This this morning, what I want to do, I want to do something
that really I had. I had not done before prior to
making this sermon. And that is back in back in.
I guess it was January. We had a theme month at Oakdale
and we have famous every now and then it'll tell and this one was
talking about the songs that we sing because after all there are
messages to the songs that we sing after all the words, mean
something it's neat being up north where I am and being
around Ivan Kosta and every once in a while hearing just the
back. Kind of a song that he has
written. And then after singing that
song, after knowing the background of that, just the
song just means so much more. And when we went through this at
Oakdale, it really has really enhanced my portion when it
comes to seeing the songs that we have talked about, And really
just making a connection. And that's what I would like to
do this morning. As we talk about this particular
song this morning, it Is Well with My Soul.
Now we know that singing has always been an important part of
worship. In fact, we sing all kinds of
songs Through The Years and all different types of songs.
We sang songs about heaven. We sing praises to God.
We've sang songs about Jesus and his sacrifice and we have Six
sang songs of thankfulness and songs about our salvation and
and songs that could encourage us when times are tough.
And yet we see songs and worships it would because God
said, I want you to sing. In fact, if you look here in
Ephesians chapter 9 and verse number 19 that says speaking to
one, another in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs
singing and making melody in your hearts, to the Lord.
He oh, he also, we are addressed this as Paul writes to the
Colossians 3 verse 16, which is on the Back of the song books,
he says, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom. Teaching and admonishing.
One another how In Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
How are we to do it singing with Grace in your hearts to the
Lord? And so we had this command by
God, sing. And I do about you.
I love to sing for one thing. And I love the singing aspect
of, with the church assembles together that we could sing
together. We could participate together in
that thing. And I believe that brings us
together when God's people come together to sing together for
one during our worship together. And so I want to go through this
song this morning and you'll bear with me for just a few
moments as I talk about the background of and of this song
and how it all came about. And then we're going to get into
scripture here in just a moment. And so we're introduced to a
man, this is Horatio spafford. He was the author of this
particular song. He was a hard-working successful
attorney. He lived in Chicago in the
latter part of the 19th century and he was also religious man,
who was very involved in his church, and he became close
friends with the Evangelist Dwight, L Moody, you might have
heard that name before down through the years and what mr.
Spofford had done. He had supported mr.
Moody's efforts in evangelism in fact historians.
Say about mr. Spofford.
That he was a man of the scriptures and he was said to
have known them very well, but in 1870, tragedy struck him.
In fact, his four-year-old son was struck with Carl scarlet
fever, and he died just that the young age of four.
And then one year later in 1871 while he was still struggling
with the grief of his son. The Great Chicago Fire came.
And you can see how devastating this was.
This was these are blocks with in Chicago.
This is about a three mile radius of how widespread this
fire. Was it was a devastating fire.
It killed up to 300 people and nobody knows for sure how it
started. But the most popular belief, as
we might have been taught in schools that mrs.
O'Leary's cow had tipped over the lantern in the barn and had
set it Ablaze. And then Throughout the city but
what makes this important is that mr.
Spafford had invested heavily in real estate.
And so due to the fire he and his family, they lost a fortune
but he responded to the fire by helping with the work of
rebuilding the city and doing all that he could to help the
nearly about 100,000 people who had been left homeless because
of this fire. And then there was two years
later, it was November of 1873 remission mr.
Spofford and his wife Anna pictured here.
They decided to take a family trip with their four daughters
to Europe and this she and this trip was for two specific
reasons. Number one it was for family
vacation but number two was to Media meet up with the
Evangelist Dwight Moody and help support it hit.
His efforts, and what we call a gospel meeting over there and
that in Europe. And so they packed up and they
headed from Chicago to New York, where they would bore this
luxury liner here. I'm not going to begin to tell
you the name of this. It's a French word, but that's
an artist. Rendering of this particular
French liner that they were going to board.
But at the last minute though, an urgent matter came up, rather
than making the whole family, wait on him.
It was decided that his His wife Anna and their four daughters
will go on ahead and then mr. Spafford, he would take care of
his work. Would finish it up, and then he
would meet them in just a few weeks over there in Europe.
And so off, they went none of them, knowing That this would be
the last time, mr. Smith's, her spafford was see
his daughters. Because on the way to Europe in
the middle of the night, it was November 22nd.
