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Calling on God - Part 4
Joshua Daniel

Joshua Daniel (1928 - 2014). Indian evangelist and president of Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship International, born in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, to N. Daniel, a mathematics teacher turned revivalist. Saved at 15, he began preaching at 16 to students in Madras, earning a Master’s in English Literature from Madras University. Joining his father’s ministry in 1954, he led Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship from 1963, headquartered in Chennai, growing it to hundreds of centers across India, Cyprus, Guyana, and London. Known as the “boy revivalist,” he authored Faith Is the Victory and delivered thousands of sermons, aired on TV and radio in multiple languages, focusing on salvation and revival. Married to Lily, they had three children, including John, who succeeded him. His annual retreats at Beulah Gardens drew 7,000-9,000, emphasizing prayer and holiness. Daniel’s ministry, marked by tentmaker missionaries, impacted millions despite later critiques of family-centric leadership.
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This sermon emphasizes the importance of contentment and faith in God, contrasting the pursuit of material possessions with the faith of Elijah and Elisha. It encourages a mindset of simplicity, faithfulness, and passing on the legacy of faith to future generations.
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I have twenty. It does not bother me. I was a good walker and I had an old bicycle. And I was an excellent bicyclist. And my arrival would sometimes be announced by gee gee gee gee gee. Well, an old bicycle did trouble me too much. I used to patch it up. But, one of these persons would say, I am going to teach you transcendental meditation. What is he to do with that kind of stuff? Is he going to ride at the same time in all those cars? No. But, he will allow to acquire. This is not enough. I must buy this. My bank is saying, we will give you the money to buy. Go and buy. My office is saying, go and buy. We will pay. You can return it to us by and by in ten years. So, we are becoming more and more covetous. Godliness with contentment is great gain. You know friends, I like to empty myself. I like smaller and smaller suitcases. So, I search for what is really small. Easy to carry. And I have lived out of a suitcase all my life. I do not think it is such a wonderful achievement. But, people want to acquire and acquire. Costly clothes. This, that and the other. But, what about faith? Elijah had faith. But, he did not have earthly possessions. Even his clothing was consisted of some kind of over cloth. You would not expect any notable person to be clothed like that. Camel hair was easily available. And he would use it. He did not feel that he was depriving himself of anything. And Elijah, who followed him, was a wealthy farmer. And when Elijah went by, you know, God had told Elijah, your work is not finished. You have to appoint Elijah in your room. See, some of you are thinking already, our work is almost finished. My dear friends, why do not you say, the best is yet to be? All these years of experience, now our clock is coming to a climax. I am going to pass on this faith to so many. What I have done is too little. Why do not you feel like that? I have become weak. I have become old. No, the real fact of the matter is, you have gone down in faith. Wives, you can lift your husband in faith. Children or grandchildren, you can give a booster to the faith of your granddad. Do not allow your father to speak negatively. Faith. Elijah said to Elijah, As your soul liveth, I will not leave you. Now Jordan came across their path. What did Elijah say? Young man, look for a nice boat. Now, I am not a great swimmer. And in parts, Jordan flows very fast. Find a reliable boat. No. Elijah did not speak of water.
Calling on God - Part 4
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Joshua Daniel (1928 - 2014). Indian evangelist and president of Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship International, born in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, to N. Daniel, a mathematics teacher turned revivalist. Saved at 15, he began preaching at 16 to students in Madras, earning a Master’s in English Literature from Madras University. Joining his father’s ministry in 1954, he led Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship from 1963, headquartered in Chennai, growing it to hundreds of centers across India, Cyprus, Guyana, and London. Known as the “boy revivalist,” he authored Faith Is the Victory and delivered thousands of sermons, aired on TV and radio in multiple languages, focusing on salvation and revival. Married to Lily, they had three children, including John, who succeeded him. His annual retreats at Beulah Gardens drew 7,000-9,000, emphasizing prayer and holiness. Daniel’s ministry, marked by tentmaker missionaries, impacted millions despite later critiques of family-centric leadership.