RADICAL (a sermon series based upon Radical by David Platt) - a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on January 4, 2015

Radical is a word that conjures up all sorts of ideas.  Eccentric, weird, strange, excessive, etc.  

Jesus called his followers to a radical commitment to him and his Father.  

Does the modern American church understand the radical commitment that Jesus demanded?

Do I call people to a radical commitment?

Do I live a radical commitment?

THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI - Mara (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on December 28, 2014)

The Hebrew word, mara (myrrh has its root in this word), means bitter.  The Israelites knew bitterness in the wilderness.  They ate bitter herbs at the Passover meal.  They were familiar with the pungent aroma the bitter spice delivered when it was poured over a body or burnt in a fire.

Bitterness seems an appropriate gift for a child who would have to suffer much before he was freed from this world.  Bitter disappoinntment.  Bitter sorrow.  Bitter pain.  Bitter treatment from the Romans and the from his own people.

Bitterness

THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI - Myrrh (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on December 28, 2014)

Myrrh?  Why would anyone give a burial spice to a child?  Seems an odd gift.

While myrrh was not as expensive as gold and frankincense, it was quite valuable.  Worshiping the new king would be costly for the magi.  They needed to give appropriate (valuable) gifts to the new heir to the throne.  Myrrh was expensive so it fit.

I wonder if anyone put the burial spice together with the eventual death of this baby king?  It could certainly be kept for decades until it was needed.  It had value even if wasn't used now.  It was an extravagant gift for the child but a reasonable gift at that.

I just wonder when the first time anyone put these gifts together with his mission to find the irony.  I just wonder.

THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI - Frankincense (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on December 14, 2014)

Before you say anything about my Christmas sermon series . . . Yes, I know the Wisemen probably came to see the new born king quite awhile after he was born.  Yes, I know that even though Fontanini would like us to believe that they were at the creche with the shepherds that they don't belong.  I also know that there were probably more than 3.  They were probably not kings (although a good bit of history over the last 2000 years would say that they were).  Their names were probably not Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior.  They probably did not come from 3 different continents.  OK.  I got it.  Do we understand each other?

The composition of the gifts is interesting to me.  The gold is fit for a king.  Can you imagine traveling along a route that was known for bandits with a gift of gold?  I can imagine that the entourage would have been quite large and well armed.  Can you imagine the confusion when the circus pulled up to a meager carpenter's home?  Can you imagine what the residents of the little hamlet of Nazareth were thinking as these royal ambassadors came to visit lowly Mary and Joseph?  Can you imagine?

While gold is certainly fitting for a baby king, the frankincense is of greater interest to me.  It is a gift for a god.  A gift one would bring as an act of worship.  Magi worshiping the baby king.

Matthew 2:2 states, "We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

This was no ordinary royal birth.  There was no palace.  There were no royals.  There were no servants.  There was no altar.  There was no temple.  But there were magi worshiping.  There was frankincense for the liturgy.  There was God in the flesh.

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER - Sacrificial Giving (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on Nov. 30, 2014)

Sacrificial giving . . .  When you give of your excess, does that count as sacrificial giving?  How many of us have ever given from what we need and not from the leftovers?  Giving, as God demonstrated in His gift of His son, cost Him dearly.  Our model . . .  our goal . . .  our calling.

(1 Cor. 4:7) For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

(Luke 14:33) So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER - Sacrifice (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on Nov. 30, 2014)

After we give of our first fruits to God, we are not done.

Sacrifice stands as a primary principle derived from our observation of the actions of God toward our predicament with regard to our relationship with Him.  In other words, you cannot understand our new relationship apart from sacrifice.  God loved us enough to allow His son to be the propitiation for our sin and redeem, renew, and restore our relationship with Him.  Jesus is our sacrificial lamb and our model for life.

Sacrifice is the source of our new relationship with God and is the expression of the Father in us.

Sacrifice should be our normal response to our life in this world.

