Preaching
197
Christ-centered
Study, and learn of Jesus—The minister of the gospel is never
exhorted to strive to be a smart preacher, a popular speaker, but is
commanded to “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto
more ungodliness.” Will every messenger of God give heed to these
words? We are laborers together with God, and if those who accept
the responsibility of holding forth the Word of life to others do not
daily yoke up with Christ, and lift His burdens, and learn of Jesus day
by day; it were better for them to seek some other employment.—
This
Day With God, 119
.
Study the character of Christ—The living water may be drawn
from the fountain and yet there is no diminution of the supply. Minis-
ters of the gospel would be powerful men if they set the Lord always
before them and devoted their time to the study of His adorable charac-
ter. If they did this, there would be no apostasies, there would be none
separated from the conference because they have, by their licentious
practices, disgraced the cause of God and put Jesus to an open shame.
The powers of every minister of the gospel should be employed to ed-
ucate the believing churches to receive Christ by faith as their personal
Saviour, to take Him into their very lives and make Him their Pat-
tern, to learn of Jesus, believe in Jesus, and exalt Jesus. The minister
should himself dwell on the character of Christ. He should ponder the
truth, and meditate upon the mysteries of redemption especially the
mediatorial work of Christ for this time.—
Selected Messages 3:187
.
Salvation through Christ is to be the burden of every sermon—
The science of salvation is to be the burden of every sermon, the theme
of every song. Let it be poured forth in every supplication. Let nothing
be brought into the preaching of the Word to supplement Christ, the
[191]
Word and power of God. Let His name, the only name given under
heaven whereby we may be saved, be exalted in every discourse,
and from Sabbath to Sabbath let the trumpet of the watchmen give
a certain sound. Christ is the science and eloquence of the gospel,
and His ministers are to hold forth the Word of life, presenting hope
to the penitent, peace to the troubled and desponding, and grace and