Sunday, October 22, 2006 pm
“Oh Why Not Tonight?” #629
Tonight, we want to notice an invitation song that we
occasionally sing – “Oh Why Not Tonight?”
This song is an OLD favorite that first appeared in 1842 under
the heading, “The Accepted Time.”
It was written by Elizabeth Reed who was born in
I.
Verse 1 – O, Do not let the word depart
a.
Why do we offer the invitation at each
service? Because of
the importance and urgency of one obeying the gospel.
The fact is that only those who are saved will have the hope of a
home in heaven. We don’t
want to EVER close a service without giving those present the
opportunity to make their lives right.
AS I say this, there are many churches where the invitation (at
least as we assemble to worship) is no longer considered that important.
The invitation is a fact we find throughout scripture
Matthew 11:28-30 – Jesus offered the invitation admonishing all to “Come
to Me…”
Revelation 22:17 brings the message of God to a conclusion saying, “And
the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!"
And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of
life freely.” But there
are many who refuse to come and let the opportunity slip away.
b.
“O,
do not let the word depart.” This verse appeals to the urgency
of the matter. We are called
upon to not let the word depart from our lives.
Speaking to the church at
We sing another song sometimes which says, “Why keep Jesus waiting?”
It too reminds us of the limited opportunities we have to change.
c.
“And
close thine eyes against the light.” Don’t close your eyes.
In scripture this is often a sign of rebellion.
It indicates a willful refusal TO SEE one’s present condition.
In Matthew 13:14-15, Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10.
d.
“Poor
sinner, harden not your heart.” The Bible speaks of the hardened
heart.
Perhaps the best example of the hardened heart is Pharaoh, who in
refusing the let the children of
Luke 8:11-12 describes the hardened heart as the wayside of a field
where the seed of the word of God cannot penetrate.
Because the soil is not prepared the seed remains on top and
Satan comes along and snatches the seed before anything can be done to
it.
Hebrews 3:15 quotes Psalm 95:7-8 which calls upon us to NOT harden our
hearts, but rather to “hear His voice.”
II.
Verse 2 – Tomorrow’s sun may never rise
a.
One reason we preach urgency is because
we do not know how much time we have left.
It is very possible that for some here (or even all of us) this
will be our last opportunity to do right.
This verse aptly begins by noting that “tomorrow’s
sun may never rise.”
WE are warned in scripture that we will all die – Hebrews 9:27.
James 4:13-14 notes that our life is but a vapor that appears for a
little while and then vanishes away.
b.
“To
bless thy long deluded sight.” The one who thinks he has all the
time in the world has a deluded sight.
Like the rich fool of Luke 12 who left God out of his plans
tonight could be that time when we are called to stand before God in
judgment.
c.
“This
is the time o then be wise.” The verse speaks of the wise man
realizing that NOW is the time.
Matthew 7:24 speaks of the wise man who builds his house on a solid
foundation. He is prepared
and in that he finds his wisdom.
2 Corinthians 6:2 notes that NOW is the day of salvation.
III.
Verse 3 – Our Lord in pity lingers still
a.
In this verse we see the pity of the Lord.
Considering the corrupt condition of this world one might ask why
the Lord continues to put up with it.
The answer is His pity.
He lingers or delays His coming for a specific reason.
Psalm 86:15 says, “But You, O
Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and
abundant in mercy and truth.”
Isaiah 30:18 says, “Therefore the
LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be
exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of
justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
2 Peter 3:9 notes that reason – He is not willing that any should
perish.
Again in 2 Peter 3:15 we read, “and consider that the longsuffering of
the Lord is salvation…”
b.
“And
wilt thou thus His love requite?”
The word “requite” means “to make repayment or return for (service,
benefits, etc.).
(Dictionary.com)
Our song asks the question, “Concerning the love He has shown for us by
waiting to return and putting up with all that we have done, will we
REPAY that love by turning to Him and serving Him.
1 John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.”
Do we?
c.
“Renounce
at once thy stubborn will.”
There are many who know what they need to do, but they are
letting something stand in their way.
Perhaps they don’t want to give up sinful behaviors or some
ungodly relationship. Maybe
they realize what they need to do and are not willing to make the
commitment they know they need.
But such an attitude will not change other factors such as those already
mentioned (death, judgment, etc.).
IV.
Verse 4 – Our blessed Lord refuses none
a.
This verse notes a fact that many must
come to grips with. No
matter who you are or what you have done, you CAN be saved.
God will forgive even the vilest of sinners, if we will simply
obey Him.
b.
“Our
blessed Lord refuses none.”
Jesus said in John 6:37, “All
that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I
will by no means cast out.”
AS you examine the life of Jesus you find Him forgiving adulterers, tax
collectors, the poor, outcasts of society, zealots as well as many who
would have been considered honorable by society.
On the cross, He forgave and accepted a thief (Luke 23:43).
Remember Paul’s former conduct as a murderer, a blasphemer, a persecutor
and insolent, yet he obtained mercy from God (1 Tim. 1:13).
As he said in another place, “by the grace of God, I am what I
am.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
c.
“Who
would to Him their souls unite.” BUT this verse also understands
the importance of unity with Christ in receiving salvation.
Galatians 3:27 says that we are baptized INTO Christ and thus we
put ON Christ.
d.
“Believe,
obey, the work is done”
- a phrase calling upon us to do our part.
Hebrews 5:8-9 notes that He has become the author of eternal
salvation to “all who obey Him.”
V.
Another verse – (not included in Sacred Selection) – the world
has nothing left to give.
In books with 5
verses (Songs of the Church, Praise the Lord, etc.), this is the 4th
verse and it reads,
“The
world has nothing left to give; It has no new, no pure delight.
O try the life which Christians live: Be saved: O tonight.”
That too poses another valuable lesson that contrasts the “riches
of this world” with the blessings that await us in eternity.
WE will conclude with this simple mention of this verse.
Conclusion:
At the end of each verse – we are told, “Be
saved, O tonight.”
And then in the chorus we are asked repeatedly, “Why
not tonight?” If you
are NOT prepared to meet God, then these words ought to weigh heavily
upon your soul. You can
leave here having once again turned down an opportunity to make your
life right with God and your Lord, but IF for some reason this turns out
to be your last opportunity – what excuse will you offer as you face
your eternal judge? Are you
willing to take that chance?
If not, obey Him TONIGHT as we stand and sing.