Ways for Reaching Hearts
A soul Winner soon discovers that temperaments and characters are as diversified as the flowers in a garden. Just as a variety of plants add their own beauty and charm to flower beds, so the different natures of individuals in soul winning lend interest in our cultivating of God's garden. (Evangelism, pp. 98, 99.) Not all plants require the same care. The experienced gardener is a nurseryman whose touch of skill helps to bring out the individual beauty of each plant. From such gar den artists we learn the interesting secrets of dealing carefully with human nature in its many aspects, and become conscious of the fact that soul winning is indeed a personal work.
1. A LABOR OF LOVE— Whatever agency is used for reaching a heart with the truth, it is still imperative that the worker's own heart be first filled with a sincere love for souls. The most capable soul winner is not the worker who is able to give a ready answer on every point to be defended for truth, but rather the one whose heart is overflowing with that love upon which the kingdom of heaven must be built. Although some are naturally friendlier than others, and their conversation is not strained, even they may still find it necessary to continue training themselves to reflect in their lives a cheerfulness of heart and a genuine love for Christ. (I bid, p.444.) What makes for persuasiveness in soul winning is the worker's personal joy in having discovered new truth and in having the peace of God in his own soul because of receiving such a great blessing. What an invincible army of workers might be found in the church's ranks were this experience to be more general!
2. AN ADVENTURE AND DISCOVERY.—Leading men and women to Christ is more than just a task; it is far more an adventure and a discovery. The Holy Spirit leads out in this great quest for souls. Therefore, a worker should always hold an open mind to advancing and improving methods. Truth teaching frequently means changing men's minds on well- established religious ideas. The natural, un converted heart is well satisfied to remain in darkness. Too often there is an unwillingness on the part of one who hears new truth to surrender his unwholesome habits. Such practices are decidedly contrary to the gospel. This requires that the worker should be very patient with the one who is still searching for new light. He must ever recognize that the Holy Spirit is the agency of conviction and the source of power to change the life.
The pen of inspiration has frequently referred to personal work as finding the way to human hearts. When that way is once discovered then it is still necessary to make the heart tender toward newly revealed truth. Soon that once closed door of the heart is thrown wide open to new light, with a growing responsibility toward our message. When eventually the heart completely yields to all revealed truth, it may be said of the seeker that he is now converted to it. In this connection we have been instructed:
"Personal influence is a power. The more direct our labor for our fellow men, the greater good will be accomplished. . . . You must come close to those for whom you labor, that they may not only hear your voice, but shake your hand, learn your principles, and realize your sympathy."—I bid., pp. 438, 439.
3. THE GIFT OF SOUL WINNING.—Personal work for others is not bound by'too rigid plans, nor does it take in the talents of just a few. It is rather a means in God's hands to" use all consecrated believers in promoting the everlasting gospel. However, those who dedicate themselves to this cause soon discover that their tools may need polishing and also sharpening, if their service is to be free from blundering or even crudity. Wisdom, knowledge, tact, and skill need to be properly coordinated if the soul winner is to be successful in reaching all classes of people. There is always a group of honest- hearted souls who are not difficult to win, and all they may need is to hear the voice of the - Great Shepherd saying, "I am the way." This gives encouragement for all to enter into the ripening soul harvest, but the challenge to im prove whatever natural gifts Heaven has sup plied for soul winning should also cause the worker to attempt exploits for the Lord. Those souls who are not so readily reached with the message as others also need our best help. They are often destined to become leaders for God, and for that reason we should prepare ourselves to reach this class.
4. YOUTHFUL WITNESSING.—"Educate the youth to help the youth. . . . Thousands of hearts can be reached in the simplest way. . . . The world's great and gifted men and women, are often refreshed by the most humble, simple words spoken by one who loves God, who can speak of that love as naturally as worldlings can speak of those things which their minds contemplate and feed upon."—I bid.,P- 443-
Not only is youthful zeal and vigor needed in the service of Christ, but it is enriched and adorned by youth's sharing their faith with other youth. When young lives enter as naturally into deeds of kindness as into some enjoy able recreation, the world then takes notice of the beauty and power of the gospel. Youth's happy heart and buoyant vision becomes irresistible to other youth. No one can claim youth's charms indefinitely, but the gift of the happy heart may well be named as one of the greater gifts of the Spirit for all soul winners.
