OceanSide church of Christ

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THEME SONG:  HIGHER GROUND

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Our theme this year is:  “Seeking Higher Ground in 2021.”

 

B.      Our theme verse is Philippians 3:13-14.

 

C.     This year, we will also have a theme song.  It is entitled:  “Higher Ground,” #234 in our books.

 

(SING THE SONG)

 

D.    In this lesson, I want us to look at some things surrounding this song.

 

I.                   THE AUTHOR OF THE SONG

 

A.    In the top left-hand corner, we learn that the writer of the song was Johnson Oatman, Jr.  He wrote the song in 1892.

 

 

B.      Background on Johnson Oatman, Jr.

1.      He was born on April 21, 1856.

2.      His parents were Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman.

3.      The place of his birth was Medford, NJ.

 

Medford Lakes, New Jersey Cost of Living

4.      He was educated at Herberts Academy and New Jersey Collegiate Institute.

5.      His religious affiliation was Methodist Episcopal (M.E. Church).  NOTE:  He was a minister for this denomination.

6.      He also worked in the retail and insurance businesses.

7.      He was married in 1878 to Wilhemina Reid.

8.      They had three children:  Rachel, Miriam, and Percy.

 

C.     Oatman the Songwriter

1.      Oatman wrote about 3,000 songs during his life.

2.      He wrote about 200 per year.

3.      Here is a dedication he put in a book very early in his songwriting career.

 

Let others sing of right or wrongs,

Sing anything that pleases:

But while they’re singing other songs,

I’ll sing a song for Jesus.

 

4.      His first song was from 1892.  It was entitled:  “I Am Walking with My Savior.”

5.      Other songs written by Oatman with which we are familiar:

1.      There’s Not A Friend

2.      Count Your Many Blessings

3.      Higher Ground

6.      His daughter, Miriam, was talented as well.  She wrote over 300 hymns and set music to several songs which her father had written.

 

D.    Johnson Oatman, Jr. died in September 25, 1922 near Norman, OK.

 

II.                THE SONG:  HIGHER GROUND

 

A.    First, this song reminds us that “higher ground” exists.

 

B.      At the end of the second stanza, we have these words:  “My prayer, my aim is higher ground.”  This is our prayer and our aim for 2021.

 

C.     Higher ground is emphasized throughout the song.

1.      The upward way (#1)

2.      New heights (#1)

3.      Higher ground (#1)

4.      Above the world (#3)

5.      The utmost height (#4)

6.      Till heaven I’ve found (#4)

7.      A higher plane (chorus)

 

D.    The action of the one singing the song.

1.      I’m PRESSING on the upward way (#1)

2.      New heights I’m GAINING every day (#1)

3.      Still PRAYING as I onward bound (#1) (Prayer is mentioned 3 times).

My prayer, my aim is higher ground (#2)

But still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found (#4)

4.      Let me stand BY FAITH on heaven’s table-land (chorus) (Faith is mentioned 2 times).

For faith has caught the joyful sound (#3)

5.      My hearts has NO DESIRE TO STAY (#2)

6.      I want to LIVE ABOVE THE WORLD (#3)

7.      I want to SCALE the utmost heights (#4)

8.      CATCH a gleam of glory bright (#4)

9.      Till heaven I’ve FOUND (#4)

 

E.      The evils of the world acknowledged.

1.      Doubts and fears (#2)

2.      Some dwell where these abound (#2)

3.      Satan’s darts at me are hurled (#3)

 

F.      Help from the Lord

1.      Lord, plant my feet on higher ground (#1)

2.      Lord, lead me on to higher ground (#4)

3.      Lord, lift me up and let me stand (chorus)

4.      Lord, plant my feet on higher ground (chorus)

 

G.     Encouragement: 

1.      For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground (#3).

2.      Let me stand by faith on heaven’s table land.

 

H.    The ultimate height:

1.      And catch a gleam of glory bright (#4)

2.      Till heaven I’ve found (#4)

 

III.             APPLICATION

 

A.    We have to “press” on the upward way.

1.      Paul said he was pressing toward the mark for the prize (Phil. 3:14).

2.      Luke 16:16

 

The law and the prophets were until John:  since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

 

B.      We must gain new heights “every day.”

1.      The Christian life not just a Sunday only ordeal.

2.      It involves every day of our lives.

3.      We are improving ourselves every day. 

a.      Today, I am not where I was yesterday.

b.      Tomorrow, I will not be where I am today.

4.      Luke 9:23

 

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

 

C.     We must “pray” as we onward bound.

1.      Our prayer life manifests our reliance upon God.

2.      We cannot get to higher ground by ourselves.

3.      We need God’s help.

4.      Psalm 121:1

 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

 

D.    Our hearts can have “no desire to stay” here.

1.      Sometimes here holds too many blessings for us.

2.      We begin to act as if we have heaven on earth.

3.      We cannot set our affection on this world (Col. 3:1-2).

 

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

 

E.      We must “live above the world.”

1.      The world is fleeting, decaying, and temporary.

2.      We look for things better than these.  We look for eternal things.

3.      II Corinthians 4:18

 

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

F.      We must live by “faith.”

1.      Faith is the foundation of our lives.

2.      We can see invisible things because of our faith.

3.      II Corinthians 5:7

 

(For we walk by faith, not by sight).

 

G.     Heaven has to be our ultimate goal.

1.      We want to catch a gleam of glory bright.

2.      We want to find heaven.

3.      We want to stand on heaven’s tableland.

4.      We must develop the mindset of the patriarchs of old (Heb. 11:16).

 

But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly…

 

H.    We must allow the Lord to lead us and to plant our feet on higher ground (Ps. 27:11)

 

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path…

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    When we sing, we are supposed to be telling the truth as we speak the words.

 

B.      Is your prayer, your aim higher ground?

 

C.     Will you press on the upward way and gain new heights every day in 2021?

 

D.    Hebrews 11:9-10

 

By faith he sojourned in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.