Preparing The Soil of The Heart: Community Ministries
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.” [MH 143]
In Christlike sympathy we should come close to men individually, and seek to awaken their interest in the great things of eternal life. Their hearts may be as hard as the beaten highway, and apparently it may be a useless effort to present the Saviour to them; but while logic may fail to move, and argument be powerless to convince, the love of Christ, revealed in personal ministry, may soften the stony heart, so that the seed of truth can take root. [COL 57]
When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths to reach the heart. [6T 327]
Isaiah 58:10 If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Planting the Seed of God's Word: Literature/Media Ministries
Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.
Isaiah 32:20 Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.
Unvarnished truth must be spoken, in leaflets and pamphlets, and these must be scattered like the leaves of autumn. [9T 231]
In the parable of the sower, Christ gave an illustration of His own work and that of His servants. The seed fell upon all kinds of soil. Some seed fell upon poor soil, yet the sower did not therefore cease his work. You are to sow the seeds of truth in every place. Wherever you can gain access, hold forth the word of God. Sow beside all waters. You may not at once see the result of your labors, but be not discouraged. Speak the words that Christ gives you. Work in His lines. Go forth everywhere as He did during His ministry on the earth. The world's Redeemer had many hearers, but few followers. 7T 35
2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
The dissemination of the truth of God is not confined to a few ordained ministers. The truth is to be scattered by all who claim to be disciples of Christ. [Christian Service 68]
More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications [Evangelism, 693]
Cultivating Spiritual Interest: Bible Study Ministries
1 Peter 2:2-3 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Acts 8:30-31 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
In the experience of Philip and the Ethiopian is presented the work to which the Lord calls His people... There are those in the world who are reading the Scriptures, but who cannot understand their import. The men and women who have a knowledge of God are needed to explain the word to these souls. [Evangelism 142]
The plan of holding Bible-readings was a heaven-born idea. [Gospel Workers 192]
In visions of the night, representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God's people... Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God. 9T 126
1 Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
Harvesting Decisions for Christ: Personal Appeals and Public Evangelism
Matthew 9:37
Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
When persons who are under conviction are not brought to make a decision at the earliest period possible, there is danger that the conviction will gradually wear away
[Evangelism 229]
After the meetings are through, there should be a personal investigation with each one on the ground. Each one should be asked how he is going to take these things, if he is going to make a personal application of them. And then you should watch and see if there is an interest in this one or that. Five words spoken to them privately will do more than the whole discourse has done. [Evangelism 285]
The salvation of sinners requires earnest, personal labor. We are to bear to them the word of life, not to wait for them to come to us. With personal piety and a consistent course of life our earnest heart-felt appeals will be, through God, as sharp arrows of the Almighty to pierce the sin-hardened heart, as sharp sickles to reap a precious harvest for the heavenly garner. If we are co-laborers with Christ, we shall all have sheaves to bring to the Master,—souls saved through our instrumentality. [RH April 24, 1883]
the secret of our success and power... will be found in making direct, personal appeals to those who are interested, having unwavering reliance upon the Most High.
[RH August 30, 1892]
Preserving New Members with Discipleship
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
When souls are converted, set them to work at once. And as they labor according to their ability, they will grow stronger. It is by meeting opposing influences that we become confirmed in the faith. [Evangelism 355]
Mark 3:14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach
After individuals have been converted to the truth, they need to be looked after... These newly converted ones need nursing,—watchful attention, help, and encouragement. These should not be left alone, a prey to Satan's most powerful temptations; they need to be educated in regard to their duties, to be kindly dealt with, to be led along, and to be visited and prayed with. [Evangelism 351]
Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
One soul, won to the truth, will be instrumental in winning others, and there will be an ever-increasing result of blessing and salvation. [Christian Service 121]