5. USING THE PRINTED PAGE.—This is indeed a reading age, but altogether too many people read the lighter type of reading matter, giving little thought, if any, to religious reading. The worker who uses our literature for creating a new interest should know how to select a type of reading material which will point out the signs of our times and capture the interest. The reader will soon be led to deepen his interest in other timely Bible truths. Our publishers are now giving special attention to such books and pamphlets which do not immediately feature those doctrines which at first appear to be controversial. At the beginning of an interest we should use literature with which the readers can agree; and then when confidence in our work is well established and prejudice has been brushed aside, it will not be. nearly so difficult to bring our more challenging Bible truths to their attention.
Various types of literature may be success fully used by the laymen in bringing our message to their neighbors. Our health journal Life and Health never fails to make a friendly contact. It is a successful way to get acquainted with Catholic neighbors. When the personal worker discovers some article which promises to be of special interest to the reader, the con tact is apt to be friendly. In calling on the average Protestant family, one finds that our literature on the Bible and the benefits derived from its study will readily provide a theme of mutual conversation. Handing out our Bible Year schedules may become the beginning of a neighborly interest which may later be developed into more directed and intensive Bible study. This plan is especially effective just before the New Year. Another means for reaching families of all faiths is the plan of enrolling them as students of our excellent Bible correspondence courses. Various other literature approaches will aid in visiting families in our immediate communities.
Most effectual service may be rendered by our church members during an evangelistic series. Their patient, faithful seed sowing with literature is invaluable in preparation for the follow-up work of the evangelistic group who will help in a more intensive binding off of the maturing interest. Working side by side with our conference-employed workers, laymen can do their best work by being friendly to all they meet and inviting these people to our public meetings. Handbills become personalized when distributed by those whose smiles and winsome- ness are irresistible. There is also room in the field of soul winning for the trained colporteur who may be selling our message-filled books or our magazines. These white-winged messengers of truth will continue to be one of the strongest agencies for promoting the Advent message. We should stress, however, that each literature feature should be well built into the over-all plan of organized evangelism in the territory to be worked. No layman or conference worker should presume to work independently. Wise counsel and the kindly direction of ministering brethren will always assure success.
6. DORCAS AND WELFARE WORK.—The growing problems of a world in turmoil and distress lay claim to the services and generosity of the thousands of Christians who are still more favored than many who are suffering from the great hardships of our recent war. The church's welfare deeds today demand our continuous service. Our ever expanding Dorcas activities mean more than creating a good name for the denomination, for hearts that share with the needy are first blessed. Neither is it ever difficult to win those who have been helped by us in this way. These loving gifts are not readily forgotten, and they naturally become the key that unlocks the hearts of many indifferent and even prejudiced ones in national and racial groups. Welfare service, however, must never become mere routine interest for further approaches to press in our message. It must continue to come from our hearts if it is to help save the lives of earth's needy and downtrodden, and yet this service for humanity may well become a means of first contact with non-Adventists for present truth.
7. _MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK.—Medical missionary work in its various phases is coming more and more to the front. Many of our laymen are peculiarly fitted to give their distinctive help to God's cause. Because war always makes its large demands on the nursing profession, the services of both professional and practical nurses are much sought after. Yet every community today greatly needs the services of those who long to help, and not only to earn money. Many of earth's suffering poor also need this unselfish service for which they simply cannot pay. Heaven still records these very acts of mercy springing from loving hearts. No service is more effective for reaching souls with the message than that which ministers to pain-racked frames as well as to sin-weary souls.
The loving, skillful touch of our consecrated doctors and nurses everywhere is one of the most effective means for spreading our message. In many of our city centers we may now number scores of denominationally trained nurses. All too often some are doing nobly at their profession, yet fail to tie in with their local church's missionary program. There is still the challenge of organizing this trained band for leading out in our layman's nursing work. While the world's aching heart is waiting for its wounds to be bound up, there is a great need today for a more effective ministry- for the sick and afflicted.
