Sermon Illustrations

[012] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ABOUT A PLEASANT WAY

I wanted to compose a simple poem that might be able to be used as a song. This was the result. I like the flow of words, which is what rhythm is all about and I like to compose that way mostly. However I am not musical in the sense of composing, and so I can not transform poems into songs.

This is a simple poem as I said earlier and aimed at those who may know very little about Christianity. The Pleasant Way is the way of life and peace, with a future guaranteed – all made possible by the Lord Jesus Christ who died for all upon the cross.

In the NASB version the word “pleasant” is used quite a number of times in the Old Testament and I have selected just 4 of these from the Psalms:

(1). {{Psalm 16:6 “The lines have fallen to me in PLEASANT places. Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.”}} Here David confirms how good the Lord is to those who trust Him. Not only is life here now meaningful, but our heritage is wonderful. It is the hope that lies before us.

(2). {{Psalm 106:24 “Then they despised the PLEASANT land. They did not believe in His word.”}} How tragic that was when the nation did not believe their God, and when someone does not believe, they automatically despise the truth. That is what happened in Israel. They did not believe God and then despised the pleasant land He had given them.

(3). {{Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how PLEASANT it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”}} The unity of the Body of Christ is beautiful (pleasant here in the Psalm). Disharmony is awful, and it must be sad for Christ who said in His prayer, “that they may be one even as We are.” (John 17:11, and it is repeated two more times in the prayer). Christian fellowship in trust, honest and joy is pleasant!

(4). {{Psalm 147:1 “Praise the LORD for it is good to sing praises to our God, for it is PLEASANT and praise is becoming.”}} This interesting verse tells us that God would consider praising the Lord and singing praises to the Lord are pleasant. Sing what is pleasant not so much of that egocentric stuff around these days with few words repeated endlessly. God does not like vain repetition.

I hope you like the poem and maybe someone can write a melody for the lyric.

ABOUT A PLEASANT WAY

My friend, I want to tell you now

About a pleasant way;

About a Man who came to us

To bring an endless day.

His name is Jesus Christ, the Lord,

A Man of humble birth;

And took upon Him human flesh

When He came down to earth.

============================

He lived His life as God the Son.

He healed the helpless folk;

And went about to preach God’s plan

With love, where’er He spoke.

Delivered up was He to die

Because of jealous men -

They thought they’d silence God the Lord,

But all was God’s will then.

============================

Upon the cross your sins He took;

Made them His very own,

And paid in depth the penalty -

He reaped what you have sown.

In resurrection, He rose up,

Triumphant King of Kings.

The joy of His salvation, now,

All this to you He brings.

============================

The choice is yours - what will you do

To know this pleasant way?

God’s mercy now is wanting you

To choose eternal day.

Forgiven, you’ll rejoice in Christ,

To know that loving heart,

And walk with Him the pleasant way

Where neither ever parts.

============================

My friend, I have told you just now

About the pleasant way;

About the Man who came to earth

To win your endless day.

His name is Jesus Christ the Lord,

The One you must receive.

Commit your life wholly to Him -

In His new life believe.

============================

22 - 25 August, 2005 R E Ferguson 8-6 throughout ABCBDEFE

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