Sunday, April 29, 2018 pm
SERMONS FROM SONGS
“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
#631 Sacred Selections
Tonight, being a fifth Sunday, we want to examine another song we sing
from time to time.
This song is entitled, “I heard the voice of Jesus Say.”
It was written by Horatius Bonar, of Scotland (1808-1889).
It was first published in 1846 in his hymnal.
It was originally written as a children’s hymn.
The tune we have was composed by Louis Ludwig Spohr.
This is one of at least 3 tunes that were put to this hymn.
The
hymn is a call for us to listen to the voice of Jesus and reminds us of
3 of His familiar sayings.
Because of its appropriate message, it will also be sung as our
invitation following this lesson.
a.
I heard the voice of
Jesus say
– we must Heed His voice.
There were declarations from heaven – Matthew 17:5.
Matthew 7:24 – Jesus noted that we must hear what He teaches.
Luke 6:46 – Why call Me Lord and not do the things I say?
John 5:24, “He who hears MY words and believes in Him...
Acts 3:22-23, as Peter was speaking in the temple complex, he
quotes from Deuteronomy 18:15-19 where Moses spoke of a Prophet the LORD
would raise. Jesus IS that
prophet Peter says.
Today, He speaks to us through His word – Hebrews 1:2.
Hebrews 2:3, How shall we escape…which at first was spoken by the
Lord…?
This song challenges to open our Bibles and consider what our Lord
calls for us to do.
b.
“Come
unto Me and rest. Lay down, thou weary one, lay down, thy head upon My
breast” – Matthew 11:28-30 – An invitation we frequently
discuss. Jesus is calling
for men to turn to Him with their spiritual troubles, whatever they may
be. He gives us rest (mental
and spiritual) relief from such.
His reference to putting our head on His breast demonstrates a
closeness, compassion and trust that we need.
Like that of a mother holding her young child close to her.
c.
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad
–
“Just as I am” – a phrase that
can easily be abused today (by those who don’t want to change), but in
its proper context it calls for us to surrender to Him right now.
Jesus extended the invitation to whoever – Matthew 10:32-33 –
whoever confesses Me before men…
John 3:16. Etc.
Be reminded, While you come to Him, “Just as I am” you cannot remain
that way!
To come broken is what Jesus described as He began the sermon on the
mount – Blessed are the poor in
spirit (Matthew 5:3)
d.
I found in Him a resting
place – 2
Thessalonians 1:7 – in the end, we will find the ultimate rest.
But here we also find the idea of peace – Philippians 4:6-7.
John 14:27, Jesus spoke of leaving peace with His disciples.
Also do not forget Hebrews 4:9, there remains a rest for His people.
Also consider Revelation 14:13
This is that relief that we feel when we learn to let go and cast all
our cares on Him – 1 Peter 5:7
e.
And He has made me glad
– the joy and rejoicing that we seek, and when we fully trust Him it
cannot be taken away from us – Philippians 4:4, Romans 12:12 – we are
rejoicing in hope, etc.
a.
“Behold I freely give”
– available to all and it is a gift – Romans 6:23. NASB – “the free gift
of God is…”
b.
The living water,
thirsty one, Stoop down and drink and live –
John 4:10-14 - Spoken to a Samaritan woman with a past.
Revelation 21:6 – He promised to “give the water of life freely
to him who thirsts.
Also Revelation 22:17 – the invitation is for all to come and take of
the water of life freely.
c.
I came to Jesus and I drank of that life giving stream
– We also read in John 7:37-38 the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles
(7:2), He said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who
believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow
rivers of living water.”
Jesus offered, and I partook.
d.
My thirst was quenched
(Matthew 5:6), my soul revived – again,
in Him we are strengthened and sustained with what we need.
He gives us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2
Peter 1:3)
e.
And now I live in Him
– Colossians 2:13, we were dead in our trespasses, now we are made “alive
together in Him.”
f.
NOTE: Let us not forget
the significance of water as instrumental in our salvation – Acts 22:16,
1 Peter 3:20-21.
a.
“I am this dark world’s
light” –
John 9:5 – “I am the light of the world.”
John’s gospel contrasts light and darkness.
We are living in great spiritual darkness and we need to
CONTINUALLY remind ourselves that Jesus is “the light that this world
needs.” That was how John
introduced his gospel – John 1:4-5.
b.
Look unto Me, thy morn
shall rise, and all thy day be bright – Matthew 4:15-16, Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy
(Isaiah 9:1-2). The light
has dawned. We need to look
to Him – Hebrews 12:2 tells us He is the author and finisher of our
faith. And He’s at the
“Finish line”.
c.
I came to Jesus and I found in Him my Star
(Revelation 22:16, 2 Peter 1:19)
my Sun (Revelation 21:23,
22:5, Malachi 4:2)- both descriptions of Jesus.
d.
And in the light of life
I’ll walk til traveling days are done – be faithful until death.
1 John 1:6-7 – we need to walk in the light as He is in the light
AND we need to be the light of the world – Matthew 5:14-16, Philippians
2:15.
Jesus is calling.
One of the reasons we sing is to encourage each other.
We offer and sing an invitation song to encourage us to make
ourselves right before Him.
Let us He the voice of Jesus and obey Him.
Will you?