How Sweet the Name - Part 2 of 2

Hey Baptist Bible Hour listeners.

The Baptist Bible Hour podcast has now been divided into two separate podcast feeds, one for the Sunday edition and one for the daily edition. Search Baptist Bible Hour on your favorite podcast platform and sign up for both programs today. This is LeSare Bradley Jr. inviting you to stay tuned for the message of God's sovereign grace.

Glad to have you with us for the broadcast today and hope that the message will be a blessing to you as we continue in an effort to lift up the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners. I hope you'll take time to write us at Baptist Bible Hour, Box 17037, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. And of course I encourage you to visit our website at BaptistBibleHour.org. You can find there both our Sunday and daily broadcasts and the current edition of our Paper the Baptist Witness. That's at BaptistBibleHour.org. You can also make a donation there and we would ask for your prayers that our needs be supplied that we can stay on all these stations. For almost 50 years our broadcast was heard live on Sunday nights over a powerful 50,000 watt station here in Cincinnati that reached in those days all the way from Canada to the Bahamas and into 25 states. I received a letter recently from a man that shared with us how the Lord dealt with him as he listened to one of those programs.

He says, I wanted to write a brief letter to let you know how much the Baptist Witness and the ministry of the Baptist Bible Hour means to me. This coming April I will complete 31 years in prison. In March I will turn 65 years old, so I've spent almost half of my life in prison. But it was here in prison that I heard the gospel for the first time in my life. I knew that I was a sinner, no one had to tell me that, but I thought I was beyond saving.

Or at least I thought that salvation, attending church, and all that was for the good folks and that God wanted nothing to do with me. Then one night about 20 years ago I was at a prison in southern Michigan. This particular night there was a bad rain and thunderstorm. I was trying to find a clear station on my radio. Suddenly I heard this southern voice and a man was preaching from the Bible. The station was WCKY out of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the preacher was Elder Lacerre Bradley, Jr. That night I heard the gospel.

I was that poor, sin-sick sinner that the preacher was talking about. That one broadcast was used to launch me into a search to know more about this sovereign grace. I've been receiving the Baptist Witness, and when I receive it I just sit down and read it over and over with my Bible open, looking up all of the verses that are referenced.

Your publication is my prime resource for receiving instruction that I can trust. Thank you for sending it to me. Thank you for bringing the gospel to people like me. We certainly rejoice to receive a letter like this, and I'm thankful for the ministry that we have through this broadcast to those in prison. We regularly receive good letters from people in prison whose hearts have been touched by the grace of God.

I hope that you will pray for us that the Lord will use this effort to the glory of His name. How sweet the name of Jesus, sounds in our believers dear! It soothes His sorrows, heals His wounds, and drives away His fear, and drives away His fear. It makes the wounded spirit whole, and calms the troubled breast. Dismantled to the hungry soul, and to the weary breast, and to the weary breast, I live my prayers excellently, although it's been divine.

Satan accuses me in vain, and I am home the child. Till then I would, I love, proclaim with every fleeting prayer, And may the music of my name refresh my soul in death, refresh my soul in death. We continue the message based on the hymn, How Sweet the Name. We've already talked about the sweetness that He, that is Jesus Christ, conveys.

His name is not sweet to all men, but to others, that name is precious. Secondly, we talk about the blessings that He brings. It soothes His sorrows, it heals His wounds, it drives away His fear, it's manna for the hungry soul.

And we start there today. And to the weary breast. Some of these words delivered by Jesus are so beautifully precious. The 11th chapter of the book of Matthew, verse 28, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are habit laden, and I will give you rest.

Obviously he's not talking about somebody that's just physically tired at the end of the day. He's talking about somebody who is weary of the burden of sin. You've been laboring to straighten things out. You've been trying to work out a plan that you can make things acceptable before God, and you've repeatedly been faced with the impossibility of it.

I'm not making any progress, if anything I'm getting worse. He speaks to such a weary soul, one that's struggling, one that's laboring. He says, come to me. You don't go to Sinai, you don't go to the law.

The law is there to convict and to show you your shortcomings. But He says, come to me, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest under your souls. Have you gone for a time in recent days when you haven't had any rest of soul?

You've faced a lot of turmoil, a lot of struggles, maybe some confusion about certain issues. Jesus says, come unto me, I will give you rest. What sweeter rest could you have than resting in Jesus? I was so impressed by the testimony given by Brother Bill Mast during this time of his wife's illness and her death. He obviously loved his wife dearly and will miss her greatly, but he continued to talk about what a comfort to think about where she is, that she has already gone on where he hoped one day to go to be with Jesus and to be there in that beautiful city in the presence of the Son of God. All of her sufferings passed, and he just repeated it over and over again.

