Jesus is my ROC

03/19/23

Remnant of Christ (ROC)”

GOD is in our Land! He has never left us! He promised to never leave us!

Not only that but GOD and Jesus are our Rock. We too, are a part of the Rock or individual rocks; strong, steady, and able to withstand the adversaries’ assaults.

· Plus, we have the most important message to speak about to be influential to society, as guardian, and advocators of the truth.

Let’s see what the bible says about this. In 1 Peter 2:4-8

· “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

We are a part of GOD’s plan with Christ as the Chief cornerstone.

· Since ancient times, builders have used cornerstones in their construction projects.

· A cornerstone was the principal stone, usually placed at the corner of an edifice, to guide the workers in their course. The cornerstone was usually the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the edifice.

· Once the cornerstone was set, it became the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything was aligned to it. As the cornerstone of the building of the church, Jesus is our standard of measure and alignment.

You can’t do anything without the Chief Cornerstone….the building would not last. It would lean terribly and eventually fall in a short amount of time. Can you imagine the church being built like the leaning Tower of Pisa?

Christ is the cornerstone or the most important part of the structure. It serves as the rock and we are instrumental in the building, as well.

Not only are we rocks of the church, but we are ROCs in another significant way. We are remnants of Christ. ROC.

What does that mean and why is remnant important?

· Spiritually, a remnant is what remains or is leftover after GOD has executed judgement.

Examples

Noah and his family were selected by GOD to survive the devastation caused by “The Flood.” They were the thread that remained connected to GOD no matter the intensity of the challenge.

Esther - GOD selected Esther to be Queen and be in power in order to save her people from certain destruction caused by Haman’s schemes.

During Captivity - The bible has many examples of how the conquerors would and could have destroyed every one of GOD but held them back. He would not let them destroy them all in order to sustain a remnant of HIS promise to take care of HIS chosen people.

In 1 Samuel 12:22 it states “For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people."

Remnant could also refer to people who carry the hope of restoration or a return to God/godly ways. The remnant must live on because it goes through Christ. Consider these passages:

· In Rom 11:1-6 Paul states “I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”

· Paul reminds Christians with Jewish knowledge of their heritage that GOD’s remnant continues today. He mentions the situation Elijah encountered and wondered if he was the remaining survivor. GOD’s answer was that I have 7,000 others plus a remnant chosen by grace.

· Furthermore, Paul reminds us of the value and administration of GOD’s grace or unmerited favor through Christ.

· The New Testament church is established by the grace of GOD. It is GOD’s signature of HIS promise to continue the remnant through Christ.

Another question is how do we know we are of GOD’s remnant?

· We shall be of the same characteristics of Christ (the remnant or promise of GOD)

Remember a remnant is a continuation or what is left over for GOD.

Think about:

· A remnant of cloth. Wouldn’t it have the same features, textures, and purpose as the original fabric?

· A remnant of family. Wouldn’t it have semblance of the characteristics of the family such as appearances?

· A remnant of a tree. Wouldn’t it grow with the same features as the original?

· A remnant of Christ is the church with members who imitate their creator.

· A remnant of a church has members

• Obedient to the word.

• Students of the word

• Do not compromise the biblical virtues

• Identical in Christ in - sacrifice, service, love, faith, hope and humility among others

• Wants to and acts to change the world through teaching

Please understand that not everyone is a remnant of Christ. Yes, everybody is made in the image of GOD but only Christians are the remnant of Christ or ROC. That is very special indeed!

GOD is in our Land. He has never left us. Plus, He promises to never leave us.

· It didn’t matter how many times they sinned, He was there

· It doesn’t matter how many times we sin, GOD promises to be present.

· It didn’t matter how many times they turned away from GOD, HE was there.

· It didn't matter how many times they were conquered or overthrown; GOD was there.

· It doesn’t matter how often we are tested and defeated, GOD is present.

HE promises to ensure that remnant remains intact…alive and ready for the next generation to continue.

Are you a remnant of Christ? Are you a ROC?

· 1 Pet 2:4,5 states “…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ

Be a ROC by obeying HIS call and obeying the Gospel of Christ. Don’t be left behind like the rest of the world.

Come to Christ, our rock today!