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D.L. Moody

Dwight Lyman Moody (1837 - 1899). American evangelist, publisher, and founder of Moody Bible Institute, born in Northfield, Massachusetts, to a poor Unitarian family. Leaving home at 17, he worked as a shoe salesman in Boston, converting to Christianity in 1855 through his Sunday school teacher. Moving to Chicago, he founded a Sunday school for street children, growing it to 1,500 attendees by 1860. Without formal ordination, he preached across the U.S. and Britain, holding campaigns with song leader Ira Sankey, drawing millions, including 130,000 in London in 1875. Moody authored books like Heaven (1880) and founded the Chicago Evangelization Society (1889), now Moody Bible Institute, training thousands of missionaries. Married to Emma Revell in 1862, they had three children. His practical, love-focused sermons bridged denominations, influencing figures like Billy Graham. He established Northfield Conferences, fostering global missions, and raised funds for Chicago’s YMCA. Moody’s tireless work, delivering over 100 sermons annually, transformed 19th-century evangelicalism. His maxim, “If this world is going to be reached, I am convinced it must be done by men and women of average talent with hearts on fire,” drives his enduring legacy.
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D.L. Moody emphasizes the contrast between human perceptions and divine truths, illustrating that our self-assessments often fall short of God's standards. He points out that while we may think we are not as bad as others, all have sinned and need redemption. Moody stresses that salvation is not based on our works or efforts but solely on faith in Jesus Christ. He also addresses misconceptions about God's love and the reality of hell, urging listeners to recognize the necessity of being born again to enter the kingdom of heaven.
What Man Thinks - God Says
WHAT MAN THINKS GOD SAYS I am not so bad as others There is no difference, all have sinned. (Rom 3:22) I will do the best I can, then God will make up the rest. Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:9) I will try and merit a place in heaven. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven. (John 3:3) I will make my peace with God. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. (Rom. 5:1) I will try and feel love to God. We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) I know God is love, therefore He will overlook my sins. He that believeth not the Son, the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36) Perhaps there is no hell. The wicked shall be turned into Hell. (Psalm 9:17)
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Dwight Lyman Moody (1837 - 1899). American evangelist, publisher, and founder of Moody Bible Institute, born in Northfield, Massachusetts, to a poor Unitarian family. Leaving home at 17, he worked as a shoe salesman in Boston, converting to Christianity in 1855 through his Sunday school teacher. Moving to Chicago, he founded a Sunday school for street children, growing it to 1,500 attendees by 1860. Without formal ordination, he preached across the U.S. and Britain, holding campaigns with song leader Ira Sankey, drawing millions, including 130,000 in London in 1875. Moody authored books like Heaven (1880) and founded the Chicago Evangelization Society (1889), now Moody Bible Institute, training thousands of missionaries. Married to Emma Revell in 1862, they had three children. His practical, love-focused sermons bridged denominations, influencing figures like Billy Graham. He established Northfield Conferences, fostering global missions, and raised funds for Chicago’s YMCA. Moody’s tireless work, delivering over 100 sermons annually, transformed 19th-century evangelicalism. His maxim, “If this world is going to be reached, I am convinced it must be done by men and women of average talent with hearts on fire,” drives his enduring legacy.