Even at the graveside, he was still talking about it. What peace we can have even in those darkest moments of life when we realize that Jesus Christ is the source of the peace and the rest that we need. And then we look at the supply, the support that he supplies. Dear name the rock on which I build. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3.11 that there is no other foundation that any man can lay than that which is laid, Jesus Christ. You try to build on any other foundation and you're building on the shifting sands and they will not support you.

But Jesus Christ is the solid rock, the rock of ages. We can build upon him. That means we have confidence in him. We're not trusting in ourselves.

We're not trusting in man-made concepts and theories. We're trusting in Jesus Christ. He's the rock, my shield and hiding place. He's the one to whom we look to defend us, to protect us. Satan is hurling his fiery darts. He is our great enemy who is seeking whom he may devour. And we're not capable of successfully combating all of his continuous attacks. But if we believe Jesus Christ is our shield, he is our protector, then that means we're going to him on a regular basis.

We're going not just at certain intervals. We're going to him every morning. We're praying for his help as we embark upon the day. We're praying for his wisdom to be given us that we can make the right decisions, his grace that we can overcome any distractions. We're praying continuously.

We sang a while ago the hymn, I need thee every hour, and how true it is that we need him perpetually. And he is our hiding place, a place of shelter, a place of refuge. You remember in Old Testament times they had those cities which were cities of refuge.

And someone who was being falsely accused could take refuge in those cities and they were secure, they were safe. He is our place of refuge. And then Mr. Newton says, my never failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace.

This treasury doesn't run short. Jesus Christ is full of grace. I love those words in the first chapter of the Gospel of John that bring that to our attention. We're told that he is the Word and that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

In John chapter 1 verse 14, the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Not just a small amount of grace. You may say, look at my life, I think I've used up an awful lot of grace. I've had to go to the Lord over and over again and say, Lord, I need grace.

There's still plenty left. He's full of grace and truth. How wonderful to know that. Verse 16, and of his fullness have all we received and grace for grace. Not just the initial grace to save your soul, but you have grace and then more grace is coming and you need grace today and you'll have some more of it tomorrow. You'll see grace all the way to the end and even dying grace when that is required. By his grace that we're saved and by his grace that we are kept.

Then we think about the access that he provides. The hymn says, by thee my prayers acceptance gain although with sin defiled. If you're not aware of your sin, you might at times be reluctant to even approach the Lord. I know I'm defiled.

How can I expect that he will hear me? But you're not coming there with the idea that you're worthy and deserving. You're coming to pray in Jesus' name. Hebrews chapter 7 verse 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

We have one to plead our case, one who intercedes for us so it is by him that our prayers gain acceptance although we ourselves are sinners. Satan, he says, accuses me in vain and I am owned a child. In Revelation 12, 10, Satan is called the accuser of the brethren. He appears before God accusing God's children, pointing out their failings, pointing out their inconsistencies.

He's constantly accusing and sometimes he accuses you directly. He will come to you laying charge against you, bringing you to the place that you question and doubt your own salvation. But Satan accuses me in vain because I am owned a child. In spite of his accusation, I know the fact that I am now a part of God's family. I've been born of the Spirit. I have been adopted into the family.

I am his child. So all the accusations that Satan may bring are in vain. Weak is the effort of my heart and cold my warmest thoughts. Must we not testify that that describes us so well? Oh Lord, I wish I could pray more fervently.

I wish I could serve more effectively. I wish I could read more diligently and gain the benefits that I believe are there available but so often I'm faltering. Weak is the effort of my heart and cold my warmest thoughts. But look at the encouragement we find once more in the book of Hebrews. Chapter 10, verse 19. Therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by new and living way which he has consecrated for us through the veil, that is to save his flesh, and having a high priest over the house of God.

Oh yes, our thoughts, our efforts are weak but we have one who is a great high priest and pleads on our behalf. And then the hymn goes on to describe the position that he occupies. Jesus, my shepherd, John 10, verse 11 says that he is the good shepherd and lays down his life for the sheep.

There was nothing about us that would obligate him, that would demand his attention, that would move him to die for us. But it was by his love and grace and according to the design and purpose of the Heavenly Father that sent him here that he was willing to go to the cross and lay down his life for the sheep. John 10, verse 16 says he brings them to the fold. He redeemed them at the cross but they are still astray and like the shepherd that's depicted in the book of Ezekiel, he goes out across the mountains through the valleys and seeks out that lost sheep. He's described as picking it up and laying it on his shoulders and bringing that sheep safely to the fold.

