Words to Ministers

«He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; and said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. . . . Is it a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth.»

This is the word of the Lord to those who are engaged in the ministry of his word. They are in his special service, and they are not to esteem this as a light thing. Proportionate to their position of trust should be their sense of responsibility and devotion. Cheap, common talk, and light, trifling behavior should not be tolerated. Their highest desire should be to offer Christ perfect service.

The object of preaching is not alone to convey information, not merely to convince the intellect. The preaching of the word should appeal to the intellect, and should impart knowledge, but it should do more than this. The words of the minister should reach the hearts of the hearers.

Neither is it the object of preaching to amuse. Some ministers have adopted a style of preaching that has not the best influence. It has become a habit with them to weave anecdotes into their discourses. The impression thus made upon the hearers is not a savor of life unto life. Ministers should not bring amusing stories into their preaching. The people need pure provender, thoroughly winnowed from the chaff. «Preach the word,» was the charge that Paul gave to Timothy, and this is our commission also.

The minister who mixes story-telling with his discourses is using strange fire. God is offended, and the cause of truth is dishonored, when his representatives descend to the use of cheap, trifling words.

My brethren, you are required by our Saviour to take heed how you witness for him. You need to go deeper and still deeper in the study of the Word. You have all classes of minds to meet, and as you teach the truths of the Sacred Word, you are to manifest earnestness, respect, and reverence. Weed out story-telling from your discourses, and preach the word. You will then have more sheaves to bring to the Master. Remember that in your audience there are those who are constantly harassed by temptation. Some are wrestling with doubt, almost in despair, almost hopeless. Ask God to help you to speak words that will strengthen them for the conflict.

Read and study the fourth chapter of Zechariah. The two olive trees empty the golden oil out of themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowl, from which the lamps of the sanctuary are fed. The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God’s ministers are to be constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to the church. «Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.» God’s servants can obtain victories only by inward purity, by cleanness of heart, by holiness.

It is of the utmost importance that ministers set a right example. If they follow lax, loose principles, their example is quoted by those who are doing wrong, as a vindication of their course. The whole synagogue of Satan is watching for defects in the lives of God’s representatives, and the most is made of every defect.

Take heed lest by your example you place other souls in peril. It is a terrible thing to lose our own soul, but to pursue a course that will cause the loss of other souls is still more terrible. That our influence should be a savor of death unto death is a terrible thought, and yet it is possible. With what earnestness, then, we should guard our thoughts, our words, our habits, our dispositions. God calls for personal holiness. Only by revealing the character of Christ can we co-operate with him in saving souls.

God’s ministers can not be too careful that their actions do not contradict their words. A consistent life alone will command respect. If our practise harmonizes with our teaching, our words will have effect; but a piety that is not based upon practise is as salt without savor. It is of no use for us to strive to inculcate principles which we do not conscientiously practise.

Do not try to work in your own strength; for then the angels of God stand back, leaving you to carry on the warfare alone. Our preparation to meet opponents or to minister to the people must be obtained from the throne of grace. Here we see and acknowledge our own incompetence, and receive the divine efficiency. The Holy Spirit takes the things of God, and shows them to us, leading us into all truth, and giving us the faith that works by love and purifies the soul.

My brethren, in his great mercy and love God has given you great light, and Christ says to you, «Freely ye have received, freely give.» Let the light bestowed on you shine forth to those in darkness. Let us rejoice and be glad that Christ has not only given us his Word, but has given us also the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God, and that in his strength we may be more than conquerors.

Christ is saying, «Come unto me. To me belong right counsel and sound judgment. I have understanding and strength for you.» By faith we must rest in Christ, remembering the words of one who was inspired of God to write, «Thy gentleness hath made me great.» Ask God to give you much of the oil of his grace. Carefully consider every word, whether it be written or spoken.

«Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.» —

If the one who feels that he is called of God to be a minister will humble himself and learn of Christ, he will become a true gospel teacher. There should be among our ministers less sermonizing and more tact to educate the people in practical Christianity. The people must be impressed with the fact that Christ is salvation to all who believe. «God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.» There are grand themes on which the gospel minister may dwell. Christ has said, «He that believeth on me, hath everlasting life.»

