THE PURPOSE OF A CHRISTIAN’S LIFE – FRANCIS ASBURY

Today, the 12 September precisely 254 years back, in 1771, pioneer Methodist bishop, Francis Asbury [1745-1816] began his maiden voyage to America, as a mere 26 year old young lay preacher. He was sent to America by John Wesley. Asbury, in his way to America, he wrote these words in his journal:
– ‘Whither am I going? To the New World. What to do? To gain honour? No, if I know my own heart. To get money? No, I am going to live to God, and to bring others to do so.” – Francis Asbury

Francis Asbury set his heart firmly, to live for God, and to bring others to do the same. What a desire to have! What a goal to pursue! What an approach to life! God surely helped Asbury achieve his desire, and all what he, passionately pursued.
– Asbury never married.
– He gave away, almost all of his money and possessions, during his ministry.
– He minister for more than 40 years.
– He travelled the country on horseback, and in a carriages, when he was old, logging about 6,000 miles per year.
– By that count, he must have travelled, over 240,000 miles, about 480,000 kilometers on horseback, in over 40 years.
– He depended on the hospitality of others, for all his needs.
– He never had his own home.
– He always stayed in the homes of friends, strangers and converts alike.
– He had little formal education, but founded several schools.
– He was a bad preacher. His sermons never flowed fluently and smoothly, even though, Methodist ministers were considered, eloquent preachers.
– Asbury lived a life of voluntary poverty.
– His lack of a private life underscored his piety.
– He was more widely recognized face-to-face than either Thomas Jefferson, or George Washington.
– Asbury broke down racial and gender barriers, for he considered them wrong, as a Christian.
– During his ministry for more than 40 years, Methodism in America grew from, a mere 600 people, to over 200,000, by the time of his death.

What a life, and what achievement. Francis Asbury choose to honour his God, and desired with all his heart, to live for Him. God, equally honoured Asbury, with a full, and satisfied life. Here-under are a couple of his thoughts, which give us a glimpse, into his heart, and his desires. 
– “My desire is to live more to God today than yesterday, and to be more holy this day than the last.”
– “O what pride, conforming to the world and following its fashions! Warn them, warn them for me, while you have strength and time and be faithful to your duty.”

Francis Asbury’s life truly reflected the words of our LORD, and of His servants, whom He ordained used, in the writing of the Bible. Let us read some verses, that Asbury lived by, and surely we too can, for the glory of God, our Redeemer.
– “24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” – John 12:24-26
– “7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” – Romans 14:7-9
– “20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:20-21
– “24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” – Acts 20:24
– “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
– “9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9
– “18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” – Matthew 28:18-20

What do we desire to achieve in life? What are we aiming for? What are our goals? In the midst of all this, what place does God our Redeemer have, in our lives? Do we consider the words of our LORD, for us lives, seriously? If we were to stand before God, this morning, what would the LORD be saying to us? Would our LORD be pleased with us, our lives, its choices, and with all our aims and goals, for our lives? Let us pause and ponder, dear friends. Even so, the LORD help us, to be honest and sincere, in doing so.