Sermons by Jim Elliot

Justin Taylor recently highlighted two sermons preached by Jim Elliot:

Feeding of the five thousands
Resurrection

How excellent it is to be able to hear sermons from such a hero of the faith.  I remember the first time I heard Elliot's famous quote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."  I was about 14 years old at the time.  I think it is fair to say that I have rarely, if ever, been more impacted by a single sentence. 

The Journals of Jim Elliot

January 25
Genesis 31
"Rachel and Leah manifest an attitude toward their family which I would have toward all earthly ties. There is no no longer an inheritance for me down here. I've been bought by the labors of that great Shepherd who came from afar to gain me as His bride. Lead on, Lord, whatever God's command is or wherever He may lead, I am now ready to go."

February 2
Genesis 39
"Thrice in this chapter it is stated of Joseph that "Jehovah was with him." Not only so, but Potiphar saw that "Jehovah was with him," for whatever this man put his hand to prospered. Lord, I know Thou art with me, but I fear that because my life is barren for Thee so much of the time, that you gain little glory from being with me. I pray Thee, make my way prosperous, not that I achieve high station, but that my life might be an exhibit to the value of knowing God."


Both of the above quotes were taken from The Journals of Jim Elliot.

It is quite clear that the Lord answered this prayer of Jim Elliot, that his life might be an exhibit to the value of knowing God. This man's pursuit of God demonstrated to untold multitudes the value of knowing God. He lived out the truth of his now famous quote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Jim's wife, Elisabeth also lived a life exhibiting the value of God. She and her young daughter, along with a relative of one of the other men who was killed with Jim, went to live with the tribe who had killed the five men. Ultimately the entire murderous tribe was converted.

The Journals of Jim Elliot

Trembling comes when children of God enter His Holy presence. Trembling comes with my first opening the pages of The Journals of Jim Elliot. For years I have wanted to get this book. For years I have been restrained from getting this book by my not always subconscious trepidations before the Holy God who is more than worthy of our ultimate sacrifice. I finally picked up this book at the recent Desiring God conference.

My heart is stirred in the first few pages. By grace my heart longs for more of God and I am anticipating more of Him is to be found on the pages of this book. Fear and trembling mixed with delight and awe. The very name of such saints of God inspire meditations on that old phrase; the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.

As a teenager I heard my parents tell the stories of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot and their friends. I was powerfully moved then. So much so that I was then cautious of reading books about them. I'm finally taking the plunge into the journals of one who lived the powerful truth of his prophetic quote; He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

With trembling I recall the testimonies of those who have read books like this, and therefore I understand that one who reads such pages will likely never be the same.