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Testimonies for the Church Volume 7
of Christ. But the church members are not to expect a sermon every
Sabbath.
Let us remember that we are pilgrims and strangers on this earth,
seeking a better country, even a heavenly. Let us work with such
earnestness, such devotion, that sinners will be drawn to Christ. Those
who have united with the Lord in the covenant of service are under
bonds to unite with Him in the great, grand work of soul saving. Let
church members, during the week, act their part faithfully, and on the
Sabbath relate their experience. The meeting will then be as meat in
due season, bringing to all present new life and fresh vigor. When
God’s people see the great need of working as Christ worked for the
conversion of sinners, the testimonies borne by them in the Sabbath
service will be filled with power. With joy they will tell of the precious
experience they have gained in working for others.
* * * * *
Our ministers are not to spend their time laboring for those who
have already accepted the truth. With Christ’s love burning in their
hearts, they are to go forth to win sinners to the Saviour. Beside all
waters they are to sow the seeds of truth. Place after place is to be
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visited; church after church is to be raised up. Those who take their
stand for the truth are to be organized into churches, and then the
minister is to pass on to other equally important fields.
Just as soon as a church is organized, let the minister set the mem-
bers at work. They will need to be taught how to labor successfully.
Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching.
Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they
have received. While the new converts should be taught to ask counsel
from those more experienced in the work, they should also be taught
not to put the minister in the place of God. Ministers are but human
beings, men compassed with infirmities. Christ is the One to whom
we are to look for guidance. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt
among us, ... full of grace and truth.” “And of His fullness have all we
received, and grace for grace.”
John 1:14, 16
.
The power of the gospel is to come upon the companies raised up,
fitting them for service. Some of the new converts will be so filled
with the power of God that they will at once enter the work. They