Hudson Taylor

Taylor was a remarkable man, but like all people who accomplish great things for God. He knew that it wasn't about him. The moderator of the service, told the large congregation.

All the Taylor accomplished in China and then presented him as an now welcome our illustrious guests.

Taylor came to the pulpit and Vincent different. I am merely servant of and less never based on how great he was. It was rooted in how great God's as he determined to follow God faithfully God gave him opportunities for ministry, but it was difficult. Imagine witnessing a riot. Every time you went to church. Imagine being threatened by angry mobs on a weekly basis. Things that we would consider extreme persecution were commonplace for Hudson Taylor. This is wisdom for the heart, and, as Stephen continues through his series called legacies of light we come today to the life and ministry of this great missionary you're about to be challenged and encouraged by his Hudson Taylor was born into a committed home with Christian parents even though he was taught the Bible and was knowledgeable of basic doctrine.

He was personally skeptical by the time he turned 17, he was unaware that his 13-year-old sister had written in her diary that she would begin praying for her older brother three times a he was also unaware that one particular afternoon, his mother pulled away from friends to privately pray for his conversion. That same afternoon. Hudson Taylor later would write. I happen to have a holiday in in the afternoon I was looking for my father's library to find some books with which to while away the unoccupied hours. Nothing interested. I turned to a basket of pamphlets and selected from among them, a gospel tract that looked interesting saying to myself, there will be a story at the beginning and the sermon at the end I'll read the story and ignore the sermon while reading the pamphlet he was.

He writes I was struck with the phrase the finished work of Christ in the asked himself why does this author use the expression the finished work of Christ. Why not the atoning work of Christ or the satisfying work of the words Christ uttered from the cross came back to his mind when he said it is what finished John 1930, but what was finished.

He asked himself, it became clear he would write as I read further that the debt was paid for my sin of all and finished payment and then the thought came to my mind. If the work was finished by Christ and the whole debt paid what is there left for me to do. He said it dawned on me with joyful conviction as light flashed in the my soul that there was nothing in the world to be done with the fall down on my knees and accept the Savior and his finished work on my behalf and then praise him for the rest of my life exactly what Hudson Taylor will do and that verse is a verse he would go back to office. As he contemplated with joy the finished work of Christ. Now the year that occurred was 1849 and one more year he would begin his medical studies. This plan was to go to the mission field and uses medical training to open doors there in China. So in order to fully prepare for the hardships of missionary pioneering life. He moved into the Psalm districts of London called drain side, he found that over time he could live off porridge and a little bread most of the week with meet occasionally and then he used all his remaining money to buy medical supplies as he would personally assist those poverty-stricken people in his neighborhood, he would write to his sister that he had one big problem. The medical doctor. He was training under any work for often forgot to pay him his weekly salary. Hudson had to remind him every week and it became so frustrating to Hudson that he eventually decided that this must be a test from God.

And so we decided never to ask the doctor again to pay him but entrusted the memory of the doctor to God. He felt that there would be a good way to develop his faith by trusting the Lord to remind his boss.

So having made that pack with the Lord. He stopped reminding the doctor and the doctor stopped paying. God didn't seem to be reminding the doctor. Eventually the rent was due and Hudson had no money to pay his food was running out as well. Hudson Taylor writes to his sister. He says one Friday near closing time at the clinic. The doctor again. Not having a clue videos another week salary suddenly turned to me and said, by the way, Taylor is not your salary. Do Hudson Road had to swallow two, three times if I can answer. I told quietly that it was overdue for some time. How thankful I felt at this moment God heard my prayer. The doctor said well you how busy I am and I just sent all the cash to the bank. Otherwise it would've paid one so I went home without being paid. It was Saturday came back to work. Then on that day he was defeated and discouraged, and when he was locking up the clinic go home that night. This Dr. suddenly appeared rather amused, Taylor would write that one of his client to just come by his office and done something never done before, paid his medical bill in cash. The doctor couldn't understand what would possess this wealthy client to come by his office at 10 o'clock at night and pay a bill he could've paid anytime he wanted, so you can see how God is developing the faith of this young man and you can also see that he's giving to God.

The opportunity is at work to develop faith and incredible joy. This answer prayer. On another occasion a Hudson would write that his boss was behind yet again. Hudson headed home discouraged and confused again with the Lord. The doctor forgotten that week and and Hudson only had 1/2 crown in his pocket for the weekend, I read that I've read his two-volume biography and I had to go to Google and find out how much that was worth and I found out that 1/2 crown would be around $10-$12 of value today so that's how much he had in his pocket when calling when he arrived at his apartment. He he was met by one of the poverty-stricken, one of the many poverty-stricken men in drain side any bag Hudson to come in and see his wife who would only recently delivered a baby. Neither though the mother nor the newborn were doing well. Hudson writes again in his journal that he reluctantly agreed. He he wrote that he wasn't in the mood to help anybody that night was rather frustrated with God to when he arrived at their apartment.

