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THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF FANNY CROSBY (1820-1915)

Text: Hebrews 11
17 October 2010

(I) JOY AS A CHOICE OF LIFE

1. A very difficult beginning to life

a) At 6 weeks old…became blind

b) At 1 year old, her father passed away

c) Faced poverty

d) 5 years old… confirmed that she would never see again by an eye specialist

2. 8 years old…reflected her choice to have joy in a poem

“O what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy, that other people don’t. To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot and I won’t”

3. It was a choice that she made through out her life

“It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all of my life and I thank Him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might no have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.” Fanny Crosby

(II) JOY IN THE CONTEXT OF FAITH

1. Memorized the Scriptures

a) Grandmother Eunice got Fanny to learn the things of nature

b) Memorizing whole books like the Pentateuch and the gospels…later the whole Bible

2. A prayer to learn like other children

a) Going to school…institution for the Blind

b) An answer to prayer

3. Joy coming to know the Lord Jesus

a) Attended revival meetings

b) Consecrated her life with the hymn “Alas and did my Saviour bleed”

c) Experienced the joy of knowing the Lord. She was 31 years old

(III) JOY IN THE COMMITMENT OF SHARING OF ONE’S FAITH

1. As a Poet

a) Wrote her first poem book at 24

b) Wrote 4 other poetry books

c) Wrote poems for all occasions…to minister to people

2. As a teacher

a) Taught at the institute

b) Met with many famous visitors

3. As a hymn writer

a) Greatest hymn writer

b) Collaborated with many musicians

c) Composed 8000 hymns

4. As a public speaker…a great evangelist

(IV) JOYFUL TO THE CONCLUSION OF ONE’S LIFE…BY FAITH

1. Joy in the Scriptures

“My love for the Holy Bible and its sacred truth is stronger and more precious to me at ninety than at nineteen” Fanny Crosby

2. Joy of life

“Don’t waste any sympathy on me. I am the happiest person living.” Fanny Crosby

3. Joy of trusting in the Lord

“Never give up, never give up. Never give up to thy sorrows, Jesus will bid them depart. Trust in the Lord, trust in the Lord. Sing when your trials are greatest. Trust in the Lord and take heart.”