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The Cross
John E. Brown
John Elward Brown (1879–1957) was an American preacher, evangelist, educator, and radio pioneer whose dynamic ministry and innovative ventures left a significant mark on evangelical Christianity and higher education in the early 20th century. Born near Center Point, Iowa, to John Franklin Brown, a Civil War veteran, and Julia Brown, he was the fifth of nine children in a struggling family reliant on a modest pension. Dropping out of school at age 11 to support his family through menial jobs, Brown’s early life was shaped by hardship until he joined the Salvation Army in 1899 as a staff worker in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Converted during this time, he launched a preaching career that same year, quickly gaining fame as a revivalist across the Southwest, particularly in California, Texas, and Arkansas. In 1900, he married Juanita Arrington, with whom he had six children, anchoring his ministry in a growing family. Brown’s ministry expanded through citywide evangelistic campaigns, claiming over 400,000 conversions, a figure reflecting his reputation as “John Brown of Arkansas.” In 1919, he founded Southwestern Collegiate Institute—later renamed John Brown University (JBU)—on his Siloam Springs farm, aiming to provide affordable, Christ-centered education blending academics, faith, and vocational skills. A radio trailblazer, he purchased KFPW in 1928 and KUOA in 1935, using broadcasts to amplify his message, a practice continued posthumously. Author of over 40 books, including Will Pentecost Be Repeated?, he preached Holy Spirit empowerment and supported prohibition, securing a lasting alcohol ban in Benton County. After a fall in 1957 at his San Diego home led to a fatal blood clot, Brown died, buried in Siloam Springs, leaving a legacy of bold evangelism, educational innovation, and a university that endures as a testament to his vision.
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Sermon Summary
In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the significance of the Garden of Gethsemane scene in the life of Jesus. He emphasizes that Jesus offered prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to God, who was able to save him from death. The speaker highlights that angels came to strengthen Jesus in the Garden, preventing him from dying of a broken heart before reaching the cross. The sermon also emphasizes the transformative power of the cross, stating that the blood of Christ, being the blood of God, brought about a miraculous change in how the cross was perceived. The speaker concludes by emphasizing that Jesus willingly fought to finish his journey, which ultimately led to his crucifixion.
Sermon Transcription
Up to a certain point in history, the cross was looked on with fright, shuddering fear, a horrible instrument of human torture and human suffering. But the time came when almost overnight that cross was changed. Came a thing of power, a thing of beauty, lifts people, exhausts people. What changed the cross? Greatest miracle in the history of the Christian faith. People say, well, Jesus of Nazareth died on that cross. Good man. But worlds and worlds of good people had been nailed to the cross. Prophets, priests had been nailed to the cross. Didn't change the cross. But the time came when something changed that cross. The miracle of our Christian faith. What was it? Let's go back again to the declaration that a lot of us get the idea, the devil raised Christ to the cross. No he didn't. No he didn't. Jesus fought, literally fought, to finish his journey, which was to end that cross. Thus it must be. You remember in Hebrews, 7th verse of the 5th chapter, and I never try to quote that. I always try to read it. I could quote it. Who in the days of his flesh, talking about Christ, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears, now this is the garden of Gethsemane scene, with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared, or as the American Revised puts it, having been heard for his godly fear. Now, angels came and strengthened Jesus. Otherwise he would have died there of a broken heart. In fact, he died of a broken heart. When they shoved the spear in his side, nailed to the cross, there gushed forth water and blood, evidence that he died of a broken heart. But Jesus would have died there in the garden of Gethsemane, if angels had not come to strengthen him, that he might end his journey at the cross. What force, what power wrought the miracle of a changed cross? There's only one explanation, and that is the declaration of Paul that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. In other words, when the blood of Christ flowed down over that rugged piece of wood, it was the blood of God. No other blood could have wrought the miracle of that transformation.
The Cross
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John Elward Brown (1879–1957) was an American preacher, evangelist, educator, and radio pioneer whose dynamic ministry and innovative ventures left a significant mark on evangelical Christianity and higher education in the early 20th century. Born near Center Point, Iowa, to John Franklin Brown, a Civil War veteran, and Julia Brown, he was the fifth of nine children in a struggling family reliant on a modest pension. Dropping out of school at age 11 to support his family through menial jobs, Brown’s early life was shaped by hardship until he joined the Salvation Army in 1899 as a staff worker in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Converted during this time, he launched a preaching career that same year, quickly gaining fame as a revivalist across the Southwest, particularly in California, Texas, and Arkansas. In 1900, he married Juanita Arrington, with whom he had six children, anchoring his ministry in a growing family. Brown’s ministry expanded through citywide evangelistic campaigns, claiming over 400,000 conversions, a figure reflecting his reputation as “John Brown of Arkansas.” In 1919, he founded Southwestern Collegiate Institute—later renamed John Brown University (JBU)—on his Siloam Springs farm, aiming to provide affordable, Christ-centered education blending academics, faith, and vocational skills. A radio trailblazer, he purchased KFPW in 1928 and KUOA in 1935, using broadcasts to amplify his message, a practice continued posthumously. Author of over 40 books, including Will Pentecost Be Repeated?, he preached Holy Spirit empowerment and supported prohibition, securing a lasting alcohol ban in Benton County. After a fall in 1957 at his San Diego home led to a fatal blood clot, Brown died, buried in Siloam Springs, leaving a legacy of bold evangelism, educational innovation, and a university that endures as a testament to his vision.