Rock of my Salvation
Introduction
The meaning of the word Ebenezer in the Bible is “stone of help.” The Lord has certainly been “my stone of help.” In the Bible, God is referred to as the “Rock.” There are at least forty references in the Bible to God as the Rock. If your hope is in anyone or anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ, you are building on a crumbling foundation.
If you have listened to the news lately, I am sure you have heard about the sinkhole that swallowed a Florida man while he was asleep in his bed. They finally gave up hope in trying to recover the man’s body.
In Illinois, a golfer fell into a sinkhole on the 14th fairway at Annbriar Golf Club. A ten foot wide and 18 feet deep hole opened up and swallowed the golfer. His golfing buddies rescued him from the pit.
“A true story is told of a builder who developed a subdivision of glamorous expensive exclusive homes in Canada. This happened several years ago, and these homes sold for over $250,000 each.
Now on the outside it was a beautiful magnificent subdivision. But winter came, snow fell, the winds began to blow, and all of a sudden first one house, and then another, began literally to collapse and simply sink into holes.
The authorities came and after questioning the developer they found out that he had taken the cheap route, and instead of preparing the site and laying the foundation for these homes, he had built the entire subdivision on a garbage dump.”
Many Christians are swallowed up in the things of this world. They live their lives on the shifting sands of times. “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:19 They have accepted as truth the philosophy of men. The wisdom of men is foolishness to God.
A building is not secure unless it is built on solid ground with a good foundation. Neither is a person secure unless his life is built on Jesus Christ.
David praises God for delivering him from his enemies. This song of praise was probably written near the end of his life. As he looked back over the years of his life, he saw how God had taken care of him.
I. Blessings by the Rock
A. Rock Who is Sovereign.
Hannah: “There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2
Moses: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deut. 32:4
David: “For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?” 2 Samuel 22:32
“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6
In Revelation 1:11 Jesus said: “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.”
B. Rock Who was Smitten.
“Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.” Exodus 17:6
The people were in the hot desert without water. God told Moses to smite the rock. Moses did as God commanded and water flowed from the rock. Psalm 105:41 says the water “ran . . . like a river.” The water satisfied the thirst of at least two million people and all their livestock.
Jesus the Rock, was smitten on the cross so whosoever will may “take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17)
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38
C. Rock Who is the Savior.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:11)
We believe and confess that Jesus is the Lord and only Savior.
II. Believing in the Rock
A. Trusting in the Rock.
“My Salvation” “. . . in him will I trust.” (2 Sam. 22:3)
“He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.” Psalm 62:6
“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.” Psalm 40:2
Jesus is our great foundation stone.
B. Testimony about the Rock
“My Rock”
“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.” 2 Samuel 22:2-3
This is somewhat like Peter’s statement of faith to Jesus in John 6:68-69.
“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
III. Building on the Rock
We are told to build on the foundation of Christ, our solid rock. There are three things that are essential in order for us to build. They are the Book, the blood, and the blessed hope.
A. The Book.
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27
God has spoken to us through His written word. I believe the author of the Scriptures is the Holy Spirit. I believe the Bible is God’s authority written on paper for man to read and heed. I believe the Bible has the answers to man’s greatest questions. I believe the Bible to be the inerrant and infallible Word of God. I believe the Bible is God’s Word and is foundational for the Christian life. The Word of God reveals to us how God created the universe, why there is sin, suffering and death in the world. The Bible tells us how God would redeem fallen man to Himself by offering His Son on the cross as our Savior. The Bible tells us how Jesus defeated death and is now seated at the Father’s right hand. The Bible tells us that God is preparing for those who are His a mansion in heaven. The Bible declares that God will make all things new.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17
Donnie Mullins and I were visiting in a home a few months ago. I asked the man if I could share with him from God’s Word how to be saved. I asked him if he knew the Lord as his Savior. He assured me that he did. This man told us that he could not read, but he believed every word in the Bible. Some would ask how he could believe in a book he could not read. Some may dare to say that the man was stupid. No, this man was wise. He believed with his heart the truths in the Book. There are many wise men in this world who can read, but are foolish because they reject the Word of God. I have never seen Jesus, but does that make me stupid. Jesus said to Thomas: “because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
B. The Blood
It is on the basis of Christ’s shed blood that we are redeemed and forgiven. We must never forget nor take lightly the blood of Christ. The blood of Christ reminds me of four important truths.
1. The incarnation of Christ. (Jesus was a man)
2. The sacrifice of Christ. (Jesus was the Lamb)
3. The redemption of Christ. (Jesus is the Savior)
4. The resurrection of Christ. (Jesus is the Sovereign seated on His throne)
The blood of Jesus was shed for our salvation. The blood is essential in order for us to have fellowship with God.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
C. The Blessed Hope.
If our thoughts are on the Lord Jesus and His return for us, it will affect how we walk.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3
Lessons for Life:
Our faith in the Lord will only grow as we feed daily on the Word of God. We must be cleansed by the blood of Jesus so we can remain in fellowship with the Lord. If we believe that the Lord Jesus could return at any moment, we will strive to live a righteous and godly life.
Are you building your life upon the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ? If you cannot answer yes this morning, today is a good time to start. Surrender your life to His Lordship.
Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior? You can know Him this morning if you are willing to turn to Jesus in repentance and faith. Come to Christ today!