It took just one man.
His name was not well known. He wasn’t an author, a speaker, or someone who had a large platform.
What he did have was a small audience each Sunday morning at his local church where he taught a Sunday school class to a group of young men.
His name was Edward Kimball.
Edward was a soft-spoken, timid sort of man who got nervous telling others about Jesus. When you think of a dynamic, bold evangelist, Edward was the opposite. Yet despite what the world would say he lacked, what Edward did possess God used to change thousands – maybe even millions – of lives.
He had a desire to tell others about Jesus.
One particular day, on a busy Boston street, Edward walked nervously to the local shoe store where one of the boys in his Sunday school class worked stocking shoes. This particular boy was crude, illiterate, and knew nothing about the Bible. Yet despite all that, God placed a desire on Edward’s heart to share the gospel with him. And so he did.
“I never could remember just what I did say; something about Christ and His love; that was all.” – Edward Kimball
But that’s all it took: the plan of salvation explained in simple terms.
That day in the back room of a shoe shop in Boston, Massachusetts, D. L. Moody gave his heart to Christ and the rest is history.
D.L. Moody went on to become an amazing evangelist in the United States and in England during the second half of the 19th century. He founded Moody Bible Institute, a simply amazing contribution for a man who was once illiterate and couldn’t read the Bible. Through Moody Bible Institute thousands of missionaries, pastors, and Christian workers have been trained and sent out into the world to make an impact for Christ.
And this is all because of one man who had a desire to tell others about Jesus.
Edward Kimball was a lot like Andrew.
Right after Andrew met Jesus he went to find his brother, Simon (Peter), and introduced him to Jesus. The desire to tell others about Christ had already been ignited in Andrew’s heart.
“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah.” And he brought him to Jesus.” – John 1:41-42
Andrew offered a simple invitation.
How many times do we complicate the process by adding unnecessary pressure when all we really need to do is bring others to Jesus? Instead of relying on the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts as we share about Christ, we mistakenly feel we need to have all the right answers or use persuasive words if we are to tell others about Jesus.
Yet we don’t see that in Andrew’s life. Andrew modeled for us the power of living a #SoldOut life for Christ and inviting others along the way.
“Peter preached at Pentecost, and three thousand people were added to the church. Nothing in Scripture indicates that Andrew ever preached to a crowd or stirred masses of people. But remember that is was he who brought Peter to Christ. In the sovereign providence of God, Andrew’s act of faithfulness in bringing his own brother to Christ was the individual act that lead to the conversion of the man who would preach that great sermon at Pentecost. All the fruit of Peter’s ministry is ultimately also the fruit of Andrew’s faithful, individual witness. – John MacArthur
Because of one man bringing his brother to Jesus, thousands of lives were changed for eternity.
Don’t ever underestimate the power of reaching out and inviting others to Christ…
It all started with Edward Kimball bringing D.L. Moody to Jesus.
Years later D.L. Moody brought J. Wilbur Chapman to Jesus.
From J. Wilbur Chapman, Billy Sunday met Jesus and from Billy Sunday a man named Mordecai Ham was introduced to Jesus.
Then in 1936, a lanky sixteen-year-old boy walked into a revival meeting with his buddy in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was at this meeting where Mordecai Ham was preaching that a young boy named Billy Graham gave his heart to Jesus Christ.
This incredible gospel ripple effect started all because of an “Andrew”-like disciple…one person bringing another person to Jesus.
And the ripple continues to this day.
Join me in praying for more “Andrews” in our generation…
Let’s Talk: Does your family have any connections to Billy Graham? Do you have a ripple effect like this in your family?
Love God Greatly!
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We are in WEEK 3 of our SOLD OUT study! Though our study name is titled SOLD OUT… our journals are still available! Our Bible study journals are packed full of beautiful content, are easy to use, and are designed with YOU in mind! Get intentional about your Summer Bible reading and pick up your copies today!
Sold Out Adult Journal – http://amzn.to/2s1YOPK
Sold Out For Kids – http://amzn.to/2s8eSyJ
Thank you so much! This message hit home today. I have always felt like in order to share Christ I need to speak eloquently about the Gospel and that is so intimidating to me. It is really as simple as showing Christ’s love to others and trusting the Holy Spirit to do his work. I am a part of this ripple effect because my mother brought me to Christ and she gave her life to Him many years ago (I believe in the 1950s) at a Billy Graham crusade. Thanks be to God!
Good morning Jennifer! It only takes a spark to get a fire going! We can be that tiny spark and still be doing big things! I love this thought, because it takes a lot of courage for me to speak up sometimes. So glad your in this study with us!
Mondee~LGG Encourager
EXCELLANT BLOG ! As I read the blog and contributed these words to my notebook, I started adding my own thoughts on the matter and then I saw the end of the blog. After I read about that wonderful golden thread memories came back as I had heard this years ago. When I got to Billy Graham I added to it: “Then there was ME (Mia)40 years ago ! –I heard Billy Graham speak at a conference . He said God maybe calling you to do something other then what you majored in in college. 3 months later on March 16th , 1977 I began a most marvelous journey of 26 years— I have often referred to it as boot camp. I began that day working for Billy Graham at his headquarters in Minnesota. My last day at BGEA as the relocation was underway for BGEA to move to North Carolina, I was in the reception area as was customary early in the morning before work began. I saw the verses Matt.28:19-20 posted on the wall, They really grabbed at my heart telling me my journey was just beginning. I was moving back home to be Mom’s care giver during her final 6 years of life as well as make peace with my past. I experienced the world change for me as that one person ministering to my mom . During those years I had an amazing time connecting to the LORD. I wa sthat one person !
Mia, how awesome for you! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I know you treasure those six years with your mom. Thank you so much for joining us today.
Thank you for this meaningful, encouraging study. I had never heard how God used this progression of believers to bring Billy Graham to become a follower of Christ. I too, like Ed Kimball have such a strong desire to share Christ and help others find him, however I struggle and fall short. I’m encouraged to see that God can and will use my feeble attempts to accomplish what he desires. Thank you LGG!
Betsy, thank you for joining us and sharing with us today! God can and will use you, we only need to listen and follow. We are so glad you are joining us on this journey.
Oh my! What a good God we serve! He is amazing.! Thanks for this wonderful reminder that He works and shows His glory best through our weaknesses as long as we faithfully follow His call on our lives. None of us would be able to say, “I am a daughter of God” without somebody else telling us about Jesus. Thank you for being a part of that mission with this ministry. Romans 10:13-15
Gaye, thank you for joining us! Isn’t it a great feeling knowing we all have someone who told us about Jesus?
Beautifully said, Angela!
Sara, thank you for joining us!
Wonderful Words, Beautiful Words! Thank you for reminding us of ‘the ripple effect’! Amazing to see in print how MANY of us are His because of that one ripple effect. And there are many others to be sure. Oh how Great is Our God!!
Joan, beautifully put. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us today and thank you for joining us!