Getting God's Attention — E.A. Johnston

I think we can make some statements that get God's attention, friends. Like when I go through the Pauline epistles, and I see statements of Paul for his God in the gospel, like, But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

And I go through Christian biography, and I find that my heart is stirred by the reading of quotes by men whom God has used in former times, and their words of commitment to Christ and the gospel resonate in my heart and challenge me to this day to live more on the full stretch for my master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Historic Christian Vows and Wholehearted Service

I put together for you, friends, some of these quotes today in the hope they will ignite you to do the same and to write your own personal commitment to the Lord. Here now are some of these stirring statements, which I believe get God's attention.

And that's the title of my message today, friends, Getting God's Attention. Listen to what John Song said, Even if I have to die, I will preach the gospel in China. I will die a willing death, if only my fellow men be saved.

Listen to C .T. Studd, friends, who wrote, Some wish to live within the sound of church and chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell. Listen to Prane Hyde of India, friends, who prayed, Lord, give me souls or I die.

Listen to John Wesley, as he wrote in his journal, I give thee my body, may I glorify thee with it, And preserve it holy, fit for thee, O God, to dwell in. May I neither indulge it, nor use too much rigor towards it, But keep it, as far as it lies, healthy, vigorous, and active, And fit to do thee all manner of service, which thou shalt call for.

Stephen Olford said, The word of God cannot be mastered, Until we are mastered by the word of God. And a minister said to D .O. Moody, The world has yet to see what God can do With the man wholly consecrated to Him.

Moody walked away in determination, And muttered beneath his breath, By God's grace I will be that man. Jim Elliott, the martyr, wrote, He is no fool to lose what he cannot keep, To gain what he cannot lose.

Losing One's Life for Christ

And I was personally challenged by these statements, friends, And I got alone with God, And made my vow to Him, Which expressed my sincere desire of my heart, To live for Him in eternity. At the time, I was reading Matthew 16, 26, For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, And whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

And I wanted that verse to become a reality in my life, And years ago I made my commitment to God along these lines, I wrote in the flyleaf of my Bible my heart's desire. Oh, what is my life, That I should keep it selfishly from me?

I'd choose to lose it so completely, And have it found in thee. God has been faithful to that prayer, friends, these many years. I lost the world that I lived in, And I lost my life as I knew it, And I have found it all in Christ my Lord.

Calling Hearers to Personal Commitment

What will your promise be to God, friend? What stake are you willing to stick in the ground for Him? Are you willing to throw your life away for Christ and the sake of the gospel? God gets serious with those who get serious with Him.

Go to God, friend, and prayerfully write a statement which reflects your determination to live on the out-and-out for Him. Seal it with commitment and prayer, and then go all out for Christ in such a way that your generation will feel the influence of it.

Faith That Acts on God's Possibilities

Listen, friends, with God all things are possible. Do you believe that? Are you willing to live like you believe it? Let us go to God now in reflective prayer, in a time of dedication to Him, for our use in His glory.

Let us pray.