“ON CHRIST, THE SOLID ROCK, I STAND”

Edward Mote wrote the words to this hymn which we sing.  He was born January 21, 1797 in Upper Thames Street in London, England.  Edward wrote about his younger years, “My Sundays were spent in the streets.  So ignorant was I that I did not know that there was a God.”  He also said, that the school he attended had no interest in religion whatsoever, and not only would they not allow the Bible to be taught there, but no Bibles were even allowed on the premises.  Thus, in the early years of Edward’s life he had no exposure to God or His Word. However, at the age of sixteen, he was taken by his master to hear the esteemed preacher, John Hyatt.  Here Edward was genuinely converted to Christ (he was later baptized at age 18).

Edward Mote, in spite of his poor beginnings, became rather well off materially and also grew more devoted every day to the Lord and His cause. He wrote a number of religious pamphlets and also over a hundred hymns.  Yet, the real dream of this devoted disciple was to become a pastor of a church.  That life-long dream was finally realized at the age of 55. He provided the primary funding for a new church building in the village of Horsham, Sussex, England for the Baptists there. The church members, out of gratitude to Mote, offered him the deed to the property. He refused their offer,  saying: “I do not want the chapel; I only want the pulpit, and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that.”  The members agreed and Mote became their pastor, a position he held for the next 21 years, never missing a single Sunday in the pulpit that entire time.

In 1873, he had to resign his pastorate due to poor health and he died the following year on November 13, 1874 at the age of 77.  He is buried in the churchyard of that same Baptist church in Horsham for which he preached. Near the pulpit of that church is a tablet with this inscription: “In loving memory of Mr. Edward Mote…the beloved pastor of this church, preaching Christ and Him crucified, as all the sinner can need, and all the saint desire.”

This hymn, penned by the son of a neglectful pub-keeper in London, has become one of the most beloved gospel hymns in the Church today.  The basic message strongly sets forth Christ’s righteousness as the only requirement for salvation, making it very much a “Hymn of Grace.”

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand.
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.”

I am indebted to Al Maxey for this information which appeared in his “Reflection” on August 9, 2013.

“Later Than You Think”

There is being painted for us by the majority of the leaders of our nation a very dark picture for the future of civilization. Religious leaders are crying the blues, that the end is near.  We are trying to shake off the gloom that overshadows us by declaring that there have been dark times in the history of mankind before, and some how we have struggled through.  There is no question but that we are living in a world of revolution.  Revolutionary ideas are flooding the minds of men,  Changes everywhere (and not necessarily for the better.)  The uncertainity of our day has filled men’s hearts with frustration and fear.  People everywhere seem to be asking, “Is there an answer?”  “What are we to do?” “Is the growing tension in our world approaching the point of global explosion?”

I do not know how late it is but one thing seems certain, that “It is later than you think.”

In time of confusion and doubt, we might learn a lesson from one of our great leaders of the past, Abraham Lincoln.  He said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where to go.  My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient unto the day.”  Another great leader, Dwight D. Eisenhower said,  “Without a moral and spiritual awakening, there is no hope for us.”

Surely, the spiritual condition of our land and the world can be painted intensely black, yet may we know that there is a way out. It is high time, we waked out of sleep and tried God’s way for the solution of our inner darkness.
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A WAY OUT…  Not a stuffy, holier than thou type of right-ness, but an acknowledgement of the righteousness which comes not on our own merit but through the worth and merit of Jesus Christ. We need to acknowledge the rightness of God and follow in His way, because God’s ways are right.
PRAYER IS A WAY OUT…Not trying to make God a glorified bellop to do our bidding. True prayer is not so much trying to get something, but seeking to get close to someone, even God. Prayer is communion and conversation with our dearest friend, God.  Prayer is seeking to fully know the mind of God and to do His will.
REPENTANCE IS A WAY OUT…Not a death bed repentance offering to God only our left overs after having spent it all on self.  “True repentance is never too late but late repentance is seldon true.”  What is needed is a genuine humility out of which creates a sorrow which causes a change of mind which produces a change of action.  Jesus said, “Repent or perish.”

There is this story of the young daughter bothering her dad as he was trying to read the book, “One World.”  In order to get rid of her, he cut up the picture of the map of the world on the back of the paper-back book.  He told her to go put these pieces together.  Then, he leaned back and thought now he would have plenty of time to read.  But, to his surpise,she was back quickly with the puzzle of the world together correctly.  He asked her, “How did you do that?”  She said, “On the back of the picture of the map of the world was a picture of a man and when I put the man together right, the world came out all right.”

We  must be concerned about people, ourselves, being put together right.  The only right way is God’s way as revealed and recorded for us in the Bible.  Seek His will for your life.  Then, no matter how late it is, it is not too late, for you are in His good graces.

 

“SOW IN TEARS”

  Psalm 126: 5-6, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheves with Him.”

  What a marvelous scripture having to do with witnessing.  So few of us ever feel any pangs of sorrow concerning the unsaved. In our cultured, refined age, we do not take seriously what it means to be lost eternally.   We have lost the meaning of being lost from the presence and blessings of God. What are we saying to people by our indifference?  George Bernard Shaw, in his play, “The Devil’s Disciple” has a character saying, “The worse sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them, that’s the essence of inhumanity.”  He who’s need does not touch us is in truth unimportant to us.  In no other historical age have Christians known so much about tragic current events and cared less.  Isn’t that tragic?

  It is pointless to speak of witnessing apart from the motive of concern. We’ll put no priority on witnessing until we put a premium on souls.  Never has so much truth been preached with so little passion.  A burden for souls must accompany our efforts. “A Silent discipleship and feetless prayers are the last tragedy of the church.”  From our ivory tower of correct theology, we tell sinners that Jesus loves them.  It is all very professional, impassionate and impersonal.  The message of salvation will touch the heart of every person, if told in love.  The Holy Spirit can take the Word of God, as we share it, and reprove sin and convince of rightesousness, the rightness of Jesus.  The littleness of our effort speaks of the littleness of our faith.  Share Jesus, God’s love, with others.  What a joy is ours to believe that we have had some part in helping someone come to salvation in Christ.

                  “Have You Wept”
“I wept for my child who is fevered and ill, I plead, “Blessed Lord, make her whole.”  But, I am humbled in shame as I call on His name, how long since I’ve wept for a soul?
I’ve wept for my loved ones now gone from this world, though they’re with the Savior I’m told.  Then from somewhere above Jesus questions in love, “How long since you’ve wept for a soul?”
I weep for the moments of pleasure I’ve missed.  For the lack of life’s gain and it’s gold.  But, before you condemn, let me ask you my friend, How long since you’ve wept for a soul?” 

  Know this, that they who sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Do you have a few tears to invest in saving souls?