SERMONS FROM THE PULPIT OF
First Baptist Church
Stanfield, North Carolina
Please Note That Most Messages Follow
The Revised Common Lectionary
Easter Sunday Year-A
The Easter Sunrise Message
For A Community Sunrise Service
Held At The
First Baptist Church, Stanfield NC Cemetery
"It Is Well With My Soul"
This morning I would like to begin with a true story about Horatio and Anna Spafford:
In 1871, Horatio and Anna Spafford were well-to-do residents of Chicago. They and their four young daughters lived the comfortable life that his law practice and successful business ventures in the city allowed, but they were not the "typical" upper-middle class family. Anna, an immigrant from Norway, and Horatio were devoted Christians, and their involvement in their church and its outreach efforts were noted by many. They seemed to have a model life of both devotion to God and family, and their prosperity might be thought to be the mark of God's pleasure.
This ideal picture was shattered that very year during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Much of the city was destroyed, including the properties and warehouses holding commodities in which Horatio had invested. The family's holdings were decimated, but the Spaffords were not ones to allow this to shake their faith. They joined with their church to lead efforts to help the families whose losses in the fire were greater than their own. This charity work occupied much of the next three years.
By 1873, the family had recovered somewhat financially, but the work of helping others had left them exhausted. Horatio and Anna planned a family vacation, booking passage to London on the S.S. Ville de Havre. At the last moment, Horatio was forced to stay behind for a business emergency, but he sent the family ahead, planning to meet them in London a few days later.
Later never came, for on November 21, 1873, another ship ran into the Ville de Havre, striking her amidships and sinking her in a matter of minutes. Hundreds died, and only forty-seven survivors were rescued. Anna was found unconscious but alive, lying on a wooden spar in the water. The rescued passengers were taken to France, where Anna cabled Horatio the two word message, "Saved alone." A grieving Horatio took the next available ship to meet Anna, and had the captain point out to him where the Ville de Havre went down. While at the place where his four daughters and countless others met their deaths, he took a piece of stationery he had carried from his hotel room in Chicago, and penned the following words,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
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!
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,
A song in the night, O my soul.
This morning as we gather here in front of this big granite cross - it serves as a reminder to us of the tremendous love of God and His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. We all have suffered. We all have experienced pain and disappointments in life. Times when we thought no one cared. Times when we thought no one would ever understand. Times when we thought no one could ever love us or accept us as we are. Times when words of so called "Christians" hurt and cut worse than any word ever spoken from so called "Non-Christians." Times when we've lost loved ones. Many we thought prematurely. Many are buried right here in this cemetery.
Today we have so much to be thankful for. We have so much to celebrate.
Why? Because Easter is about God’s love. You and I need to understand that God loves us right now wherever we may be in our lives and He proved His love to us through the sacrifice of His Son.
Easter is about suffering and struggling in this life. It reminds us of God’s unique awareness to what’s going on in the world and in our lives. While wars are raging in this world God is aware of the life of every individual involved. While homes are being torn apart God is aware of the pain and heartache in each life affected by that break. While people are stricken with disease God is aware of the needs in that life and the physical anguish of those lives.
Easter is about God’s love. You and I need to understand that God loves us right now wherever we may be in our lives and He proved His love to us through the sacrifice of His Son. This morning as we gather to remember the Resurrection of Our Lord we also gather to celebrate the Love of Almighty God.
God knows what it is like to suffer and to feel pain because He Gave His Son for you and I. Our struggles must be seen in light of Christ's sacrifice. When we recognize that such love has been extended to us, we can rest in His continuing care.
Easter is about victory! Victory into the lives of each and everyone of us gathered here this morning through Christ. Easter is about that Victory!
Last Sunday I spoke these words to our congregation: The only way any of us will make it through the difficult times of life is through our strong reliance upon Christ.
The victory of Christ is not over governments or rulers, armies or even weapons. The victory of Christ is over sin and sickness and war and oppression and abuse and even death. Through the blood of His cross, through the life of His resurrection we can receive His peace. It is through His life, His Death, and now His Resurrection that you and I can celebrate that peace along with the Victory in our lives! Now and ever more!
Amen.