April 2, 2000             A Living Rock?            I Cor. 10:1-5

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

Meet my pet rock. His name is Rocky. He is a great pet. He doesn’t eat much. He doesn’t have to go to the vet, because he never gets sick. He is loyal. He never goes off and gets lost. He is always there even when I don’t need him. He does great tricks. He can play dead. He can sit. He can be quiet. He doesn’t bark when I don’t want him to. He is dependable and lovable. He loves me and I love him. He is tough. He doesn’t quit or give up. He goes everywhere I take him. He listens to everything I say. He is never too busy for me. The Lord is our rock. He is always there. He will always be your rock. You can always depend on him to be there for you. He will always have time for you. One of the keys is that you have to call on him and invite him to be your rock and your Lord. Make him your only God. He will always love you and serve you. Will you love him?

Rocky is always there to bring you through the storms of this life. What are the storms that you are facing? What are the problems that you have to solve? What are the things in this life that make you worry? Don’t worry but be happy in the thought there is a heavenly Father who is above all and is concerned for your welfare. He is there to keep you and bring you through the seas, deserts, and Egypt of this life.

Scripture Text:1Cor 10:1 (KJS) Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. {followed...: or, went with them} 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
  1. He is the One who is over us. God is always there to bring you through the storm. He is the cloud that always goes with you to guide and protect you as he did the Israelites through the wilderness. When we can’t see the way or know the how he is the cloud in the day the fire at night that shows how and where through this life. He is the living cloud that follows us as he followed them on their way to the promised land.
  2. He is the One who delivers us. God brings us out of the hands of the Egyptians. When we couldn’t help ourselves he sent the deliverer to rescue us from the slavery of sin.

    3. Early one morning fire broke out in a house on a narrow street. A policeman on duty sounded the alarm. Before the fire engines could get to the scene, however, flames were leaping high into the air. Suddenly a young man appeared at an upper window in his pajamas. Firemen quickly placed a ladder against the burning building. But to the consternation of all, he refused to come down, shouting back that he had to get dressed first. The firemen pleaded, "Come as you are! Come as you are!" but to no avail. From below they tried to ascend the stairs, but were turned back as the wind fanned the flames into fury. When a rescuer tried to enter through a window, the heat and smoke forced him away. Suddenly the stairs gave way and the roof fell in. The man had waited too long and was buried beneath the ruins. How much greater tragedy awaits all who refuse to "flee from the wrath to come." Many reject God's provision of salvation and safety in Christ because they want to get dressed up in the clothes of self- righteousness or religion. Their delay could cost them their souls.
  3. He is the One that we are baptized into. God is the one that controls the cloud and the sea. He is the one that we are put into. It is in him that we are complete. Without him the enemies of this life would completely devour us. But in him the enemies of this world are put into the dust. With the walls of water and the cloud to surround the people they were completely engulfed in God’s care and love. They were out of sight of the Egyptians.
  4. He is the one that provides our spiritual sustenance. God is our meat and drink. He comes to live in us and sustain us. When we choose to take him and live by him we receive his strength and sustenance. One day famed British preacher Charles Spurgeon was riding home after a hard day's work, feeling tired and depressed. Suddenly the phrase "My grace is sufficient for you" entered his mind. He then thought of the tiny fish who might be afraid lest they drink the river dry, but who hear the reassuring word, "Drink up little fish, my stream is sufficient for you." Spurgeon also thought of a mountain climber fearing lest he exhaust all of the thin oxygen in the atmosphere being reassured, "Breathe away young man and fill your lungs, for my atmosphere is sufficient for you." Spurgeon said that for the first time, "I experienced the joy that Abraham felt when he rejoiced in God's provision." It's true. No matter how great our need might be, God's overcoming power far outweighs it. -- Moody, 4-20-91
  5. He is the One that is our rock which went with them and continues to go with us. God is our Rock. And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. He provides what we need when we need to sustain us through the spiritual deserts in the world. He is always there and he is dependable. He is trustworthy to do what he says. He is our rock.
  6. He is the One that who decides if our response to him has been acceptable. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Is God pleased with our response? Instead of gratitude the Israelites were ungrateful for the provision of the Lord. They continued to murmur among themselves so that they were rejected the privilege of entering into the Promised Land. Only Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter in. Would you give God the thanks for the provision that he has made for your life and continues to provide?