Chapter 6—Preaching Practical Sermons
Giving for the necessity of the saints and for the advancement of
the kingdom of God, is preaching practical sermons, which testify that
those who give have not received the grace of God in vain. A living
example of an unselfish character, which is after the example of Christ,
has great power upon men. Those who do not live for self, will not
use up every dollar meeting their supposed wants, and supplying their
conveniences, but will bear in mind that they are Christ’s followers,
and that there are others who are in need of food and clothing.
Those who live to gratify appetite and selfish desire, will lose the
favor of God, and will lose the heavenly reward. They testify to the
world that they have not genuine faith, and when they seek to impart
to others a knowledge of present truth, the world will regard their
words as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. Let everyone show
his faith by his works. “Faith without works is dead,” “being alone.”
“Wherefore show ye to them and before the churches, the proof of your
love, and of our boasting in your behalf.”—
The Review and Herald,
August 21, 1894
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The Most Difficult Sermon
The most difficult sermon to preach and the hardest to practice is
self-denial. The greedy sinner, self, closes the door to the good which
might be done, but which is not done because money is invested for
selfish purposes. But it is impossible for anyone to retain the favor
of God and enjoy communion with the Saviour, and at the same time
be indifferent to the interests of his fellow beings who have no life in
Christ, who are perishing in their sins. Christ has left us a wonderful
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example of self-sacrifice....
As we follow Him in the path of self-denial, lifting the cross and
bearing it after Him to His Father’s home, we shall reveal in our
lives the beauty of the Christ life. At the altar of self-sacrifice,—the
appointed place of meeting between God and the soul,—we receive
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