For the next few weeks, the sermon series is on songs. Today’s song is Amazing Grace.
Who has not heard the song “Amazing Grace?” A lot of people know this song or have heard this song. President Obama sang the words of Amazing Grace to comfort grieving families at a memorial service in Charleston, South Carolina. Amazing Grace was sung at the 50th Anniversary of The March On Washington commemorating Dr. King’s speech. Amazing Grace is sung in movies and on stages in theatres. Books are written about this song, it’s origin, and about the powerful words of this song.
Amazing Grace first verse is on the first page in a book called The Rainbow Bridge: Pet Loss is Heaven’s Gain, a book which is a source of comfort, and hope to those grieving the loss of a pet companion. This song reaches our hearts and it doesn’t matter what race one is, what generation we are, or what part of the world we live in. It has been sung at celebrations as well as funerals.
Grace is the undeserved favor from God. It is where God shows mercy, and he shows kindness to the undeserving. Is there a more loving act than to offer kindness to someone who is undeserving? Because that is what grace is. God offers kindness to us. He doesn’t say Mary Sue deserves grace and Bill does not. He is a God of Love.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound… is there a more delicious word than grace! God is the author of Grace! Who is the author of the words to this powerful song written over 200 years ago that touches us today in the 21 century? And were the words and sentiment from the author’s life experiences? Let’s take a look at how God’s Love and grace touch a man named John Newton.
John was born 1725 in London. His mother, Elizabeth wanted John to be a preacher from the day he was born. She taught John to read and he was learning Latin by the age of four. She read him Bible stories and was always testing him to be sure he learning well. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died of tuberculosis when he was 7years old. His father was captain of a merchant ship and was always at sea. He remarried, and sent John to boarding school.
Time with the new family on holidays and summers opened up a whole different world to John. He hung with kids that were a bad influence, and he fell into their ways. John joined his father at sea at the young age of 11. Years later, there was trouble on board and John wanted to murder one of the officers. He was full of hate. His days at sea hardened his heart. At one point of his life he thought of suicide. He was far from his young days when he was reciting scripture with his mother and learning how to be a preacher.
He was involved in the Slave trade where African men, women, and children were shipped across the ocean to be sold as slaves. The conditions on board were deplorable. The slaves, lying like stacks of books on shelves, were chained to each other with little space between them. On some voyages, as many as one-third of them died. John wouldn’t hesitate to shoot any slave for any reason. He was trading human cargo! John Newton claimed to be a wretched man, just like he wrote in the song. He later said that he was a man of terrible profanity, enough to make a sailor blush and he said he was wicked. He claimed he was a ruthless business man and unfeeling. Let me ask you this…Did John Newton deserve God’s grace?
During a horrible storm, the crew was certain the ship would sink. John Newton prayed for deliverance! He claimed his conversion started that night. Even though he continued to go on voyages working the slave trade, the Holy Spirit was working on him.
It took several years for the transformation of John Newton to take place. John started to read scriptures. Thanks to God, our loving Lord, for the power of his grace.
The song didn’t happen overnight. Twenty-five years later, he wrote the words to this beloved song. Some thought he had a divine awakening, ran down below deck for paper and pencil and began writing the song.
Then he wrote Thoughts Upon an African Slave Trade. In his writing, he confessed his work in the slave trade and condemned the practice. He was a strong advocate and an influence to William Wilberforce who fought year after year for slavery to end in England which, by the way, William was successful!
WHAT amazes me is that John not only turned away from his horrible sins, and eventually from his work in the slave trade, but he worked until the day he died trying to make things right, and fought hard to convince others that slavery was wrong!
John later married, became a priest and was well known for his gentle pastoral care. Look at what the power of the Holy Spirit and grace can do!! People flocked to hear him preach. His mother’s prayers and her guidance paid off. John went on to write hundreds of songs. One we will sing during the offering, “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” where he speaks of God’s living waters and eternal life.
What is it about Amazing Grace? Do we relate to the words, “I was lost?” Or do we all relate to the words, “I was blind?” and “Now I see.” What is it? The song, Amazing Grace, offers hope to the grieving, to the hungry, to the tired, to the unloved, and to those who feel unloved … this song has the power to transform.
Hear the words “The Lord hath promised good to me, His Word my hope secure.” The words give us assurance, remind us of His protection, His promises, his Presence… and his grace. We all need his loving assurance… sometimes we need it every minute. We need his protection, sometimes from ourselves. We need his promises, and to know they are true and everlasting.
The words say, He will be my shield and portion be as long as life endures.” Are we needing to hear that? That he is our shield! Yes, because life is sometimes tough and hard. And even when we are at our highest point in life, this song tugs at our heart strings. This song reminds us of where we’ve been, where we are, and who he is.
How did Jesus reveal grace? By showing up! He revealed his grace by showing up! How does Jesus reveal grace? By pouring out grace on us all… the handicapped, the poor, the needy, the sinner.
How does Jesus reveal grace? By his unconditional forgiveness! 1
His journey on Earth was about his compassionate grace, doing for the undeserved. He did not have to die for us, what he did on the cross was pure grace. So after we fall on our knees, humbly giving thanks for his love and grace, then we stand and spread grace, doing those acts of kindness to all.
So, let’s stand up now, and sing this powerful song. Turn to page 378 in your red hymnal. Hear the words as if for the first time… may they speak to you.
1 https://escapetoreality.org/2012/02/02/jesus-reveals-what-is-grace
New Testament Lessons: Acts 4:33
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
New Testament Lessons: Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
Gospel Lesson: John 1:16-17
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, July 31~ Saturday, August 6
Sunday: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NRSV) Where have you seen God’s grace in your life?
Monday: “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17 (NRSV) Be in prayer and give thanks for His grace.
Tuesday: “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” Acts 4:33 His grace is upon you. Have you a testimony to share?
Wednesday: Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound…From the song Amazing Grace. How does this song speak to you?
Thursday: The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures. From the song Amazing Grace, verse 3. How do you see God in this verse?
Friday: Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. From the song Amazing Grace, verse 5. Sit in the stillness of His Presence before your day begins. Do you feel the joy and peace?
Saturday: I was once lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. From the song of Amazing Grace, verse 1. How do you see yourself in this verse?