I. "Inner peace through an implicit trust in the love
of God is the real evidence of a mature Christian Faith."
Read Psalms 46:1-4, and Proverbs 3:5,6
Horatio Spafford (1828-1888, Lyricist) had known peaceful and
happy days as a successful attorney in Chicago. He was the father
of five children. Without warning, however, a series of unexpected
events occurred. First, his only son passed away. Then the great
Chicago Fire of 1871 wiped out the family's real estate investments.
Mr. Spafford and the rest of his family then went to Europe to
assist a friend in an evangelistic campaign. In November of 1873,
he sent his wife and daughters on to Europe by boat as he had
been detained on business and planned to join them shortly. Halfway
across the Atlantic the ship was struck by another vessel and
sank in 12 minutes. All four daughters were among the 226 drowned.
His wife was among the few who were saved. On the voyage to rejoin
his grieving wife in Cardiff, Wales, as the boat passed over the
spot were his daughters were killed, He wrote "When sorrows
like sea billows roll...It is well with my soul."
II. Verse 1-READ
A. Peace
1. Jn.16:33-We find peace in Jesus--Why?
2. Romans 5:1-What causes us to be justified in God's sight so
that we may
have peace?
3. Eph. 2:14-God through Christ has made both one, breaking down
the middle wall of partition, abolishing the law of commandments
and creating in Himself that which makes peace.
4. Phil, 4:7-This peace, which passes all understanding, then
guards our hearts and minds through whom?
5. Col. 3:15, 16-Isn't it interesting that psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs are mentioned in these verses that talk about the Peace
of God and the Word of Christ.
B. "Peace like a river" - Is 66:12-Who does Is. 66 refer to? Do we not see that true peace is through Jesus Christ?
C. "Attendeth My Way" - Ps. 23:1-3-If we let God lead us through his word we will find peace.
D. "Sorrows like sea billows roll."
1. I Thess. 4:13-Losing a loved one should cause sorrow but we
need to understand that through Christ we have hope; hope that
will overcome the sorrows so that we do not drown in them.
2. Is. 53:3-Christ was the "Man of sorrows" that brought
this hope to us.
E. "Whatever my lot...........it is well with my soul."
1. 2 Cor. 4:16-18-Look to the things that are eternal and it will
be well with your soul!
2. II Tim. 2:8-13-Endure and Succeed!!!!!!
III. Verse 2-Read
A. Rom. 6:10-We are dead to sin because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
B. Heb. 9:26-This sacrifice was made once, but its workings in the lives of man are innumerable.
C. Eph.1:7-Redemption and forgiveness.
D. Titus 2:14-We are a special people!
E. Col. 3:10-We are New. Our previous sin is not held to our
charge.
IV. Verse 3-Read
A. 2 Cor. 5:7-We walk by Faith and not by Sight now, but when we are with Jesus, faith in him and his coming will be replaced by sight and actual association with Jesus.
B. I Cor. 15:52-When all this occurs, if we are faithful followers
of Jesus, IT WILL BE WELL WITH OUR SOULS!
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AS YOU SING THIS SONG--
CAN I TRUTHFULLY SAY THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES MAY
BE THAT SURROUND US---IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL?