'I Am debtor.'
The sermon emphasizes our debt to God and encourages us to live for His glory, share the Gospel, and show our love for Him to others.
Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the profound debt of gratitude we owe to Christ for our salvation and the transformative power of His love. He reflects on the ultimate understanding of this debt that will come in glory, contrasting it with our current struggles and the need for divine assistance in recognizing and demonstrating this debt through our lives. M'Cheyne encourages believers to show their love for Christ and others as a reflection of how much they owe Him, even amidst trials and tribulations.
Text
When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know -
Not till then - how much I owe.
When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink, -
Then, Lord, shall I fully know -
Not till then - how much I owe.
When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know -
Not till then - how much I owe.
When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunder to the ear,
Loud as many water's noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know -
Not till then - how much I owe.
Even on earth, as through a glass
Darkly, let Thy glory pass,
Make forgiveness feel so sweet,
Make Thy Spirit's help so meet,
Even on earth, Lord, make me know
Something of how much I owe.
Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.
Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
Dark, as midnight's gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light;
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.
When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I'm captive led;
Oft I fall - but still arise -
The Spirit comes - the tempter flies;
Blessed Spirit! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.
Oft the nights of sorrow reign -
Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain;
But a night Thine anger burns -
Morning comes and joy returns;
God of comforts! bid me show
To Thy poor, how much I owe.
May 1837.
Sermon Outline
- I. Our debt to God
- A. Our sin and rebellion
- B. Our need for forgiveness and salvation
- C. Our gratitude and love for God
- II. Our debt to others
- A. Our love and kindness to those around us
- B. Our responsibility to share the Gospel
- C. Our need to show God's love to a lost world
- III. Our debt to God's glory
- A. Our reverence and worship of God
- B. Our desire to know and understand God
- C. Our commitment to living for God's glory
Key Quotes
“Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe.” — Robert Murray M'Cheyne
“By the Spirit sanctified, Teach me, Lord, on earth to show, By my love, how much I owe.” — Robert Murray M'Cheyne
“Blessed Jesus! bid me show Doubting saints how much I owe.” — Robert Murray M'Cheyne
Application Points
- We should live for God's glory and seek to show our love for Him to others.
- We should share the Gospel with those around us and be responsible for spreading God's message.
- We should trust in the Spirit's help and seek forgiveness for our sins.