Church Expansion Movement
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revivals will follow. Sinners will be converted, and many souls will be
added to the church.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:246
.
Our church members should feel a deep interest in home and for-
eign missions. Great blessings will come to them as they make self-
sacrificing efforts to plant the standard of truth in new territory. The
money invested in this work will bring rich returns. New converts,
rejoicing in the light received from the Word, will in their turn give of
their means to carry the light of truth to others.—
Testimonies for the
Church 9:49
.
In fields where the conditions are so objectionable and dishearten-
ing that many workers refuse to go to them, most remarkable changes
for the better may be brought about by the efforts of self-sacrificing lay
members. These humble workers will accomplish much, because they
put forth patient, persevering effort, not relying upon human power, but
upon God, who gives them His favor. The amount of good that these
workers accomplish will never be known in this world.—
Testimonies
for the Church 7:22, 23
.
A Lesson from the Failure of Ancient Israel
When the Israelites entered Canaan, they did not fulfil God’s pur-
pose by taking possession of the whole land. After making a partial
conquest, they settled down to enjoy the fruit of their victories. In
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their unbelief and love of ease, they congregated in the portions al-
ready conquered, instead of pushing forward to occupy new territory.
Thus they began to depart from God. By their failure to carry out
His purpose they made it impossible for Him to fulfil to them His
promise of blessing. Is not the church of today doing the same thing?
With the whole world before them in need of the gospel, professed
Christians congregate where they themselves can enjoy gospel priv-
ileges. They do not feel the necessity of occupying new territory,
carrying the message of salvation into regions beyond. They refuse
to fulfil Christ’s commission, “Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature.” Are they less guilty than was the Jewish
church?—
Testimonies for the Church 8:119
.
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