Christian Literature
George Müller's commitment to Christian literature led to the establishment of SKI and the distribution of Bibles and tracts, ultimately spreading the gospel and supporting missionaries worldwide.
George Müller emphasizes the significance of Christian literature in spreading the Gospel, detailing his commitment to distributing Bibles and tracts since founding SKI in 1834. He established a Bible Warehouse and Bookshop in Bristol, which evolved over the years to meet the growing demand for Christian resources. Despite challenges, including the destruction of the original shop during World War II, Müller's faith led to the opening of a new building in 1957, which expanded to additional locations. The shops not only provided literature but also supported missionaries and supplied Bibles to those in need. Müller's legacy continues as the shops transitioned to other Christian booksellers, ensuring the ongoing availability of Christian literature.
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George Müller was a staunch believer in the power of Christian literature. With the setting up of SKI in 1834 George Müller became committed to the distribution of Bibles and tracts, not only in English but also in other languages. In that same year he founded a Bible Warehouse and Bookshop in Bristol and as the need increased it became necessary for this part of George Müller's work to be moved to separate premises.
Therefore, in 1852, the Bible and Tract Warehouse, and Bookshop, was opened in Park Street, Bristol. The work carried on from these premises for nearly ninety years until the Second World War, when the shop was destroyed by fire. The work was then transferred temporarily to other premises. These were in an area of Bristol which was away from the mainstream of city life and therefore the shop for many years occupied an unimportant role. After much prayer and waiting upon God, a new building was purchased in Park Street near the original site.
This shop was opened in 1957, under the title 'Evangelical Christian Literature'.
Subsequently two other branches were opened in Bath (in 1974), and in Weston-super-Mare (1984). Yet another example of the faithfulness of God. The shops carried a very wide range of Christian books and other literature, and every need was catered for from the general reader to the serious student. The fourth object of SKI is 'To aid in supplying the wants of Missionaries and Missionary Schools'. A proportion of the profits from the bookshops were sent to support missionaries in other countries and provided Bibles for people in countries where they are in short supply.
As a result of the increasing sophistication of the Christian bookselling market, it was decided in the early 1990's to sell the shops to other Christian booksellers; the business in Bath was sold to Scripture Union and the businesses in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare to an arm of Operation Mobilisation, "Send the Light". Since then, STL has taken over the SU bookshops and all three are part of STL trading under the name Wesley Owen Books and Music. The properties in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare remain under the ownership of the Müller Homes.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to Christian Literature
- A. Importance of Christian literature in spreading the gospel
- B. George Müller's commitment to Christian literature
- II. History of SKI and Bible Distribution
- A. Founding of SKI in 1834 and Bible Warehouse in Bristol
- B. Expansion of Bible distribution to other languages
- III. Growth and Development of Christian Literature
- A. Establishment of new premises in Park Street, Bristol
- B. Opening of new branches in Bath and Weston-super-Mare
- IV. Missionary Support and Bible Distribution
- A. Provision of Bibles for missionaries and missionary schools
- B. Support for missionaries in other countries
- V. Conclusion
- A. Faithfulness of God in the growth of Christian literature
Key Quotes
“The shops carried a very wide range of Christian books and other literature, and every need was catered for from the general reader to the serious student.” — George Mueller
“A proportion of the profits from the bookshops were sent to support missionaries in other countries and provided Bibles for people in countries where they are in short supply.” — George Mueller
“As a result of the increasing sophistication of the Christian bookselling market, it was decided in the early 1990's to sell the shops to other Christian booksellers;” — George Mueller
Application Points
- We can trust in the faithfulness of God to guide and direct our work, even in the face of challenges and changes.
- The distribution of Christian literature is a vital part of spreading the gospel and supporting missionaries worldwide.
- We should be committed to supporting missionaries and providing Bibles for people in countries where they are in short supply.