SEMESTER 6
381 – Just as I Am
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY VI (HYMNOLOGY) LESSON # 81
THE DOCTRINES AND EFFECTS OF CHURCH MUSIC – JUST AS I AM
Read: Mat. 11:25-30
INTRODUCTION:
1. A significant part of our worship is the singing of hymns. Doctrine is important!
2. What we sing is part of the doctrine we teach and the spirit we convey. Is it profane or holy?
3. Sometimes we are insensitive to what we are singing, yet in general, we teach and exhort when we sing.
4. This series is to focus attention upon the doctrine of some of our most popular songs.
5. I think and hope those songs we sing are not “Cute,” but that they are sound Bible doctrine.
6. The first hymn I have chosen is “Just as I am.” I will briefly recount and use verses as points.
I. IT IS WITHOUT PRESUMPTION OF A RIGHT TO HEAVEN (MARK 1:40
)
1. Today, there is a widespread assumption of equal rights to the blood and the call.
2. This young lady (Charlotte Elliot) saw herself a sinner, without any rights.
3. No sinner deserves the book, the blood, or the call. They are all acts of divine grace.
III: Her only prayer – That Jesus died for her, and that it was God calling her!
II. IT IS WITHOUT HOPE OF SELF-JUSTIFICATION (LUKE 13:11-12)
1. Today, many think they would be acceptable to God if they would just “Get right.”
III: “I will give my heart to Jesus, when I get my life straightened out.”
2. You cannot get right, or straightened out, or remove any of the dark blots.
3. Moreover, waiting will not be good, for you are not bidden to come tomorrow.
4. Nor, could you cleanse your soul if you tried forever. Only blood can cleanse!
III. IT IS WITHOUT TRANQUILITY OF SOUL(ACTS 9:6)
1. Many are beset with a tendency to wait for peace, as a sign, before they come.
III: By “But I do not feel right,” or the peace someone else said they felt.
2. The tossing and conflicts tell you how badly you need to come.
3. Come now, for those conflicts and doubts, and the labor and weight of sin, cannot be otherwise relieved.
4. You must come as you are, for He only receives sinful, but repentant men.
IV. IT IS WITHOUT ANY CLAIM OF WISDOM AND KNOW-LEDGE(ACTS 16:29)
1. Some have refused to come because they could not understand salvation.
2. Some because they are poor, wretched, and blind, dead in trespasses and sin.
III: Listen to Lazarus: “How can I be helped, I am in a state of decay!”
3. To see ourselves thus, and hate what we are is repentance, and it is the work of God.
4. But sight, riches, and healing are of the mind are all in Him.
V. IT CAN BE WITHOUT FEAR OF REJECTION(JOH. 6:37)
1. Would He receive such a wretch as you, just as you are, with all your sin and shame?
III: How can a sinner, who has learned to so hate himself, trust that God loves him?
2. It can only be based upon His promise! (Rom. 5:8 and Mat. 11:29)
3. This young lady said: “Because thy promise I believe!” Do you believe Jesus Christ?
4. If you doubt Him, you will not come and you will surely perish!
5. If you believe Him, you will come, and He will surely save you.