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER - First Fruits Sermon Outline for 11/232/2014 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on Nov. 23, 2014)

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER - First Fruits

INTRODUCTION

There is a story about a farmer who went into the house one day to tell his wife and family some good news. "The cow just gave birth to twin calves, one red and one white," he said.
He continued, "We must dedicate one of these calves to the Lord. We will bring them up together, and when the time comes, we will sell one and keep the proceeds and we will sell the other and give the proceeds to the Lords work." His wife asked him which he was going to dedicate to the Lord. "There's no need to bother about that now," he replied, "we'll treat them both in the same way and when the time comes, we'll do as I say."
A few days later, he entered the kitchen looking unhappy. "What happened?" his wife asked. "I have bad news," he replied, "The Lords calf is dead." "Wait," said his wife, " you didn't decide which calf was the Lords." "Yes" he said," I decided it was the white one, and the white one died. The Lords calf is dead."

Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Play "Give of your best to the Master" from YouTube

1. Give of your best to the Master;
   Give of the strength of your youth;
   Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
   Into the battle for truth.
   Jesus has set the example,
   Dauntless was He, young and brave;
   Give Him your loyal devotion;
   Give Him the best that you have.
   • Refrain:
     Give of your best to the Master;
     Give of the strength of your youth;
     Clad in salvation’s full armor,
     Join in the battle for truth.
2. Give of your best to the Master;
   Give Him first place in your heart;
   Give Him first place in your service;
   Consecrate every part.
   Give, and to you will be given;
   God His beloved Son gave;
   Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
   Give Him the best that you have.
3. Give of your best to the Master;
   Naught else is worthy His love;
   He gave Himself for your ransom,
   Gave up His glory above.
   Laid down His life without murmur,
   You from sin’s ruin to save;
   Give Him your heart’s adoration;
   Give Him the best that you have.

I.  THE HISTORY OF GIVING OF THE FIRST FRUITS

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. He is to wave the sheaf before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the Lord a lamb a year old without defect, together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil—a food offering presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma—and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine. You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. (‭Leviticus‬ ‭23‬:‭10-14‬ NIV)

A.  God's blessing deserves our finest response

B.  The continued practice of the Jewish people

C.  Reasonable response still

II.  GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

A.  Give on the first day

Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

B.  Cheerful giving

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭6-15‬ NIV)

1.  Decisions

2.  Supplying needs

3.  Expression of thank to God

III.  FIRST FRUITS REVISITED

A.  What do you give to God?  First or second fruits?

CONCLUSIONS 

Leftovers are such humble things,
We would not serve to a guest,
And yet we serve them to our Lord
Who deserve the very best.
We give to Him leftover time,
Stray minutes here and there.
Leftover cash we give to Him,
Such few coins as we can spare.
We give our youth unto the world,
To hatred, lust and strife;
Then in declining years we give
To him the remnant of our life.
Author Unknown

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER - First Fruits (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on November 23, 2014)

My family on my mom's side are farmers.  They work hard.  They know what faith is.  They know what it means to trust in the Lord.  They have had much but often have had little.

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were taught to give the first fruits back to God.  That wasn't the extent of their giving, but they had to give the first fruits first.  They didn't give God what was left over; they gave His part first.

Are you giving God your first fruits or third fruits?  Does your giving demonstrate faith or lack of faith?

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - What Wondrous Love (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on 11/16/2014)

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - God Has Not Hidden His Face

INTRODUCTION

Play What Wondrous Love by Chelsea Moon and the Franz Brothers

What Wondrous Love is This

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

Ye wingèd seraphs fly, bear the news, bear the news!

Ye wingèd seraphs fly bear the news!

Ye wingèd seraphs fly, like comets through the sky,

Fill vast eternity with the news, with the news!

Fill vast eternity with the news!

Ye friends of Zion’s king, join His praise, join His praise;

Ye friends of Zion’s king, join His praise;

Ye friends of Zion’s king, with hearts and voices sing,

And strike each tuneful string in His praise, in His praise!

And strike each tuneful string in His praise!

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.

To God and to the Lamb who is the great I Am;

While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;

While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be;

And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;

And through eternity, I’ll sing on.

Yes, when to that bright world we arise, we arise,

Yes, when to that bright world we arise;

When to that world we go, free from all pain and woe,

We’ll join the happy throng, and sing on, and sing on,

We’ll join the happy throng, and sing on.

