I Am Coming, Lord
A. WORDS AND MUSIC: LEWIS HARTSOUGH – 1828 – 1919.
Hartsough graduated from the Cazenovia Seminary in 1852, was ordained a Methodist
minister in 1853, and joined the Oneida Conference in New York. Around 1868, he moved
west for health reasons, becoming superintendent of the Utah Mission, then presiding elder
of the Wyoming District. About the same time, he served as musical editor for Joseph
Hillman’s Revivalist. In 1871, Hartsough became pastor of the Methodist church in
Epworth, Iowa. He transferred to the Northwest Iowa Conference in 1874, and retired in
1895.
B. A WELKNOWN AND BELOVED HYMN.
1. Successful in urging obedience as an invitation song.
2. Col. 3:16. Sing to teach. Songs must be scriptural and understandable.
3. It is good to stop and reflect on the words of this song we sing.
I hear Thy welcome voice, That calls me, Lord, to Thee,
For cleansing in Thy precious blood That flowed on Calvary.
Reflecting On The Words …
A. GOD CALLS US THROUGH THE GOSPEL (2 Thess. 2:14; Mark 16:15-16).
1. Useless to hear and not hearken (Acts 3:23; John 6:45). Pay attention & learn!
2. Rom. 10:16. We must do what we hear (Jas. 2:22; Matt. 7:21-27).
B. THE GOSPEL CALLS US TO BENEFIT FROM JESUS’ (1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph 1:7).
C. IT IS A WELCOME VOICE (Matt. 11:28; Rom. 7:24)
Have you heard the voice of the Lord calling you through His gospel?
Though coming weak and vile, Thou dost my strength assure;
Thou doest my vileness fully cleanse, Till spotless all and pure.
Reflecting On The Words …
A. WE COME TO JESUS WEAK AND SINFUL (Luke 5:27-32; 19:10).
B. GOD HAS EXPECTATIONS OF US (Rom. 6:1, 12; 2 Cor. 5:14-15).
C. GOD MAKES PROVISION FOR OUR STRENGTH (Eph. 6:10-13; Phil. 4:13).
D. THRU JESUS SIN IS ELIMINATED:
1. Thru forgiveness (1 John 1:6-7).
2. We have a responsibility (1 John 2:1-2; Rom. 6:12; 2 Cor. 7:1).
Do not assume you must become righteous and strong before you can come to Jesus!
‘Tis Jesus calls me on To perfect faith and love;
To perfect hope, and peace and trust, For earth and heaven above.
Reflecting On The Words …
A. DESCRIBES OUR GROWTH AFTER COMING TO THE LORD (2 Pet. 3:18; 1:5-11).
B. THE TRULY CONVERTED WILL BEAR FRUIT (Matt. 28:19-20; John 15:8).
C. OUR SERVICE WILL BE BOTH ON EARTH & IN HEAVEN3 (Rev. 3:20-22; 22:1-5).
Thus, Jesus calls us to grow in grace and service; will we respond to His call …?
I am coming, Lord! Coming now to Thee!
Wash me, cleanse me in the blood That flowed on Calvary
Reflecting On The Words …
A. EXPRESES THE APPEAL FOR CLEANSING WHEN ONE RESPONDS.
B. THE CLEANSING COMES AS ONE IS BAPTIZED (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
1. Obj.: “I thought it was the blood that accomplished this (Matt. 26:28; 1 John 1:7).
2. It is in baptism that the sinner contacts the blood (Rom. 6:3-7).
C. BAPTISM IS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND AN APPEAL TO GOD FOR A
GOOD CONSCIENCE (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21).
A. HAVE YOU HEARD THE WELCOME VOICE OF JESUS? (Acts 2:41; 8:12).
B. DO YOU DESIRE CLEANSING IN THE BLOOD?
