Evangelistic Sermon
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fears and distressing forebodings; these bring no relief to the soul and
should be rebuked rather than praised. We may have joy unspeakable
and full of glory. Let us put away our indolence and study God’s Word
more constantly. If we ever needed the Holy Ghost to be with us, if
we ever needed to preach in the demonstration of the Spirit, it is at this
very time.—
Manuscript 6, 1888
.
A Cheerful Present-Truth Message—Now, just now, we are to
proclaim present truth, with assurance and with power. Do not strike
one dolorous note; do not sing funeral hymns.—
Letter 311, 1905
.
How to Preach on Calamities—Uplift those who are cast down.
Treat of calamities as disguised blessings, of woes as mercies. Work
in a way that will cause hope to spring up in the place of despair.—
Testimonies For The Church 7:272
(1902).
Hurry Produces Tame Discourses—When you hurry from one
thing to another, when you have so much to do that you cannot take
time to talk with God, how can you expect power in your work? The
reason so many of our ministers preach tame, lifeless discourses is that
they allow a variety of things of a worldly nature to take their time and
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attention.—
Testimonies For The Church 7:251
(1902).
Avoid Sickly Discourses—Short, plainly made points, avoiding
all rambling, will be of the greatest advantage. God would not have
you exhaust your energies before you come into the meeting, either
in writing or in any other employment, for when you come with a
tired mind you give a very imperfect discourse to the people. Put your
freshest energies into the work and let not the slightest dullness of
imperfectness be seen in any of your efforts.
If from any cause you are tired and exhausted, for Christ’s sake do
not attempt to give a discourse. Let another who is not thus exhausted
speak, short, to the point, or else have a Bible reading; anything but
sickly discourses. These will do less harm where all are believers,
but when the truth is to be proclaimed before a people who are not
in the faith, the speaker must prepare himself for the task. He must
not ramble all through the Bible but give a clear, connected discourse,
showing that he understands the points he would make.—
Letter 48,
1886
.
Artificial Embellishments—God calls upon the ministers of the
gospel not to seek to stretch themselves beyond their measure by
bringing forward artificial embellishments, striving for the praise and