THE TRUTH IS SO DIFFERENT IN CHARACTER AND WORK FROM THE ERRORS PREACHED FROM POPULAR PULPITS THAT WHEN IT IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT ALMOST OVERWHELMS THEM.
It is strong meat and should be dealt out judiciously. While some minds are quick to catch an idea, others are slow to comprehend new and startling truths which involve great changes and present a cross at every step. Give them time to digest the wonderful truths of the message you bear them.
The preacher should endeavor to carry the understanding and sympathies of the people with them. Do not soar too high, where they cannot follow, but give the truth point after point, slowly and distinctly, making a few essential points, then it will be as a nail fastened in a sure place by the Master of assemblies. If you stop when you should, giving them no more at once than they can comprehend and profit by, they will be eager to hear more, and thus the interest will be sustained.
Apply truth to heart - In every address given, let there be an application of truth to the heart, that whosoever may hear shall understand, and that men, women, and youth may become alive unto God.
Easy to comprehend - Preach the Word so that it will be easy to comprehend. Bring the people right to Jesus Christ, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered. . . . As you bring to them the Word of God, presenting it in a simple style, the seed will grow, and after a time you will have a harvest. The seed sowing is your work; the propagation of the seed is the Lord’s divine work.
No compromise - We are not to cringe and beg pardon of the world for telling them the truth: we should scorn concealment. Unfurl your colors to meet the cause of men and angels. Let it be understood that Seventh-day Adventists can make no compromise. In your opinions and faith there must not be the least appearance of waverings: the world has a right to know what to expect of us.
Our world-wide message - We are one in faith in the fundamental truths of God’s Word. . . . We have a worldwide message. The commandments of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ are the burden of our work.
Preaching for a revival - Repent, repent, was the message rung out by John the Baptist in the wilderness. Christ’s message to the people was, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5. And the apostles were commanded to preach everywhere that men should repent.
This article is excerpted from the book Evangelism, pages 177- 179, by Ellen G. White.
