IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
I TIMOTHY 6:6
Horatio G Spafford was born in North Troy, New York on Oct. 20, 1828. As a young man Spafford had established a successful legal practice in Chicago. Along with his financial success, he always maintained a keen interest in Christian activities. He enjoyed close and cative relationship with D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of that era. Some montsh prior to the Chicago Fire of 1871, Spafford had invested heavily in rela estate o the shore of Lake Michigan, and his holdings were wiped out by this disaster. Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters as well as wishing to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their Revivals, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in November of 1873. Due to unexpected last minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but he sent his wife and four daughters on ahead a scheduled on the S.S. ville Du Havre. He expected t follow in a few days. On Nov. 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn and English Vessel, and sank in 12 minutes. Several days later the survivors were finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband "Saved Alone." As Spafford went to be with his wife to bury their 4 daughters, it is said that he, upon approaching the sight of the ships sinking, walked out onto the deck of his ship and penned the words "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll. What ever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul. (101 Hymn Stories)
Today I want to share some statements of Contentment from God’s Word.
I. GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN.
A) Dear Lord, I have been re-reading the record of the Rich Young Ruler and his obviously wrong choice. But it has set me thinking. No matter how much wealth he had, he could not-- ride in a car, have any surgery, turn on a light, buy penicillin, hear a pipe organ, watch TV, wash dishes in running water, type a letter, mow a lawn, fly in an airplane, sleep on an innerspring mattress, or talk on the phone,
If he was rich, then what am I?
B) How do we measure wealth in our society? We measure it by possessions, bank balance, social standing…..Realize that wealth is always relative.
C) Godliness---Living with our eyes on Christ, striving to be holy in our attitudes and actions
With Contentment---Contentment is accepting life as it is and the will of God as it is without a hint of coveteousness.
Is great gain---It is interesting that this word means acquisition. We have acquired a great thing when we have acquired Godliness and contentment.
D) Notice when we have this combination, we are not tempted to call spiritual mediocrity, "contentment"
II. I HAVE LEARNED IN WHAT EVER STATE I AM, TO BE CONTENT. PHIL 4:11
A) This was not circumstantial contentment.
1) Paul was in prison at this writing. Not only that but it is likely that this was toward the end of his imprisonment there. Imprisoned because he wouldn’t stop preaching the Gospel.
2) It is easy to be content when life is going great. When we have plenty of money to pay the bills with some left over to buy toys. When health is good. When are friends are nice to us.
B) It is a Christ focused contentment.
1) Phil 4:8
2) Heb 13:5
3) The only possible way that a person could be content when they were sitting in Jail because of their religious conviction would be if their focus on Christ was so sweet that it was greater than the pain of their circumstance.
III. THE TRIALS OF THIS WORLD ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY OF ETERNITY. Romans 8:18
A) This does not negate the reality of suffering in this life. There are some things that people go through in this life that I just can’t comprehend.
B) This is one of those promises in Scripture that brings joy and hope but we cannot grasp and understand until we get there.
1) As we see the glories of heaven---All the cares and worries of this world will fall away.
2) As we see the glories of heaven---We will be reunited with those gone before.
3) As we see the glories of heaven-We will see face to face the Son of God, Savior, almighty Lord.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
I can say with Paul-I am content.
I can say with Mr. Spafford---It is well with my soul.
I can say with confidence that Jesus is waiting in this altar to meet you today and help you find the contentment He desires for you. Will you come with surrender and find it?
