My Savior First Of All

The hope of believers is seeing Jesus and the joys of Heaven.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Imagine what it will be like to bow at the feet of Jesus and thank Him for all the countless things He has done for us.

Many songs have been written about Heaven, but the ones written by Fanny Crosby are among the best. 

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“When my lifework is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,  —  When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;  —  I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,  —  And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

“I shall know Him, —   shall know Him,  —  And redeemed by His side I shall stand,  —. I shall know Him, I shall know Him,  —  By the print of the nails in His hand.

“Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face,  —  And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;  —. How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace. —  That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.

“Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,  —  And our parting at the river I recall;  —  To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home;  —  But I long to meet my Savior first of all.

“Thro’ the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white,  —  He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;  —. In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight;  —  But I long to meet my Savior first of all.

“I shall know Him, —   shall know Him,  —  And redeemed by His side I shall stand,  —. I shall know Him, I shall know Him,  —  By the print of the nails in His hand.”

        Fanny J. Crosby. 1891

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Home Where I Belong

Philippians 1:23-24 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 

[24] Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

The apostle Paul is saying that "far better" is spending eternity with his precious Redeemer rather than being persecuted while working for the Lord down here. 

Though he wanted to go to Heaven, Paul realized he had a service to perform for the Lord.

Jesus pointed out to His Disciples the need for workers in the harvest, John 4:35. If the need was great then, how much greater is it today?

The work we do for God is just as important as it was 2,000 years ago. 

Do you ever get homesick for Heaven? One day, the wait will be over and we will be home. I long for that day.

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“They say that Heaven's pretty and living here is too;  — But if they said that I would  have to choose between the two,  —  I'd go home. —. Go’in home  —. where I belong.

“When I'm feel’in lonely and when I'm feel’in blue.  —  It's such a joy to know that I am only pass’in through  —. I'm headed home,  —   I’m go’in home  —  where I belong. 

“While I'm here I'll serve Him gladly, sing Him all these songs;  —. I'm here, — but not for long.

“One day I'll be sleepin’ when death knocks at my door, — And I'll awake to find that I'm not homesick anymore,  —  ‘cause I'll be home,  —  I’ll be home  — Where I belong.”

        Pat Terry

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

He Hideth My Soul

Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

As the battles of life rage about us, we are safely tucked away in our King's pavilion. 

The Bible tells us that "your life is hid with Christ in God", Col. 3:3. 

Could there be a safer place in all the universe? Of course not.

Those who have entered His pavilion are protected from the enemy 

and entertained with the peace and joy of the King Himself. 

This is promised to those who will abide in that close place. 

I want to abide in that secret place because I need His help. I need a protector. I need a provider. 

I need someone to put me in a place of safety where I can see Him and experience His grace and glory. 

I praise His name that I can have that kind of relationship with Him

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“A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord.  —. A wonderful Saviour to me.  —. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock. —  Where rivers of pleasure I see.

CHORUS

“He hideth my life in the cleft of the rock. —  That shadows A dry thirsty land.  —. He hideth my life in the depths of his love. —  And covers me there with his hand,  —. And covers me there with his hand

“A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,  —. He taketh my burden away.  —. He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,  —  He giveth me strength as my day.

“With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,  —. And, filled with His fulness divine,  —. I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God,  —. For such a Redeemer as mine.

“When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise. —  To meet Him in clouds of the sky,  —. His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,  —. I'll shout with the millions on high.

         Fanny J. Crosby

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

When We See Christ

John 14:1- 3  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Heaven will be a place of peace for the people of God. None of the many afflictions of earth can touch us in glory,  Rev. 21:4, 

No one will die. No hearts will break. No one will weep. No one will hurt. 

Every saint of God will enjoy the perfections of that city, along with the awesome presence of our Savior and His Father. They will be the greatest glory.

We will see the nail-scared hands of Jesus and remember the cruel cross as we worship Him in perfect bodies. We will sing His glories with perfect voices, and shout His praises in perfect holiness, Rev. 4-5.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

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“Oft times the day seems long,  —. Our trials hard to bear.  —. We´re tempted to complain,  —. to murmur and despair.  —. But Christ will soon appear. —  to catch his bride away!  —. All tears forever over in God’s eternal day!

CHORUS:

“It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! —. Life’s trials will seem so small

when we see Christ.  —. One glimpse of his dear face,  —. all sorrow will erase.  —. So, bravely run the race till we see Christ.