I.  Clouds are in the forecast

A.  Life is full of difficulty

Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. Your wrath lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you. Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you? Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me? From my youth I have suffered and been close to death; I have borne your terrors and am in despair. Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend. (‭Psalm‬ ‭88‬:‭1-18‬ NIV)

B.  Don't hide your face

Object permanence

II.  The Son is Still Shining

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭1-19‬ NIV)

A.  God is there even when you think He is not

B.  God rescues us in the midst of the trouble, not when there is no trouble

C.  The Lord is my support  

   

III.  The Right Perspective

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened — burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me. May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay. (‭Psalm‬ ‭40‬:‭1-17‬ NIV)

A.  Patience

B.  Desire to do God's will

C.  You are my help and deliverer, you are my God

CONCLUSION

The clouds will come, but the Son is still shining.  Be patient and do God's will.  God is your helper and deliverer!

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - What Wondrous Love (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on 11/16/2014)

Some History from Wikipedia

The hymn's lyrics were first published in Lynchburg, Virginia in the c.1811 camp meeting songbook A General Selection of the Newest and Most Admired Hymns and Spiritual Songs Now in Use. The lyrics may also have been printed, in a slightly different form, in the 1811 book Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Original and Selected published in Lexington, Kentucky.  (It was included in the third edition of this text published in 1818, but all copies of the first edition have been lost.) In most early printings, the hymn's text was attributed to an anonymous author, though the 1848 hymnal The Hesperian Harp attributes the text to a Methodist pastor from Oxford, Georgia named Alexander Means.

Most sources attribute the hymn's melody to the 1701 English song "The Ballad of Captain Kidd", which describes the exploits of pirate William Kidd (misnamed "Robert" in American versions of the ballad).  The melody itself predates the Kidd usage, however, possibly by more than a century.  (In addition, at least a dozen popular songs were set to the same melody after 1701.) In the early 1800s, when the lyrics to "What Wondrous Love Is This" were first published, hymnals typically lacked any musical notation.  Camp meeting attendees during the Second Great Awakening would sing the hymns printed in these hymnals to a variety of popular melodies, including "The Ballad of Captain Kidd", which was well known at the time; this is likely how the text and melody came to be paired.  The text and melody were first published together in The Southern Harmony, a book of shape note hymns compiled by William Walker. Sources disagree, however, about which edition of The Southern Harmony first contained the hymn, giving contradictory dates of 1835, 1840, and 1843. The three-part harmony printed in The Southern Harmony was arranged by James Christopher of Spartanburg, South Carolina.  In a later printing of the hymn, William Walker noted that it was a "very popular old Southern tune".

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

Ye wingèd seraphs fly, bear the news, bear the news!
Ye wingèd seraphs fly bear the news!
Ye wingèd seraphs fly, like comets through the sky,
Fill vast eternity with the news, with the news!
Fill vast eternity with the news!

Ye friends of Zion’s king, join His praise, join His praise;
Ye friends of Zion’s king, join His praise;
Ye friends of Zion’s king, with hearts and voices sing,
And strike each tuneful string in His praise, in His praise!
And strike each tuneful string in His praise!

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I Am;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on.

Yes, when to that bright world we arise, we arise,
Yes, when to that bright world we arise;
When to that world we go, free from all pain and woe,
We’ll join the happy throng, and sing on, and sing on,
We’ll join the happy throng, and sing on.

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - The Love of God (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on November 9, 2014)

Love is mystery.  It is not the rational determination of proper compatibility (not usually).  It is more difficult to define.  It is more amorphous.  It is more confusing.  It is more hidden.  It is more complex.  It is more complicated.  It is more . . . 

People wind up together for all sorts of reasons.  Sometime it's about careers.  Somtime it's about family.  Sometime it's about football.  Sometime it's about music.  Sometime it's about a chance encounter.  Sometime it's about . . . well, sometimes you can't even figure it out.

The love of God has me more perplexed still.  I have nothing to offer God in this love affair.  I have no latent talent, no promising career, no cosmic charisma, no unbroken fidelity.  I have nothing.  Nothing to offer the God of the universe in exchange for His love.  Nothing.

Yet, He loves me still.

