The Rock

Rocks! Might not seem that very important. The Bible talks about humans are important, even sparrows, but rocks? Well, God used rocks for miraculous signs to show His people that He is still God.

Stories like Gideon in Judges 6:1-24. God heard the cries of His people and He was going to show them mercy once again. So, He called Gideon, one who was the "runt of the litter," not the most important, part of a weak clan, however God looks at the heart and if we will be obedient. Gideon chose to walk through the door God opened up for him and in return he saved the Israelites from the Midianites. The start of his journey was him giving a sacrifice to God and after he placed it on the rock, fire came out from inside the rock and consumed everything up.

Exodus 24, after God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He brought them to the Mountain of God, He gave them instructions for their journey. After God spoke, they all replied, "Everything God said, We'll do." Some of the instructions can be found in Exodus 23:20-24 Then Moses built an altar using 12 stones for the 12 tribes of Israel.

Numbers 20:1-13 Along the Israelites journey they came to a place that was desert. How many times on our journey does something come up that wasn't planned. In the desert the Israelites didn't have water, 2 million people, plus cattle not having water, that is a problem. Again, God brought a miraculous sign using a rock. God said speak to this rock and water will come out, enough to give all a drink.

1 Samuel 16&17 David started his journey God had for him, his first obstacle is Goliath, however 1 smooth stone is all it took to kill Goliath and put David front and center to be the next king of Israel.

Through these stories the most important common denominator is God, He is our true Rock, our refuge.

Psalms 18:1-3 "...The Lord is my Rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;..."

David, through all his journey, this he knew very well.

Now we can look back at these stories and apply them to our lives. God has called us on a journey too. It is up to us to see the doors God has opened up for us and walk through. If we so choose, we can know and count on that He will be our Rock, just like He was for all those in the stories shared.

Matthew 16:13-19 Simon Peter knew Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Because he knew that, Jesus said you are Peter, a rock. Jesus was saying Peter has a firm foundation to walk his journey, no matter what happens on his journey, he can rely on the fact of who Jesus is. We too, can rely on the fact we know who Jesus is. He is our salvation. Through that, the Kingdom of Heaven is opened up for us. "We will have complete and free access to God's Kingdom, keys to open any door and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is a yes in heaven. A no on earth is a no in heaven."

We too can build our life and walk this journey knowing who our Lord and Savior is, and the keys of the Kingdom be opened to us.

1. What is the most important part of our journey? Who do we want to be a part of every aspect of our lives?

2. When God opens up a door for us, what is the biggest battle we face?

3. When we encounter something unexpected on our journey, who can we lean on? How do we walk that out in our lives?

4. What part stood out to you through the message?

Thank you everyone for being a part of this message!