Sermon Snippet – Rocktober
INTRODUCTION – When kids first arrive in our parking lot, they head immediately to the big rock (and then to the two slightly smaller ones). There is something about stones that attract us, including their distinctiveness and solidity. Local landmarks such as Balancing Rock, the Big Bump, King’s Mountain, and Baker’s Oven draw many. We all need stability and dependability. The imagery of a rock is used extensively of God throughout Scripture, including in Isaiah 8:11-18.
1. GOD OUR ROCK IS HOLY
“Sanctuary” (verse 14) means shelter and refuge and is associated with the soaring and solid stony outcroppings of the land of Israel, places that could be defended easily. The Hebrew word has the same root as “sanctify” in verse 13. The idea is that God becomes a holy place of security, a special place that is set apart, in the very midst of His people. The command “Sanctify” is thus a choice for each one of us to acknowledge that God is holy. We really should marvel at the holiness of God, for there is nothing bad or wrong in Him. In fact, there is not even a tendency to evil in Him; He does not have to wrestle against such an inclination. As I often say, He is wholly holy. Habakkuk 1:13a makes this absolute claim about God: “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.” Yet, this passage in Isaiah 8 tells us that He will be the stone of safety right in the middle of our lives – our sinful lives. How can this be? How is this possible, since He cannot deny His holiness (II Timothy 2:13b – “He cannot deny Himself”)? We will consider the answer in just a bit. For now, let us remember that God our Rock keeps His promises, for His holiness ensures that He can be trusted.
2. GOD OUR ROCK IS IMMOVABLE (IMMUTABLE)
If we will not run into the refuge of God our Rock, our “sanctuary,” then we will trip over Him as “a stone of stumbling” (verse 14). He will not change; He cannot change. James 1:17 assures us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” We are the ones who need to change so that we can become “signs” and “wonders” (verse 18). Isaiah and his “children” fulfilled these rules through their names. Isaiah means “YAHWEH is salvation.” His son Shearjashub’s name (7:3) means “a remnant will return” from the predicted captivity, which Mahershalalhashbaz’s name (8:1), meaning “quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil” references. These names were constant, miniature sermons to the people of Israel. Moreover, the example of Isaiah demonstrated that it is possible to serve the Lord (verse 18 – “Behold” is parallel to “Here am I” – Isaiah 6:8), to know Him as a refuge rather than as “a rock of offense” (verse 14). How do we know Him in this manner? I’m glad you asked! The third and final point provides us with the information that we need.
3. GOD OUR ROCK IS THE MESSIAH, THE SAVIOR
God the Son, Jesus Christ, specifically fulfills this passage of Scripture. Those of you who know me well know how much I enjoy showing that the Old and New Testaments mesh perfectly together. Luke 2:34, Luke 20:17-18, Romans 9:32-33, and I Peter 2:6-8, among others, all echo Isaiah 8:11-18 (and also Isaiah 28:16, which we do not have time to study today). The point is clear: Jesus is either our stone of “sanctuary” or our “stone of stumbling.” Retaining His full divinity (for God is immovable and immutable), God the Son became fully human and came directly into the midst of sinful mankind. He remained fully holy, without any sin and without any propensity to sin. Thus, He could take the full penalty for our sins, for He was perfectly holy, perfectly human, and a perfect substitute for us.
CONCLUSION – I Peter 3:14-16 also echoes Isaiah 8:11-18, and it provides us with two crucial applications. First, since “Christ” is “the Lord God,” we need Him as Savior. Second, we must seek Jesus as our daily sanctuary (“sanctify). If we do, our fears will be calmed, and our faith will be shared, not by our names, but by our words (verse 15) and by our consistent testimony (verse 16). What we believe matters for all eternity; it also matters now, as we serve our Savior.