January 29, 2015 (Thursday)
George W. Truett (1867-1944) preached and published a great sermon, “The Conquest of Fear.”
His text was Revelation 1:17-18, “”Fear not; I am the first and the last, and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for ever more, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”
Dr. Truett was a masterful preacher. He had a simple outline that dealt with a very profound subject. I will summarize the message briefly as follows:
1. Do not be afraid of life. He proclaimed, “Often comes the testing hours in life when we cry out with Paul: ‘Who is sufficient for these things?’ Many times are we provoked to ask that very question, as we are called upon to make important decisions and meet the critically testing experiences of life. Verily, we are many times made to tremble before the immeasurably responsible facts of life. Jesus graciously comes to us saying: ‘Do not be afraid of life.’ ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'”
2. Do not be afraid of death. Dr. Truett brought words of comfort to us: “Jesus is with His people when they come to die. The evidences of this fact are countless and glorious. Often and joyfully did John Wesley declare: ‘Our people die well.’ Many of us, even in our limited and very humble sphere, can give the same glad testimony. ‘Our people die well.’ Indeed, when we see how well they can die, how unafraid and triumphant they are, when they face the last enemy, we are fortified afresh for our work of testifying to the sufficiency of Christ’s help, in every possible human experience.”
3. Do not be afraid of eternity. The great preacher assured us that “He [Jesus] comforts His friends with the gracious words: ‘I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.’ In that incomparable chapter of guidance and comfort, the fourteenth chapter of John, Jesus would anchor us, once for all, with His Divinely assuring words: ‘Because I live, ye shall live also.'”
His sermon is on your computer, via the internet. If you would like to read it, click here. None of his sermons was long. This one is no exception. It is relatively brief and enjoyable reading.
Baylor University has made available online digital audio recordings of many sermons by Dr. Truett. Click here to go that site.