I. INTRODUCTION
Homer F Morris and J: M. Henson.
Read Matt. 6:31-34.
Home is:
· A place to share meals
· A place to house your possessions
· A place of protection
· A place of stability
· A place of residence
· A place that is connected to your identity
· A place that you share with those you love
· A place that, when you are traveling, draws you beck
· A place that requires a lot of maintenance
II. Verse 1
Earthly wealth and fame may never come to me, and a palace
fair here mine may never be.
Psalms 49:6-12, 112, Job 21:7-13, Matt. 13:22, Rom. 11:33, Eph.
1:3-7, 17-23.
Home is where our true possessions are. We may never be able to
accumulate the kind of possessions that would bring us fame and
recognition in this life, but that is not the important thing
to Christians because the things of this world are passing. To
put your trust in them is to trust in a home that will disappoint.
The Christian's true home (Matt. 6:19-21), where treasures count
and last, is where we commune with our savior; either in this
life or in the next.
But let come what may, if Christ for me doth care, anywhere
is home, if He is only there.
Joshua 24:15.
Our attitude toward trials and temptations has been discussed
at length in previous lessons. We will all face these, but our
strength in overcoming these is our mental fortitude. The lack
of this results in submission to temptation. Matt 6:25-34. God
cared enough for us that he sent his Son. Jesus Christ cared enough
for us that he willingly followed the will of the Father and gave
himself for us. The problem is not with the Father or the son,
the problem is within us. If we believe and obey, Christ will
care for us. Maybe not always in the way or manner that we want,
but he will care for us. Therefore, our attitude should be that
no matter what obstacles come our way, Christ is with us and nothing
can defeat us, except our own disobedience. We can feel safe and
secure anywhere if we truly understand this and, therefore, anywhere
can feel like home.
III. Verse 2
Oft I'm tossed about and driven by the foe, sad within,
without, wherever I may go
Eph. 4:11-16.
As we have been discussing at quite some length in our recent
classes and in lessons from the pulpit, true Christian growth
is the greatest offensive weapon that we have. In order to avoid
being tossed to and fro we must grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:17-18. Study,
prayer, attendance at every assembly, helping others, attempting
to do things that we have not done in the past (ie. leading prayer,
singing, teaching) and visiting the sick (physical and spiritual)
are the elements in our lives that lead to true Christian growth.
One of the greatest outgrowths of this is true joy and happiness.
Rom. 14:17-18.
But I press along still looking up in prayer, for it's home,
sweet home if Christ is only there.
Phil. 3:8-14
As I have said in previous lessons, the power of prayer is so
often overlooked. When we determine to do the will of the father,
dues it not then follow that we should use the way of communication
with him that he has given us? The strength that we can obtain
from a healthy prayer life will help us to press on when we otherwise
would be tossed to and fro. And finally on this point, prayer
draws us closer to Christ and to God, giving us this great feeling
of being at home with them, anywhere we are!
IV. Verse 3
I will labor on till I am called away, till the morn shall
dawn of that eternal day, looking unto him who keeps me in his
care, anywhere is home, if Christ my Lord is there.
John 6:52-54, I Cor. 3:6-9, James 4:13-17.
We need to make the most of the time that is allowed us upon this
earth. To follow Jesus Christ and do his will is the greatest
labor that we can perform. It benefits not only ourselves but
others. What greater joy can we have than to be called away to
meet the Lord and know that in the dawn of that eternal day, we
will spend it with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and the saved
of all time!
V. Chorus
Anywhere is home, let come and go what may, anywhere I roam,
he keeps me all the way; so for his dear sake, my cross I'll meekly
bear, anywhere is home, if Christ, my Lord is there.
Matt. 16:24-27
Being at home with Jesus anywhere that we are does not come without
a price. We must bear our own cross. As Jesus bore the cross to
save us, we must bear our cross in order to take advantage of
his sacrifice. James 2:17 tells us faith without works is dead.
There are things that we must do in order to follow Jesus and
take up our cross. When we do his will, he has promised to be
with us no matter what the trial or temptation, making anywhere
that we are home!