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(Clip) Thou O Christ Is All I Want
Leonard Ravenhill
Leonard Ravenhill (1907 - 1994). British-American evangelist, author, and revivalist born in Leeds, England. Converted at 14 in a Methodist revival, he trained at Cliff College, a Methodist Bible school, and was mentored by Samuel Chadwick. Ordained in the 1930s, he preached across England with the Faith Mission and held tent crusades, influenced by the Welsh Revival’s fervor. In 1950, he moved to the United States, later settling in Texas, where he ministered independently, focusing on prayer and repentance. Ravenhill authored books like Why Revival Tarries (1959) and Sodom Had No Bible, urging the church toward holiness. He spoke at major conferences, including with Youth for Christ, and mentored figures like David Wilkerson and Keith Green. Married to Martha Beaton in 1939, they had three sons, all in ministry. Known for his fiery sermons and late-night prayer meetings, he corresponded with A.W. Tozer and admired Charles Spurgeon. His writings and recordings, widely available online, emphasize spiritual awakening over institutional religion. Ravenhill’s call for revival continues to inspire evangelical movements globally.
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This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life devoted to God, focusing on the eternal impact of our actions and the significance of personal devotion to Jesus Christ. It highlights the value of prayer life in determining the true worth of a person's ministry and warns against the superficiality of public recognition. The message also contrasts true joy found in Christ with the temporary satisfaction offered by worldly entertainment.
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The poet wrote this, only one life will soon be passed, only what's done for God will last, and when I am dying how glad I shall be if the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee. The only thing that will tie me in victory continually through the blood of Christ is my personal devotion to Him, the Son of God. My adoration that I give in my tribute every day, it's more than my service, it's more than giving my money, that I love Him and I adore Him and I magnify Him, I take Him as it were by the feet. I've said it many times, I say it again this morning, that no man is greater than his prayer life. A man's life, all his ministry, it showed, you see the difference between the wood and the hay and the stubble and the silver and the gold and the precious stones? Wood, hay and stubble are above the ground, they catch the eye. Silver and gold and precious stones are below the ground, nobody sees them. There's a lot of public ministry in that day that's going to go down in ashes, my brother. In my mind, entertainment is the devil's substitute for joy. The more joy you have in the Lord, the less entertainment you need. When you can say, thou, O Christ, art all I want.
(Clip) Thou O Christ Is All I Want
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Leonard Ravenhill (1907 - 1994). British-American evangelist, author, and revivalist born in Leeds, England. Converted at 14 in a Methodist revival, he trained at Cliff College, a Methodist Bible school, and was mentored by Samuel Chadwick. Ordained in the 1930s, he preached across England with the Faith Mission and held tent crusades, influenced by the Welsh Revival’s fervor. In 1950, he moved to the United States, later settling in Texas, where he ministered independently, focusing on prayer and repentance. Ravenhill authored books like Why Revival Tarries (1959) and Sodom Had No Bible, urging the church toward holiness. He spoke at major conferences, including with Youth for Christ, and mentored figures like David Wilkerson and Keith Green. Married to Martha Beaton in 1939, they had three sons, all in ministry. Known for his fiery sermons and late-night prayer meetings, he corresponded with A.W. Tozer and admired Charles Spurgeon. His writings and recordings, widely available online, emphasize spiritual awakening over institutional religion. Ravenhill’s call for revival continues to inspire evangelical movements globally.