“At times the sky seems dark,  —. with not a ray of light;  —. We’re tossed and driven on,  —. no human help in sight.  —. But there is One in heaven,  —. Who knows our deepest care;  —. Let Jesus solve your problems,  —. just go to him in prayer.

“Life’s day will soon be o’re,  —. all storms forever past;  —. We’ll cross the great divide. —  to Glory, safe at last!  —. We’ll share the joys of heaven:  —. a harp, a home, a crown;  —. The tempter will be banished,  —. We’ll lay our burdens down.”

        Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Blessed Assurance

As people saved by grace, we tend to forget from time to time all that the Lord has done in our lives. Here’s a reminder. 

Psalm 103:2-4 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 

[3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 

[4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

How could my soul ever forget that He crowns me with lovingkindness and tender mercies? 

When I think of His grace and His goodness towards me, I just have to say, "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name."

Those who rest in Him and draw from Him their strength will find they are in a constant state of renewal and their spiritual stamina never fails.

They can sing “Filled with His goodness and lost in his love.” Fanny Crosby wrote these words in a wonderful Hymn I love to sing, “Blessed Assurance”.

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“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.  —  O what a foretaste of glory divine.  —  Heir of salvation, purchase of God,  —  Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

CHORUS

“This is my story, this is my song,  —  Praising my Savior all the day long.  —  This is my story, this is my song,  —  Praising my Savior all the day long.

“Perfect submission, perfect delight!  —  Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.  —  Angels descending bring from above,  —  Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

“Perfect submission, all is at rest,  —  I in my Savior am happy and blessed.—  Watching and waiting, looking above,  —  Filled with His goodness, lost in his love.”

          Fanny J. Crosby 1873

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Master, The Tempest Is Raging

Being fishermen, most of our Lord’s disciples are familiar with the Sea of Galilee at night. 

When raging storm waves blast and toss the boat, they expect their Lord to jump up and deliver them, but He sleeps. 

Mark 4:38-39 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 

[39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

When storms come, carrying fear, anxiety and pain; I want you to know that there is no storm on earth that Heaven cannot calm. 

There is no problem so great that Jesus cannot fix. Bring that storm to Him and watch Him deal with it.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee.

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“Master, the tempest is raging!  —. The billows are tossing high!  —. The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness,  —  No shelter or help is nigh;  —. Carest Thou not that we perish?  —. How canst Thou lie asleep,  —. When each moment so madly is threatening. —  A grave in the angry deep?

CHORUS

“The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, —. Peace, be still!  ==. Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,  —. Or demons or men, or whatever it be,  —. No waters can swallow the ship where lies. —  The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;  —. They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,  —. Peace, be still! Peace, be still!  —. They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,  —. Peace, peace, be still!

“Master, the terror is over,  —. The elements sweetly rest;  —. Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,  —. And heaven's within my breast; —. Linger, O blessèd Redeemer!  —. Leave me alone no more;  —. And with joy I shall make the blest harbor,  —. And rest on the blissful shore.”

CHORUS

     Mary A. Baker  1874

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

The Old Rugged Cross

I’m taking a bit from the Easter Message our pastor sent by email since we all stayed home because of the coronavirus and weather.

The cross is the heart of the Gospel. What would we sing about or preach about if Christ never went to the cross? 

Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

If Christ never died on the cross there would be no resurrection.

The crowd watched. Imagine their conversation. They had seen people crucified on the cross. But this was different. This was the Son of God!

When Jesus died on the cross, He said, "It is finished!", John 19:30. When He rose from the dead that first Sunday morning, God the Father said, "I am satisfied!"

When the women made their way to the tomb to finish preparing His body for burial, they found the stone rolled away and an empty tomb. 

What a glorious message — a message of hope, and life, and victory. 

May we never forget that the message of the empty tomb is as fresh today as it was then. Jesus is still alive and men trapped in the bondage of fear and sin still need to hear about it. 

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“On a hill far away stood an old rigged cross,  —. The emblem of suffering and shame. —. And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best —   For a world of lost sinners was slain.

CHORUS

“So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross —. Till my trophies at last I lay down.  —. I will cling to the old rugged Cross. —  And exchange it some day for a crown.

“Oh, that old rugged Cross, so despised by the world,  —. Has a wondrous attraction for me;  —. For the dear Lamb of God left his Glory above. —  To bear it to dark Calvary.

“In the old rugged Cross, stain'd with blood so divine,  —. A wondrous beauty I see;  —. For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died. —  To pardon and sanctify me.

“To the old rugged Cross, I will ever be true;  —. Its shame and reproach gladly bear.  —. Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,  —. Where his glory forever I'll share.”

       George Bernard 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.