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The Young Man Buried in the Wrong Place
Major Ian Thomas

Major W. Ian Thomas (1914 - 2007). British evangelist, author, and founder of Torchbearers International, born in London, England. Converted at 12 during a Crusaders Union camp, he began preaching at 15 on Hampstead Heath and planned to become a missionary doctor, studying medicine at London University. After two years, he left to evangelize full-time. A decorated World War II officer with the Royal Fusiliers, he served in Dunkirk, Italy, and Greece, earning the Distinguished Service Order. In 1947, with his wife Joan, he founded Capernwray Hall Bible School in England, growing Torchbearers to 25 global centers. Thomas authored books like The Saving Life of Christ (1961), emphasizing Christ’s indwelling life, and preached worldwide, impacting thousands through conferences and radio. Married with four sons, all active in Torchbearers, he moved to Colorado in the 1980s. His teachings, blending military discipline with spiritual dependence, remain influential in evangelical circles.
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Sermon Summary
Major Ian Thomas reflects on the tragic story of a young man who died prematurely and was buried inappropriately, using it as a metaphor for spiritual misdirection. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's true purpose in life and the necessity of being aligned with God's will. Thomas critiques the superficial teachings often presented to young people, urging a deeper engagement with the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He highlights that true life is found in Christ and that believers must fully commit their lives to Him, rather than merely existing in a state of spiritual complacency. The sermon calls for a genuine relationship with God, encouraging listeners to seek the living water that only He can provide.
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Sermon Transcription
My focus, my remarks this morning, about the story of a man who died too young and who was buried in the wrong place. A man who died too young and who was buried in the wrong place. In the first verse, the thirty-fourth chapter of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses went up from the plains of Moab, unto the mount of Sinai. Speaking with genuine humility. All the attributes. It came to pass that the theme of effect was almost shocking. Immediately there arises within our hearts, in the fourth chapter, the only thing he didn't do was teach them how to get it. Even in the day when half drunk, for you are mine, he that has not the God, the Son of God, hath not life. Presenting himself in the power, in the plain over against the Red Sea weather, he bear your iniquities. Even forty years, and ye shall know my. He says he will fill the hungry soul with wine. And the average Christian cliches. Without indoctrinating. The earliest day they indoctrinate until every communist knows. We don't bother with our young people. In Deuteronomy 1, verse 6. Verse 8. Behold, I have set the land again anywhere else. In our reaction, repudiating the atoning death of Jesus Christ. We have preached the blood of Christ. In repudiation of the liberal theologians who told us that Jesus Christ is sheer courtesy. Where they see that when the Lord Jesus died, there was added to his. To be left there. That when a man, a woman, a boy or a girl gives himself to Christ, it is not to give themselves. Their personality. What to Jesus Christ did they place in the hole that was dug for it. To me to live is Christ. Ebenezer hitherto had the Lord. All he had was a car when he is redeemed. With the new motivation, all he can do is mobilize what he had. In default and in clearly. In a way that they cannot. Take the rod and gather thou. Not yet given. Of the living Lord. And thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock. There to reply to them. End of verse 10. Hear now you rebels. I will fetch you water out of the rock. To whom he ministered tired of the ministry. If the record declares that Moses was a mean man. An egocentric man. Or an eccentric individual. If we knew that he was avaricious or disobedient or pig-headed. It would give us an avenue of escape. But he was not. The Lord thy God is with what you bring out of it.
The Young Man Buried in the Wrong Place
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Major W. Ian Thomas (1914 - 2007). British evangelist, author, and founder of Torchbearers International, born in London, England. Converted at 12 during a Crusaders Union camp, he began preaching at 15 on Hampstead Heath and planned to become a missionary doctor, studying medicine at London University. After two years, he left to evangelize full-time. A decorated World War II officer with the Royal Fusiliers, he served in Dunkirk, Italy, and Greece, earning the Distinguished Service Order. In 1947, with his wife Joan, he founded Capernwray Hall Bible School in England, growing Torchbearers to 25 global centers. Thomas authored books like The Saving Life of Christ (1961), emphasizing Christ’s indwelling life, and preached worldwide, impacting thousands through conferences and radio. Married with four sons, all active in Torchbearers, he moved to Colorado in the 1980s. His teachings, blending military discipline with spiritual dependence, remain influential in evangelical circles.