It Is Well With My Soul - Brian Osburn

This this morning, what I want to do, I want to do something

that really I had. I had not done before prior to

making this sermon. And that is back in back in.

I guess it was January. We had a theme month at Oakdale

and we have famous every now and then it'll tell and this one was

talking about the songs that we sing because after all there are

messages to the songs that we sing after all the words, mean

something it's neat being up north where I am and being

around Ivan Kosta and every once in a while hearing just the

back. Kind of a song that he has

written. And then after singing that

song, after knowing the background of that, just the

song just means so much more. And when we went through this at

Oakdale, it really has really enhanced my portion when it

comes to seeing the songs that we have talked about, And really

just making a connection. And that's what I would like to

do this morning. As we talk about this particular

song this morning, it Is Well with My Soul.

Now we know that singing has always been an important part of

worship. In fact, we sing all kinds of

songs Through The Years and all different types of songs.

We sang songs about heaven. We sing praises to God.

We've sang songs about Jesus and his sacrifice and we have Six

sang songs of thankfulness and songs about our salvation and

and songs that could encourage us when times are tough.

And yet we see songs and worships it would because God

said, I want you to sing. In fact, if you look here in

Ephesians chapter 9 and verse number 19 that says speaking to

one, another in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs

singing and making melody in your hearts, to the Lord.

He oh, he also, we are addressed this as Paul writes to the

Colossians 3 verse 16, which is on the Back of the song books,

Colossians 3:16

he says, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all

wisdom. Teaching and admonishing.

One another how In Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.

How are we to do it singing with Grace in your hearts to the

Lord? And so we had this command by

God, sing. And I do about you.

I love to sing for one thing. And I love the singing aspect

of, with the church assembles together that we could sing

together. We could participate together in

that thing. And I believe that brings us

together when God's people come together to sing together for

one during our worship together. And so I want to go through this

song this morning and you'll bear with me for just a few

moments as I talk about the background of and of this song

and how it all came about. And then we're going to get into

scripture here in just a moment. And so we're introduced to a

man, this is Horatio spafford. He was the author of this

particular song. He was a hard-working successful

attorney. He lived in Chicago in the

latter part of the 19th century and he was also religious man,

who was very involved in his church, and he became close

friends with the Evangelist Dwight, L Moody, you might have

heard that name before down through the years and what mr.

Spofford had done. He had supported mr.

Moody's efforts in evangelism in fact historians.

Say about mr. Spofford.

That he was a man of the scriptures and he was said to

have known them very well, but in 1870, tragedy struck him.

In fact, his four-year-old son was struck with Carl scarlet

fever, and he died just that the young age of four.

And then one year later in 1871 while he was still struggling

with the grief of his son. The Great Chicago Fire came.

And you can see how devastating this was.

This was these are blocks with in Chicago.

This is about a three mile radius of how widespread this

fire. Was it was a devastating fire.

It killed up to 300 people and nobody knows for sure how it

started. But the most popular belief, as

we might have been taught in schools that mrs.

O'Leary's cow had tipped over the lantern in the barn and had

set it Ablaze. And then Throughout the city but

what makes this important is that mr.

Spafford had invested heavily in real estate.

And so due to the fire he and his family, they lost a fortune

but he responded to the fire by helping with the work of

rebuilding the city and doing all that he could to help the

nearly about 100,000 people who had been left homeless because

of this fire. And then there was two years

later, it was November of 1873 remission mr.

Spofford and his wife Anna pictured here.

They decided to take a family trip with their four daughters

to Europe and this she and this trip was for two specific

reasons. Number one it was for family

vacation but number two was to Media meet up with the

Evangelist Dwight Moody and help support it hit.

His efforts, and what we call a gospel meeting over there and

that in Europe. And so they packed up and they

headed from Chicago to New York, where they would bore this

luxury liner here. I'm not going to begin to tell

you the name of this. It's a French word, but that's

an artist. Rendering of this particular

French liner that they were going to board.

But at the last minute though, an urgent matter came up, rather

than making the whole family, wait on him.

It was decided that his His wife Anna and their four daughters

will go on ahead and then mr. Spafford, he would take care of

his work. Would finish it up, and then he

would meet them in just a few weeks over there in Europe.

And so off, they went none of them, knowing That this would be

the last time, mr. Smith's, her spafford was see

his daughters. Because on the way to Europe in

the middle of the night, it was November 22nd.

Passengers were sleeping in their beds at the ship glided

through the waters. But they awoke with the jolt of

the ship had collided with an iron sailing vessel and as a

result their ship sank after just 22 minutes.

