope was built on the shifting sands, I’d surely be sinking; but thank God I’m resting upon the Rock of Ages!”
B. He is the ONE foundation that will last (1 Cor. 3:11).
II. There is SUPPLY from the Rock (Ex. 17:1-6 cf. Ps. 78:15-16; 105:41; 114:8; 1 Cor. 10:4).
PICTURE of the Trinity:
The Rock – God the Son (1 Cor. 10:4)
The Rod – God the Father (Isa. 53:4, 10)
The River – God the Holy Spirit (Ps. 105:41 cf. John 7:37-39)
A. SMITTEN to supply – He was pierced for them.
- Because of their murmuring, chiding, and tempting God, they deserved to be smitten. But, God in grace, chose to smite the Rock instead and let His blessings pour out to an undeserving people.
- Jesus was “smitten of God and afflicted”(Isa.53:4,10). Smitten by our sins; Smitten in His spirit by the weight of our sins; Smitten in His body by the spitting, the thorns; the nails and the whipping. Blessed Rock of ages, cleft for ME.
B. SUFFICIENCY of supply – There was abundance of water from the rock—Enough for ALL.
Psalms 78:16 “He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.”
Psalms 105:41 – “He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.”
C. STEADFASTNESS of supply. That spiritual rock followed them (1 Cor. 10:4)—It was always available.
Paul was not referring to the material rock following them. He was referring to that “spiritual rock”— Jesus
Partial Outline: FULL PDF HERE
