O For A Thousand Tongues

An alternative title for this hymn is “For the anniversary of one’s conversion.”

This is the title that appears in many Old Hymnals in the Methodist Church.

I remember the first time I sang this song my Graduation Ceremony for my Mdiv.

Last week in my preparation for this sermon I remembered what a journey that was for me.

God had used my getting the Mdiv to lead me down a path from fear to freedom.

So while conversion in the intended subject, for me it was a reminder of a culmination of a journey.

A passage that inspired some of the words — 1 Timothy 1:12-17

1 Timothy 1:12–17 NASB 2020

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Are you ready for the message God has for us today?

Cool let’s dig in!

Charles Wesley

In 1739 for the first anniversary of his conversion

Charles Wesley wrote an 18 stanza text with the opening words, “Glory to God, and praise and Love.”

It was first published in Hymns and Sacred poems in 1740.

This was a hymnal complied by the Wesley brothers Charles and John.

“Oh for a thousand tongues” comes from stanza 7 of Charles original hymn.

The words were inspired by the Moravian Peter Bohler, a mentor to Charles, who said, “If I had a thousand tongues, I would praise Christ with them all.”

Read stanza 18

Charles Wesley identified himself with Paul as “Chief of sinners.”

Paul was reflecting on his previous life, salvation, and call in Christ.

In this hymn that is what Charles was doing.

What is interesting is the one year anniversary for which Charles Wesley wrote this song.

After reading the Gospels Charles was captured by their beauty and on May 21, 1738 at exactly 8:45 PM

He describes that his heart was “strangely warmed” and that the Holy Spirit chased away the darkness of his unbelief.

That is a great account but was is even stranger Charles Wesley had been an active, ordained, teaching and preaching member of the Church for nearly 20 years.

Read stanza 9

Grace changed the heart of Wesley.

In that moment Wesley’s heart was changed.

This is why I connected my own journey from fear to freedom with the change that Wesley saw in himself.

I am reminded of Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB 2020

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

The change in Wesley was gaining victory over his temper and his unfortunate drinking habit.

Charles writes, “I was amazed to find my old enemy, intemperance, so suddenly subdued, that I almost forgot I was ever in bondage.”

So Charles celebrated with the anniversary of what the grace of God had done in his life by writing this song.

Through this jubilant text Wesley exalts his Redeemer and Lord.

What does the song teach and remind us?

Read the first seven stanzas.

Reading the words do you go back to a moment when your life was completely changed?

Maybe the day of your conversion?

I am reminded of what Jesus said — Luke 15:4-7

Luke 15:4–7 NASB 2020

4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

It is so true that we can go on with life and forget the moment everything changed.

While the Apostle Paul didn’t dwell on the past he did keep in front of his mind the power of his conversion.

He recounts so many times in his letters, Luke in Acts recounts three times Paul using his testimony before Kings and rulers.

It truly was a powerful testimony.

So is your testimony — read stanza 7

We are walking examples of the power of the grace of God, witnesses to the salvation found in Christ.

This song reminds us of that fact — Stanza 10

A reminder of the joy we felt when our life was forever change, like the Ethiopian — Acts 8:34-39

Acts 8:34–39 NASB 2020

34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he ordered that the chariot stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.

The Joy of salvation in Christ!

Conclusion

I am inspired by Charles Wesley, our conversion should put a song in our heart — Psalm 40:3

Psalm 40:3 NASB 2020

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.

I wonder if that verse came to Wesley’s mind as he wrote the song

Read stanzas 13-18

What are you going to do based upon what God has said today?