9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9, 10)

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - The Lord is my helper (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on November 9, 2014)

Jesus, lover of my soul, loves perfectly and completely.  He adores, protects, defends, cherishes those He loves.  With Jesus, nothing shall slay me.  Nothing shall overwhelm me.  Nothing shall defeat me.  Nothing!

Hebrews 13:5b-6a says,

5b  . . . . be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.”

6aSo we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - Jesus, Lover of My Soul (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on November 9, 2014)

1. Jesus, Lover of My Soul is the hymn that directs our attention this Sunday morning.
2. 
   
3. Several incidents have been narrated as having suggested to Charles Wesley this hymn. One, that a narrow escape from death in a storm on the Atlantic inspired him to portray the thoughts of a Christian in deadly peril. Another, that as he stood at an open window on a summer day a little bird, pursued by a hawk, sought refuge in his bosom, giving him the idea of pointing out the soul's one sure place of refuge in time of need. 
   
   yet, another.  Mrs. Mary Hoover, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, whose grandmother was the heroine of this version of the story, has related to her pastor this family tradition: Charles Wesley was preaching in the fields of the parish of Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland, when he was attacked by men who did not approve of his doctrines. He sought refuge in a house located on what was known as the Island Band Farm. The farmer's wife, Jane Lowrie Moore, told him to hide in the milk house, down in the garden. Soon the mob came and demanded the fugitive. She tried to quiet them by offering them refreshments. Going down to the milk house, she directed Mr. Wesley to get through the rear window and hide under the hedge, by which ran a little brook. In that hiding-place, with the cries of his pursuers all about him, he wrote this immortal hymn. Descendants of Mrs. Moore still live in the house, which is much the same as it was in Wesley's time. 
   
   The great evangelist and president of Oberlin College, Charles G. Finney, was walking about his grounds shortly before his death. In the church where he had preached for forty years the evening service was going on. Presently he heard this hymn floating to him from the distance. He joined with the invisible congregation in singing the hymn to the end. Before the next morning he had joined the choir about the throne. 
   
   “An ungodly stranger, ”said Mr. Spurgeon,” stepping into one of our services at Exeter Hall, was brought to Christ by the singing of ' Jesus, Lover of my soul.' 'Does Jesus love me? ' said he; ' then why should I live in enmity with him?'“ 
   
   Tom was a drummer boy in the army, and the men called him”the young deacon”because of his sobriety and religious example. One day the chaplain found him sitting under a tree alone, with tears in his eyes. 
   
   “Well, Tom, my boy, what is it?”
   “I had a dream last night, which I can't get out of my mind."
   "What was it?" “My mother was a widow, poor but good. She never was like herself after my “sister Mary died. A year ago she died, too; and I, having no home and no mother, came to the war. But last night I dreamed the war was over and I went back home, and just before I got to the house my sister and mother came out to meet me. I didn't seem to remember that they were dead. How glad they were I Oh, sir, it was just as real as you are real now." 
   
   “Thank God, Tom,”said the chaplain,” that you have such a mother, not really dead, but in heaven." 
   
   The boy wiped his eyes and was comforted. The next day Tom's drum was heard all day long in a terrible battle. At night it was known that ”the young deacon ”was lying wounded on the field. In the evening, when all was still, they heard a voice singing away off on the field, and they felt sure that it was Tom's voice. Softly the words of ”Jesus, Lover of my soul ”floated on the wings of the night. After the second verse the voice grew weak and stopped. In the morning the soldiers found Tom sitting on the ground, leaning against a stump, dead. 
   
   A vessel had gone on the rocks in the English Channel. The crew, with their captain, took to the boats and were lost. They might have been safe, had they remained on the vessel, as a huge wave carried her high up on the rocks. On the table in the captain's cabin was found a hymn-book, opened at this hymn, and in it lay the pencil which had marked the favorite words of the captain. While the hurricane was howling outside and the vessel sinking, he had drawn his pencil beneath these words of cheer: 
   
   "Jesus, Lover of my soul,
   Let me to Thy bosom fly.
   While the nearer waters roll,
   While the tempest still is high.” “I would rather have written that hymn of Wesley's, ' Jesus, Lover of my soul, '“Henry Ward Beecher once said, ”than to have the fame of all the kings that ever sat on earth. It is more glorious; it has more power in it. I would rather be the author of that hymn than to hold the wealth of the richest man in New York. It will go on singing until the trump brings forth the angel band; and then I think it will mount up on some lip to the very presence of God." 
   
