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C.T. Studd
C.T. Studd (December 2, 1860 – July 16, 1931) was an English preacher, missionary, and evangelist whose radical devotion to Christ transformed missionary work in China, India, and Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born Charles Thomas Studd in Spratton, Northamptonshire, England, to Edward Studd, a wealthy indigo planter, and Dora Thomas, he was the third of four sons in a privileged family. Educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A., 1883), he excelled as a cricketer, captaining Cambridge and playing for England in the 1882 Ashes series. Converted at age 18 in 1878 during a revival meeting led by D.L. Moody and Ira Sankey, he initially resisted a preaching call, focusing on sports until his brother George’s near-death experience in 1883 prompted a full surrender to missionary service. Studd’s preaching career began when he joined the "Cambridge Seven" in 1885, sailing to China with the China Inland Mission (CIM) under Hudson Taylor, where he preached the gospel in rural villages for a decade, often adopting Chinese dress and customs. Returning to England in 1894 due to health issues, he preached revival across Britain and America before serving in India (1900–1906) with the Salvation Army, focusing on the untouchables. In 1910, inspired by a tract titled "The Chocolate Soldier," he founded the Heart of Africa Mission (later Worldwide Evangelization Crusade) and moved to the Belgian Congo in 1913, preaching amidst disease and isolation until his death. Married to Priscilla Livingstone Stewart in 1888, with whom he had four daughters, he gave away his inherited fortune (£29,000) to ministries like CIM and Moody Bible Institute, dying at age 70 in Ibambi, Congo, leaving a legacy of sacrificial evangelism and the motto, "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him."
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Sermon Summary
C.T. Studd passionately declares his commitment to live solely for Jesus, emphasizing the joy and freedom found in a life dedicated to Him. He acknowledges his own shortcomings and the need to stay close to Jesus, who is his ultimate friend and guide. Studd encourages believers to embrace the risks of faith, to follow Christ's commands without hesitation, and to trust in His guidance above all else. He highlights the importance of sharing the Gospel and the joy that comes from serving Jesus, even amidst challenges. Ultimately, he calls for a bold response to Christ's call, urging others to join in the mission of spreading His message.
Scriptures
Jesus Only
I'm going to live for Jesus, And fling the world away, I'm going to give to Jesus My life and all to-day. I've done it, Hallelujah! And now I pray the prayer That I may follow "Jesus Only," everywhere. I'm such a great big sinner, And still a bigger fool; I must keep close to Jesus And never leave His school. My heart's so full of rapture, I know not how to live; For the joy of being Jesu's I wish I'd more to give. I think I'll copy Levi, Who gave a dinner once, To give a chance to Jesus To save another dunce. Oh, won't it be just "ripping" To never leave His side, To walk and talk with Jesus, And all in Him confide? There is no Friend like Jesus, So loving, strong and true, If I had not His friendship I don't know what I'd do. No soul in all creation Can ever take His place, But I love all others better, Since I have seen His face. Oh! the joy of knowing Jesus, It takes all care away; I would so love for Jesus To fling my life away. And yet I'd sooner serve Him On earth, and suffer loss, Than have a throne in Heaven, For there, there's not a cross. I love to fight for Jesus And every risk to run, If there was naught of danger It wouldn't be half the fun. Such as neglect Christ's ord'nance To fight in lands afar, Know not the joy of Jesus Like those who go to war. I loved Christ's ordination, Its grand simplicity; He asked no abstruse questions, But only "Lov'st thou Me?" He asked that once of Peter, Who'd just denied Him thrice; Then gave him his commission To preach His sacrifice. The Gospel of Christ's salvation Is, only His blood can atone; The secret of walking on water Is to look to Christ alone. The secret of power is simple, I must obey God, not man; It's naught but incredible folly To adopt any other plan. Christ commissioned His Spirit To be Captain of His host; I need no other guidance Than that of the Holy Ghost. He'll brook no interference; God is a jealous God; Christ woo'd and won, and bought me, He only is my Lord. I'll walk in His blest freedom, And follow Him everywhere; I'll trust His word and presence And fight without a fear. Some Christians call me foolish, The world declares I'm "fey;" I'll wait a little longer To see what Christ will say. "He hadn't any talents, His speech perhaps was odd; But he did what I commanded, He rendered all to God." I'd like to hear Him say that, Tho' there's little chance of such; But I don't care a blow for the mud folks throw, 'Cause I'm not like a parson in church. Some stay at home with good reason And some without a cause; But that coward's the worst, who stabs in the back The man who's gone to the wars. But Christ was kissed in the garden By the man who had been His friend; So some I presume will do the same Till this world's come to an end. There are some who when told to go By the great Physician Himself, Run off to a fallible medical man Who puts them on the shelf. As tho' they know better than He! Or their words were of greater worth! They forget that the place where Jesus is Is the safest spot on earth. Some want to live too long, Tho' one cannot die too soon; A day with the Son is worth millions more Than a million on earth or moon. For Jesus is my life, And death my greatest gain; Heaven means joy without alloy, On earth we must have pain. If we really did believe The words that Jesus said, We'd have no fear for the future, Nor for our daily bread. Who knows Christ as his Master Is such a splendid fool; He leaves an earthly Paradise And "runs away" to school! I know very little myself, But Jesus knows everything; So merry of soul I laugh and sing Underneath His wing. Oh! it's good to belong to Jesus, It's the only life to live; It's glorious fun, it's heaven begun, When you've got no more to give. Away with hesitation! Man! take the plunge, and try! Give heart and all to Jesus! Then take your wings and fly! Fly with Christ's salvation To some dark heathen land; No cause for trepidation, Jesus will hold your hand. JESUS IS OUR MESSAGE! JESUS SAVIOUR AND KING! JESUS OUR SOLE COMMANDER! JESUS IS EVERYTHING! Come forth, ye men of Britain, In brave Crusader bands; Up! let us take possession Of our Saviour's promised lands.
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C.T. Studd (December 2, 1860 – July 16, 1931) was an English preacher, missionary, and evangelist whose radical devotion to Christ transformed missionary work in China, India, and Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born Charles Thomas Studd in Spratton, Northamptonshire, England, to Edward Studd, a wealthy indigo planter, and Dora Thomas, he was the third of four sons in a privileged family. Educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A., 1883), he excelled as a cricketer, captaining Cambridge and playing for England in the 1882 Ashes series. Converted at age 18 in 1878 during a revival meeting led by D.L. Moody and Ira Sankey, he initially resisted a preaching call, focusing on sports until his brother George’s near-death experience in 1883 prompted a full surrender to missionary service. Studd’s preaching career began when he joined the "Cambridge Seven" in 1885, sailing to China with the China Inland Mission (CIM) under Hudson Taylor, where he preached the gospel in rural villages for a decade, often adopting Chinese dress and customs. Returning to England in 1894 due to health issues, he preached revival across Britain and America before serving in India (1900–1906) with the Salvation Army, focusing on the untouchables. In 1910, inspired by a tract titled "The Chocolate Soldier," he founded the Heart of Africa Mission (later Worldwide Evangelization Crusade) and moved to the Belgian Congo in 1913, preaching amidst disease and isolation until his death. Married to Priscilla Livingstone Stewart in 1888, with whom he had four daughters, he gave away his inherited fortune (£29,000) to ministries like CIM and Moody Bible Institute, dying at age 70 in Ibambi, Congo, leaving a legacy of sacrificial evangelism and the motto, "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him."