And from the record 226. Passengers died.

Including all four of mr. Spofford is daughters, but Anna,

she barely survived. As she was found in the water

unconscious laying on a piece of the record in wreckage.

In fact, she was only one of forty, seven survivors.

And so they took the survivors. They landed Wells.

And when she was over there, she sent this telegram.

This is the actual Telegraph that she sent back to mr.

Spofford. And she said here, she said

saved alone. What shall I do?

So mr. Spofford, after he had after he

had gotten this message from his wife and the tragic news.

He, he booked his passage to join his wife and and as he was

going over there, it was said, it was a cold, December night,

the captain of his ship called him aside.

And he said, I believe we're at the place where the ship went

down. So mr.

Spafford was said to just have just stood silently in there at

the rails and he kind of looked out into the darkness.

He went back to his cabin but they say, well, he found it hard

to sleep and so he said to himself.

It is well, the will of the Lord be done.

So from this moment, it inspired him to write these words.

This is the actual piece of paper and his right hand writing

Of this poem that he wrote. It is not clear that he wrote

the words that night or or sometime during the journey to

see his wife or maybe sometime later.

But in 1876 just a few years later.

Philip Bliss. Took the words and put music to

mr. Spafford poem. and it has become

a favorite Hymn of a mini Christian sense and I believe it

has become a favorite because of times, we can relate to the

message when we sing this song, We've had some type of Hearts

heartbreak or hardship that we've gone through, I mean, all

of us have experienced the unfairness of life.

In fact to use mr. Spofford, sprays.

We have learned that there are times when Sorrows seemed to, to

come as regular as a see bills that role as Shore.

And that's what makes this song a great Hymn of our faith

because mr. Spofford points us to the

powerful truth and comforting facts that help that help us

when Sorrows threatened to overwhelm us.

His him tells a vital principles that tell us to be content.

No matter what happens, be content or even put it another

way, how it could be well with our soul, even when things

aren't well in our life, And so for this the next few minutes I

want to talk about the message of this song as we look at it

verse by verse and now we're going to apply scripture to

these things into the message. The first verse is we.

Well know, says when peace like a river, attendeth my way when

Sorrows like, sea Billows, roll, whatever, my lot thou Hast

taught me to say it is. Well, it Is Well with My Soul,

Well mr. Spofford tells us is that

however life treats. You if it treats you well if

things are going great and you feel God's blessings continually

and it brings peace to you. Or on the other hand, if

Sorrows, come to you like waves of the sea crashing upon the

shore in various ways of immersed, emotional hurt, maybe

depression, maybe chronic pain, may be broken friendships or

whatever it is in life, whether good or bad, God teaches us

something about them. Now, we are not naturally born

with the ability to just be happy and it be at peace when

we're going through through hardships and grief and yet

again, God teaches us something about those times.

In fact, Paul writes this in Philippians chapter 4, we're

Philippians 4 · chapter mention

going to stay just for a moment here in the context of

Philippians chapter 4, he says here in verse 11 not that I

Philippians 4 · chapter mention

speak in regard to need He says, for I have learned in whatever

state I am to be. What?

To be content in whatever state to be content.

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound everywhere.

And, in all things I have learned both to be full and to

be hungry both to abound and to suffer need Then he says, as we

all know in verse number 13, I can do all things through

Christ, who strengthens me? All things.

Because of Christ. So Paul said he learned

something from God. Whatever he was going through,

whether B, times a plenty, whether B times, a good weather

would be times of bad or or famine.

He learned to be content with whatever state he was in.

He learned that it was still well with this Soul, no matter

what, no matter what You know, really when you think about it

being content, man, that could go a long way.

It really can, it can keep us from worrying about things that

we really don't need to worry about.

I mean some of you might watch the news, some of you might read

the news maybe on a daily basis and you're going to see all

kinds of stuff. You're going to see stories of

crime and War terrorist attacks. You're going to see Society

embracing and moral Behavior. You're going to see what's going

on in DC and other things. You going to see how Society is

trying to adapt and create new rules that are contrary to the

moral laws that we find in the scriptures.

You're going to see all kinds of stuff.

And sometimes when we expose ourselves to the news like that,

maybe it might get us to worrying about what's going on

here or there and it causes us to not be content.

About where we are about what is going on around us.

But, you know, in the previous verses here in the context of

chapter 4, Paul tells us something about that very thing,

look here. Verse number 6, be anxious for

nothing. Quit worrying.

