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WATCHMAN CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL MOVEMENT
FIRST FRUIT FASTING FELLOWSHIP DECEMBER 2024 EDITION Day 2
Theme: The Great Friend From Heaven
Texts: Jn.1:9-11, 15:13
Topic: JESUS, THE ROCK OF AGES
Subtexts: Rom.9:30-33; 1Cor.10:1-4
Yesterday, we saw Jesus the Great friend from heaven as The Resurrection and the life (Jn. 11:25). We traced the assertion to the child dedication /presentation in the temple when Simeon prophesied that He would be set for the fall and rising again (resurrection) of many Being the resurrection means being the Author and Principle/facilitator of returning back to life. We also looked at Zoe (God-kind-of-life) which is eternal in nature and has moral associations which are inseparable from it viz holiness and righteousness. It is this life that maintains the resurrected. Those without it are counted “dead”.
Jesus is the embodiment of this life, and gives it to those that believe on Him (Jn. 1:12, Eph. 2:8,9). It grows with intentional acts of righteousness done in holiness. (Gal. 6:7-8).
Today, we shall be looking at Jesus, The Rock of Ages.
The message shall come under the following points:
- Jehovah, the Rock
- Jesus, the Rock of Ages
- Implications of Jesus, the Rock of Ages
- JEHOVAH, THE ROCK
Jehovah is the Head of the Godhead, Who manifested as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and introduced Himself as the Eternal One (Exo.3:13-17; 8; Gen.15:13-16).
After liberating His people from the bondage, He communicated His character through manifestations of might and inspired writers to define Him in Human language (Ps.18:2,31; 28:1; 31:3; 62:2). Moses, the great prophet had succinctly defined Him as the Rock (Deut.32:3-4).
A rock is a solid mass of one or more minerals varying in size from large stones to boulders, and even hills/mountains.
In the Old Testament, 2 Hebrew words were used as rock to describe Jehovah namely (i) ela (pronounced
She‟-lah) whose root meaning is „to be lofty‟; a craggy rock; literally or figuratively a fortress; stronghold. (ii) Tsûwr (pronounced
tsoor) which means a cliff; generally – boulder, a
rocky hill or mountain. So both words denote a large immovable boulder or cliff, sharp, strong, mighty.
The rock or mountain serves as a figure of security (Ps.61:2), firmness (Job 14:18) and something that endures (Job 19:24). It pictures God‟s support and defence of His people (Deut.32:18).
Now, Rock of Ages is a metaphor for God‟s undiminishing, powerful ability to save from generation to generation.
- JESUS, THE ROCK OF AGES
The Lord Jesus called the LOGOS (Word of God) from eternity Who is behind all creation (Jn.1:1- 3; Col.1:15 -17) manifested in the Old Testament as a Rock before his advent to birth the New Testament (1Cor.10:4; Exo.17:3-6; Num.20:7-11; Ps.78:15-16) . He was described as a Stone (Hebrew „eben) in Ps.118:22; Isa.28:16; Dan2:31-35,44-45; Rom.9:23 just as the Almighty was in Gen.49:22.
Now, being the Express Image of God‟s Substance and Person(Jn. 14:6,9, Heb. 1:3), whatever God was to Israel of the Old Testament, so is Jesus to the Israel of the New Testament – the Church.
- THE IMPLICATIONS
Jesus as the Rock of Ages denotes His supportive, understanding ability to save from generation to generation, until He comes to reign on earth (Matt.28:18-20)
In Jesus, there is security, support and success-guarantee (1Pet.2:6; Ps.61:2; Jn.14:1- ; 2Cor.8:9).
Whatsoever comes against one embedded in Christ shall be broken in pieces, and whomsoever the Lord judges shall be ground to powder (Matt.21:42-44).
Whosoever detaches from sin and the world and consecrates to the Lord shall enjoy the security of the Lord; and if such continue in the word (obedience), success is guaranteed (Jn.8:31-32; 15:5-7).
As a Rock, He is strong, steadfast, consistent, not easily moved and a sure Refuge for those in need (Matt.11:28).
