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Evangelism
away the sins of the world.” Strong and earnest appeals should be made
to the sinner to repent and be converted.—
The Review and Herald,
February 22, 1887
.
The Truth as It Is in Jesus—Teach the simple lessons given
by Christ. Tell the story of His life of self-denial and sacrifice, His
humiliation and death, His resurrection and ascension, His intercession
for sinners in the courts above. In every congregation there are souls
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upon whom the Spirit of the Lord is moving. Help them to understand
what is truth; break the bread of life to them; call their attention to
vital questions.
Many voices are advocating error; let your voice advocate truth.
Present subjects that will be as green pastures to the sheep of God’s
fold. Do not lead your hearers into waste tracts, where they will be no
nearer the fountain of living water than they were before hearing you.
Present the truth as it is in Jesus, making plain the requirements of the
law and the gospel. Present Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, and
tell of His power to save all who come to Him. The Captain of our
salvation is interceding for His people, not as a petitioner to move the
Father to compassion, but as a conqueror, who claims the trophies of
His victory. He is able to save to the uttermost all who come to God
by Him. Make this fact very plain.
Unless ministers are guarded, they will hide the truth under human
ornamentation. Let no minister suppose that he can convert souls by
eloquent sermons. Those who teach others should plead with God to
imbue them with His Spirit, and enable them to lift up Christ as the
sinner’s only hope. Flowery speeches, pleasing tales, or inappropriate
anecdotes do not convict the sinner. Men listen to such words as they
would to a pleasant song. The message that the sinner should hear is,
“God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.”—
Gospel Workers, 154, 155
(1915).
Christ’s Love Uplifted—In order to break down the barriers of
prejudice and impenitence, the love of Christ must have a part in every
discourse. Make men to know how much Jesus loves them, and what
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evidences He has given them of His love. What love can equal that
which God has manifested for man, by the death of Christ on the cross?
When the heart is filled with the love of Jesus, this can be presented to
the people, and it will affect hearts.—
Letter 48, 1886
.