Passengers were sleeping in their beds at the ship glided
through the waters. But they awoke with the jolt of
the ship had collided with an iron sailing vessel and as a
result their ship sank after just 22 minutes.
And from the record 226. Passengers died.
Including all four of mr. Spofford is daughters, but Anna,
she barely survived. As she was found in the water
unconscious laying on a piece of the record in wreckage.
In fact, she was only one of forty, seven survivors.
And so they took the survivors. They landed Wells.
And when she was over there, she sent this telegram.
This is the actual Telegraph that she sent back to mr.
Spofford. And she said here, she said
saved alone. What shall I do?
So mr. Spofford, after he had after he
had gotten this message from his wife and the tragic news.
He, he booked his passage to join his wife and and as he was
going over there, it was said, it was a cold, December night,
the captain of his ship called him aside.
And he said, I believe we're at the place where the ship went
down. So mr.
Spafford was said to just have just stood silently in there at
the rails and he kind of looked out into the darkness.
He went back to his cabin but they say, well, he found it hard
to sleep and so he said to himself.
It is well, the will of the Lord be done.
So from this moment, it inspired him to write these words.
This is the actual piece of paper and his right hand writing
Of this poem that he wrote. It is not clear that he wrote
the words that night or or sometime during the journey to
see his wife or maybe sometime later.
But in 1876 just a few years later.
Philip Bliss. Took the words and put music to
mr. Spafford poem. and it has become
a favorite Hymn of a mini Christian sense and I believe it
has become a favorite because of times, we can relate to the
message when we sing this song, We've had some type of Hearts
heartbreak or hardship that we've gone through, I mean, all
of us have experienced the unfairness of life.
In fact to use mr. Spofford, sprays.
We have learned that there are times when Sorrows seemed to, to
come as regular as a see bills that role as Shore.
And that's what makes this song a great Hymn of our faith
because mr. Spofford points us to the
powerful truth and comforting facts that help that help us
when Sorrows threatened to overwhelm us.
His him tells a vital principles that tell us to be content.
No matter what happens, be content or even put it another
way, how it could be well with our soul, even when things
aren't well in our life, And so for this the next few minutes I
want to talk about the message of this song as we look at it
verse by verse and now we're going to apply scripture to
these things into the message. The first verse is we.
Well know, says when peace like a river, attendeth my way when
Sorrows like, sea Billows, roll, whatever, my lot thou Hast
taught me to say it is. Well, it Is Well with My Soul,
Well mr. Spofford tells us is that
however life treats. You if it treats you well if
things are going great and you feel God's blessings continually
and it brings peace to you. Or on the other hand, if
Sorrows, come to you like waves of the sea crashing upon the
shore in various ways of immersed, emotional hurt, maybe
depression, maybe chronic pain, may be broken friendships or
whatever it is in life, whether good or bad, God teaches us
something about them. Now, we are not naturally born
with the ability to just be happy and it be at peace when
we're going through through hardships and grief and yet
again, God teaches us something about those times.
In fact, Paul writes this in Philippians chapter 4, we're
going to stay just for a moment here in the context of
Philippians chapter 4, he says here in verse 11 not that I
speak in regard to need He says, for I have learned in whatever
state I am to be. What?
To be content in whatever state to be content.
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound everywhere.
And, in all things I have learned both to be full and to
be hungry both to abound and to suffer need Then he says, as we
all know in verse number 13, I can do all things through
Christ, who strengthens me? All things.
Because of Christ. So Paul said he learned
something from God. Whatever he was going through,
whether B, times a plenty, whether B times, a good weather
would be times of bad or or famine.
He learned to be content with whatever state he was in.
He learned that it was still well with this Soul, no matter
what, no matter what You know, really when you think about it
being content, man, that could go a long way.
It really can, it can keep us from worrying about things that
we really don't need to worry about.
I mean some of you might watch the news, some of you might read
the news maybe on a daily basis and you're going to see all
kinds of stuff. You're going to see stories of
crime and War terrorist attacks. You're going to see Society
embracing and moral Behavior. You're going to see what's going
on in DC and other things. You going to see how Society is
trying to adapt and create new rules that are contrary to the
moral laws that we find in the scriptures.
You're going to see all kinds of stuff.
And sometimes when we expose ourselves to the news like that,
maybe it might get us to worrying about what's going on
here or there and it causes us to not be content.
