A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Psalm 46:1-3  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

[2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 

Psalm 46:1-3  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

[2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 

This Scripture has given God’s refuge and strength to many saints in troubled times, myself included. 

Martin Luther wrote the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”, which has been called the Battle Hymn of the Reformation —  the beginning of the Protestant Reformation that started 501 years ago and spread throughout all of Europe and abroad to America.

Trying to be righteous, he became a monk. He gave away everything he owned and devoted himself to long hours of prayer and fasting.

 He deprived himself of sleep and he refused a blanket for the cold nights. He often beat his body.

Later in life while lecturing a series of studies in Romans, the text pierced his heart and God saved him. 

He wrote, "At last, meditating day and night, by the mercy of God I ... began to understand that the righteousness of God, through which the righteous (shall) live, is a gift of God (acquired) by faith (alone)… Here I felt as if I were entirely born again and had entered paradise itself through the gates that had been flung open."

A mighty fortress is our God.

_____________________________

“A mighty fortress is our God,  —   a bulwark never failing;  —   our helper He amid the flood  —   of mortal ills prevailing.  —   For still our ancient foe  —   doth seek to work us woe;  —   his craft and power are great,  —   and armed with cruel hate,  —   on earth is not his equal.

“Did we in our own strength confide,  —   our striving would be losing,  —   were not the Right Man on our side,  —   the Man of God's own choosing.  —   Dost ask who That may be?  —   Christ Jesus, it is He;  —   Lord Sabaoth, His name,  —   from age to age the same,  —   and He must win the battle.

“And though this world, with devils filled,  —   should threaten to undo us,  —   we will not fear, for God hath willed  —   His truth to triumph through us.  —   The Prince of Darkness grim,  —   we tremble not for him;  —   his rage we can endure,  —   for lo, his doom is sure;  —   one little word shall fell him.

“That Word above all earthly powers,  —   no thanks to them, abideth;  —   the Spirit and the gifts are ours,  —   thru Him who with us sideth.  —   Let goods and kindred go,  —   this mortal life also;  —   the body they may kill;  —   God's truth abideth still;  —   His kingdom is forever.”

Martin Luther

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. 

_____________________________

“A mighty fortress is our God,  —   a bulwark never failing;  —   our helper He amid the flood  —   of mortal ills prevailing.  —   For still our ancient foe  —   doth seek to work us woe;  —   his craft and power are great,  —   and armed with cruel hate,  —   on earth is not his equal.

“Did we in our own strength confide,  —   our striving would be losing,  —   were not the Right Man on our side,  —   the Man of God's own choosing.  —   Dost ask who That may be?  —   Christ Jesus, it is He;  —   Lord Sabaoth, His name,  —   from age to age the same,  —   and He must win the battle.

“And though this world, with devils filled,  —   should threaten to undo us,  —   we will not fear, for God hath willed  —   His truth to triumph through us.  —   The Prince of Darkness grim,  —   we tremble not for him;  —   his rage we can endure,  —   for lo, his doom is sure;  —   one little word shall fell him.

“That Word above all earthly powers,  —   no thanks to them, abideth;  —   the Spirit and the gifts are ours,  —   thru Him who with us sideth.  —   Let goods and kindred go,  —   this mortal life also;  —   the body they may kill;  —   God's truth abideth still;  —   His kingdom is forever.”

Martin Luther

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. 

Sweat Hour Of Prayer

Psalm 61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

We can be assured that the God of Heaven listens to our prayers, because He is our Father and we are HIs children and He loves us. 

William W. Walford, a blind preacher of England, was a man of obscure birth and connections. He had no education but a strong mind and awesome memory. He had the reputation at the church he pastored of memorizing the Bible.  

He wrote the words to "Sweet Hour Of Prayer" in his head and quoted them to an acquaintance, who quickly wrote them down with a pencil and sent them to a newspaper with the words, “if you think them worthy of preservation.”

Some thought he had memorized the Bible as he quoted many scriptures in the pulpit at the church he pastored.  

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Sweet hour of prayer.

______________________

“Sweet hour of prayer,  —   Sweet hour of prayer   —   that calls me from a world of care;   —   and bids me at my Father's throne   —   make all my wants and wishes known.    —   In seasons of distress and grief,    —   my soul has often found relief,    —   and oft escaped the tempter's snare    —   by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.”

“Sweet hour of prayer,  —  Sweet hour of prayer,   —  thy wings shall my petition bear,   —  to him whose truth and faithfulness    —  engage the waiting soul to bless.   —  And since he bids me seek his face,   —  believe his word, and trust his grace,  —  I'll cast on him my every care,  —  and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

“Sweet hour of prayer. sweet hour of prayer,   —  May I thy consolation share,   —  Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,   —  I view my home and take my flight.   —  This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise   —  To seize the everlasting prize,   —  And shout, while passing through the air,   —  “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer.”

William W. Walford 1845

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. 

Only Believe

It isn’t large faith that receives big answers from the Lord. It’s genuine faith that sees Him move in great power. Matthew 17:20, 

The years traveling with His evangelistic father gave Paul Rader a desire to preach the gospel, and he did.