   Dr. George Duffield—himself the author of so fine a hymn as ”Stand up, stand up for Jesus”—in his old age paid this tribute out of a lifelong experience: ' One of the most blessed days of my life was when I found, after my harp had long hung on the willows, that I could sing again; that a new song was put in my mouth; and when, ere ever I was aware, I was singing, ' Jesus, Lover of my soul.' If there is anything in Christian experience of joy and sorrow, of affliction and prosperity, of life and death—that hymn is the hymn of the ages!”
   
   This was the last hymn we sang as the body of Mr. Moody was being lowered into the grave. 

(from the website http://breadsite.org/hymnstories/jesusloverofmysoul.htm)

1. 
   
2. Jesus, lover of my soul,
   Let me to Thy bosom fly,
   While the nearer waters roll,
   While the tempest still is high.
   Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
   Till the storm of life is past;
   Safe into the haven guide;
   Oh, receive my soul at last.
3. Other refuge have I none,
   Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
   Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
   Still support and comfort me.
   All my trust on Thee is stayed,
   All my help from Thee I bring;
   Cover my defenseless head
   With the shadow of Thy wing.
4. Wilt Thou not regard my call?
   Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
   Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—
   Lo! on Thee I cast my care.
   Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
   While I of Thy strength receive,
   Hoping against hope I stand,
   Dying, and behold, I live.
5. Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
   More than all in Thee I find;
   Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
   Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
   Just and holy is Thy Name,
   Source of all true righteousness;
   Thou art evermore the same,
   Thou art full of truth and grace.
6. Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
   Grace to cover all my sin;
   Let the healing streams abound;
   Make and keep me pure within.
   Thou of life the fountain art,
   Freely let me take of Thee;
   Spring Thou up within my heart;
   Rise to all eternity.

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - Our dead savior abides with us still (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on 11/2/2014)

"Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."  (Deut. 31:6)  "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  (Heb. 13:5)

These promises of God have always given me great comfort.  Knowing that God is always with me has given me great strength.  I will never be left, forgotten, forsaken, cast aside, discarded, thrown away, etc.  God will always be with me.

Another promise of God was given by Jesus just before He left this earth.  He said, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mt. 28:20)  This promise sounds very much like the other two, but I want to promote a little different twist on this verse.

Jesus was certainly reiterating the promise of God to his apostles.  He was assuring them that He would be with them forever.  Where God had not left Israel in Deuteronomy; Jesus had left the Twelve for 3 days.  He was separated from them by His death.  Jesus' words serve as a reminder that since He has conquered death, nothing will ever separate them again.

The words of Paul in Romans 8:31b-39:

 31b If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I hold to that promise as well.  Nothing shall separate us.  Nothing.  My dead savior abides with me still.  Praise God for the resurrection of the Lamb!

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - I Know My Redeemer Lives (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on 11/2/2014)

My wife, Paula, loves music more than anyone I know (except maybe our 19 year old son, Caleb). She sings, writes, and knows the words to songs she has never heard before (that is really pretty freaky.  Just sayin').  She is always on the cutting edge of what is going on in Christian music.  Many years ago now, she came across Nicole C. Mullen's hit, My Redeemer Lives.  It has become one of her favorites as well as mine.  YouTube the song and get ready to be amazed.

My Redeemer Lives

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Chorus:
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

Ye-e-eah
The very same God
That spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know, my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I-I-I know
My Redeemer

He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives
Forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sins
Was the precious life He gave
And now He's alive and
There's an empty
Grave!

