“It is Well with My Soul”

1. Read: Philippians 4:11-12.

2. About the Text:

1) The song, “It is Well with My Soul” was written by Hortia G. Spafford in 1873.

2) It was written on the occasion of the death of all four of his daughters in an accident.

3) The lyrics of the chorus express contentment that only those in Christ have.

4) Paul discussed this contentment in Philippians 4:11-12.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll, whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, It is well with my soul.”

2. Paul says that he has learned to be content regardless of the circumstances.

1) He was taught by Christ — “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

2) He was trained by experience — “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” (Phil.4:12).

3) This means that he had learned to control his desires regardless of circumstances.

3. Do we have the self-control to be content?

1. “Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.”

2. Jesus became human and gave his life to conquer the power of Satan.

1) “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise 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” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

2) The devil tempts us mainly through fear of death.

3) “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25).

3. Do we recognize the blessed assurance of Christ’s blood when facing death?

1. “My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—My sin, 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!”

2. Jesus died on the cross so that we might have forgiveness of sins.

1) “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).

2) Without this blessing, we could not be content for we would be plagued by guilt and shame.

3) Our consciences are cleansed. “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14).

3. For the Christian, forgiveness of sins is bliss!

1. “And 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.”

2. Ultimate contentment is in knowing Jesus will return.

1) We will receive a new immortal body. “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).

2) We will be reunited with our loved ones in Christ. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

3) All problems caused by sin will cease. “and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

1. It is well with my soul because . . . .

1) Christ’s Teaching Overcomes External Circumstances.

2) Christ’s Sacrifice Conquered Satan’s Work.

3) Christ Nailed the Christian’s Sins to the Cross

4) Christ Will Return to Make Everything Right.

2. Invitation