Listen to the sermon here: 2788224
World Changers – The Life of Amy Carmichael – A Life Abandoned To God – 1867-1951
Amy Carmichael gave her life to God through her service in India. A missionary for 56 years of her life.
Amy Had spiritual roots in the Methodist movement.
Amy Carmichael didn’t like pictures of Christ, neither do I. “The Cross is our image of Christ. It is the only true picture that we have of Him”…
Amy went to India thinking she would do something totally different from what God used her once she was there and willing to be His.
It all started with rescuing children from those who were planning to make temple prostitutes out of little children, girls and boys alike.
More than one thousand children were cared for through the ministry of Amy.
When Amy was told that the children would only tie her down her response was this,
“Why could I not be tied down for the sake of my Lord whose feet were once nailed.” Amy Carmichael
“Surely if Jesus can give all that he had, I can do no less.” Amy Carmichael
Many times throughout her life Amy heard God speak to her “In what she would call audible instances.”
No matter where she went to do ministry, Amy believed that her real home was in the future with God in Heaven. She had no faith in earthly, temporary things. Things were to be used for God’s work but never embraced as more important than God and His mission.
3 things from Amy’s Life that God used to make Amy a World Changer
Amy’s life was characterized by Obedience, selflessness, and total commitment.
- Obedience
“We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could. I don’t wonder apostolic miracles have died. Apostolic living certainly has.”
Apostle – One sent out as a messenger
Disciple – One called as a learner
Interesting – Matthew 28, Jesus says Go (You Go (Apostle) and make disciples!
Romans 12: 1-2
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Amy had a list of questions she asked every volunteer who came to work with the children and I would ask each of us as we follow Christ in whatever ministry we have been called.
“There are some who would have Christ cheap, Christ without the Cross. But the price will not come down.”
“Will you pay the price to live a crucified life?”
“Satan is so much more in earnest than we are–he buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost.”
― Amy Carmichael
- Selflessness
When told that the family was broke after her father’s early death, Amy felt no pity at all but rather quoted
Matthew 6:24-30 which reads in the NLT
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
Selflessness – having no regard for yourself but looking after the interests of others.
This doesn’t mean in God’s economy that you will do without the things that you need, it simply means that if you will look after what God has called you to, He will then take care of your needs.
Who do you serve?
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Why do you have so little faith?
- Total Commitment
Amy believed the summation of Holiness was contained in Matthew 22: 34-40 NLT
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
“Can we follow the Savior far, who have no wound or scar? ”
― Amy Carmichael
Romans 12:9-19a
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. 20 “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
“He said “Love…as I have loved you.” We cannot love too much.”
― Amy Carmichael
All our love flows from His heart of love. We are like little pools on the rocks of Joppa. You know how we have watched the great sea washing over them and flooding them till they overflow. That is what the love of God does for us. We have no love ourselves…
Modern Day Demonstration of Total Commitment
Father and Son Duo
As of July 2010, This father/son duo had competed, 1032 endurance events, including 68 marathons and six Ironman triathlons.
They had run the Boston Marathon 26 times. They ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.
What are you totally committed to?
Pastor Ronnie