It Is Well With My Soul
A. WORDS: Horatio Spafford, born Oct. 20, 1828 in North Troy, New York,
1. Spafford was a Presbyterian and a lawyer. Sometime in 1871, his son died. Then
much of his fortune was wiped away in a great fire in Chicago. He and his wife
became busy in relief efforts there.
2. In 1873 Spafford decided to go to Europe with his family and assist Dwight Moody
in some evangelistic efforts. Just before they were to set sail, Spafford was called
back to Chicago to tend some business, so he stayed behind and sent his wife and 4
daughters ahead on a ship called the S.S. Ville du Havre. Somewhere on the voyage
their ship collided with the English ship Lockhearn, and sank to the bottom of the
ocean. Only his wife, Anna, survived. His four daughters drowned.
3. Spafford's wife cabled her husband with two simple words, "Saved alone." Shortly
after, Spafford left by ship and on his way, passed the place where his beloved four
daughters had drowned. Shortly after that, his heart still heavy with grief, he wrote
these words, so significantly descriptive of his own personal grief – "When sorrows
like sea billows roll..." The hymn "It is Well with My Soul" was born.
B. MUSIC: Philip P. Bliss. Born: July 9, 1838, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
Died: December 29, 1876, Ashtabula, Ohio. Bliss and his wife died in a tragic train
wreck caused by a bridge collapse. He survived the initial impact, but went back into the
flames in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue his wife.
C. THE PERFECT HYMN.
1. Masterful melody and harmonies.
2. Words of great spiritual truth and most profound instruction.
3. Born out of great tragedy, alive because of unwavering faith.
D. THE WORDS ARE WORTHY OF OUR NOTICE.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
A. OUR LIVES ARE FILLED WITH BLESSING (Matt 5:45; 6:30-33; James 1:17).
B. THERE WILL BE TIMES OF TRIAL.
1. Thorns and thistles (Gen 3:17-19).
2. Job 5:6-7. How do we regard such times? (James 1:2-3).
3. The Key to enduring ANY trial (1 Pet. 3:13-15; 4:19).
4. In other words (Phil. 4:11è13).
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
A. MUCH SUFFERING IS THE RESULT OF SATAN’S WORK.
1. The consequence of our deeds (Prov. 6:27-28).
2. Satan is a dangerous enemy (2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8).
B. TWO THINGS THAT GIVE ASSURANCE. REMEMBER THEM!
1. Jesus knows ( Heb. 4:16; Matt. 10:29-30 ).
2. Jesus cares ( John 15:13; Rom. 8:31-35).
3. Jesus never forsakes (Matt. 28:20; 2 Tim. 4:16-18).
4. What about us? ( Phil. 4:4-5 ).
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!
A. OUR PREOCCUPATION ( Luke 18:13-14; Matt. 5:6 ).
B. THE TYPICAL REACTION ( Acts 8:39 ).
C. WHY DO WE REJOICE?
1. He bore our sins on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24)
2. He is the propitiation for our sins (Rom. 3:23-26). SATISFIES JUSTICE!!!
3. Counted righteous by his death (Rom. 5:8-9).
D. WE REJOICE IN HOPE (Rom. 12:12).
1. The substance and source of that hope (1 Pet. 1:3).
2. All will be raised, but... (John 5:28-29).
And Lord, haste the day when my 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.
A. TWO WAYS FOR THE FAITH TO BECOME SIGHT. DEATH OR WORLD’S END.
B. WHY HURRY IT?
1. New heavens and earth (2 Pet. 3:11-13).
2. A crown (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
3. Our inheritance (Rom. 8:16-17).
4. Immortality (1 Cor. 15:51-53).
5. Going home (Phil. 3:20-21).
6. Reunion (1 Thess. 4:16-18). “....ever be with the Lord.”
A. TRUE FAITH RESULTS IN A KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS’ PRESENCE (Phil. 4:4-5).
B. WHICH LEADS TO TRUST (vs. 6) AND PEACE (vs. 7).
C. ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS ARE IN CHRIST (Eph. 1:3)
D. HOW DO I GET INTO CHRIST (Gal. 3:26-27).
IS IT WELL WITH YOUR SOUL?