About where we are about what is going on around us.
But, you know, in the previous verses here in the context of
chapter 4, Paul tells us something about that very thing,
look here. Verse number 6, be anxious for
nothing. Quit worrying.
But what should we do instead of being anxious for nothing?
He said instead, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known
to God. What's the result?
Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard
your hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus.
There's the formula. Put out by Paul.
So, the solution is pray. And pray often offer prayers
that you're thankful for for things that you're thankful for
offer prayers for for everything.
Let God know how thankful you are for how good he is to you.
Let him know how thankful you are for the things that you have
and what he has blessed you with.
But also offer requests to God. Pray for others.
Pray for yourself in areas where you need strength and you need
help. And the result after we do these
things, the peace of God will guard our hearts.
That's the result will be put that into action.
I'm reminded of another song that we have sink through the
years. You all know this one.
Sweet Hour of Prayer. Sweet Hour of Prayer.
They calls me from a world of care.
And basically at my father's Throne, make all my wants and
wishes known. It doesn't prayer do that.
Absolutely, it does. Notice what?
Paul says, here, continuing verse number 18.
Still the context of Philippians 4, finally Brethren, he says,
whatever things are true. Whatever things are noble,
whatever things are, just whatever things are pure,
whatever things are, lovely, whatever.
Things are of good report if there is any virtue.
And if there is anything praiseworthy, what do we do?
He says we meditate on these things.
That's what we do, we meditate on these things, the things
which you learned and received and heard and saw me, he said
these do. And what again, what is the
result if we do that and the God of Peace will be with you?
That's the result. That's the reward of doing that.
And you know, God wants us to be at peace, he wants us to be
content and whatever situation we might find ourselves in.
So we have to put our faith into action by following Paul's
instructions and pray and meditate and then live it out.
And when that happens, then it will be well with our soul.
In that moment of contentment. To provide further, help, mr.
Spofford says this in verse 2 of his song, Those Satan should
Buffett Though, trial, should come let this blest assurance
control that Christ hath regarded.
My helpless estate and has shed his own blood for my soul.
I believe that what mr. Spofford was trying to say is
that whatever Satan should throw at us or try to get us to fall
and whatever we might face, let this thought a realization come
to your mind that we were so important to God.
That Jesus took our place on the cross and he died, and he
suffered for all of us. You and I That's how important
we are to God. And based upon that realization
that Jesus has done this for you and Jesus has done this for me
and that were saved by Jesus Christ that ought to bring peace
and contentment to make our souls well from that very
thought, He did that for us. And the writer of Hebrews, he
talks about the suffering of Jesus on our behalf and and why
he had to suffer look here and Hebrews to the writer here of
Hebrews to, we're going to kind of do a lengthy reading here.
But verse 9 begins her by saying, but we see Jesus.
Who was made a little lower than the Angels.
This is talking about him being up on the earth.
Now in this particular State, he was a little lower than the
Angels. Well the suck rim for the SEC
Ring of Death, crowned with Glory and Honor that he by the
grace of God might taste death for everyone but it was fitting
for him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in
bringing many sons to glory to make the captain of their
salvation. Perfect through how Through
sufferings the sufferings that he endured.
That's a key as we continue on for both, he who sanctifies and
those who are being Sanctified are all of one for which reason,
he is not ashamed to call them. Brethren saying I will declare
your name to my brother in the midst of the assembly.
I will sing praise to you. And again, I will put my trust
in him. And again, here am I and the
children who God has given me, it is much then as a children,
how part. Make it a flush of blood.
He himself. Jesus, lack wife, shared in the
same. He shared in the same.
That through death, he might destroy him.
Who had the power of death. That is the devil.
And release those who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage for indeed.
He does not give a day Jewels but he does give a to the Seed
of Abraham. He's talking about us, he gives
us a d member 17 and 18. Therefore in all things he made
he had to be made like his brethren.
He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the
people. For that he himself has suffered
being tempted, he is able to Aid.
Those who are tempted. You know what that says?
Jesus one reason why Jesus came and lived upon this Earth.
Was to endure things that we endure.
And then when we go to God In Prayer, He knows what we've gone
through. Because he went through it, too.
Isn't that great? Because it provides us, great
assurance that when we suffer, he can relate He was tempted,
just as we were tempted. And he is there to help us when
we look to him for strength. And yes, it is well with our
soul, understanding that we can turn to Jesus.
