SEMESTER 6
389 – The Rock of Ages
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY VI (HYMNOLOGY) LESSON # 89
THE DOCTRINES AND EFFECTS OF CHURCH MUSIC – ROCK OF AGES
Read: Ex. 17:5-7
, Jn. 19:32-35, I Jn. 5:6-8
INTRODUCTION:
1. Augustus was a preacher and song writer of great strength and character in his day.
2. Once in travel, a great storm drove him to ride his horse into a cleft in a rock.
3. As he rode on, after the storm, these words came to him: “Rock of Ages Cleft for me.”
4. The doctrinal depth and insight tell us much of him, and the hearers of his day.
5. Today, I expect most people sing this song for mystical beauty and understand little.
III: This is a commentary on the neo-evangelicalism of our day called “soul-winning”
6. Today, let us seek to perceive some of the doctrinal depth of this great hymn.
I. THE ROCK OF HOREB IS THE CHRIST OF CALVARY
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.”
III: The smiting of the rock was a picture of the crucifixion of Christ.
1. Throughout the Old Testament veiled praise is given to this Rock. (Isa. 2:10)
III: How David and the other prophets refer to their God as this Rock.
2. When we come to the New Testament this Rock is identified (I Cor. 10:4)
3. The water flowing from His side at Calvary, identified Him as the Rock of Ages. (Joh. 19:34)
III: This water is a miracle within itself, and is usually not explained, or is wrongly explained.
4. This identified Him as the rock of Horeb by the symbolic water. (Joh. 4:10-14)
5. He invites all who will to drink of this water of life. (Joh. 7:37)
6. Our writer here acquiesces to this invitation. “Cleft (Open) for me.”
7. Have you called upon the Lord for cleansing? May the storm sober you today!
II. HE CONFESSES THE WORTHLESSNESS OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
“Could my tears for ever flow, Could my zeal no Languor know,”
1. All the world’s tears of guilt and remorse have no redemptive value.
III: Repentance – Metanaeo – is God’s work in us, not ours for Him.
2. If I could never tire of, or from good works, if mine exceeded all others.
3. These for sin could not atone. Only Christ’s single offering can perfect me. (Heb. 10:4-14)
4. Bring no price of redemption and offer no restitution. Just kneel at the cross.
III. HE IS WILLING TO DIE IN THE RELIGION HE LIVES IN
“While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death.”
1. Many religions are fine to live by, but to die by them is panic in the reasonable fear of hell.
III: How many people count on family to pay them out of purgatory.
2. But one who has lived in the faith of Christ needs no such help.
3. He who called us, saved us, and kept us, shall meet us when we come to heaven’s door.
III: I shall not meet “St. Peter” at the gate, but Jesus Christ on the throne.
4. He is able (and committed) to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him. (Heb. 7:25)
5. Then too, this shall be my only hope. “Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me…”
6. What is your hope today? A prayer? A baptism? A good life? It is all no good!
7. SPEAK YE TO THE ROCK! – Not words of the mouth, but the cry of the soul!
8. Hidden in Him, you need never have any fear of death or hell.