November 28, 2004: “Singing in the Rain” by Rev. Russ Blowers, former pastor of 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, after 45 years of service to our Lord. Reading from his favorite Scripture passage in Romans 5:1-5, Pastor Russ began his message by describing the scene from the popular MGM movie entitled “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952) in which Gene Kelly filled with love went out into the street in the pouring down rain and sang and danced with joy. (See lyrics on page 2).
Using this story as a backdrop, Pastor Russ described how
we need to have joy and hope when facing life’s difficult situations. As James writes in his letter to the twelve
tribes scattered among the nations, we need to “consider
it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance.” James 1:2-4 (NIV).
Pastor Russ describes how the Greek Word dokimos is found on the
bottom of many pottery items, in the Holy Land, indicating that the items have
been tested and approved. Such
items were subjected to intense heat and did not crack and loose their
integrity.
And drawing on an outline on sufferings of Elizabeth Elliot[1], Pastor Russ described how we should rejoice in our sufferings because God has a purpose, for we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:4-5 (NIV)
When we are faced with the down
side of life (the rain), how do we respond?
Rather than becoming discouraged and despondent, we need to follow
Christ and face our troubles with faith, hope and love…singing in the rain. Why, because through it all God is
developing our character as he leads us through it all to accomplish His
purpose in our lives (Romans 8:28).
Application Questions:
Resources:
A
Path Through Suffering…discovering the relationship between God’s mercy
and our plan, by Elizabeth Elliot (ISBN 0-89283-801-9) published by Christian
Living.
We
are called to Learn by Richard Krejcir, Director of “Into Thy Word Ministries,” in which
he describes his interview with Elizabeth Elliott and the impact she made on
his life when she shared, “The spear that took my husband shook me from my
faith temporarily but not from His love.”
Article condensed from his book entitled Finding God’s Will for your
Life published in 1997.
Fear no Evil
by David Watson. David
Watson was a gifted evangelist, and inspiration to many. He was a keen believer
in the healing ministry and many were shaken when he developed, and
subsequently died of, cancer in 1984.
In this book, he shares something of his spiritual, emotional and
theological journey during his illness.
Lyrics: Edward Mote; Music: John B. Duykes
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. (Refrain)
When darkness veils, His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In ev’ry high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil. (Refrain)
His oath, His covenant, His blood
support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay. (Refrain)
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found,
dressed in His righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne. (Refrain)
Refrain
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand.
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Lyrics: Arthur Freed; Music: Nacio Herb Brown
Artist: Gene Kelly; Movie: Singin’ in the Rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain
Dancin' in the rain
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
I'm happy again!
I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!
[1] Elizabeth Elliot is a noted author, whose missionary husband was speared by South American Indians and upon her return visit to them instead of seeking retribution and revenge, God used her to reach that tribe. Her books include A Path Through Suffering, Passion and Purity, Through Gates of Splendor, Love Has a Price Tag, and Loneliness.