In Danny Akin’s book 10 Who Changed the World
we read short edifying biographies of bold missionaries from the past
who followed Christ with reckless abandon to share the Gospel.
Each chapter of the book gives us a summary of different people who were greatly used by God to spread the Gospel to ends of the earth.
Think of each chapter as a snapshot of a missionary’s life and service, with a biblical exposition mixed in within it so that we could apply truth ourselves.
I plan to post encouraging notes I take down as I go through the book. I pray it will encourage you.
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In chapter 1, Akin covers the life William Carey and then
teaches from Matthew 28 v16-20 throughout the chapter.
Here is a brief summary about William Carey.
William Carey may have
been the greatest missionary since the time of the apostles. …He rightly deserves the honor of being known
as “the father of the modern missions movement. Carey was born in 1761, and he left England in 1793 as a missionary to India.” – p. 1
"William Carey was poor, with only a grammar school education, and yet he would translate the Bible into dozens of languages and dialects. He established schools and mission stations all over India." -p. 1
"William Carey was poor, with only a grammar school education, and yet he would translate the Bible into dozens of languages and dialects. He established schools and mission stations all over India." -p. 1
Akin points out the importance of the final verses of Matthew 28 for believers today.
"The words found in
Matthew 28 constitute the last words of Jesus in the Gospel. They are intended
to be lasting words and the final marching orders of Christ’s followers until
he returns." – p. 3
Often missionaries and believers grow weary in their service. William Carey suffered things most of us will never know. While drawing on Carey and the truths of the Great Commission, Akin reminds us
to continue to worship in the midst of all our sorrows and trials.
"Even in the midst of
their doubts worship is the wise and right thing to do. Even when I may not
understand all he is doing in my life, worship. If I am confused, unsure and hesitating,
worship. When I am sorrowful, heartbroken, and crushed, worship. Am I
discouraged, depressed, and in utter despair? Worship. Even when I am at death’s
door? Worship!"- p. 4
He calls readers to reflect about the call of the Great
Commission to every disciple with a unique question.
"Do you need a reason
to go? No! You need a reason to stay!
More than 1.6 billion people have yet to hear the name of Jesus." –p. 7
I love this appeal Akin makes to our hearts in light of the the Great Commission.
"Matthew 28 begins with
a resurrection and ends with a commission. These final words of our Lord are
weighty, heavy, and not easily digested. They do not need an adrenalin
response. They need a cardiac response, heart response. They need a response
that has carefully considered the King who speaks them, and the kind of servant
who obeys them." – p.11
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