Expect; Attempt

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God."

This was the sermon of William Carey's that started so much of world-wide missions. I've been reading his biography and it is simply beautiful. He was such a gifted man, and he used his talents so well. Not for himself at all, but for his Lord. Oh, the riches he is enjoying now!

We are on the cusp of a different precipice today. In Carey's day, slavery was being defeated. In our day, we are looking for the end of abortion. These things are great ends of themselves, but they are also perfect diving boards, if you will. Why do we abhor the buying and selling of people? Why do we abhor the murder of thousands of babies every day? Because we love the souls of Men.

Over and over and over, as I read this book, I read how much they prayed. There was great growth going on. The people were being challenged to live holy lives, to put away their sins. Church discipline was regular - not to the point of ex-communication always, but regular, nonetheless. And they had a renewed interest in prayer. Prayer had become vital to them. Private prayer and corporate prayer.

How much are we praying? They fasted and prayed.

I can't tell you how much I want to be done nursing my son so that I can fast and pray. I want to do that. I want to give it up for a day, maybe a day every week. I want to sacrifice something for the cause of ending abortion. Do you WANT that? Are you looking for something to do?

Carey donated the first money toward the formation of the mission society. He wanted it so deeply, he GLORIED in being able to give something. It was like Christmas morning to him. They didn't even have a society yet, but Carey pledged all the proceeds of a pamphlet he'd authored to the cause. Do we glory in being able to give something?

Are we looking for ways to give? Where is our focus? Are we praying? I haven't prayed enough. I haven't been expecting great things from God, and my effort has reflected that. I have been sorta, kinda hoping. EXPECT great things from God. Faith always precedes works. Always. Expect great things from God and the work is not hard. Giving is joyful. Sacrifice is glad. There is never enough you can do when God is doing great things.

In his own country, Jesus didn't do any mighty works - because of their unbelief. Expect great things from God. Will you listen to the Holy Spirit? Will you let Him move you? Carey carried the burning desire to send the gospel to the nations for eight years before he saw anything. Even after his great sermon that called the church to repentance and growth, they were going to walk away. Again. The pastors were going to hedge and hold back. They weren't going to jump in. Until Carey seized Fuller by the arm and pleaded with him desperately. Then the Holy Spirit did great things.

Carey had expected that He would. If he had expected nothing to come of his sermon, nothing to come of the meeting, he would not have pleaded with Fuller and things would have continued on. But Carey was flabbergasted. He was shocked and beside himself.

Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.