HYMN: “I AM COMING, LORD!”
INTRODUCTION.
1. When a person comes to Jesus in response to the gospel:
a. They are responding to the call of the Lord.
b. They will receive wonderful blessings in Christ.
2. A familiar song that describes these truths is “I Am Coming, Lord.”
a. Words and tune by Lewis Hartsough (1828-1919).
b. Frequently used as an invitation song following a sermon.
3. Now let us look at the words of the hymn.
I. FIRST VERSE:
A. THE WORDS OF THE SONG:
I hear Thy welcome voice,
That calls me, Lord, to Thee,
For cleansing in Thy precious blood
That flowed on Calvary.
B. REFLECTING ON THE WORDS:
1. The first verse reminds us that God calls us, through the gospel – 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Mark 16:15-16.
2. The gospel calls us to benefit from the sacrifice of Christ for our sins – 1 Corinthians 15:1-3.
3. Chief among those blessings is the remission of sins through His blood – Ephesians 1:7.
Have you heard the voice of the Lord calling you through His Gospel?
2. SECOND VERSE:
A. THE WORDS OF THE SONG:
Though coming weak and vile,
Thou dost my strength assure;
Thou doest my vileness fully cleanse,
Till spotless all and pure.
B. REFLECTING ON THE WORDS:
1. The second verse tells us that we come to Jesus as we are (weak and sinful) - cf. Luke 5:27-32; 19:10.
2. Blessings in Christ described are twofold: strength and cleansing - John 8:34-36; Philippians 4:13.
3. Jesus offers freedom from both the guilt of sin and the bondage of sin – Romans 8:1-2, 12-13.
Do not assume you must become righteous and strong before you can come to Jesus!
3. THIRD VERSE:
A. THE WORDS OF THE SONG:
'Tis Jesus calls me on
To perfect faith and love;
To perfect hope, and peace and trust,
For earth and heaven above.
B. REFLECTING ON THE WORDS:
1. The third verse describes our growth in Christ after coming to the Lord - cf. 2 Peter 3:18; 1:5-11.
2. For we are not only to respond to His grace in conversion, but to bear fruit for God's glory as well - Matthew 28:19-20; John 15:8.
3. Our service will be both on earth and in heaven above - cf. Revelation 2:25-27; 3:20-22; 22:1-5.
Thus Jesus calls us to grow in grace and service; will we respond to His call?
4. CHORUS:
A. THE WORDS OF THE SONG...
I am coming, Lord!
Coming now to Thee!
Wash me, cleanse me in the blood
That flowed on Calvary!
B. REFLECTING ON THE WORDS...
1. The chorus expresses the appeal for cleansing one desire when they respond to the gospel.
2. The cleansing comes as one is baptized into Christ.
a. For in baptism they are buried and crucified with Christ - Romans 6:3-8.
b. In which their sins are washed away by the blood of Christ - cf. Acts 22:16.
3. Thus baptism is for the remission of sins, and is an appeal for a good conscience.
a. As proclaimed by Peter on the day of Pentecost - Acts 2:38.
b. As expounded by Peter in his first epistle – 1 Peter 3:21.
CONCLUSION:
1. Have you heard the welcome voice of the Lord?
a. You have if you have heard the gospel of Christ!
b. He is calling you even now!
2. Do you desire cleansing in the blood of Calvary? Continued growth in the grace of Christ?
a. Come to the Lord in faith, repentance and baptism! - cf. Acts 2:36-38.
b. You will receive Christ into your life by putting Him on in baptism! - cf. Galatians 3:27.
Saved by grace through faith, you will then walk in good works ordained by God... – Ephesians 2:8-10.