Rust Out Or Wear Out

One's usefulness to God is not measured in days. David Brainerd died at 29, but his journals still influence a generation. So too Robert Murray McShane, who died at 29, but his fragrant life of holiness still lives on.

John Song died at the age of 44, but not before he turned China upside down for God. Jonathan Edwards' life was cut off at 54, but his works on revival still revive us today. George Whitefield's flame burned out at 55, but not before he shook two continents for God.

Charles Spurgeon preached his heart out and ended his toils at 59. D.L. Moody saw earth recede and heaven open at 61, but not before he depopulated hell by a million souls. W. Graham Scroggie had this to say, in regard to a life lived unto God.

Stephen's day of ministry had scarcely begun when it was violently ended. But the greatness of one's life must not be looked for in length of days. Stephen means crown, and early did he receive his.

And I want us to hear from each of these worthies friends. First listen to what David Brainerd recorded in his journal. Seem to be overwhelming it, but we'll revive the flame again, even in the darkest times.

Now listen, friends, to the mighty George Whitefield from a page from his journal. Such a sight I never saw before. I believe there were no less than 50,000 people and near four score coaches, besides great number of horses.

God gave me great enlargement of heart. I continued my discourse for an hour and a half, and when I returned home, I was filled with such love, peace, and joy that I cannot express it. Now, friends, here is Charles Spurgeon.

Let the gospel be preached and the spirit poured out, and you will see that it has such power to change the conscience, to ameliorate the conduct, to raise the debased, to chastise and to curb the wickedness of the race, that you must glory in it. Now let us hear from D.L. Moody. I want to give myself to God and the work of the gospel and cut a channel so narrow and deep that others will feel the influence of it.

Now listen, friends, to the apostle Paul. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Let me ask you a question, friend.

Are the days evil? Are they? Then what are you doing with your time? What are you doing with your life in regard to living for eternity and the sake of saving souls before they perish into a burning hell? And as we have seen from these men who died so early, life is short. I repeat, Brainerd and McChain died at the tender age of twenty-nine, John Song at forty-four, Edwards at fifty-four, Whitfield at fifty-five, Spurgeon at fifty-nine, Moody at sixty-one. They did not rust out but wore out for Christ and the gospel.

Will we dare to follow in their footsteps and go all out for God? Who here is willing to lose your reputation for the sake of the gospel? Who here is willing to throw your life away for the sake of saving souls? Who here wants to follow in the footsteps of the following men? Listen. The Apostle Paul, Luther, Wesley, Whitfield, Knox, Edwards, Finney, Spurgeon, Moody, each shared a common denominator, a fire in their belly. They were each so eaten up with the gospel, and thirsty for Christ, and filled with the Holy Ghost.

They could not stand idly by while others perished. They saw nothing but eternity, worshipped a holy God, and served a risen Christ, living not for earth, nor its gains, but living only for heaven and its rewards. When they preached, they linked the devil with sin, and the cross with salvation.

They preached hell and its fire, and Christ and him crucified. Not one of them feared king, queen, or pope, and not one of them sought the compliments of men. Let us pray.