And I know
My Redeemer lives
He lives
I know
My Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I-I-I know my Redeemer

I know
My Redeemer lives
*I know my Redeemer lives*

*I know, That I know, that I know, that I know, that I know
He lives
*my redeemer lives*
*Because He lives I can face tomorrow
He lives
*I know, I know*
He lives
*I spoke with Him this morning!*
He lives
*The tomb is empty*
He lives
*He Lives! I'm going to tell everybody!!*

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - Abide with Me, My redeemer (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on Nov. 2, 2014)

The hymn, Abide with Me, My Redeemer, is the basis for the sermon for this week.  It is unfamiliar to me as a hymn but the words have been mine for many years.  "Just stay with me God!"

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide, The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide 
When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless Lord, abide 

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless, Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness 
Where is death's sting? Where grave thy victory?, I triumph still if Thou abide 

I know that my Redeemer lives 

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies 
Heav'n's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee, In life, in death, Oh Lord, abide 

I know that my Redeemer lives, And I will see Him with my eyes
Yet in death, I will see Him, In my flesh I will see God, Abide with me, abide with me

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - A Modern Culture v. A Mighty Fortress (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on October 26, 2014)

With the winds of cultural relevance swirling around the church, I often wonder if the "called out" of God can withstand the turbulent storm.  Issues abound today demanding our consideration for cultural reflection.  We stand at a crossroads of relevance and revelation.

I can see the point of cultural relevance.  Relevance will give us an "in" within the greater cultural context.  Arguments like "How can we win them if we cannot understand them?" or "Why would they listen to us when we don't speak their language?"  I get it.  But . . .

If the divine revelation of God gives us insight into the will and desire of God, how can we set that aside.  Our appeal to culture is not as one who wants to transform culture by molding God's truths into neatly packaged and culturally relevant spheres.  We are messengers, not editors.

I feel like those of us who believe that God actually revealed His plan and will to us should just stand upon that solid rock.  Our God is a mighty fortress.  He can withstand the onslaught.  He is a bulwark never failing.  He will stand even when our arguments fall.  He will remain unchanged in the churning sea of modern culture.

A mighty fortress is our God . . .

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - A Mighty Fortress is Our God (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on October 26, 2014)

1. A mighty fortress is our God, 
 a bulwark never failing; 
 our helper he amid the flood 
 of mortal ills prevailing.  
 For still our ancient foe 
 doth seek to work us woe; 
 his craft and power are great, 
 and armed with cruel hate, 
 on earth is not his equal.

2. Did we in our own strength confide, 
 our striving would be losing, 
 were not the right man on our side, 
 the man of God's own choosing.
 Dost ask who that may be?  
 Christ Jesus, it is he; 
 Lord Sabaoth, his name, 
 from age to age the same, 
 and he must win the battle.

3. And though this world, with devils filled, 
 should threaten to undo us, 
 we will not fear, for God hath willed 
 his truth to triumph through us.  
 The Prince of Darkness grim, 
 we tremble not for him; 
 his rage we can endure, 
 for lo, his doom is sure; 
 one little word shall fell him.

4. That word above all earthly powers, 
 no thanks to them, abideth; 
 the Spirit and the gifts are ours, 
 thru him who with us sideth.  
 Let goods and kindred go, 
 this mortal life also; 
 the body they may kill; 
 God's truth abideth still; 
 his kingdom is forever.

Words & Music: Martin Luther, 1529 (Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott); translated from German to English by Frederic H. Hedge, 1853. This song has been called the greatest hymn of the greatest man of the greatest period of German history and the Battle Hymn of the Reformation.

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - Be Still, My Soul (A blogpost for a sermon to be preached on 10/19/2014)

This post finds my heart heavy with the loss of a dear friend, Keith Cook.  I had the great pleasure of being his pastor and the honor of baptizing him into Christ on February 2nd of this year.  He was a very simple man with simple ways that I would very much like to emulate.  

The hymn, Be Still, My Soul, carries the thought of my sermon for this weekend.  The 3rd and 4th verses combine to remind me of the personal gain we can find in personal loss and the hope of rejoining those who have departed.

Lord, give us all the strength to "be still and know."

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - Be Thou My Vision (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on October 12, 2014)

The way we look at something determines how we understand it.  I remember seeing a drawing of a beautiful young lady that transforms into an old hag when you turn the picture upside down.   This truth has definite application when we look at our own circumstances.  What we see and what God sees may be very different.  We need to look at things from a "God view" perspective.  That is the challenge of the hymn, Be Thou My Vision.   

