Ebenezer
The sermon reflects on God's faithfulness and provision in the past year, expressing gratitude and repentance, and praying for God's blessing and favor in the next year.
John Newton preaches about reflecting on the past year and giving thanks to the Lord for His continuous blessings, provision, and guidance despite the challenges and temptations faced. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our shortcomings, seeking forgiveness for our sins, and striving to live a life that brings glory to God in the upcoming year.
Text
The Lord, our salvation and light,
The guide of our strength and our days,
Has brought us together to-night,
A new Ebenezer to raise:
The year we have now passed through,
His goodness with blessings has crown'd,
Each morning his mercies were new;
Then let our thanksgivings abound.
Encompass'd with dangers and snares,
Temptations, and fears, and complaints,
His ear he inclin'd to our pray'rs,
His hand open'd wide to our wants.
We never besought him in vain;
When burden'd with sorrow or sin,
He help'd us again and again,
Or where before now had we been?
His Gospel, throughout the long year,
From Sabbath to Sabbath he gave;
How oft has he met with us here,
And shown himself mighty to save?
His candlestick has been remov'd
From churches once privileg'd thus;
But though we unworthy have prov'd,
It still is continu'd to us.
For so many mercies receiv'd,
Alas! what returns have we made?
His Spirit we often have griev'd,
And evil for good have repaid,
How well it becomes us to cry,
"Oh! who is a God like to thee?
Who passest iniquities by,
And plungest them deep in the sea!"
To Jesus., who sits on the throne,
Our best hallelujahs we bring;
To thee it is owing alone
That we are permitted to sing:
Assist us, we pray, to lament
The sins of the year that is past
And grant that the next may be spent
Far more to thy praise than the last.
Sermon Outline
- God's Faithfulness in the Past Year
- God's Presence in Times of Need
- God's Gospel and Salvation
- Our Response to God's Mercies
- Our Prayer for the Next Year
- Lamenting the sins of the past
- Seeking God's blessing and favor
Key Quotes
“For so many mercies receiv'd, alas! what returns have we made?” — John Newton
“Who passest iniquities by, and plungest them deep in the sea!” — John Newton
“Assist us, we pray, to lament the sins of the year that is past” — John Newton
Application Points
- We should express gratitude and thanksgiving for God's mercies and provision in our lives.
- We should repent of our sins and amend our ways, seeking God's forgiveness and guidance.
- We should pray for God's blessing and favor, asking to be helped to spend our lives more to His praise.