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Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray (1828 - 1917). South African pastor, author, and revivalist born in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony, to Dutch Reformed missionary parents. Sent to Scotland at 10, he studied at Aberdeen University and Utrecht, Netherlands, returning ordained in 1848. He pastored in Bloemfontein and Worcester, later moderating the Dutch Reformed Church’s Cape Synod. In 1860, he sparked a revival in the Orange Free State, preaching to thousands across racial lines despite apartheid’s rise. Murray wrote over 240 books, including Abide in Christ (1882) and With Christ in the School of Prayer, translated into dozens of languages. His emphasis on holiness, prayer, and divine healing influenced global Pentecostalism. Married to Emma Rutherford in 1856, they had eight children, four becoming missionaries. He founded theological seminaries and the Huguenot College for women. Despite chronic illness, he traveled to Europe and America, speaking at Keswick Conventions. His devotional works remain widely read, shaping Christian spirituality across denominations.
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Sermon Summary
Andrew Murray emphasizes that our attitude should mirror that of Christ Jesus, who, despite being God, chose humility and self-sacrifice. He highlights that Christ's character was defined by obedience to God's will and love for humanity, culminating in His death on the cross. Murray encourages believers to imitate this self-emptying attitude, asserting that while it may seem impossible, with God, all things are possible. He reminds us that we are called to work out our salvation with reverence, as God empowers us to obey and please Him. The ultimate goal is to embody the attitude of Christ in our daily lives.
Scriptures
The Christlike Life
“Your attitude should be the same that Chris Jesus had.” Philippians 2:5 What was the attitude that was in Christ Jesus? “Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God. He made Himself nothing; He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form He obediently humbled Himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8). Self-emptying and self-sacrifice, obedience to God’s will, and love to men, even unto death of the Cross - this was the character of Christ for which God so highly exalted Him. It is the character of Christ that we are to imitate. He was made in the likeness of men, so we could be conformed into the likeness of God. Self-effacement and self-sacrifice that God’s will might be done and that man might be saved – this was the attitude of Christ. He lived only to please God and to bless men. Don’t say that this is an impossibility. What is impossible with men is possible with God. We are called to work out this salvation of a Christlike character with fear and trembling; for “God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him” (Philippians 2:13) As we pray, let this be our one aim: to have the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.
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Andrew Murray (1828 - 1917). South African pastor, author, and revivalist born in Graaff-Reinet, Cape Colony, to Dutch Reformed missionary parents. Sent to Scotland at 10, he studied at Aberdeen University and Utrecht, Netherlands, returning ordained in 1848. He pastored in Bloemfontein and Worcester, later moderating the Dutch Reformed Church’s Cape Synod. In 1860, he sparked a revival in the Orange Free State, preaching to thousands across racial lines despite apartheid’s rise. Murray wrote over 240 books, including Abide in Christ (1882) and With Christ in the School of Prayer, translated into dozens of languages. His emphasis on holiness, prayer, and divine healing influenced global Pentecostalism. Married to Emma Rutherford in 1856, they had eight children, four becoming missionaries. He founded theological seminaries and the Huguenot College for women. Despite chronic illness, he traveled to Europe and America, speaking at Keswick Conventions. His devotional works remain widely read, shaping Christian spirituality across denominations.