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THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF WILLIAM CAREY

Text: Hebrews 11
12 September 2010

(I) THE TREMENDOUS FERVOR OF WILLIAM CAREY TO REACH THE WORLD

1. A heart for God and His work

2. A heart for missions

3. William’s personal manifesto for missions

“Expect great things from God! Attempt great things for God!”

4. Sent out by the Baptist missionary Society

(II) THE INDOMITABLE FAITH OF WILLIAM CAREY IN THE MISSION FIELD

1. Faith to attempt something great

a) Despite the opposition of the wife

b) Despite the lack of knowldege of Biblical missions work

c) Despite the opposition of the East India Company

d) Despite a steep Hindu culture in India

2. Nobility and perserverance to do the Lord’s will

a) “Tent Making” ministry

b) Family difficulties

c) Diseases – Dysentry

d) No conversions for seven years

e) Setbacks in translation work – Fire in printing room

(III) THE FRUITS OF WILLIAM CAREY’S LABOUR

1. Initial Converts

a) Krishnu, the first convert

b) 6 more of low caste were baptised

2. Translation work

a) The whole Bible in 30 different languages

b) Becoming a professor of Bengali at Fort William College

i) Taught the British officials the Bengali language in the morning

ii) Preach the gospel to the poor and needy at night

3. Growth of work

a) Serampore missions work in 1817

i) 10 mission stations in Bengal, supported by nine missionaries.

ii) 765 baptisms, 500 were Indians.

b) More missionaries came and work extended before Serampore

c) Brought about the cesation of the Suttee – Widow burning

(IV) THE GOOD TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM CAREY

1. Faith and works

a) Faith shown by works ( James 2:18 )

b) Faith working together with works ( James 2:22 )

c) Faith perfected through works ( James 2:21 )

2. The faith of William Carey brought about success in missions work

a) In great passion for God and His works

b) In great simplicity of heart and mind in following God’s will

c) In great endurance

d) In great faithfulness