Christ the Center of the Message
169
personal dignity, His holy law uplifted, are the themes that have been
dwelt upon with simplicity and power.—
Letter 83, 1895
.
Affirmative Message—Bear with a certain voice an affirmative
message. Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher.
There is power in the exaltation of the cross of Christ....
Christ is to be preached, not controversially, but affirmatively. Take
your stand without controversy. Let not your words at any time be
uncertain. The Word of the living God is to be the foundation of
our faith. Gather up the strongest affirmative statements regarding the
atonement made by Christ for the sins of the world. Show the necessity
for this atonement and tell men and women that they may be saved
if they will repent and return to their loyalty to God’s law. Gather
all the affirmatives and proofs that make the gospel the glad tidings
of salvation to all who receive and believe on Christ as a personal
Saviour.—
Letter 65, 1905
.
Sermon Like the Offering of Cain—Many of our ministers have
merely sermonized, presenting subjects in an argumentative way, and
scarcely mentioning the saving power of the Redeemer. Their tes-
[188]
timony was destitute of the saving blood of Christ. Their offering
resembled the offering of Cain. He brought to the Lord the fruit of
the ground, which in itself was acceptable in God’s sight. Very good
indeed was the fruit; but the virtue of the offering—the blood of the
slain lamb, representing the blood of Christ—was lacking. So it is with
Christless sermons. By them men are not pricked to the heart; they
are not led to inquire, What must I do to be saved? Of all professing
Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting
Christ before the world.—
Gospel Workers, 156
(1915).
In a Clear, Simple Manner—Ministers need to have a more clear,
simple manner in presenting the truth as it is in Jesus. Their own minds
need to comprehend the great plan of salvation more fully. Then they
can carry the minds of the hearers away from earthly things to the
spiritual and eternal. There are many who want to know what they
must do to be saved. They want a plain and clear explanation of the
steps requisite in conversion, and there should not a sermon be given
unless a portion of that discourse is to especially make plain the way
that sinners may come to Christ and be saved. They should point them
to Christ, as did John and with touching simplicity, their hearts aglow
with the love of Christ, say, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh