Adoniram Judson's Devotion
Adoniram Judson's devotion to God's call led to the growth of Christianity in Burma and serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's will.
K.P. Yohannan reflects on Adoniram Judson's unwavering devotion to his mission in Burma despite immense personal loss, including the deaths of his wife Nancy and their daughter Maria. Judson faced overwhelming challenges in a hostile environment but remained committed to translating the Bible and preaching the Gospel, understanding the eternal significance of his work. His dedication led to the conversion of over a million Burmese believers, demonstrating the profound impact of obedience to God's calling. Yohannan emphasizes that true blessing comes from walking in the fear of the Lord and living sacrificially for His glory. The sermon calls for believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices, echoing Romans 12:1.
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Then, not long after his release from prison, Adoniram's beloved wife Nancy died. Her constant life of sacrifice and service had finally taken its toll. Just a few weeks later little Maria, their third baby, was suddenly taken from this world. Judson was left utterly alone in a hostile Buddhist land, almost shattered with pain and grief.
Before him lay the prospect of tiger infested jungles, bat infested houses, and a fever infested climate--for life. Behind him lay an almost unimaginable trail of hardship and loss. But he did not leave off from his work. He did not abandon his Bible translating or his preaching and teaching labors. How could he? Eternal souls were at stake. Who else could reach the Burmese as well as he? So he remained for over 20 more years, returning to America only once--and that for necessity, not by choice.
. . . Adoniram Judson's devotion for life was not in vain. On one occasion, during the great annual festival held at the towering golden Buddhist pagoda in Rangoon, he recorded that he had distributed "nearly ten thousand tracts, giving to none but those who ask. . . . Some come two or three months' journey, from the borders of Siam and China--'Sir, we hear that there is an eternal hell. We are afraid of it. Do give us a writing that will tell us how to escape it.' . . . Others come from the interior of the country, where the name of Jesus Christ is little known--'Are you Jesus Christ's man? Give us a writing that tells about Jesus Christ.' " For Judson, it was worth it all. Today there are more than one million Burmese believers.
Can you imagine what would have happened if Adoniram had not obeyed the Lord and followed Him? What a loss that nation would have suffered! What millions of souls would have never found their way to heaven! But because of his sacrifice and obedience, his life was blessed and he became a blessing to millions.
My friends, this is the way of true blessing: walking in the fear of the Lord and following Him at all costs. By His grace, may we all walk His path of life, living our lives for His glory and offering our bodies "as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1, NIV).
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to Adoniram Judson's Life
- A. His early life and missionary work
- B. His devotion to translating the Bible and preaching
- C. His perseverance in the face of hardship and loss
- II. Judson's Devotion in Action
- A. His distribution of tracts and sharing of the Gospel
- B. The impact of his work on the Burmese people
- C. The importance of obedience to God's call
- III. The Result of Judson's Devotion
- A. The growth of Christianity in Burma
- B. The blessing of Judson's life and legacy
- C. The call to follow God's path of life
Key Quotes
“Can you imagine what would have happened if Adoniram had not obeyed the Lord and followed Him? What a loss that nation would have suffered! What millions of souls would have never found their way to heaven!” — K.P. Yohannan
“For Judson, it was worth it all.” — K.P. Yohannan
“By His grace, may we all walk His path of life, living our lives for His glory and offering our bodies 'as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God' (Romans 12:1, NIV).” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- We must be willing to obey God's call, even when it requires sacrifice and perseverance.
- Our lives have the potential to impact the world for God's glory, just like Adoniram Judson's did.
- We must walk in the fear of the Lord and follow Him at all costs, trusting in His grace and provision.