If you can call it that. He said that several children were huddled inside this error one room dwelling and Hudson Taylor described it as truly wretched woman was lying on a cot in the corner newborn baby whimpering in her arms. Hudson knew without any medical examination that the baby wasn't getting any mill because the woman was malnourished. The entire family was hungry and Hudson also would record that he immediately knew that the Lord wanted him to give this family. His half crown, but his heart refused again in another letter to his sister. He shared the feelings he battled and I quote him they needed food but I did to. So I shared with them that although their circumstances were very distressing that there was a kind and loving heavenly father. And yet, something in me cried you hypocrite telling these unconverted people about a loving father and not prepared to trust him yourself and he said by voice nearly choked at the thought, but still refused internally battling here when the poor father knew there was nothing that could be done. He asked Hudson to at least pray with them before he left their apartment, and he agreed so they all knelt down in that little room while they now Hudson Taylor says the battle raged in my heart as I began to pray and then he said without any desire or joy. I finished my prayer got up, reached into my pocket and pressed into the hand of that impoverished man might have crown the family could hardly contain a course there the relief in and gratitude. Only then he wrote that the joy of the Lord, flood my soul on how often we would do something of the Lord gave us the joy first to give me that joyful feeling that I give all my money away. I don't feel it. Okay nevermind what he says he goes on in his detailed letters and fortunately he wrote detailed letters.

He returned home he ate his last bowl of porridge finished off the rest of his bread before he got into bed, got on his knees and thank the Lord that he could been empowered to give everything he had away and then he reminded the Lord he was out of money to any was out of food.

Later the following day an anonymous package without a return address or name arrived by post. The package contained a pair of winter glove and inside one of the gloves was four times the amount of money given away. He would later write how often my mind has remembered that incident and that less that faithfulness to God in little things allows us to gain experience and strength for the more serious trials of life.

Maybe you're there right now.

Maybe you're in that test. This is what God is doing in your life is deepens your faith and and prepares you for perhaps even greater tests. Hudson Taylor will sale to China in 1853 and he will spend 51 years serving in the country. Let me give you just a couple of anecdotes from his days there. When he first arrived, and for the first several weeks he realized that he had no respect among the people and he couldn't quite figure it out. They seem to mock him. It was only a little later that he he realized that he was being disrespected not because of his gospel message but because of his Western apparel, especially among the young people mocked him openly. His black overcoat had earned him the nickname the black devil, and he didn't know it until a little later when he could finally understand a little bit. So he went against all protocol. This is what is fascinating evening at all protocol and advice. By the way, from others, and he decided to do something radical. He removed his Western clothing and put on the customary robe and slippers of a Chinese teacher even shaved the hair off his four head to match the Chinese custom for teachers done the same thing. Now you know why Hudson though wrote, is sister the rather shocking details that would you about the scandal he created. By doing that and I get he's literally shaving all the way back to write about. He writes I had better tell you what once that on Thursday last. I resigned my locks to the barber dyed my hair a good black color and in the morning had a proper Q what we would call a pigtail woven into the back of my own hair. Then in Chinese dress. I set out immediately, gaining report among the people. However, the reaction back in England wasn't so sympathetic to Becky lost support as soon as people found out didn't seem to matter.

In fact, he would eventually begin his own mission board calling at the China inland Mission and and by the way he would become known for his sensitivity toward the Chinese culture instances words are thought-provoking, as he will later instruct his missionary teammates. He said this and I quote rude people will seldom be out of hot water in China and the earnest and clever and pious, they will not accomplish much in nothing, do we fail more as a mission. Then in the lack of politeness." Something to remember in her own world.

As we deliver the truth right he would suffer greatly when wife several children would die from diseases he would marry again, only to experience the stillborn death of twin babies boy and girl he and of those who served with him would be persecuted and often have to escape with their lives.

In fact, Hudson one time made the comment that the China inland Mission never established a missionary outpost without first surviving Araya. Imagine they would establish probably more than 300 outposts imagine reckless, challenging church planter and in America being told that in order to be really successful, you have to survive a riot before your church takes root. Little wonder, his testimony would influence so many thousands of people to consider giving their lives away to Christ. Hudson Taylor was personally encouraging to and supported by individuals like Charles Spurgeon. CI Scofield of the Scofield Bible DL Moody.

He would often receive financial gifts in the mail just in time from his good friend George Mueller in Your Thinking Way, George Mueller was waiting for money at just the right time, right. It was that we give to each other. All in all, however, even though it was difficult and challenging Hudson Taylor was known for his optimistic's. He he credited his his confidence in the Lord with the statement that I have written in my own notes and he says this.

If we are obeying God. The responsibility rests with him, not us.

