Chapter 33—Preaching
If the minister is surrendered, the Holy Spirit speaks through
every discourse and makes it effective—It is the efficiency of the
Holy Spirit that makes the ministry of the Word effective. When Christ
speaks through the minister, the Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of the
listeners to receive the Word. The Holy Spirit is not a servant, but a
controlling power. He causes the truth to shine into minds, and speaks
through every discourse where the minister surrenders himself to the
divine working. It is the Spirit that surrounds the soul with a holy
atmosphere, and speaks to the impenitent through words of warning,
pointing them to Him who takes away the sin of the world.—
Gospel
Workers, 155
.
Do not present to others what your own soul has not felt—
There is danger that ministers who profess to believe present truth will
rest satisfied with presenting the theory only, while their own souls do
not feel its sanctifying power. Some have not the love of God in the
heart, softening, molding, and ennobling their lives.—
Testimonies for
the Church 4:526
.
We should not be satisfied using discourses that we have
preached over and over—Brethren, we should not go into the desk
unless we have previously devoted some time to wrestling with God
in prayer. We should not be satisfied to use the set discourses that we
have preached over and over for the last ten, fifteen, or twenty years.
We should draw fresh, new matter from the store-house of God’s Word.
We are desirous that the angels of God may stand by our side when
we are in the sacred desk, that God may impress the mind; that there
may be glorious unfoldings of the truth; that it may be presented in the
demonstration of the Spirit; that it may be meat in due season to the
flock of God.—
The Review and Herald, June 4, 1889
.
Heaven is ashamed of preachers who do less than their best in
the sacred desk—Heaven is ashamed of many who are engaged in all
branches of the work, and especially is Heaven ashamed of those who
are called to the sacred desk, and yet who do not try to do their best.
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