Through Jordan
This sermon encourages us to trust in Jesus to deliver us through the trials and challenges of life, and to rely on His mercy for safety and salvation.
William Booth emphasizes the challenges faced in life, comparing them to running with footmen and contending with the swelling of Jordan, symbolizing trials and tribulations. He encourages believers to look to Jesus for strength and deliverance, reminding them that their troubles are temporary and that faith can lead to a glorious crown and kingdom. Booth warns against relying on false supports and urges a return to Christ for peace and pardon, assuring that with faith, one can safely cross the river of trials into eternal glory.
Full Transcript
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with all these? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou thirstest, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? Dear comrade, look up, for the joy is set before thee, and haste on thy way to the regions of glory. A crown and a kingdom thy faith may discover. Thy troubles are great, but they soon will be over, for Jesus hath suffered thy soul to deliver, and opened thy passage through Jordan's dark river.
Christ Jesus sure helps to the children of Zion, but if thou hast any false props to rely on, thy soul is deluded. Think what thou art doing, O catch them away, here they seem thee to ruin, for none but Jehovah hath power to deliver, and bear up thy soul in the midst of the river. The clouds gather blackness, the night is fast coming, the river swells high, and the billows are foaming.
On what wilt thou lean when thy strength is all wasted? Thy reeds will all fail, and thy hopes will be blasted. O cry unto Jesus, thy soul to deliver, and bear up thy spirit when crossing the river. But in thy true character am I mistaken, hast thou in mad folly thy Saviour forsaken.
O come again to him for peace and for pardon, or soon thou must sink in the dwellings of Jordan. Thy soul from all danger he then will deliver, and nothing shall harm thee in crossing the river. But upon his mercy thy soul is relying, thou hast nothing to fear, neither living nor dying.
The footmen and horses shall fall down before thee, and Jordan shall open thy passage to glory. And when thou art landed safe over the river, we'll sing of salvation forever and ever. Fire of Olay!
Sermon Outline
- The Challenge of Jordan
- The Danger of False Props
- The Call to Return to Jesus
- The Assurance of God's Mercy
- The reliance on God's mercy
- The promise of safety in crossing the river
Key Quotes
“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with all these?” — William Booth
“Upon his mercy thy soul is relying, thou hast nothing to fear, neither living nor dying.” — William Booth
“The footmen and horses shall fall down before thee, and Jordan shall open thy passage to glory.” — William Booth
Application Points
- We should trust in Jesus to deliver us through the trials and challenges of life.
- We should rely on God's mercy for safety and salvation.
- We should come back to Jesus for peace and pardon, and not rely on false props.