The Solid Rock

Introduction: Scripture Reading- Psalms 18:2-6

A. About the text: The psalmist David is saying that in good times and bad times whatever is happening, he is going to trust in God as his rock to get him through and take care of him.

B. Brief introduction to the hymn "There Stands a Rock"

a. Written by Tullius Clinton O’Kane 1820-1912 (American writer)

b. He was a Professor of Mathematics professionally

c. The biography I found gave no religious affiliation. The writer simply mentions him attending “Sunday School” and him being a “modest Christian gentlemen.”

Discussion:

I. Verse 1 - The Foundation of Our Faith

A. God/Christ/the Word should be our rock, our bedrock foundation

a. Matthew 7:24-27 [Read] (petra- mass of rock or bedrock)

b. Matthew 16:18 [Read] (petra vs. petros- piece of rock or pebble)

B. Exploring the metaphor of God as our rock

a. Psalms 71:1-5 [Read] (selah- fortress, strong hold)

b. Heb. 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (KJV)

“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.” (ASV1901)

C. Emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation in our faith

a. I Cor. 10:1-15 [Read]

b. Eph. 4:1-16 [Read]

II. Chorus - The Unchanging Nature of God

A. God is the same and never changes

a. Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I change not..."

b. Heb. 13:5-9 [Read]

B. Reflecting on the constancy and faithfulness of God

a. “No new law, because God doesn’t change.”

b. God had a plan from the beginning to send Christ and the old laws only meant to guide the Jews to Christ

c. God’s character has never changed, he has always been, love, vengeance, and justice

i. God is love. (I Jn 4:8, 16)

ii. Heb. 10:30-31 “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

iii. Jer. 23:5 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

C. We should find security in God's unchanging nature

a. Acts 17:30-31 [Read]

III Verse 2 – The Glory of the Cross

What is meant by “the cross”
1. Gal. 6:11-14 [Read]
We are to take up “the Cross” daily
1. Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
  1. The cross here is any burden or responsibility we take on for Christ. It is a burden but will most likely be less than what Christ suffered in Matt. 26:39 “let this cup pass from.”
  2. It is human nature to want to “glory” in ourselves and in our accomplishments and not give God the glory. However, we must deny ourselves and live daily for God and be willing to work for him and possibly suffer for him.
“The Cross” gives us the hope of salvation
1. I Thess. 5:8-11 [Read]

IV. Verse 3 - The Fullness of Glory and Assurance in Heaven

What will heaven be like
1. Rev. 22:1-5 [Read]
We can have security in knowing the obedient will go to heaven
1. Heb. 5:1-10 [Read]

Conclusion:

We need to have faith in God and his Word, have security in his unchanging nature, glory in nothing save the cross and we can have an assurance of heaven.
If we trust in God’s plan to obey him and get us to heaven, then we should be able have peace while being pilgrims here on this earth.
1. Proverb 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
2. We should trust and obey because he is a solid and sure rock.

C. Invitation