SERMONS IN OUR SONGS
(Lesson 6)
“JUST AS I AM” (By Charlotte Elliott)
MATTHEW 11: 28-30
Intro:
Charlotte Eliot suffered from illness for much of her life. A deeply spiritual woman, she longed to serve the God whom she loved so much. In 1836, her brother H.V. Elliot was raising funds for a new school to be built. Charlotte wanted to help in some small way, but owing to her infirmity, she felt that she was worthless to the cause.
Finally, she decided to take advantage of one of her great talents. She sat down to compose a poem for others who were physically limited. As she pondered the words which she would write, the words of a preacher some 14 years in the past returned to her. The preacher had said to her: “Come to Jesus, just as you are.”
The poem was completed, and published without Mrs. Elliot’s name. Some years later, she was handed that same poem in leaflet form by her doctor, who had no idea that she was the author. The doctor informed her that the poem was being distributed in many places, and that the proceeds’ were to be given to the school which her brother had been working to build. In the end, she had contributed mightily, just as she was.
Here in the beautiful words of Mrs. Elliot’s poem, we see an awesome concept. It is the idea that you and I, flawed though we are, can still come to God. We can come to him, because he has already reached out for us. In the world in which we live, it is a novel idea that someone would accept a person, with all their flaws and imperfection. It is a hard notion for us to grasp, yet in this song, we find it said with true elegance.
This morning, we want to continue with our series entitled, “”SEEING THE SERMONS IN OUR SONGS.” The next song which we will examine is found on page number 924, “JUST AS I AM.” There are two ideas that are expressed in this well-known hymn. These concepts are designed to aid both the follower of God, as well as those who are outside of the body of Christ in understanding the fact that you are valuable to the Lord! You are important despite yourself. Join me for a few moments, and let’s look at those who can come to God.
I. JUST AS I AM, WITHOUT REGARD TO PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
1. We as people are often consumed by physical appearance, yet it is frequently this same obsession which leads to our problems.
A. II Samuel 11: 2 Bathsheba was beautiful, nevertheless she led to one of the darkest periods in David’s life.
B. Genesis 13: 10-11 likewise Lot also chose beauty over substance, and paid for that choice.
2. However, there are also those who are not chosen because of physical appearance.
a. James 2: 2-3 what about those who are discounted because of a perceived lack of social standing?
b. Mark 10: 46-48 what about those who are discounted because of a perceived lack of physical ability?
c. First Samuel 16: 7 the key word here is “PERCEIVED”, because man only knows what is on the outside, but God understands what is in the heart of man!
3. The wonderful news is that God has said to his creation, “Come! Just as you are, come to me!”
A. First Samuel 17: 37 those who are of limited physical presents, God bids them come!
B. Mark 3: 3 those who are of limited physical resources, God bids them come!
C. Regardless of your current physical position in this world, God invites you to come to him, “Just as you are!”
II. JUST AS I AM, WITHOUT REGARD TO WHAT I'VE DONE.
1. Have you noticed how often we hold others pre-Christian life against them?
A. We never truly let go of the past, but instead use it as a weapon.
B. Matthew 13: 54-58 Jesus himself ran into this form of prejudice.
2. However, God cares not for the past, but instead calls sinners to repentance!
A. Genesis 20: 1-2 God can use a lire.
B. Exodus 2: 11-12 God can use a murderer.
C. I Samuel 11: 4, 24 God can use an adulterer and a murderer.
D. John 21: 15-21 God can even use those who shamefully try to reject him.
E. Matthew 11: 28 God can use the sinner who's tired of carrying their load of sin.
“JUST AS I AM” (By Charlotte Elliott)
MATTHEW 11: 28-30
Intro:
Charlotte Eliot suffered from illness for much of her life. A deeply spiritual woman, she longed to serve the God whom she loved so much. In 1836, her brother H.V. Elliot was raising funds for a new school to be built. Charlotte wanted to help in some small way, but owing to her infirmity, she felt that she was worthless to the cause.
Finally, she decided to take advantage of one of her great talents. She sat down to compose a poem for others who were physically limited. As she pondered the words which she would write, the words of a preacher some 14 years in the past returned to her. The preacher had said to her: “Come to Jesus, just as you are.”
The poem was completed, and published without Mrs. Elliot’s name. Some years later, she was handed that same poem in leaflet form by her doctor, who had no idea that she was the author. The doctor informed her that the poem was being distributed in many places, and that the proceeds’ were to be given to the school which her brother had been working to build. In the end, she had contributed mightily, just as she was.
Here in the beautiful words of Mrs. Elliot’s poem, we see an awesome concept. It is the idea that you and I, flawed though we are, can still come to God. We can come to him, because he has already reached out for us. In the world in which we live, it is a novel idea that someone would accept a person, with all their flaws and imperfection. It is a hard notion for us to grasp, yet in this song, we find it said with true elegance.
This morning, we want to continue with our series entitled, “”SEEING THE SERMONS IN OUR SONGS.” The next song which we will examine is found on page number 924, “JUST AS I AM.” There are two ideas that are expressed in this well-known hymn. These concepts are designed to aid both the follower of God, as well as those who are outside of the body of Christ in understanding the fact that you are valuable to the Lord! You are important despite yourself. Join me for a few moments, and let’s look at those who can come to God.
I. JUST AS I AM, WITHOUT REGARD TO PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
1. We as people are often consumed by physical appearance, yet it is frequently this same obsession which leads to our problems.
A. II Samuel 11: 2 Bathsheba was beautiful, nevertheless she led to one of the darkest periods in David’s life.
B. Genesis 13: 10-11 likewise Lot also chose beauty over substance, and paid for that choice.
2. However, there are also those who are not chosen because of physical appearance.
a. James 2: 2-3 what about those who are discounted because of a perceived lack of social standing?
b. Mark 10: 46-48 what about those who are discounted because of a perceived lack of physical ability?
c. First Samuel 16: 7 the key word here is “PERCEIVED”, because man only knows what is on the outside, but God understands what is in the heart of man!
3. The wonderful news is that God has said to his creation, “Come! Just as you are, come to me!”
A. First Samuel 17: 37 those who are of limited physical presents, God bids them come!
B. Mark 3: 3 those who are of limited physical resources, God bids them come!
C. Regardless of your current physical position in this world, God invites you to come to him, “Just as you are!”
II. JUST AS I AM, WITHOUT REGARD TO WHAT I'VE DONE.
1. Have you noticed how often we hold others pre-Christian life against them?
A. We never truly let go of the past, but instead use it as a weapon.
B. Matthew 13: 54-58 Jesus himself ran into this form of prejudice.
2. However, God cares not for the past, but instead calls sinners to repentance!
A. Genesis 20: 1-2 God can use a lire.
B. Exodus 2: 11-12 God can use a murderer.
C. I Samuel 11: 4, 24 God can use an adulterer and a murderer.
D. John 21: 15-21 God can even use those who shamefully try to reject him.
E. Matthew 11: 28 God can use the sinner who's tired of carrying their load of sin.
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