Sermon Tone Analysis
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Inner peace through an implicit trust in the love of God is the real evidence of a mature Christian faith.
Only with this kind of confidence in his heavenly Father could Horatio Spafford experience such heart-rending tragedies as he did and yet be able to say, “It is well with my soul.”
Spafford had known peaceful and happy days as a successful attorney in Chicago.
He was the father of four daughters, an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of his day.
Then, a series of calamities began, starting with the great Chicago fire of 1871 which wiped out the family’s extensive real estate investments.
When Mr. Moody and his music associate, Ira Sankey, left for Great Britain for an evangelistic campaign, Spafford decided to lift the spirits of his family by taking them on a vacation to Europe.
He also planned to assist in the Moody-Sankey meetings there.
In November, 1873, Spafford was detained by urgent business, but he sent his wife and four daughters as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Harve, planning to join them soon.
Halfway across the Atlantic, the ship was struck by an English vessel and sank in 12 minutes.
All four of the Spafford daughters—Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie—were among the 226 who drowned.
Mrs. Spafford was among the few who were miraculously saved.
Horatio Spafford stood hour after hour on the deck of the ship carrying him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Cardiff, Wales.
When the ship passed the approximate place where his precious daughters had drowned, Spafford received sustaining comfort from God that enabled him to write, “When sorrows like sea billows roll … It is well with my soul.”
What a picture of our hope!
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 with my soul.
Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and shed His own blood for my soul.
And, Lord, haste the day when my 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.
Chorus: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
Inner peace through an implicit trust in the love of God is the real evidence of a mature Christian faith.
Only with this kind of confidence in his heavenly Father could Horatio Spafford experience such heart-rending tragedies as he did and yet be able to say, “It is well with my soul.”
Spafford had known peaceful and happy days as a successful attorney in Chicago.
He was the father of four daughters, an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of his day.
Then, a series of calamities began, starting with the great Chicago fire of 1871 which wiped out the family’s extensive real estate investments.
When Mr. Moody and his music associate, Ira Sankey, left for Great Britain for an evangelistic campaign, Spafford decided to lift the spirits of his family by taking them on a vacation to Europe.
He also planned to assist in the Moody-Sankey meetings there.
In November, 1873, Spafford was detained by urgent business, but he sent his wife and four daughters as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Harve, planning to join them soon.
Halfway across the Atlantic, the ship was struck by an English vessel and sank in 12 minutes.
All four of the Spafford daughters—Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie—were among the 226 who drowned.
Mrs. Spafford was among the few who were miraculously saved.
Horatio Spafford stood hour after hour on the deck of the ship carrying him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Cardiff, Wales.
When the ship passed the approximate place where his precious daughters had drowned, Spafford received sustaining comfort from God that enabled him to write, “When sorrows like sea billows roll … It is well with my soul.”
What a picture of our hope!
Anyone who thinks that God is distant and unconcerned about our plight here on earth, boldly displays their ignorance!
The truth from scripture is that we have a loving, caring, benevolent Heavenly Father, who is also active in the comforting business.
The Greek word for comfort, παρακαλέω is derived from two words, “para” which means from, besides, alongside, depending on the part of speech being used; and “kaleo”, meaning to call.
The Greek word for comfort, παρακαλέω is derived from two words, “para” which means from, besides, alongside, depending on the part of speech being used; and “kaleo”, meaning to call.
We find it used 10 times in these five verses.
The Holy Spirit is referred to as the “paraklete” (comforter) in the gospel of John.
And therefore a real presence in our lives as one who comes alongside of us.
The idea Paul is expressing is that comfort is felt and described by divine to human intervention.
and, human to human intervention.
I. Regardless of the situation, God comforts us in all trouble.
A. We can rely on His presence.
1. Believers don’t experience the comfort of God, because they aren’t aware of His presence.
The hustle and bustle of everyday life crowds out that experience.
The meagerness of their own spiritual walk.
2. But, great understanding and comfort comes to those who draw close to God.
So yes, we can rely on His presence, but what’s more...
B. He can be trusted.
He lived for us
He died for us
He rose for us
He makes intercession for us
He is coming to take us home
And so because we can rely on Him and he is trustworthy, we can enter into this blessed peace and comfort while we suffer.
And so, because we have been comforted by God...
It is for now not just Heaven!
And so, because we have been comforted by God...
II.
We have the means to comfort others.
We have the capacity to comfort one another with the same comfort which He comforts us!
There is great need for stronger relationships within the body of Christ!
Only through this kind of interaction can we accomplish it.
We need to be proactive
We need to come along side of others
We need to see their plight and be willing to sacrifice the time and energy to comfort them, to hold their hand, to walk through this trial with them!
We know that we are ambassadors of Christ, but not just for the ministry of the gospel, but the ministry of hope and comfort to others.
This supernatural comfort of the Spirit of God, empowers us to bring hope and comfort to others.
A. The common denominator is the Holy Spirit.
Gal.
6:
1 John 1:
Who’s missing in this verse?
The Holy Spirit.
But He’s not missing at all.
He’s within us, hence the common element that brings true fellowship.
B. The common place is the body of Christ.
1 Cor.
12:
III.
God has designed comfort to temper suffering.
When we talk about the love of Christ, we can be sure it is certainly backed up!
His love for us has provided comfort in some of the most crushing times and situations.
Look again at Horatio Spafford’s loss.
All four of his daughters, Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie, perished at sea in 12 minutes time.
yet he wrote:
“It is well with my soul”.
Can you say the same in your situation?
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 with my soul.
Chorus: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and shed His own blood for my soul.
Chorus: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
And, Lord, haste the day when my 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.
Chorus: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
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