Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret - Chapter 3

Review

Note: Mother Alston has almost finished reading it

non-biblical hero . . . man who lived in the 1800’s in England . . . takes away our of excuse of we can’t do great spiritual things because we are not like the people in the Bible

Hudson Taylor was the son of a Methodist preacher, but as a young man he did not accept the Christian beliefs of his parents at first . . . but his mother and sister prayed for him and he became a Christian while reading a evangelistic pamphlet entitled “Poor Richard”

Lessons

since salvation is a finished work, completed by Christ

our response is to praise God and serve with gratitude

because the salvation piece is done

we don’t work to be saved, we work because we are saverd

Don’t ignore burdens that God puts on your heart, pray about them.

Prayer is the biggest part of evangelism!

pray that God will change people’s hearts

pray that God will show you who to reach out to

pray that God demonstrate power that will draw people to you, and then you point them to Christ (day of Pentecost)

pray that God will send more workers to WMBC

pray that our WMBC children will understand salvation and want to be saved

because God is the one that gives the increase, Lord of the Harvest

Interesting things from chapter 3

I have some things that I will share, but first I will call on you

would like people to share things from chapter 3

turn on video/un-mute and then share from chapter 3

interesting, intriguing, good, ah-ha

Questions from chapter 3?

just un-mute

Narrative of Chapter 3

Hudson was trying to follow Christ but struggled with sin . . . the company of a cousin didn’t help (bad company corrupts good character)

prayed for help in this struggle and promised God anything in return for this help

kind of wanted to take that promise back (I like the honesty)

God said, “Then go for Me to China”

Commercial - (I’ve shared this before): one of the biggest helps with sin struggles is DOING something for Christ

occupy yourself with doing good and it’s harder to do bad

another application for “overcome evil with good”

old folks said, “idle mind is the devil’s workshop”

one of biggest party nights is New Year’s Eve

I have never gotten drunk, acted crazy, gotten into a fight, questioned by police, said something regrettable on NYE

why? because I am so strong in the Lord? . . . no, I was always at watch service at church

now that I am older, I am too tired to go out, lol

God wants Taylor to go to china, so he began preparations, practical things

can you name them? . . . .exercise, sleeping on a harder bed, eating less

stopped going to evening service at church and instead went to minister to the poor (spiritual and physical needs)

studied Chinese

couldn’t afford a grammar book or Dictionary, so started his own dictionary

refreshed his knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew (Bible Languages)

getting up at 5am

begin to study medicine (that’s going to open the door)

became an apprentice to a doctor and received a small salary (that’s how you could become a doctor in those days)

gave tithes to help the needy

Went to live in the “hood” - more preparation for a rough life

economized - no milk/butter . . . just oatmeal and rice so he could give 2/3 of his money to others

received more joy living this way . . . more blessed to give than to receive

Main Lessons . . .

It cost to serve the Lord.

salvation is free. Serving Him, following Him costs

we think of cost as . . .

coming to church

giving money to church

giving up some sinful things we want to do

putting up with churchfolk

Real cost is a lot more than that! (than giving up a couple of hours on Sunday)

most of us are struggling at kindergarten level cost

year in school, crayons, pencils, paper, backpack, boxes of Kleenex

but others have been at Ph.D. level

12 years of regular school, 4 years of college, 2/3 years for Masters, 3/4 more years for doctorate, and thousands in school loans . . . that’s some cost

but we are likely at Kindergarten level, and about to pass out

Matthew 20:22 NASB95

22 But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

Church talk . . . following Christ is like drinking from a bitter cup (vinegar)

not sweet tea

Matthew 16:24 NASB95

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

a cross is a serious cost!

some of you are paying cost, and are surprised . . . but remember that it cost . . . and it cost a lot

it cost Hudson Taylor

all of the changes in his life

comfort - living quarters, food

lots of time (studying and ministering)

money

woman he wanted to marry broke up with him because she nor her father wanted her to go to China . . . he was tempted to give it all up just to be with her . . . but he stayed true to the Lord

Be led by the Spirit of God, and not circumstances.

if God tells you to do something, then do it, regardless of difficulties, limitations, circumstances . . . if you are called then you are called

many gave up after the Taiping Rebellion (explain) failed

they were planning on government backing and support

but now there is extra resistance and danger

so it was the happening Christian thing to do until it became hard

people stopped praying

would be missionaries turned to other callings

one group (society) actually disbanded

but not Hudson Taylor

on page 28 . . .

Revelation 3:8 NASB95

8 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

most Christians think of jobs, promotions, business, wealth, position, prosperity

Hudson Taylor thinks ministry, helping people, serving

no one can shut the door of ministry, helping people, serving, calling

failure of rebelling will not shut the door

just like not having money didn’t shut the door to his studying Chinese

there is probably room for both interpretations . . . but most of us need to start utilizing the serving part

Yet rejoice

you can be rejoice in trials

read page 30

feeling this trial and painful experiences . . . but also God’s love, and I will trust him

Habakkuk 3:18–19 NLT

18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)

despite it all, Yet I will rejoice

for he is the God of my salvation . . . the God that saves me

he is my stregnth

makes me surefooted in dangers places

Final thoughts and questions

Announcements

Sunday School and then HGSJBC

official start time is 12, but they will get here ASAP

pastor Brewer told his people, not looking for a long service

dress is casual

asking for home baked cookies

you don’t have to do it from scratch . . . I will use store bought doe

bake them and put two to a bag . . . choc chip, peanut butter, sugar

$20 total ($10/person) for married couples who are participating in the valentines day. give cash or cashapp pastor CAver at $dtcaver