But what should we do instead of being anxious for nothing?

He said instead, but in everything by prayer and

supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known

to God. What's the result?

Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard

your hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus.

There's the formula. Put out by Paul.

So, the solution is pray. And pray often offer prayers

that you're thankful for for things that you're thankful for

offer prayers for for everything.

Let God know how thankful you are for how good he is to you.

Let him know how thankful you are for the things that you have

and what he has blessed you with.

But also offer requests to God. Pray for others.

Pray for yourself in areas where you need strength and you need

help. And the result after we do these

things, the peace of God will guard our hearts.

That's the result will be put that into action.

I'm reminded of another song that we have sink through the

years. You all know this one.

Sweet Hour of Prayer. Sweet Hour of Prayer.

They calls me from a world of care.

And basically at my father's Throne, make all my wants and

wishes known. It doesn't prayer do that.

Absolutely, it does. Notice what?

Paul says, here, continuing verse number 18.

Still the context of Philippians 4, finally Brethren, he says,

whatever things are true. Whatever things are noble,

whatever things are, just whatever things are pure,

whatever things are, lovely, whatever.

Things are of good report if there is any virtue.

And if there is anything praiseworthy, what do we do?

He says we meditate on these things.

That's what we do, we meditate on these things, the things

which you learned and received and heard and saw me, he said

these do. And what again, what is the

result if we do that and the God of Peace will be with you?

That's the result. That's the reward of doing that.

And you know, God wants us to be at peace, he wants us to be

content and whatever situation we might find ourselves in.

So we have to put our faith into action by following Paul's

instructions and pray and meditate and then live it out.

And when that happens, then it will be well with our soul.

In that moment of contentment. To provide further, help, mr.

Spofford says this in verse 2 of his song, Those Satan should

Buffett Though, trial, should come let this blest assurance

control that Christ hath regarded.

My helpless estate and has shed his own blood for my soul.

I believe that what mr. Spofford was trying to say is

that whatever Satan should throw at us or try to get us to fall

and whatever we might face, let this thought a realization come

to your mind that we were so important to God.

That Jesus took our place on the cross and he died, and he

suffered for all of us. You and I That's how important

we are to God. And based upon that realization

that Jesus has done this for you and Jesus has done this for me

and that were saved by Jesus Christ that ought to bring peace

and contentment to make our souls well from that very

thought, He did that for us. And the writer of Hebrews, he

talks about the suffering of Jesus on our behalf and and why

he had to suffer look here and Hebrews to the writer here of

Hebrews to, we're going to kind of do a lengthy reading here.

But verse 9 begins her by saying, but we see Jesus.

Who was made a little lower than the Angels.

This is talking about him being up on the earth.

Now in this particular State, he was a little lower than the

Angels. Well the suck rim for the SEC

Ring of Death, crowned with Glory and Honor that he by the

grace of God might taste death for everyone but it was fitting

for him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in

bringing many sons to glory to make the captain of their

salvation. Perfect through how Through

sufferings the sufferings that he endured.

That's a key as we continue on for both, he who sanctifies and

those who are being Sanctified are all of one for which reason,

he is not ashamed to call them. Brethren saying I will declare

your name to my brother in the midst of the assembly.

I will sing praise to you. And again, I will put my trust

in him. And again, here am I and the

children who God has given me, it is much then as a children,

how part. Make it a flush of blood.

He himself. Jesus, lack wife, shared in the

same. He shared in the same.

That through death, he might destroy him.

Who had the power of death. That is the devil.

And release those who through fear of death were all their

lifetime subject to bondage for indeed.

He does not give a day Jewels but he does give a to the Seed

of Abraham. He's talking about us, he gives

us a d member 17 and 18. Therefore in all things he made

he had to be made like his brethren.

He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things

pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the

people. For that he himself has suffered

being tempted, he is able to Aid.

Those who are tempted. You know what that says?

Jesus one reason why Jesus came and lived upon this Earth.

Was to endure things that we endure.

And then when we go to God In Prayer, He knows what we've gone

through. Because he went through it, too.

Isn't that great? Because it provides us, great

assurance that when we suffer, he can relate He was tempted,

just as we were tempted. And he is there to help us when

we look to him for strength. And yes, it is well with our

soul, understanding that we can turn to Jesus.

At moments like this. And with this realization of

what is written here in Hebrews, chapter 2. but moving on, I love

Hebrews 2 · chapter mention

the next verse It in fact is probably my favorite verse of

all the songs that we sing. And I think one of the reasons

why that is is because it's so personal.