This grand old Irish folk tune has always captivated my soul.  To think the lyrics could be as old as the 6th century.  I have included the "original" words so you can see them.  Search the song on the net and you can find many versions of Old Irish, Gaelic, and English. 

Original Old Irish Text

The original texts of the now-called "Be Thou My Vision" are in Old Irish similar still in style to Modern Irish.  You can listen to this song through this link, 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Rop_tu_mo_baile.ogg

Rop tú mo baile, a Choimdiu cride:

ní ní nech aile acht Rí secht nime.

Rop tú mo scrútain i l-ló 's i n-aidche;

rop tú ad-chëar im chotlud caidche.

Rop tú mo labra, rop tú mo thuicsiu;

rop tussu dam-sa, rob misse duit-siu.

Rop tussu m'athair, rob mé do mac-su;

rop tussu lem-sa, rob misse lat-su.

Rop tú mo chathscíath, rop tú mo chlaideb;

rop tussu m'ordan, rop tussu m'airer.

Rop tú mo dítiu, rop tú mo daingen;

rop tú nom-thocba i n-áentaid n-aingel.

Rop tú cech maithius dom churp, dom anmain;

rop tú mo flaithius i n-nim 's i talmain.

Rop tussu t' áenur sainserc mo chride;

ní rop nech aile acht Airdrí nime.

Co talla forum, ré n-dul it láma,

mo chuit, mo chotlud, ar méit do gráda.

Rop tussu t' áenur m' urrann úais amra:

ní chuinngim daíne ná maíne marba.

Rop amlaid dínsiur cech sel, cech sáegul,

mar marb oc brénad, ar t' fégad t' áenur.

Do serc im anmain, do grád im chride,

tabair dam amlaid, a Rí secht nime.

Tabair dam amlaid, a Rí secht nime,

do serc im anmain, do grád im chride.

Go Ríg na n-uile rís íar m-búaid léire;

ro béo i flaith nime i n-gile gréine

A Athair inmain, cluinte mo núall-sa:

mithig (mo-núarán!) lasin trúagán trúag-sa.

A Chríst mo chride, cip ed dom-aire,

a Flaith na n-uile, rop tú mo baile.

English translation by Mary Byrne, 1905

Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart

None other is aught but the King of the seven heavens.

Be thou my meditation by day and night.

May it be thou that I behold even in my sleep.

Be thou my speech, be thou my understanding.

Be thou with me, be I with thee

Be thou my father, be I thy son.

Mayst thou be mine, may I be thine.

Be thou my battle-shield, be thou my sword.

Be thou my dignity, be thou my delight.

Be thou my shelter, be thou my stronghold.

Mayst thou raise me up to the company of the angels.

Be thou every good to my body and soul.

Be thou my kingdom in heaven and on earth.

Be thou solely chief love of my heart.

Let there be none other, O high King of Heaven.

Till I am able to pass into thy hands,

My treasure, my beloved through the greatness of thy love

Be thou alone my noble and wondrous estate.

I seek not men nor lifeless wealth.

Be thou the constant guardian of every possession and every life.

For our corrupt desires are dead at the mere sight of thee.

Thy love in my soul and in my heart --

Grant this to me, O King of the seven heavens.

O King of the seven heavens grant me this --

Thy love to be in my heart and in my soul.

With the King of all, with him after victory won by piety,

May I be in the kingdom of heaven O brightness of the son.

Beloved Father, hear, hear my lamentations.

Timely is the cry of woe of this miserable wretch.

O heart of my heart, whatever befall me,

O ruler of all, be thou my vision.

English version by Eleanor Hull, 1912

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

Be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought in the day and the night,

Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,

Be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;

Be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;

Be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;

Be thou my whole armour, be thou my true might;

Be thou my soul's shelter, be thou my strong tower:

O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:

Be thou mine inheritance now and always;

Be thou and thou only the first in my heart;

O Sovereign of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, thou Heaven's bright sun,

O grant me its joys after victory is won!;

Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.

English Methodist version, 1964

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word;

I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, and I thy true son,

Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise;

Thou mine inheritance, now and always;

Thou and thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.