The Puritan Pulpit

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Nick Reddin

02 January 2026

27m 57s

Christmas Evans - The Smitten Rock - 1 Corinthians 10:4

00:00

27:57

Join host Nick Reddin on The Puritan Pulpit, where we examine the remarkable life of Welsh preacher Christmas Evans and his sermon "The Smitten Rock." Born on Christmas Day in 1766, this resilient, one-eyed figure emerged from a challenging upbringing, marked by poverty and perils such as stabbings and accidents that ultimately guided him toward a profound faith. He acquired literacy in his late adolescence through diligent study of the Bible, underwent a transformative conversion, and started his ministry as a Baptist missionary in 1790, igniting revivals throughout 19th-century Wales amidst the upheavals of industrialization.

In this episode, I bring his renowned sermon, drawn from 1 Corinthians 10:4, which depicts Christ as the rock smitten by divine justice to release boundless mercy. This vivid allegory admonishes against ingratitude and transgression while emphasizing the exultation of redemption emanating from Calvary. This message is especially for anyone experiencing spiritual dryness.

With that in mind I invite you to listen to this enduring classic.