People of Courage: Some Famous People

Sometimes we read about famous Christians from the past and forget that they were ordinary people that God used in extraordinary ways.  Throughout history God has raised up leaders to accomplish His purposes for the Church and the world.

As a devout Jew, Saul of Tarsus wanted to bring “Christ followers” to justice.  His success in rounding up Christians increased his reputation.  He even traveled 135 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus to round up suspects.  While on this trip he had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  The Lord changed his name from Saul to Paul.  The name change mirrored the change in Paul’s life.  Thereafter, the greatest enemy of Christianity became its greatest champion.  He traveled the known world preaching the Gospel and establishing churches.  His 13 letters to various churches became one-third of the New Testament.  At the end of his life the Gospel had spread throughout the Western world.

Martin Luther was a German priest who was bothered by certain practices of the Catholic Church.  He listed 95 theses or proposals on a sheet of paper and nailed it to a church door.  The Pope declared his teachings to be heresy and ordered the burning of his books.  The head of the Holy Roman Empire ordered Luther to appear before a court to explain and renounce his beliefs.  Luther attended the trial, but refused to deny his teachings.  He was jailed, but escaped and went into hiding.  From these events the Protestant Reformation spread across Europe influencing all future Christians.

Jonathan Edwards was a Congregational minister prior to the American Revolution.  His “fire and brimstone” preaching style triggered the “Great Awakening” throughout New England.  His sermon Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God stressed man’s unworthiness in God’s eyes.  With great emotion people sought God’s forgiveness for their sins.  The evangelical movement traces its beginning to Jonathan Edwards.

A shoe salesman led Dwight L. Moody to Christ.  He moved to Chicago in the late 1800’s.  He noticed many young boys wandering the streets causing trouble.  Desiring for them to find Christ, Moody started a Sunday morning Bible class for them.  His success increased the expansion of the Sunday School movement.  He was a dynamic preacher who drew large crowds to hear his sermons at “Moody Church.”  Later, wanting to train more missionaries, he founded a school called the Moody Bible Institute.  His life and ministry has greatly influenced the Church as we know it today.

Without fail, one generation must pass the leadership torch to the next generation.  The Christian young people sitting in classrooms today will soon be the leaders of the Church tomorrow.  Who is the next Paul of Tarsus expanding the Gospel to the ends of the earth?  Who is the next Martin Luther challenging some outdated practices of today’s Church?  Who is the next Jonathan Edwards triggering a revival that re-energizes the Church?  And who is the next Dwight L. Moody who launches organizations to meet some overlooked needs in the Church?

Could it be you?  Don’t scoff at the idea.  God used every one of the imperfect people mentioned above and transformed them into mighty leaders fit for His service.  Couldn’t God do the same thing through you?  Maybe God is at work in your life even now preparing you to impact the Church in a fresh, exciting way.  Remember that God uses the most unlikely people to turn things upside down.  And it really could be you!

© 2011 Designed to Serve®