Eternal Truth
205
Effect of Smooth Sermons—God’s ministers must lift up the
voice like a trumpet, and show the people their transgressions. The
smooth sermons so often preached make no lasting impression. Men
are not cut to the heart, because the plain, sharp truths of the Word of
God are not spoken to them.—
Gospel Workers, 149
Good News of Salvation—The highest employment of the powers
[321]
of speech is that of imparting divine truth. Wherever the audience may
be, whoever may compose that audience, Christ’s witness is to speak
the plain, unvarnished truth. He is to minister grace to his hearers.
His words will be in harmony with the teaching of Christ. The soul
who is truly converted will have his lips touched with the sacred fire of
cleansing. To every individual he meets he will find an opportunity of
speaking the good news of salvation. He believes; therefore he utters
the sentiments of his heart. He stands as the oracle of God, speaking
to men the words of life and salvation.—Lt 222, 1907.
Fresh Manna—You have been too anxious to present lines of
thought that would bring glory to yourself. You have thought it was
necessary to dwell upon subjects which do not enlighten minds in
regard to vital truth, or make clearer the way to present salvation. For
Christ’s sake keep to the point. In every discourse break the bread of
life, present fresh manna, lay upon souls the solemn responsibilities
that God has placed upon them, and keep in view eternal realities. Call
the attention of the people to vital questions, and keep them to the
point of decision, asking them, “What are you going to do?” Cooperate
with heavenly intelligences. When you allow your mind to be diverted
from plain lines of truth and to be engrossed with subjects that please
your fancy, you are simply losing time. The Holy Spirit does not work
with you, and thus you make a mistake.—Lt 29, 1895.
[322]
Self to the Background—In the first chapter of Corinthians, Paul
has given us instruction which every true laborer needs to study, es-
pecially the following verses: “But we preach Christ crucified, unto
the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto
them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God,
and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than
men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” [
1 Corinthians
1:23-25
]. Here is a lesson of special consequence to every worker in
the vineyard of the Lord. It will not result in solid work for men to
preach to please the ears of the people, while the truth is not held forth