Preaching
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be continually unfolding their hidden treasures as precious jewels are
discovered by digging for them.—
Selected Messages 1:15
.
Human assertions are of no value. Let the Word speak to the
people—If ministers who are called upon to preach the most solemn
message ever given to mortals, evade the truth, they are unfaithful
in their work, and are false shepherds to the sheep and the lambs.
The assertions of man are of no value. Let the Word of God speak
to the people. Let those who have heard only traditions and maxims
of men, hear the voice of God, whose promises are Yea and Amen
in Christ Jesus. If the character and deportment of the shepherd is a
living epistle to the people of the truth which he advocates, the Lord
will set His seal to the work. True friendships will be formed with the
people, and the shepherd and the flock will become one, united by a
common hope in Christ Jesus.—
The Review and Herald, March 11,
1902
.
[189]
Preachers who study their Bibles prayerfully, will see new
beauty in every line—A great work must be accomplished for min-
isters in order for them to make the preaching of the truth a success.
The Word of God should be thoroughly studied. All other reading
is inferior to this. A careful study of the Bible will not necessarily
exclude all other reading of a religious nature; but if the Word of God
is studied prayerfully, all reading which will have a tendency to divert
the mind from it will be excluded. If we study the Word of God with
an interest, and pray to understand it, new beauties will be seen in
every line. God will reveal precious truth so clearly that the mind will
derive sincere pleasure and have a continual feast as its comforting
and sublime truths are unfolded.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:337
.
Search the Word to find truths both new and old for the ben-
efit of others—The minister of the gospel of Christ is to watch for
souls as he that must give an account. He is to be often on his knees
in prayer, asking for heavenly wisdom, that he may strengthen “the
things which remain, that are ready to die.” By living in accordance
with the will of God, he is to place himself under divine power. The
Word of God is to be his guide. In this Word there are promises,
directions, warnings, and reproofs, which he is to use in his work as
the occasion may require. With a humble heart and a willing mind
he is to search this Word, that for the benefit of others he may draw
from the storehouse of truth things new and old. He is ever to seek to