Witnessing For Christ

“It is in doing Christ’s work that the church has the promise of His presence. Go teach all nations, He said, “and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” To take His yoke is one of the first conditions of receiving His power. The very life of the church depends upon her faithfulness in fulfilling the Lord’s commission. To neglect this work is surely to invite spiritual feebleness and decay. Where there is no active labor for others, love wanes, and faith grows dim.

“Christ intends that His ministers shall be educators of the church in gospel work. They are to teach the people how to seek and save the lost. But is this the work they are doing? Alas, how many are toiling to fan the spark of life in a church that is ready to die! How many churches are tended like sick lambs by those who ought to be seeking for the lost sheep! And all the time millions upon millions without Christ are perishing.” Desire of Ages, p. 825.

“Let there be in every church, well-organized companies of workers to labor in the vicinity of that church. Put self behind you, and let Christ go before as your life and power. Let this work be entered into without delay, and the truth will be as leaven in the earth. When such forces are set to work in all our churches, there will be a renovating, reforming, energizing power in the churches, because the members are doing the very work that God has given them to do. Let all our churches be active, zealous, filled with enthusiasm by the Spirit and power of God. It is the intelligent use of the means, the capabilities, the powers, given you by God, consecrated to His service, that will tell in the communities where you may labor. It may be that you will have to make a very small beginning in some places; but do not be discouraged; the work will grow larger, and you will be doing the work of an evangelist. Look at Christ’s manner of working, and strive to labor as He did.” Rev. & Her., 29/9/1891.

“All who study the life of Christ and practice His teachings will become like Christ. Their influence will be like His. They will reveal soundness of character. As they walk in the humble path of obedience, doing the will of God, they exert an influence that tells for the advancement of the cause of God and the healthful purity of His work. In these thoroughly converted souls the world is to have a witness to the sanctifying power of truth upon the human character.” Test. Treas., book 2, p. 394.

Speak friendly and make personal exhortations.
“Personal, individual effort and interest for your friends and neighbours, will accomplish much more than can be estimated. It is for the want of this kind of labor that the souls for whom Christ died are perishing… Your work may accomplish more real good than the more extensive meetings, if they lack in personal effort. When both are combined with the blessing of God, a more perfect and thorough work may be wrought; but if we can have but one part done, let it be the individual labor of opening the Scripture in households, making personal appeals, and talking familiarly with the members of the family, not about things of little importance, but of the great themes of redemption. Let them see that your heart is burdened for the salvation of souls.” Rev. & Her., Mar. 13, 1888.

“Christ’s work is to be our example. Constantly He went about doing good. In the temple and the synagogues, in the streets of the cities, in the market place and the workshop, by the seaside and among the hills, He preached the gospel and healed the sick. His life was one of unselfish service and it is to be our lessonbook. His tender, pitying love rebukes our selfishness and heart-lessness.” Test. Treas. 3, p. 298-299.

“Make the work of Christ you example. Constantly He went about doing good: feeding the hungry and healing the sick. Nobody who came to Him seeking sympathy felt disappointed. The Prince of the heavenly courts, was made flesh and dwelled among us, and His life-work is an example of the work that we must accomplish. His tender, merciful love reproves our selfishness and indifference.” Manuscript 55, 1901.

That work that every church should be doing.
‘The work of gathering in the needy, the oppressed, the suffering, the destitute, is the very work which every church that believes the truth for this time should long since have been doing. We are to show the tender sympathy of the Samaritan in supplying physical necessities, feeding the hungry, bringing the poor that are cast out to our homes, gathering from God every day grace and strength that will enable us to reach to the very depths of human misery and help those who cannot possibly help themselves. In doing this work we have a favorable opportunity to set forth Christ the crucified One.” Test. Treas., book 2, p. 514.

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.

“As my Father hath sent Me, even so, send I you.” We are to bear as definite a testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus, as did Christ and His apostles. Trusting in the efficiency of the Holy Spirit, we are to testify of the mercy, goodness, and love of a crucified and risen Saviour, and thus be agents through whom darkness will be dispelled from many minds, and cause thanksgiving and praise to ascend from many hearts to God. There is a great work to be done by every son and daughter of God… According to the effort that the human instrument puts out in his work, God works in him and through him.” Rev. & Her., June 25, 1895.

The church needs to be instructed in the missionary work. “Watchman, what of the night?” Isa. 21:11.
Are the watchman of whom this question is asked in a position to give a clear sound of the trumpet? Are the shepherds leading faithfully the flock of which they have to give account? Are the ministers of God watching for the souls, understanding that those who are under their leadership have been bought by the blood of Christ?

We have a great work to be done in the world. What efforts are we putting out hi order to accomplish it? The brothers and sisters have heard too many sermons; but, have they been taught to work for those for whom Christ died? Have they been proposed and presented some branch of the work in such a way that each one has seen the necessity to participate in the work?
May the Lord help us to understand what importance we have to testify for Christ.
AMEN