I. INTRODUCTION
Cyrus S. Nusbaum. Matt. 16:24-27, Acts 22:10.
We live in a world where the wants and desires of the individual are to come first. Our society has developed an attitude of looking out for ourselves first. This is not to say that all throughout history there have not been those who think this way. But my concern is that no longer is this attitude merely tolerated but accepted, it is approved of and supported. Movies, TV Shows, newspapers, and daily conversations that we have, all seem to push the idea of looking out for ourselves. To allow someone to take advantage of us is unthinkable. To reflect credit for something from ourselves to others would just not be right.
In thinking about the title of this song, I remember the phrase that many of us either heard or used in our childhood, when things did not go the way we wanted; "Just go ahead and have it your own way." The attitude of resistance demonstrated by this and the tone in which it is delivered, is not what we as Christians want to demonstrate. Our ultimate example in carrying out the idea of the title of this song is, of course, Jesus Christ. When he prayed, "Not my will, but Thine be done," he showed obedience to the Father, humility, self deprecation, and love. As we talk about this song let us keep this attitude in the forefront of our minds. Please review Lessons 2,3,5,7,8 in our series: Our Christian Lives: Reducing Stress and Enhancing Joy.
II. Verse 1
Would you live for Jesus and be always pure and good? Would
you walk with Him within the narrow road? Would you have Him bear
your burdens, carry all your load? Let Him have his way with thee.
2 Cor. 4:10-11, 2 Tim. 2:10-12, Phil. 4:8, Rom. 8:1, Col. 2:6-7,
Psalms 55:22, Matt. 11:28-30.
To make the commitment to let Jesus have his way with us is
to commit to:
· Being pure and good. Will we make mistakes? Yes! But
having an attitude of always working for that which is pure and
good will help us to overcome those times that we falter.
· Walking with him within the narrow road. Matt. 7:14.
In my classes at school, when we get to the song "Erie Canal"
I go to great lengths to explain the reason for the canal and
why the job of the workers that used mules and horses to pull
the boats through the canal was such a difficult one. I do this
because it is the first song in our beginning band book in a minor
key. This gives it a sense of sadness and loneliness. But I also
point out that without these men and the animals they used, the
boats would be unable to navigate the narrow canal. Please picture
our lives as one of these boats trying to navigate through the
canal. Without proper help (Jesus Christ) we can not make it.
· Letting him bear our burdens. Recently, we have spent
a great deal of time .talking about prayer and its importance.
Without communication with God through Jesus Christ, we are cut
off from our greatest source of help. To not use this is to eliminate
our best weapon against the problems that stem from trying to
do everything ourselves. We need to eliminate pride and arrogance
from our lives and look to God and Jesus Christ to help bear our
burdens.
III. Verse 2
Would you have him make you free and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all? Would you have
Him save you so that you need never fall? Let Him have His way
with thee.
Rom. 6:15-18, John 14:27, Acts 10:42-43, 2:47.
To make the commitment to let Jesus have his way with us is
to commit to:
· Having him free us from sin and become servants of righteousness
by following his call. Many think of serving Christ as a lack
of freedom. They look at the things we are commanded not to do
and feel it is an infringement upon their rights as Americans
to be able to do whatever we want. However, the true enslavement
is to be drawn into sin and self-dedication.
· Peace. True peace cannot be found in this world. Only
the things of God, the things not of this world, contain the true
happiness that will last throughout eternity.
. Be saved from the condemnation of our sin. Notice that this
verse says "need never fall." Once we become a Christian
and commit our lives to God, there is nothing that can separate
us from God. Nothing but our enslavement to sin. Knowing this,
why would any Christian not desire to grow in the knowledge
of Jesus Christ? Let us take advantage of every opportunity to
grow.
IV. Verse 3
Would you in his kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true each providential test? Would you in
His service labor always at your best? Let Him have His way with
you.
Acts 8:12, Mark 14:38, Eph. 5:7-11, I Cor. 3:6-9.
To make the commitment to let Jesus have his way with us is
to commit to:
· Being a part of His kingdom. What greater kingdom is
there? The rewards and advantages of being in the kingdom of God
outweigh what little he asks from us in comparison. We should
be motivated to always seek his will in our lives.
· Remain true to God no matter what the obstacle. We prove
him true through trials presented in our lives. The importance
of Prayer, Study and help from each other, will help us to remain
faithful.
· Doing our best. We need to ask ourselves in regard to
all that we do for the Lord, did we do our best. If not, remembering
the sacrifice of Jesus, should be motivation enough for us to
try harder in the future. Remember, labor = hard work!
V. Chorus
His power can make you what you ought to be, His blood
can cleanse your heart and make you free; his love can fill your
soul, and you will see 'Twas best for Him to have his way with
thee.
Rom. 1:16, 9:21, 5:8-9, 2 Cor. 5:17-21.
When we allow the potter(God) to mold our lives through His power, the blood of His Son, freedom from sin, and His love, we see that the best thing that we can do for ourselves is to turn over our lives to God.