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Oswald J. Smith Preaching - Part 1
Oswald J. Smith
Oswald Jeffrey Smith (1889–1986). Born on November 8, 1889, in Embro, Ontario, Canada, to a Methodist family, Oswald J. Smith became a globally influential pastor, missionary advocate, and hymn writer. Saved at age 16 during a 1906 Toronto revival led by R.A. Torrey, he studied at Toronto Bible College and McCormick Theological Seminary but left before graduating due to financial strain. Ordained in 1915 by the Presbyterian Church of Canada, he pastored small churches before founding The Peoples Church in Toronto in 1928, leading it until 1958, when his son Paul succeeded him. Smith’s church sent millions to missions, supporting over 400 missionaries, earning him the title “the greatest missionary pastor.” He pioneered radio evangelism with Back to the Bible Hour and authored 35 books, including The Passion for Souls and The Man God Uses, emphasizing evangelism and prayer. A prolific hymnist, he wrote over 1,200 hymns and poems, like “Then Jesus Came.” Married to Daisy Billings in 1915, he had three children and died on January 25, 1986, in Toronto. Smith said, “We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.”
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Sermon Summary
This sermon emphasizes the importance of spreading the gospel to all nations, inspired by the realization that not everyone has had the opportunity to hear the message of Jesus Christ. The speaker reflects on the command to preach the gospel to every creature and every kindred, tongue, tribe, and people, highlighting the urgency and responsibility to reach those beyond one's own borders.
Sermon Transcription
Down through the years of my ministry, my life has been tremendously motivated by great missionary mottos, and I want to give you one of my most cherished mottos if I may now. I put it in the form of a question. Why? Why should anyone hear the gospel twice before everyone has heard it once? Years ago, I went through the Bible to see if I could remain in my own country in an ordinary pastorate and still satisfy God and carry out the post-resurrection commands of the Lord Jesus Christ. And as I read the word of God, I found such expressions as these. All nations, the gospel must be given to all nations. Every creature, the gospel must be preached to every creature. Every kindred and tongue and tribe and people, the gospel must be proclaimed to every kindred and tongue and tribe and people, the uttermost part of the earth. And as I read those expressions, I asked myself just one simple question. Do all nations live in Canada? Is there any nation living beyond the boundaries of Canada? If all nations live in Canada, then I can settle down in my own country, never cross the boundaries, and still satisfy God and carry out the post- resurrection commands of the Lord Jesus Christ. But if one nation lives beyond the boundaries of Canada, then I am in duty bound to leave my country and go with the gospel of Jesus Christ to that one nation.
Oswald J. Smith Preaching - Part 1
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Oswald Jeffrey Smith (1889–1986). Born on November 8, 1889, in Embro, Ontario, Canada, to a Methodist family, Oswald J. Smith became a globally influential pastor, missionary advocate, and hymn writer. Saved at age 16 during a 1906 Toronto revival led by R.A. Torrey, he studied at Toronto Bible College and McCormick Theological Seminary but left before graduating due to financial strain. Ordained in 1915 by the Presbyterian Church of Canada, he pastored small churches before founding The Peoples Church in Toronto in 1928, leading it until 1958, when his son Paul succeeded him. Smith’s church sent millions to missions, supporting over 400 missionaries, earning him the title “the greatest missionary pastor.” He pioneered radio evangelism with Back to the Bible Hour and authored 35 books, including The Passion for Souls and The Man God Uses, emphasizing evangelism and prayer. A prolific hymnist, he wrote over 1,200 hymns and poems, like “Then Jesus Came.” Married to Daisy Billings in 1915, he had three children and died on January 25, 1986, in Toronto. Smith said, “We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.”