If the minister’s lips are touched with a coal from the altar, he will lift up Jesus as the sinner’s only hope. When the heart of the speaker is sanctified through the truth, his words will be living realities to himself and others. Those who hear him will know that he has been with God, and has drawn near to him in fervent, effectual prayer. The Holy Spirit has fallen upon him, his soul has felt the vital, heavenly fire, and he will be able to compare spiritual things with spiritual. Power will be given him to break down the strongholds of Satan. Hearts will be melted and subdued by his presentation of the love of God, and many will inquire, «What must I do to be saved?»

My brethren, seek God in earnest prayer, that when you stand before the people, you may realize the solemnity of the message that you are about to bear. Talk simply and to the point. Let your discourses be short. Handle only a few points, saving your strength for house-to-house work. Ministers too often give lengthy discourses. The minds of the people are wearied by such discourses, and the truth loses its effect upon them. Let the teacher of the Word first talk with God. Then he can stand before the people with the Holy Spirit working upon his mind.

The Lord desires that the truth shall come close to the people, and this can be accomplished only by personal labor. Much is comprehended in the command, «Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.» There is a work to be done in this line that has not yet been done. Let God’s workers teach the truth in families, drawing close to those for whom they labor. If they thus co-operate with God, he will clothe them with spiritual power. Christ will guide them in their work, entering the houses of the people with them, and giving them words to speak that will sink deep into the hearts of the listeners. The Holy Spirit will open hearts and minds to receive the rays coming from the source of all light.

There are families who will never be reached by the truth of God’s Word unless his servants enter their homes, and by earnest ministry, sanctified by the indorsement of the Holy Spirit, break down the barriers. As the people see that these workers are messengers of mercy, the ministers of grace, they are ready to listen to the words spoken by them. But the hearts of those who do this work must throb in unison with the heart of Christ. They must be wholly consecrated to the service of God, ready to do his bidding, ready to go wherever his providence sends them, ready to speak the words he gives them. And if they are what God desires them to be, if they are imbued with his Spirit, they co-operate with heavenly agencies, and are indeed «laborers together with God.»

When such a worker offers prayer to God in the family where he is visiting, the hearts of the members are touched as they would not be by prayer offered in a public assembly. Angels of God enter the family circle with him; and the minds of the hearers are prepared to receive the word of God; for if the messenger is humble and contrite, if he has a living connection with God, the Holy Spirit takes the word, and shows it to those for whom he is laboring.

Light, light from the Word of God,—this is what the people need. If the teachers of the word are willing, the Lord will lead them into close relation with the people. He will guide them to the homes of those who need and desire the truth; and as the servants of God engage in the work of seeking for the lost sheep, their spiritual faculties are awakened and energized. Knowing that they are in harmony with God, they feel joyous and happy. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they obtain an experience that is invaluable to them. Their intellectual and moral powers attain their highest development; for grace is given in answer to the demand.

I was shown two Bible workers seated in a family. With the open Bible before them, they presented the Lord Jesus as the sin-pardoning Saviour. Their words were spoken with freshness and power. Earnest prayer was offered to God, and hearts were subdued by the softening influence of the Holy Spirit. As the Word of God was explained, I saw that a soft, radiant light illumined the Scriptures, and I said softly, «Go ye out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.»

These workers were not boastful, but humble and contrite, realizing always that the Holy Spirit is the efficiency of every worker. Under the influence of the Spirit, indifference vanished, and an earnest interest was manifested. The precious light was communicated from neighbor to neighbor. Family altars that had been broken down were again erected, and many souls were won to the truth.

Teaching the Scriptures, praying in families,—this is the work of the evangelist, and this work is to be mingled with preaching. If it is omitted, preaching will, to a great extent, be a failure. Come close to the people by personal efforts. Teach them that the love of God must come into the sanctuary of the home life.

Take no glory whatever to yourself. Do not work with a divided mind, trying to serve God and self at the same time. Keep self out of sight. Let your words lead the weary and heavy laden to carry their burdens to Jesus. Work as seeing Him who is at your right hand, ready to give you his efficiency and omnipotent power in every emergency. The Lord is your counselor, your guide, the captain of your salvation. He goes before your face, conquering and to conquer.