At moments like this. And with this realization of
what is written here in Hebrews, chapter 2. but moving on, I love
the next verse It in fact is probably my favorite verse of
all the songs that we sing. And I think one of the reasons
why that is is because it's so personal.
And we get a glimpse of the rider of what's in his mind.
Because it says my sin and there's almost this parentheses
here, all the Bliss of this glorious.
Thought my sin, he says not in part but the whole Is nailed to
the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord O my soul. And what a glorious thought and
how it makes her so well to know that when Jesus died on the
cross, I want you to understand something.
When he died on the cross, it was Ultimate It was Ultimate, it
took care of everything. I mean there is no sin too big
or there is no sin. That is too far out of its
neighbors, reach the Heat and not blot out from our lives.
When we obeyed the gospel and was somewhat obeys, the gospel
obeys, the gospel that sin is taken care of.
And that's the wondrous thing about the blood of Jesus Christ,
and the sacrifice that he made for us, is that it covers
everything. Our slate is completely wiped
clean. No, remnants of it trailing
behind And when we are cleansed of our sins, we don't have to
bear that load, we don't have to bear that shame.
We don't have to bear that burden anymore because Jesus
took care of it at the cross. Praise the Lord that he did that
for us. Praise the Lord.
Paul gives the same praise when he wrote to the Brethren hair
and Roman in Rome. He relished chapter 5.
He says this in verse 10. For if we, for if when we were
enemies We were reconciled to God.
How how are we reconciled to God through the death of his son?
Much more having been reconciled?
What's the result? We shall be saved by his life.
And not only that. But we also Rejoice we rejoice
in God. We give praise to him there.
Our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received the
reconciliation. Paul had that same rejoicing.
And we ought to have that same rejoicing to because Jesus has
done that for us. We praise him for that very
thing. Yes, he is good.
Indeed he is. And then, finally, the last
verse of the song with this assurance of Faith, it's
expressed here. Lord haste the day.
When the faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a
scroll. The Trump shall ReSound and the
Lord shall descend even. So it Is Well with My Soul.
This is our goal, isn't it? This is what we're working
towards an anticipated to see. I mean this is the day we get to
go home. It is and the writer of Hebrews.
He, he talks about so many great Heroes of Faith there in Hebrews
chapter 11 and we know about those individuals who devote
their lives to the Lord. Their after all they're written
in Hebrews 11:4 reason people whom we can look back to it
throughout the Old Testament scriptures and read about how
they display. Their lives of faith.
But amidst all that in the mystere of Hebrews chapter 11
there's a summation of the result of their faith and also
the Assurance. He says these all died in faith,
he says not having received the promises but having seen them
afar off. At were shirt of them embraced
them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on
Earth. These people had faith.
And then it goes on to say for those who say such things
declare plainly. I love this phrase, that they
seek a Homeland, they live their life out in a way that they were
ready to be with God. After they lived a life to him
and truly, if they had called to mind that country from which
they had come, they would have had opportunity to return but
now they desire, a better that is a Heavenly country.
Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God for.
He has prepared a city for them. What a reward for people of
faith that what a reward for us. Who live our lives of Faith to
him. He has prepared us a place Jesus
confirmed. This in John chapter 14 and we
live in faith. That our homeland is just on the
horizon and know that through our efforts, in our righteous
living, for the Lord, we're going to inherit it.
And doesn't that make your so well?
I love at the very end of the Bible.
We're John after he wrote all those things and saw all those
things in that in the in the visions that he received at the
very end in Revelations chapter 22 and verse 20.
He says he who testifies to these things says surely I am
coming quickly, that's the Lord talking.
And then John, I love what John says he says even so come Lord
Jesus. As such should be ours,
statement, to even so, come Lord Jesus, because we are looking
forward to that, aren't we? Looking forward to that,
Homeland. David wrote this solvent in
summary of what we talked about already this morning, In the 46
song, verses 1 through 3. I love what David said as he
said, God is our refuge and strength.
He also said a very present help in trouble.
Is there in trouble? Therefore we will not fear even
though the Earth be removed and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea, though, its Waters were be
troubled, though. The mountains, shake with the
swelling Salaam And yes, God is there.
He is our refuge and our strength, through it all And
isn't that a great promise? We thank you for listening to
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