And we get a glimpse of the rider of what's in his mind.

Because it says my sin and there's almost this parentheses

here, all the Bliss of this glorious.

Thought my sin, he says not in part but the whole Is nailed to

the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord O my soul. And what a glorious thought and

how it makes her so well to know that when Jesus died on the

cross, I want you to understand something.

When he died on the cross, it was Ultimate It was Ultimate, it

took care of everything. I mean there is no sin too big

or there is no sin. That is too far out of its

neighbors, reach the Heat and not blot out from our lives.

When we obeyed the gospel and was somewhat obeys, the gospel

obeys, the gospel that sin is taken care of.

And that's the wondrous thing about the blood of Jesus Christ,

and the sacrifice that he made for us, is that it covers

everything. Our slate is completely wiped

clean. No, remnants of it trailing

behind And when we are cleansed of our sins, we don't have to

bear that load, we don't have to bear that shame.

We don't have to bear that burden anymore because Jesus

took care of it at the cross. Praise the Lord that he did that

for us. Praise the Lord.

Paul gives the same praise when he wrote to the Brethren hair

and Roman in Rome. He relished chapter 5.

He says this in verse 10. For if we, for if when we were

enemies We were reconciled to God.

How how are we reconciled to God through the death of his son?

Much more having been reconciled?

What's the result? We shall be saved by his life.

And not only that. But we also Rejoice we rejoice

in God. We give praise to him there.

Our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received the

reconciliation. Paul had that same rejoicing.

And we ought to have that same rejoicing to because Jesus has

done that for us. We praise him for that very

thing. Yes, he is good.

Indeed he is. And then, finally, the last

verse of the song with this assurance of Faith, it's

expressed here. Lord haste the day.

When the faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a

scroll. The Trump shall ReSound and the

Lord shall descend even. So it Is Well with My Soul.

This is our goal, isn't it? This is what we're working

towards an anticipated to see. I mean this is the day we get to

go home. It is and the writer of Hebrews.

He, he talks about so many great Heroes of Faith there in Hebrews

Hebrews 11 · chapter mention

chapter 11 and we know about those individuals who devote

their lives to the Lord. Their after all they're written

in Hebrews 11:4 reason people whom we can look back to it

Hebrews 11:4

throughout the Old Testament scriptures and read about how

they display. Their lives of faith.

But amidst all that in the mystere of Hebrews chapter 11

Hebrews 11 · chapter mention

there's a summation of the result of their faith and also

the Assurance. He says these all died in faith,

he says not having received the promises but having seen them

afar off. At were shirt of them embraced

them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on

Earth. These people had faith.

And then it goes on to say for those who say such things

declare plainly. I love this phrase, that they

seek a Homeland, they live their life out in a way that they were

ready to be with God. After they lived a life to him

and truly, if they had called to mind that country from which

they had come, they would have had opportunity to return but

now they desire, a better that is a Heavenly country.

Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God for.

He has prepared a city for them. What a reward for people of

faith that what a reward for us. Who live our lives of Faith to

him. He has prepared us a place Jesus

confirmed. This in John chapter 14 and we

John 14 · chapter mention

live in faith. That our homeland is just on the

horizon and know that through our efforts, in our righteous

living, for the Lord, we're going to inherit it.

And doesn't that make your so well?

I love at the very end of the Bible.

We're John after he wrote all those things and saw all those

things in that in the in the visions that he received at the

very end in Revelations chapter 22 and verse 20.

Revelation 22 · chapter mention

He says he who testifies to these things says surely I am

coming quickly, that's the Lord talking.

And then John, I love what John says he says even so come Lord

Jesus. As such should be ours,

statement, to even so, come Lord Jesus, because we are looking

forward to that, aren't we? Looking forward to that,

Homeland. David wrote this solvent in

summary of what we talked about already this morning, In the 46

song, verses 1 through 3. I love what David said as he

said, God is our refuge and strength.

He also said a very present help in trouble.

Is there in trouble? Therefore we will not fear even

though the Earth be removed and though the mountains be carried

into the midst of the sea, though, its Waters were be

troubled, though. The mountains, shake with the

swelling Salaam And yes, God is there.

He is our refuge and our strength, through it all And

isn't that a great promise? We thank you for listening to

our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans.

Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional

information or you would like to receive a free Bible

correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at

search of Christ. Bakersfield.com, our service

times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesdays

at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us.

We would love for you to be our honored guest.