Do you Remember, Vance Havner, The Most Quoted Preacher of the 20th Century?

Vance Havner was born in Catawba County near Hickory, NC. He was saved at 10, preached his first sermon at 12, ordained at 15 and preached over 13,000 sermons in his 73 years of preaching. He was not a pastor at heart and only pastored two different churches in his life time, but preached all over the country. He called himself a "revivalist," not an evangelist.

Billy Graham, a close friend of Havner's and preached at Havner's home going service in August of 1986 said, "No one has done more to fan the flames of revival than has Vance Havner."

Dr. Havner is my all-time favorite preacher. I compiled four books on Dr. Havner’s sermons. Three of them are out of print, but now in electronic form.

Here are some memorable quotes by Vance Havner concerning revival that we as American's are desperately in need of.

Listen to these quotes from Havner on revival. He says,
"A lot of our activity often mistaken for revival is just the church turning over, but not waking up. Turning over is not getting up, and waking up is not getting up. The Word of God says we're to get up and go about our business for the King."

"A revival is the church falling in love with Jesus Christ all over again. We are in love with ourselves, in love with our particular crowd, in love with our fundamentalism, maybe, but not in love with Him."

"Many a so-called revival is only a drive for church members, which adds more unsaved sinners, starched and ironed but not washed, to a fellowship where even the true believers have not been aroused for years.

I would love to hear your reflections about this great man of God and post your favorite quotes that you remember by him. God bless and may each of us truly experience a heart felt revival.

Indeed a most remarkable man. He had a charming wit about him. A country boy with a great zeal to see the "Church of Christ" purified from worldliness. I recall him quoting Billy Sunday in one of his sermons where he said something like, "There's no such thing as a worldly christian. You may as well speak of a heavenly devil." Listened to many of his sermons here & at sermonaudio.com. Thanks for the post. I wasn't aware he had authored any books. Thanks again, Richie

Hi Richie, glad you are a Vance Havner fan. Dr. Havner's books are all out of print, except "When God Breaks Through," published by Kregel, that I compiled and maybe one book by Havner's old publisher, Baker Book House and a book entitled Havner Reflects on the Gospels compiled by Michael Catt and published by Christian Crusade for Christ. But you can find over 25 books in electronic format where you can download to your computer at http://www.Wordsearchbible.com and also find the three books I compiled on Havner's sermons and quotes at Wordsearch at this link, http://www.wordsearchbible.com/catalog/search.php?searchterm=Vance+Havner?g=7032. We desperately need to introduce Vance Havner to a new generation of congregations and especially young preachers. Thanks for your post. Keep the faith Brother.

Amen, I too do believe this generation needs to hear this man & more preachers like him. He was also extremely funny, but serious; he was balanced. If I could describe him in 1 word it would be, "sincere." When he still speaks through recordings it is even difficult to not remember almost everything that he would say. He could feed the sheep, rebuke the carnal, & stir the unbelieving in the same sentence. God truly spoke through this humble man.

Our Pastor often mentions, and quotes, Vance Havner, as one of the men who most influenced him for Christ when he was younger. He speaks very fondly of a couple of occasions in particular when he was able to drive Bro. Havner to some meetings, and thereby spend some precious time with him.

And, thanks to my Pastor, I in turn have also been blessed by reading Dr. Havner's writings and sermons. What a blessing he was and is.

One of my favorite Havner sermons is titled, "Knowing What To Do." I don't know if it's here @ SI or sermonaudio.com. It's worth the listen though brothers & sisters. Oh, what a glimpse of the beauty of Christ came forth from this man. Thanks again sir. I'm sure many will be blessed from your post if they will only take the time to look into it.