8. PROGRESSIVE MISSIONARY PLANS.—Were we to confine all our missionary activities to the few aforementioned agencies, we might miss God's purpose in these changing times for evangelizing the world in our generation. It is the part of wisdom to allow for an expansion of our present methods, making room for other inventions which may yet become the hand maidens of our prophetic message to every tongue and people. God has promised to use consecrated laymen from shops, offices, and farms. These will always make the interests of God's cause paramount. For them soul winning will continue to hold its first appeal. For that reason original methods of missionary service should always be encouraged. New approaches for the message and more appealing ways for its witnessing will keep the embers of evangelism burning brightly in our ranks.
Suggestions for Neighborly Helpfulness
1. Always showing friendliness, but refraining from inquisitiveness.
2. Making use of the telephone for brief, helpful chats, but avoiding tiresome conversations which produce a negative effect.
3. Ever letting our light shine for truth and honesty
4. Aiming to understand the problems of youth, making young people feel welcome in our homes, and using our influence to teach Bible principles.
5. Guiding all into the ways of healthful living.
6. Giving the community wise leadership in temperance reform.
7. Showing enthusiasm for beautifying the community. Sharing flowers and plants with our neighbors, and especially with the sick.
8. Sharing better housekeeping, gardening, and farming suggestions.
9. Offering help to busy mothers.
10. Showing an interest in proper community programs for the youth.
11. Organizing a neighborhood storytelling club to uplift the ideals of the children.
12. The use of Bible films for educational programs.
13. Organizing new Sabbath school groups.
14. Encouraging plans for noise control in the community.
Where Are the Dead?
By HELEN M. WESTON, Bible Instructor, Worcester, Massachusetts.
I. INTRODUCTION: Age-old question confronts, Where are our loved ones after death? Are they suffering in purgatory or enjoying pleasures of heaven? Or are they in grave? Because God is the life-giver, we must consult His Word for a true answer to these questions. Let Scriptures teach us. Matt. 22 -.29.
II. RIGHTEOUS NOT IN HEAVEN.1. Lazarus not in heaven. John 11: 43, 44.
2. David not in heaven. Acts 2:29.
3. Righteous to be called to life by Christ. John 5: 28, 29.
4. Gathered to be with Jesus at resurrection, I Thess. 4:16, 17.
5. Reward at resurrection, not before. Heb. 11:39, 40; Luke 14:14; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12.
III. ALL REST IN GRAVE.
1. Man composed of three parts. I Thess.5 :23
2. Body of dust. Gen. 2, 7.
3. Breath caused man to be living soul. Gen. 2:7.
4. Breath and spirit the same. Job 27:3.
5. Breath and spirit returns to God. Eccl. 12:7.
6. Body returns to dust. Job 34: 14, 15.
7. Jesus says death a sleep. John 11:11; Dan. 12:2.
8. Dead go into grave. Ps. 6: 5; Eccl. 9:10; Job 14:12-14; 17:15, 16.
9. Death is an unconscious state. Eccl. 9:5; Ps. 146:4.
IV. WICKED NOT IN PURGATORY.
1. Wicked resurrected for destruction. Dan. 12:2; John 5: 29.
2. Wicked reserved to end of world. 2 Peter 2:9; Matt. 13 -.40-42.
3. Complete destruction, not lasting torment. Mal. 4:1, 3.
4. Prayers for dead now useless. Isa. 38:18; Eze. 14:14.
5. Wicked punished on earth, not in purgatory. Isa. 24:21; 2 Peter 2:4; 3:10; Ps. 37:10.
V. PRECIOUS PROMISES.
1. Jesus died to redeem us. John 3:16.
2. Will ransom man from grave. Hosea 13:14
3. Eternal life in Christ only. John 11:25.
4. He returns to reclaim us. John 14:1-3.
5. He destroys death, I Cor. 15: 22, 23, 26.
VI. APPEAL: Purgatory is not mentioned in Scriptures, purely a man-made doctrine, displeasing to God. Matt. 15 :9. Man enters grave at death. May we be among those blessed in resurrection. Rev. 20:6.