He is my shepherd. Jesus, my husband, friend. Revelation 21, verse 2, And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

The church is considered the bride of Christ. All of these descriptive phrases talk about what an intimate relationship we have with Jesus Christ, my friend. Proverbs 18, 24, There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Friends are a wonderful blessing, but sometimes friends disappoint us. Sometimes those that have stood with us turn away, but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, a true friend, a trusted friend, Jesus Christ. What a friend we have in Jesus. Prophet, priest, and king. In that passage we read from Luke, chapter 4, verse 18, Jesus said he was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor. So he is a prophet, a preacher. He came proclaiming a message.

He wasn't trying to satisfy and entertain the self-righteous Pharisees. He was bringing the message, the gospel, the good news, for sinners it anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. Then Hebrews chapter 9 describes him as the priest in the 13th verse.

For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling to unclean sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh, how much more so the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purged your conscience from dead works to serve the true and living God. And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Yes, he is our priest. You don't have to go to a priest on this earth.

There's no man on this earth qualified to plead your case and to make access and intercession for you to God. There is but one mediator between God and man and that's the man Christ Jesus. And then he is king.

Think about it. This one who is your husband, your friend, your shepherd, your prophet, your priest, your heavenly father, he is your king. He's king of kings and lord of lords as is described in Revelation 17, 14. King, lord above all, my lord, my life, my way, my end. He's not only the savior of our soul, he's the lord of our life.

Some people have the mistaken idea that if they just pray some kind of a prayer and say I'm embracing Jesus, they can go on the rest of their life and think a little about him and still arrive someday in heaven. Let me tell you, when Jesus Christ saves your soul, he takes over. It's not just a matter of adding him on to a list of gods that you might feel like I want to be safe and touch all the bases. No, Jesus Christ is lord. He's my lord. My life, Paul said, for to me to live is Christ.

Can you say that today? He is my way. Jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life. And then we see the hope that he gives. We shall see him, but when I see thee as thou art. First Corinthians chapter 13 says that now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see him face to face. As we read the scripture, we read about the glory and greatness of our risen savior.

We can rejoice in it. We sing some of these wonderful old hymns that depict the truth of it so beautifully. But right now, at best, we see through a glass darkly. We don't have clear vision, but someday we shall see him face to face.

That's something beyond our ability really to grasp. What will it be in that great day to see him? We will praise him. Then, says Mr. Newton, I'll praise thee as I ought. Revelation 19 one says, and after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven saying, Alleluia, salvation and glory and honor and power unto the Lord our God. Sometimes, as this congregation sings, my spirit is lifted and I rejoice and I think, how beautiful to hear these voices blending, lifting up praise to the Lord our God. But what will it be then?

This old cracked voice of mine is going to be fixed over there. I'm going to be able to sing like I'd like to sing. You'll be able to sing and there won't be anybody next to you off key that will all be singing it right and singing it together and what a joyous time that will be that we will praise him. And it says, till then I would thy love proclaim with every fleeting breath.

May that be true of all of us. Until that time comes that we see him face to face, may we be faithful in speaking over and over again of his great love. John Newton, who was offered this hymn, became pastor in London, England in 1779 where he labored for 27 years. Large crowds came to hear him preach. His great desire was to show what Christ had done for him and what he could do for others. Two years before his death, because of his age and infirmities, he was encouraged to quit preaching. His reply was, what? Shall an old African blasphemer stop while he can still speak?

On December the 21st, 1807, he fell asleep in Jesus in his 83rd year. William Jay saw him not long before his death. The bright mind had become clouded and his speech was affected. But the visitor carried away John Newton's dying words.

He said to Mr. Jay, my memory is nearly gone, but I can remember two things. I am a great sinner and Christ is a great savior. Can you say that today? If you know you are a great sinner and Jesus Christ is a great savior, you're blessed. And you can say how sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear. Indeed, when we rejoice in the sweetness of Jesus' name, we desire to proclaim it to others. And may we say, till then, I would thy love proclaim with every fleeting breath. Be sure to write to us and until next week at the same time, may the Lord richly bless you all. In my prayers excellency, although it's been divine, St. John accuses me in faith and I am home a child and I am home a child. The Baptist Bible Hour has come to you under the direction of Elder LeSaire Bradley, Jr. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. Here may the rock of which I build my shield and hiding place, My never failing praise rebuild with boundless doors of praise, Jesus, my shepherd, husband, friend, my prophet, friend.