on Preaching and Working

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" Matthew 24:14.

I've lived in a few different places and been a part of several different churches where we discussed how to "reach out" to those communities. Every church I've been a part of knows that it is important to do outreach. Somehow the members recognized it's importance even if never engaging in personal work for others.

Many say they witness by their "lifestyle" as if to think that keeping away from pork, going to church all day on Saturday, and not using bad language in their vocabulary counts as preaching the gospel. Well it is part of it anyway. Unfortunately, if we stop there no one will ever know about Christ's second coming. They may see us "living" the way we do but never know why we live that way--that We Are preparing for Something!.

Others who are pro-witnessing seem to limit what God can do based on their personal experience or past history with evangelism. I've heard people say, "that doesn't work, that was good 80 years ago but not now, now here, not like that." I've heard this especially when it comes to evangelistic series.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Matthew 24:14 doesn't say all the nations will believe the gospel. It's not our responsibility to convert people anyway. That job belongs to the Holy Spirit. The verse does implies however, that all the world will hear the gospel when we preach it to them.

"He does not say that all the world will be converted, but that 'this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come'" Amazing Grace, 345. 

In other words, the world needs to hear the message. Maybe it doesn't matter so much what works and what doesn't work as much as it matters that we work. We too often concern ourselves about bringing people into the church and focus on the most likely candidates or methods to accomplish that (which is very important) but then forget that everyone needs to hear or at the very least have an opportunity to hear the gospel message. The Bible doesn't talk about methods but it does talk about men--men who give their hearts and minds to the Lord's service and go out to preach the gospel to a lost and dying world. Notice what can happen:

"By giving the gospel to the world, it is in our power to hasten the coming of the day of God. Had the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned, and the Lord Jesus would have come to the earth in power and great glory" Amazing Grace, 345.

Maybe we should focus less on what works and focus more on personal witnessing. Lets start acting like people who expect their Lord to come--waiting, watching, working, praying, warning the world--this is our job! 

Our message is positive, it's simple, and it's what the world needs.

"Fine mental qualities are not the result of accident--True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God's providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance. Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them."

Patriarchs and Prophets, 486.

on the Holy Spirit

1. He regenerates (John 3:3-5)
2. He indwells (Rom. 8:11)
3. He anoints (I John 2:27)
4. He baptizes (Acts 2:17-41)
5. He empowers (Micah 3:8)
6. He sanctifies (Rom. 15:16)
7. He comforts (John 14:16-26)
8. He gives Joy (Rom. 14:17)
9. He gives discernment (I Cor 2:10-16)
10. He bears fruit (Gal. 5:22, 23)
11. He gives gifts (I Cor 12:3-11)

on Absolute Surrender

"Let us bow before God in humility, and in that humility confess before Him the state of the whole Church. No words can tell the sad state of the Church of Christ on earth. I wish I had words to speak what I sometimes feel about it. Just think of the Christians around you. I do not speak of nominal Christians, or of professing Christians, but I speak of hundreds and thousands of honest, earnest Christians who are not living a life in the power of God or to His glory. So little power, so little devotion or consecration to God, so little perception of the truth that a Christian is a man utterly surrendered to God's will! Oh, we want to confess the sins of God's people around us, and to humble ourselves.

"Come and cast this self-life and flesh-life at the feet of Jesus. Then trust Him. Do not worry yourselves with trying to understand all about it, but come in the living faith that Christ will come into you with the power of His death and the power of His life. Then the Holy Spirit will bring the whole Christ-Christ crucified and risen and living in glory-into your heart."

~Andrew Murray

on Wasting the Pulpit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aHlJJoKCNew

on Prayer Effectual

"The earnest, persevering prayer of the righteous avails much. It is our duty to ask God for the very facilities that we need to lift the standard of truth in all parts of the world. It is not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, saith the Lord, that the light of the knowledge of the truth for this time shall shine forth as a lamp that burneth. Prayerless zeal will not enable us to make the right kind of headway. The sincere, humble prayer of the true worshiper ascends to heaven, and Jesus mingles with our lowly petitions the holy incense of his own merit. Through his righteousness we are accepted. Christ makes our prayers wholly efficacious through the savor of his righteousness. In these days of peril, we need men who will wrestle with God as did Jacob, and who, like Jacob, will prevail. Thank God that the world's Redeemer promised that if he went away, he would send the Holy Spirit as his representative. Let us pray, and grasp the rich promises of God, and then praise God that in proportion to our earnest, humble supplications the Holy Spirit will be appointed to meet our needs. If we seek God with all our heart, we shall find him, and obtain the fulfillment of the promise. His grace will be given in large measure to those who will be active agents in imparting it to the world to convict the mind of truth, and to convert the soul to Christ.

"'Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. . . . For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.'

"The Lord will not leave his afflicted, tried children to be the sport of Satan's temptations. It is our privilege to trust in Jesus. The heavens are full of rich blessings, and it is our privilege to have the joy of Christ in us that our joy may be full. We have not because we ask not, or because we do not pray in faith, believing that we shall be blessed with the special influence of the Holy Spirit. To the true seeker through the mediation of Christ the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit are imparted in order that the receiver may impart a knowledge of saving truth. Why do we not believe the plain 'Thus saith the Lord'? Do not cease to pray under any circumstances. The spirit may be willing but the flesh may be weak, but Jesus knows all about that. In your weakness you are not to be anxious; for anxiety means doubt and distrust. You are simply to believe that Christ is able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us. What does intercession comprehend?--It is the golden chain which binds finite man to the throne of the infinite God. The human agent whom Christ has died to save importunes the throne of God, and his petition is taken up by Jesus, who has purchased him with his own blood. Our great High Priest places his righteousness on the side of the sincere suppliant, and the prayer of Christ blends with that of the human petitioner. Christ has urged that his people pray without ceasing. This does not mean that we should always be upon our knees, but that prayer is to be as the breath of the soul. Our silent requests, wherever we may be, are to be ascending unto God, and Jesus, our Advocate, pleads in our behalf, bearing up with the incense of his righteousness our requests to the Father. The Lord Jesus loves his people, and when they put their trust in him, depending wholly upon him, he strengthens them. He will live through them, giving them the inspiration of his sanctifying Spirit, imparting to the soul a vital transfusion of himself. He acts through their faculties, and causes them to choose his will and to act out his character. With the apostle Paul they then may say. 'I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.' Christ impresses upon the mind of believers the fact that they are to have the glory which the Father has given him, in order that all who love and serve him may be one with God. 'For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. . . . And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory [character], which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.'

"Oh, what a request! He asked not that which was impossible for the members of the human race who believe on him to receive. He asks that the Father shall love those who believe in him, who love and serve him, as he loves his Son. Is this not sufficient to fill our mind with profoundest awe and love? Where is our faith? Oh, let it be strengthened in contemplation of the thought of the possibility of God loving finite men, even as he loved his only-begotten Son! Let our faith be strengthened in contemplating the thought that as followers of Christ we may be complete in him. Oh, how far short is our faith! Let us talk faith, live faith, and give to the world an example of the faith which works by love and purifies the soul."

Sabbath-School Worker. February 1, 1896.

on Overcoming

"All who profess godliness are under the most sacred obligation to guard the spirit, and to exercise self-control under the greatest provocation...God has made ample provision for His people; and if they rely upon His strength, they will never become the sport of circumstances. The strongest temptation cannot excuse sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel anyone to do evil, Satan attacks us at our weak points, but we need not be overcome. However severe or unexpected the assault, God has provided help for us, and in His strength we may conquer."


Patriarchs and Prophets, 421.