Later he enrolled in a university in Colorado. During class one day a professor questioned the reliability of the Bible. Paul stayed after class and with cutting sarcasm the professor convinced him that anyone believing the Bible was ignorant. 

Paul turned against the Bible and quit preaching. Years later, around 1912, God drew Him back.  

Struggling with it for three days, one morning in his bedroom he picked up his Bible, threw it in the air and when it landed on his bed, he knelt down and surrendered to God’s will. 

He became one of the most influential evangelists of the early twentieth century, and the author of: “Only Believe”. 

Mark 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Luke 12:32   Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Only believe.

______________________

“Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne;   —   From death into life He went for His own.   —   All power in earth, all power above   —   Is given to Him for the flock of His love.

Chorus:

“Only believe, only believe;   —   All things are possible, only believe.   —   Only believe, only believe.   —   All things are possible, only believe.

“Fear not, little flock, He goeth ahead;   —   Your Shepherd selecteth the path you must tread.   —   The waters of Marah Hell sweeten for thee;   —   He drank all the bitter in Gethsemane.

“Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot.   —   He enters all rooms, "the doors being shut,"   —   He never forsakes; He never is gone.

   —   So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.”

Paul Rader 

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. 

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart

Rufus McDaniel was licensed to preach at the young age of nineteen. In time he married and was blessed with three children. His youngest child broke his heart by his untimely death. 

After the burial, McDaniel realized anew that joy and contentment cannot be based on human affection or external gift. 

They flow from an endless relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Out of that experience, he wrote. “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart”.

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

Since Jesus came into my heart.

_________________________________

“What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart;   —   I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart.

Chorus:

“Since Jesus came into my heart,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart;   —   Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart.

“I have ceased from my wand'rings and going astray,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart;   —   And my sins which were many are all washed away,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart.

“I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart;   —   And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart. 

“I shall go there to dwell in that City I know,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart;   —   And I'm happy, so happy as onward I go,   —   Since Jesus came into my heart.”

Rufus H. McDaniel 1914

Just As I Am

Charlotte Elliott of Brighton, England was an embittered woman, who blamed God for her broken health. 

Hoping to help her, a Swiss minister visited her on May 9, 1822. During their conversation she admitted her life was sour, bitter, and resentful. 

“What is the cure?” She asked. 

“Give yourself to God just as you are with your fightings and fears, hates and loves, pride and shame,” he replied.  

Charlotte did come to Christ that day, claiming John 6:37.

Years later her brother, Rev. Henry Elliott, who was raising funds for a school for poor children, asked his sister to write a poem for a pamphlet for the occasion.  

She wrote, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.”

John 6:37. Underneath was the poem, “Just As I Am”.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Just as I am.

______________________________

“Just as I am - without one plea,   —   But that Thy blood was shed for me,   —   And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,   —   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

“Just as I am - and waiting not   —   To rid my soul of one dark blot,   —   To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,   —   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

“Just as I am - though toss'd about   —   With many a conflict, many a doubt,   —   Fightings and fears within, without,   —   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

“Just as I am - poor, wretched, blind;   —   Sight, riches, healing of the mind,   —   Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,   —   O Lamb of God, I come. I come.

“Just as I am - Thou wilt receive,   —   Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;   —   Because Thy promise I believe,   —   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

Charlotte Elliot, 1835

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. 

My Jesus I Love Thee

The love of God is the greatest thing God ever did for any of us. 

Because He loved us, He was moved to do everything else that He has done. 

Man can never reach a place when he will not be loved by God. 

God loved us first, He loved us anyway and He loves us eternally.

1 John 4:9-10  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 

[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

My Jesus I love thee.

______________________________

“My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine.   —   For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.   —   My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou;   —   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus 'tis now.

“I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me   —   And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree.   —   I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;   —   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus 'tis now.

“I'll love Thee in life and I will love Thee in death;   —   And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath.   —   And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow;   —   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus 'tis now.

“In mansions of glory and endless delight,   —   I’ll ever adore Thee in Heaven so bright;   —   I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow.   —   If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.”

William R. Featherston

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. 

Redeemed

The blood of Jesus on the cross brings the believer into a state of redemption.

He paid the price for our sins that we could not pay, to break from our lives the chains of sin that bind us and to set us free. 

We are free from the wrath of God and from eternal condemnation in Hell, Rom. 8:1. 

We are free to live for God and to serve Him in the beauty of holiness.

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Fanny J. Crosby, blind since she was six months old, wrote near 9,000 hymns. She was asked which was her favorite hymn about her salvation. 

She said, “Redeemed.”

______________________________

“Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!   —   Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;   —   Redeemed thro’ His infinite mercy,   —   His child, and forever I am.

Chorus:

“Redeemed, redeemed,   —   Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;   —   Redeemed, redeemed,   —   His child and forever I am.

“Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,   —   No language my rapture can tell;   —   I know that the light of His presence   —   With me doth continually dwell.

“I think of my blessed Redeemer,   —   I think of Him all the day long;   —   I sing, for I cannot be silent;   —   His love is the theme of my song.

“I know I shall see in His beauty   —   The King in whose law I delight;   —   Who lovingly guarded my footsteps   —   And giveth me songs in the night.”

Fanny J. Crosby 1882

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.