SERMONS FROM OUR SONGS (Lesson 3)

SERMONS FROM OUR SONGS (LESSON 3)

“LIVING BY FAITH” (By James S. Wells)

 

I.                    LIVING BY FAITH IN JESUS

 

“Living by faith, in Jesus above, trusting confiding in his great love. From all harm safe, in his sheltering arms, I’m living by faith, and feel no alarm.”  When inspecting a hymn, it is always interesting to notice the chorus.  In most songs the chorus contains the heart of the message which the author wishes to express.  In the song currently under our investigation this statement holds true. 

                Over and over again James Wells states the in arguable fact that our faith should be based upon Jesus The Christ, the one and only Son of the Living God, who has his current dwelling place at the right hand of the thrown of God. (Hebrews 12: 2)  Mr. Wells stands firm on the conviction given to us in Hebrews 11: 39-40.  As the eleventh chapter of Hebrews is coming to an end, Paul has been pointing out those who lived their lives “by faith”, “through faith”, and “in faith.”  The interesting revelation is found in the idea that those amazing men and women who are spoken of in that great chapter of faith obtained outstanding reputations because of their faith, but they never saw the fulfillment of the promise which they were working toward.  However, as verse 40 points out to us that “God having provided something better for us”, which is his son.  In fact, Paul would point out in Hebrews 12: 2 that Jesus now and forever stands as both “the author and finisher of our faith.”   He is where it begins and ends.  It isn’t about trusting a preacher, elder, deacon, parent, child, husband, wife, best friend, or anyone else who walks upon the face of this earth.  Instead we put our faith in the one who paid it all for our salvation.

 

II.                  CONCERNS ARE CANCELED

 

Cares, concerns, worries or whatever you want to call them are one of the biggest obstacles that we as Christians have to overcome in our service to God.  We spend so much time worrying about what will go wrong tomorrow that we forget to enjoy the day that is at hand. 

            World famous New York Yankees manager Connie Mack was one of the best team leaders to ever set in the dugout.  There were a number of qualities that made Connie a good manager, but none was more important than his ability to cast off worry.  Mack once told a reporter: “worry was threatening to wreck my career as a baseball manager. I saw how foolish it was and I forced myself to get so busy preparing to win games that I had no time left to worry over the ones that were already lost. You can't grind grain with water that has already gone down the creek."

            Obviously it is the second phrase that we want to talk about in this lesson, but I want you to notice that part of what helped Mack to avoid worry was staying busy.  He was so occupied with PREPARATION for the next game, that he didn’t have time to think about the failures of the past.  As Christians, if you want to avoid worry, then keep yourself so busy preparing for the future, that you don’t have time to worry over the mistakes of the past. 

            The idea that Connie Mack expresses in saying that you can’t grind grain with water which has already gone down the creek is very close to a Biblical concept.  In Matthew 6: 27 Jesus asks the question: “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to your stature?”  Christ is pointing out to us the meaningless nature of worry. 

            Mr. Wells suggests to us that it doesn’t matter what comes our way because “the Lord I know ruleth over everything, and all of my worry is vain!”  We know that there are good days and bad days, and that good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. (Matthew 5: 45)  We know that in this life we will have trials and tribulations. (John 16: 33   what we need to do is come to the same point and understanding that the Psalmist David arrived at in his own life.  “O my God I trust in Thee!”   Set aside worries and embraces your faith in the plans which God has for your life!”

 

III.                GUIDANCE IS GIVEN

 

As many of you know, I love college football.  In particular, I am the biggest University of Tennessee fan you will ever meet.  If you don’t believe me, then just ask me and I will tell you.  I love my Vols.  As I was preparing for this lesson, I began to think of one of the traditions on the campus at UT.  In the early 30’s, a group of students and faculty joined together to come up with a symbol which would represent the university.  They finally settled upon a statue which is referred to as The Torch Bearer.  It has served as a mainstay on the campus in Knoxville for more than 70 years. 

                The part of the statue that pertains to us is the maxim which is written upon the base.  “The one that beareth a torch standeth in shadow to give light to others.”  As I listen to that statement, it reminds me of the savior. 

                Jesus stands holding the light of salvation, lighting our path, and providing us guidance and direction in our daily walk.  For some reason, when I sing this second verse, I think of mankind standing on the deck of a great ship.  The wind is blowing, and the waves are crashing all around us.  In some cases, there are those who have chosen to jump overboard and try to swim on their own.  But, for those who are Christians, we stand behind the captain of our ship.  He stands at the bow, guiding and showing us what to do.  He calms the waves, and brings the peace that only he can, just as he did for the disciples so long ago. (Mark 4: 37-39) 

                Let’s ask this; if Jesus serves as our example (1Peter 2: 21), then what is it that he is guiding us to do?  First, he encourages us to be the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5: 13)  Second, we should be the “light of the world.” (Matthew 5: 14)  This charges us with providing light to all who are both inside and outside of the house of God. (Matthew 5: 15)  In short, Jesus directs and guides us to “let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 16) 

 

IV.                FEAR IS FORGOTTEN

 

I want to begin this final point with a statement that I feel to be unquestionable.  Life is scary.  There are so many days and nights in the life of the average person that leave us shaking in the corner.  There are so many moments of sheer terror in our lives that sometimes it is hard to function.  Think about how hard it becomes when we read a passage such as 1Peter 5: 8.  There we are told that we are out here walking around in the world, and there is a lion on the prowl!  As a matter of fact, he is walking around looking for his next meal.  His name is Satan.  He wants to find and destroy the children of God. 

        However, here in verse 3, James Wells indicates that thanks to the faith we can have in Jesus fear can be forgotten.  He states: “I know that he safely will carry me home, no matter what evils betide. Why should I then care though the tempest may blow, if Jesus walks close to my side?”   I love when he asks, “Why should I then care?”  In other words, he wants to know, “If the savior of mankind walks by my side, why should I be afraid?”  

        You see, what Mr. Wells knew, and what you and I also know, is that Matthew 28: 20 makes us a promise like no other.  “And lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”   That comes straight from the mouth of Jesus himself.  He has just told me that he is there at all times, and in all ways.  Folks, fear can be forgotten.