Song – His Way With Thee

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Song – His Way With Thee

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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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.

1 – Would you live for Jesus?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. Let Him have His way with thee   – the theme of the song and a continual reminder.

2 – Would you let Him save you?

  1. This is the ultimate way that we let Him rule over us.   We let Him do what He does for us.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. Let Him have His way with thee

Vs. 3 – Would you in His kingdom serve Him?

  1. 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)
  2. 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?
  3. 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.
  4. Let Him have His way with thee.

Chorus – He has done His part!

  1. The chorus of this song is powerful as it declares WHY we surrender to our Lord.
  2. 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.
  3. 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)
  4. 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?
  5. 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.
  6. 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.