God's Grace in the Life of Elisabeth Elliot

When faced with the challenges of following Jesus in this life, we each see a need for instruction, encouragement, and motivation. This often comes from the saints walking alongside us, but it can also come from learning from the saints who went before us, living faithful lives and leaving a witness behind them. Since 2004, I have preached one biographical sermon per year on a saint whose grace-marked life has had an impact on the church and the world. I do this for several reasons. First, it is scriptural. God places the saints of old before us as a “great cloud of witnesses”, testifying to His faithfulness amid their perseverance. Second, it is pastoral. God’s grace is evident in the lives of flawed saints, and His glory is often best seen not in our strengths, but in our weaknesses. This encourages us in faith. Thirdly, it is instructional. It helps us understand the expansive nature of God’s grace across the pages of history. Finally, it is worshipful.

Our saint this year is Elisabeth Elliot, a renowned missionary, author, and articulate spokeswoman for the Christian faith.