Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret - Chapter 4

Review of Chapter

Narrative from chapter 3

God has put a calling on his life to be a missionary to China

So Taylor begins preparations, practical things

minister to the poor, studied Chinese, studies Biblical languages, studies medicine under a doctor, moved to the poor side of town, gave 2/3 of his money to others to help them but also learn how to live with little

sadly, he also lost the woman he loved, who was not interested in going to China

Lessons

It cost to serve the Lord - work, sacrifices, girlfriend

Be led by the Spirit of God, and not circumstances - when it became evident that going to China would be more difficult, others quit but not Hudson Taylor

Yet rejoice - He learned to trust God and rejoice in the tough times

Questions from chapter 4?

Sharing Time, Chapter 4

before we dive in, I would like you to share things from chapter 4

if you can, turn on video/un-mute and then share

interesting, intriguing, enlightening, encouraging

Chapter 4 Narrative

Hudson was doing lots of practical preparation/training but knew he would need to get strong spiritually as well

Made a decision to “move man, through God, by prayer alone”

not ask people for his needs, just ask God

he was doing this in preparation, because he would be in a land (china) with no one to help or fall back on but God

that takes faith, and the faith part is 100% biblical

this particular implementation of this is Hudson’s, he has a spiritual reason to do it this way

this is not a formula for everyone (you need to be Holy Spirit led)

faith might actually mean that you ask, when the expected answer is no

Salary story

forgetful Employer said to remind him about salary, but Hudson Taylor resolved to not remind employer (the doctor he was training under) to pay him, but to pray that God would remind him

so he could remind the doctor and get his salary if he wanted to, but he felt that he needed to “move man, through God, by prayer alone”

so, employer forgot to pay him

got to a point where Hudson had very little left (5 cents), and only enough food for breakfast the following day . . . so he needs that 5 cents real bad

ran into man who was worse off than he was (sick wife and starving children), He would have been willing to share part of the little he had left if he had smaller denominations (ex. pennies) . . . so the only way he could give would be to give all of his little money away

convictions - he had no peace

convictions - you are willing to trust God with almost nothing, might as well trust him with nothing

a seed can’t feed you, might as well plant it by faith

convictions - telling unsaved poor people to trust Him, and he was not willing to trust God himself

convictions - scripture came to mind about asking those who ask

So he gave all of the little he had left, the money helped man to save his wife and feed his kids

went back home and ate his gruel but he had peace and joy

next day got a 400% blessing of money in the mail (ex. gave away a nickel and got 20 cents back)

imagine if you gave $20 and got $80 back

but since he still had nor been paid by his job, Hudson was back to being broke in 2 weeks, still praying that God would remind his employer to pay him . . . also rent is due that Saturday

hopes were dashed when Doctor remembered to pay him, but had already sent money to the bank

But as he was about to leave work, a rich patient came in to pay his bill . . . man said that he felt compelled to come right a way to pay it even though it was late in the evening and could have paid it the next week

and the doctor paid him his money

funny how he tried to hide his emotions when speaking with the doctor

Knowing the Word of God is very important

The Bible guides us

Scripture teaches, corrects, encourages, instructs . . . there is a manual for life, marriage, raising children, success, trials . . .

in Sunday School we saw how the Bible speaks to the issues of the day

in this chapter, Holy Spirit brought conviction by bringing Matthew 5:42 ( give to him who ask of you) to his remembrance when the man asked for help

Holy spirit can’t bring things to your mind if you haven’t first studied

Note: it is not easy to follow the word, but you can be sure that you are on the right path

that’s half the battle . . . for many are desperately searching for what is right

and others are on the wrong path, and have no clue because it feels right in the short term

also, knowing the word of god is very important because

The Bible aids us in prayer

it’s a good thing to be able to use Scripture in prayer . . . “God you said” . . . “God you are . . . merciful, kind”

Moses did that a lot, use what he knew about God to approach God

not reminding God like he forgot . . . it’s not tricking God to do something

but it directs your prayers toward his will, and it strengthens your faith as you pray

Taylor prayed and reminded God of Proverbs 19:17 that he that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord

“don’t let this be a long term loan, lol

God will take care of you

events in this chapter are so real . . . each of these steps make you want to give up

step out on faith and God does not move right away

that’s what we want, step of faith and right away move of God

but God does not make the employer remember to pay Hudson on pay day . . . he forgets day after day

step out on faith and things get worse or a new challenge is added

Moses and people stepped out on faith and went to pharaoh, and ended up having to make bricks without straw

not only did God not move right away, but things are worse than ever for Taylor, and he is expected to demonstrate even more faith

Hudson had to give from the little he had left

God comes through, but next thing you know, you are back to being in need

Got the miracle money in the mail

but that money runs out fast, and he also owes landlady (others will be hurt if God doesn’t come through)

and you are back to “Oh Lawd” after a short period of Hallelujah

You think you see God moving, but it’s not

Doctor remembering, but only after sending the money to the bank

someone said they would send money but they didnt

they said job was yours, but then they gave it to someone else

health report looked good, but then they said uh oh

Then God comes through

makes you go wow, why did I ever doubt him?

Then another challenge presents itself

Which part of the faith cycle are you on?

we walk by faith, so you are always on it .

. . . . . whichever part, remember that Through it all remember that God will take care of you!

live in peace and joy

Final thoughts and questions

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