SEMESTER 6
383 – It is Well With My Soul
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY VI (HYMNOLOGY) LESSON # 83
THE DOCTRINES AND EFFECTS OF CHURCH MUSIC – IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
Read: Job 1:13-22
INTRODUCTION:
1. Our first song (Just As I Am) related to the experience of conversion.
2. The second (Amazing Grace) related to contemplation of salvation as a whole.
3. This song relates to the Christian’s refuge in times of terrible tribulation.
III: By the ordeal of loss the writer of these lyrics had just gone through.
4. Probably no Christian can have such patience as this, without such tribulation.
5. I want to let these four verses give four great divisions of these precious truths.
I. THE FACT THAT FAITH CAN OVER-RIDE EXPERIENCE (VERSE 1) NOTICE (PSA. 23:4
)
1. Every life is a blend of tranquility and turmoil, whether we are saved or unsaved.
2. Neither a godly walk, nor the prospect of hell to come, promises freedom from sorrow.
III :By Job 1:8 compared to the other verses in Job chapter 1 we have just read.
3. Through the centuries, some of God’s choicest servants have suffered most.
III: By Paul, John Bunyan, martyrs, Judson, and Spurgeon.
4. Our perceived well-being of soul is not known by our experience, but by faith.
III: By the difference of attitude in Job and in his wife. “Curse God” versus “Yet will I trust Him.”
II. THE PRAYER THAT FAITH NOT FEELINGS CONTROLS US (VERSE 2)
1. We are all subject to doubts and fears when Satan buffets. “Carest thou not that…”
III: How Job, after such a good statement of faith, justified himself more than God.
2. Mr. Spafford did not boast that this assurance controlled, but he plead for it.
3. Let us remember, Jesus sees our helpless estate. He cares and is in control.
III: By the Lord asleep in the ship, while the disciples cried out in fear.
III. THE CONTEMPLATION OF SIN’S TOTAL FORGIVENESS (Verse 3)
1. The greatest Christian comfort is realization of full justification. (I Pet. 2:20-24)
2. In the darkness of emotional pain and distress, this is an unparalleled balm.
3. When we feel violated by others, or over-tested by God, let us run to this refuge. All my sins are forever gone!
III: By Peter. Have you ever felt forsaken or denied? Yes, but I deserve it!
4. Are we not all less buffeted than guilty? For our sins are gone.
IV. TROUBLE AND AGE MAKE US ACCEPT HEAVEN
1. Pious as we are, we still want to cling to this life and this world.
III: By the boy’s statement, “Oh, I thought you were getting up a load for tonight.”
2. Loss of health, earthly goods, loved ones, etc., cause us to anticipate heaven.
3. Now we walk by faith, and the world thinks us fools, but it will not always be so.
III: How the value we put on our earthly life is slowly changing.
4. It will be great to meet our loved ones with all our faults removed.
5. There will be no more sorrow over offense, no sickness, no dying or parting.
6. No one will shed tears or ever need comforting in time of loss.
7. All the clouds of adversity will “Be rolled back like a scroll.”
8. Now, I want to ask you, very personally: “Are you ready? Are you ready?”