Sunday, May 31, 2020 pm – Online Lesson
SERMONS FROM SONGS
His Way With Thee
#199, Sacred Selections
This being the 5th Sunday, I would like to present a lesson
dealing with a song. This
has been an exercise that I have been engaged in now for a number of
years. The premise is based
upon the fact that as we sing together, we are “teaching and admonishing
one another” (Colossians 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 14:15).
So
tonight, I would like to examine the song, “His Way With Thee”, #199 in
our song book, Sacred Selections.
This is a song about surrender to our Lord.
It was written and composed by Cyrus Nusbaum, who was born in
Indiana in the 1800’s. This
song was written around 1898 and was based upon events early on in his
preaching. He was working in
a poor area and hoping to be given a better opportunity, but instead he
was assigned to remain there.
While disappointed, one night he prayed and determined that he
would do whatever the Lord wanted, hence the idea of “let Him have His
way with thee.”
So
let us briefly consider the message of this song.
a.
A reminder that the life
of a Christian is one of serving Him –1 Corinthians 15:58 calls for us
to be always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Romans 12:1 – present your bodies a living sacrifice.
John 12:26, Jesus said, If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and
where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My
Father will honor.
Serving Him involves many things including serving others (cf.
Matthew 25:30-46), but here let’s focus on the song.
b.
Would you live for Jesus
and be always pure and good – Living for Him IS living a pure and good life - Matthew 5:8, “Blessed
are the pure in heart”
Romans 6:16-18 notes that we are to be servants of righteousness.
c.
Walk with Him within the narrow road
– Matthew 7:13-14 – Jesus spoke of two paths, the one that leads to
heaven has a “narrow gate and difficult way”.
The point being it is restrictive – you MUST follow His
instructions. Colossians
3:17
d.
Would you let Him bear
your burden, carry all your load
– On another occasion Jesus said, “Come to me…” Matthew 11:28-30.
1 Peter 5:6-7 challenges us to
cast all our cares upon Him because He does care.
Trusting Him is a part of our surrender.
e.
Let Him have His way
with thee
- the theme of the song and a continual reminder.
a.
This is the ultimate way
that we let Him rule over us.
We let Him do what He does for us.
b.
Would you have him make
you free and follow at His call?
One of the ways sins is described is as bondage – we are taken captive
by Satan. Romans 6:16
speaks of being slaves to sin leading to death; Ephesians 2:1-3 speaks
of our former walk, dead in sin, following the prince of the power of
the air.
But Jesus delivers us from that sin.
He makes us free – Ephesians 1:7 speaks of our redemption through
His blood – the idea of being redeemed to be set free (a price paid to
free you).
Galatians 5:1, Paul challenged the brethren to stand fast in the liberty
by which Christ had made them free…; Romans
8:1-2 – Paul notes that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has made me free from the
law of sin and death.
c.
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Again, Jesus came to offer us peace.
The world does not offer true peace.
There is despair and continued conflict – ungodly conflict.
Jesus gives us peace with God – which is the theme of reconciliation
(Colossians 1:20-21)
Romans 5:1-2, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have
access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope
of the glory of God.
He also gives us peace within ourselves and when we follow Him – peace
with the world.
d.
Would you have Him save
you so that you need never fall?
It is about Him saving us – both in becoming Christians, and remaining
faithful as Christians – cf. 1 John 1:7.
Acts 4:12, John 14:6.
NOTE: We have emphasized that it is possible for one to forfeit their
salvation. But understand
scripture teaches the greatness of God’s grace which leads to salvation.
There is a confidence that accompanies the faithful child of God
– God is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4); John
10:27-29, where Jesus described Himself as the true Shepherd, He notes
that no one snatches them from Him. Satan cannot take away those who
belong to Him. NOTE: This does
NOT mean that you cannot choose to leave His fold – that is what verses
about falling away involve.
Furthermore, He has given us the tools we need to overcome – 2 Peter
1:8-11, 1 Corinthians 10:13
e.
Let Him have His way
with thee
a.
Would you in His kingdom
find a place of constant rest?
Jesus came to establish His church/kingdom.
It was purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28, Matthew 16:18-19).
Just recently we noted that Jesus is “seated at the right hand
of God” (Mark 16:19, Colossians 3:1), an expression that implies He is
now reigning in His kingdom (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23-25).
In our studies we emphasize that we are citizens of that kingdom
(Philippians 3:20) and that this world is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
Colossians 1:13-14 notes that He has delivered us from the power of
darkness and conveyed (to transfer or move) us into the Kingdom of
Christ, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
When we obey the gospel we are
added to His church/kingdom.
That means we now serve Him.
And we need to remain in that kingdom (let it be our resting place
continually)
b.
Would you prove Him
true, each providential test?
Since we are living in a “foreign land”, we will be tested from time to
time. How will we do with
that test – 1 Peter 1:7 speaks of the genuineness of our faith being
tested, with the hope that that we overcome (James 1:2-4)
How do you do, when you are tested in His kingdom?
c.
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Again, we note that God demands that we give Him our best.
He will not accept mediocrity from us – 1 Corinthians15:58,
Colossians 3:23 – whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and
not to men (cf. Ecclesiastes 9:10).
The church at Laodicea was condemned because they were lukewarm
(Revelation 3:15-16)
WE may not be perfect (because we are not), but we keep trying and when
we do stumble, we get back up and keep moving forward.
All God demands of us is that we give Him our very best.
d.
Let Him have His way
with thee.
a.
The chorus of this song
is powerful as it declares WHY we surrender to our Lord.
b.
His power can make you
what you ought to be
– spiritually, there is nothing or no one who can make you right with
God, like our Lord. Romans
1:4 says that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with great power.
1 Corinthians 1:24 describes Christ as the power and wisdom of
God.
The idea of power includes both strength (the ability to
accomplish what is needed – one word for “power” in the NT Greek is the
word from which we get the word dynamite (including this text) and
authority. God has
given Jesus great power in dealing with us – He is our mediator who
intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25 - Therefore He is also able to
save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always
lives to make intercession for them.
c.
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free
– Revelation 1:5, He
loved us and washed us form our sins in His own blood.
We need the blood of Jesus both in becoming Christians (1 Peter 1:18-19
– we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ) and as Christians
(1 John 1:7)
OR course, it is in obeying the gospel that we first come in contact
with His blood – Romans 6:3-4
And it is in obeying the gospel that our sins are washed away and we are
made clean and free (Acts 22:16, Revelation 1:5)
d.
His love can fill your
soul – he
were find that which motivated Jesus to do as He did.
Jesus willingly left heaven (Philippians 2:5-8) to offer the
sacrifice we needed.
He did it willingly and in demonstration of how much He loves us.
John 15:13 – greater love has no one than this…,
Romans 5:8-9 – the death of Christ is a demonstration of the love of
God.
As we consider that love, how much do we love Him? Cf. 1 John 4:19 – “We
love Him because He first loved us.”
Does His love fill you soul?
e.
In all 3 of these we
find the fullness of our salvation
– His authority to save us is found in His power, His action for us is
seen in the shedding of His blood, and His motives for such are seen in
His love.
f.
Twas best to let Him has His way with thee
Many contemporary songs of faith are filled with emotion and little
scriptural substance – they are messages that are very simplistic.
While not wrong, let us not forget about songs filled with
substance and great redeeming messages – songs that teach and admonish
us, such is the song we have examined this evening.
So
whenever you are struggling, or perhaps someone you know is struggling
spiritually, be encouraged to “Let Him have His way with thee.”
Think about it.