Theme: BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION
Text: “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; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
Comment: Jesus Christ was the One God Almighty was using to lead the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. Concerning him, God Almighty declared, “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.” (Exodus 23:20, 21) “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them…” (Isaiah 63:9) Our Lord Jesus Christ made reference to the fact that he is the rock God has set up for His people when St. Peter correctly answered the question as to who he was. Our Lord and Saviour declared: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, (from the Greek word Petros, a stone) and upon this rock (from the Greek word Petra, a mass of rock) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:13-18, parentheses ours) Gates and walls were the strength of cities. The “gates of hell” spoken of by Christ signify the power and machinations of satan and his followers which cannot diminish God’s favours on us His sheep or affect our salvation if we remain faithful in His Organisation till the end by His grace and power.