Christ’s Ambassadors
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Christ and His redeeming love been exalted in connection with the
theory of truth, it might have balanced them on His side.
There are more souls longing to understand how they may come
to Christ than we imagine. Many listen to popular sermons from
the pulpit and know no better than before they listened how to find
Jesus and the peace and rest which their souls desire. Ministers who
preach the last message of mercy to the world should bear in mind
that Christ is to be exalted as the sinner’s refuge. Many ministers
think that it is not necessary to preach repentance and faith, with a
heart all subdued by the love of God; they take it for granted that their
hearers are perfectly acquainted with the gospel, and that matters of a
different nature must be presented in order to hold their attention. If
their hearers are interested, they take it as evidence of success. The
people are more ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation and need
more instruction upon this all-important subject than upon any other.
Those who assemble to listen to the truth should expect to be
profited, as did Cornelius and his friends: “Now therefore are we all
here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of
God.”
Theoretical discourses are essential, that all may know the form of
doctrine and see the chain of truth, link after link, uniting in a perfect
whole. But no discourse should ever be delivered without presenting
Christ and Him crucified as the foundation of the gospel, making a
practical application of the truths set forth, and impressing upon the
people the fact that the doctrine of Christ is not Yea and Nay, but Yea
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and Amen in Christ Jesus.
After the theory of truth has been presented, then comes the labori-
ous part of the work. The people should not be left without instruction
in the practical truths which relate to their everyday life. They must
see and feel that they are sinners and need to be converted to God.
What Christ said, what He did, and what He taught should be brought
before them in the most impressive manner.
The work of the minister is but commenced when the truth is
opened to the understanding of the people. Christ is our Mediator and
officiating High Priest in the presence of the Father. He was shown to
John as a Lamb that had been slain, as in the very act of pouring out
His blood in the sinner’s behalf. When the law of God is set before the
sinner, showing him the depth of his sins, he should then be pointed to