Good in a letter dated 1879 when Hudson Taylor was 47 years old and was away from the mission for little while, he wrote to the secretary of the China inland Mission in which he rehearsed several action points that he wanted to continue to offer to the team and believe that these things would would produce health and effectiveness along with vitality to the ministry first. Hudson Taylor said improve the character of the work. In other words, most often, what a believer needs to do is not necessarily begin something new, but strengthen and improve what they are already doing. In other words, he said self-evaluation and internal evaluation of any ministry organization. Ron personalizes healthy though sometimes painful if it's worth doing. It's worth evaluating improve the character of the work number two Hudson Taylor said we must deepen piety and devotion, among other texts that come to mind is Paul's reference to Timothy's son in the faith races Timothy discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. First Timothy 47 godly piety and devotion demand exercise. If we want to grow in godliness with the growing being willing to work up as it were a spiritual sweat life will not help us along in this regard. I remember years ago, we're at the beach with our girls. They were out of the water and I told him that use our umbrella as your marker and stay in in front of us.

No matter how hard they try to force each wave pushed them down that coast further and further and further away.

Sometimes it would need to literally get out of the water and run back up the be to where they be in front of our umbrella and I thought, you know, isn't that a picture of life the spiritual life. It's so easy to drift is the undertow of problems and challenges just kinda move us further and further away we drift often without realizing no one will ever deepen their piety and devotion without intentional effort. Sometimes you get out you run back and start again as you constantly readjust as it were, to the umbrella of God's purpose God's design. Hudson thirdly wanted his staff to consider this phrase here is remove stones of stumbling if possible, that he was thinking of tough assignments that needed to be tackled or some tough decisions that needed to be made or some difficult obstacle that needed to be overcome, but then he adds, if you caught it. If possible I love that realism remove stones of stumbling if possible. Is it so goodbye because some stuff can't be moved. Some obstacles are never going to get out of your way. Every day you get up there. It is not going to move until Jesus comes. If the deal.

But wherever you can remove things that hinder your spiritual life ministry life. Do it. I love is realism.

In effect, Hudson would often remind his missionary team by saying, don't forget, there are three stages for missionary work and the supplies by the way the life the three stages are impossible difficult done. Remove stones of stumbling, if possible, number four I like this one here oil the wheels where they stick oil the wheels where they stick Hudson Taylor actually had in mind with this statement, personal relationship. He said he got a get out the oil can of love and grace and apply liberally to those relationships that tend to stick or any relationship when it gets stuck and he would write that there is no substitute for love one another, he would confide by the way, is an older man that one of his greatest challenges in missionary service was the trouble he had with the missionary family of the China inland Mission yet he pressed his entire staff to have well oiled relationship.

Anyone encourage them to buy the way you would encourage them by saying this, and I love this little phrase is a wonderful way of turning phrase he said dislike things will look up with God's blessing. If look after what what a great blend of personal involvement and perseverance, and trust in God when more supplement what is lacking supplement what is lacking and others don't just point out the problem supplement what's needed to fix it. He once wrote criticizing plans is easier than creating plan. So instead of criticizing add whatever is lacking, that you might add as you engage in these plans and carry out your plans for the glory of God wills improve the character of the work, deepen piety and devotion remove stones of stumbling if possible. Oil the wheels where they stick supplement what is lacking one of the things that you'll you'll soon find very apparent in this man's life is that he was marked by a sense of joy and humility.

He almost seems surprised that God had chosen him for his glory that he would write on one occasion, I often think that God must've been looking for someone small enough and weak enough for him to use and he found me on one occasion he was being introduced to speak at a large church in Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary and eloquent in glowing terms, just the laundry list of everything you done he told the large congregation of all the Taylor accomplished in China and then presented him as and now welcome our illustrious just Taylor came to the pulpit quietly for a moment and then said your friend. I am merely servants of an illustrious master in 1905, after having resigned as the head of the China inland Mission.

He decided to take one last tour through some of those beloved provinces. Some of those towns and mission stations and during that tour in China.

He passed away over 51 years of ministry. Hudson Taylor would be responsible for leading nearly 1000 missionaries and that vast country to give their lives together, they would plant hundreds of churches they would start 125 different schools there would be more than 500 Chinese converts would turn around and join the mission staff members about the China inland Mission would become the largest Protestant missionary organization the world Hudson Taylor would learn to speak three different Chinese dialects evangelize in all 18 provinces of the interior and prepare translation of the New Testament in the local dialect. Go back to those early days as a 17-year-old when he was simply struck with the truth. He never forgot all the work of Christ to Christ alone, along all the glory and all the may we do this no matter what ministry God calls you to your mindset should be the same, all the glory, honor and praise goes to God alone.

Thanks for listening today. Stephen Daly is the senior pastor of the shepherd's church in Cary, North Carolina. He's working through a series called legacies of light in which he examines the biographies of several men and women. Stephen's book based on this series is available if you're interested in learning more. We can give you information when you call us today at 86 648 Bible. This book would make a great gift this upcoming Christmas season.

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