BIBLE PREACHING
By: R. Allan Anderson
At the Billy Graham meetings in Washington, D.C., last winter, one could not help being impressed by the thrilling sight of hundreds, yes, thousands, of Bibles held up in response to the evangelist's question, "How many Bibles do we have here tonight?" True, the people were asked to turn »to possibly only one Scripture passage at the beginning of the service, but the fact that each had his own Bible created an atmosphere of confidence. Other texts were sometimes used, but in such rapid succession that the people did not have time to find them. Nor did the evangelist seem to care whether they found them or not. Nevertheless, the impression was made that Billy Graham was a Bible preacher. Moreover, the number of people who carried their Bibles increased from night to night, and all came under the conviction that this was an old- fashioned Bible crusade in which the Word of God was preached and studied.
As we plan our evangelistic meetings during the coming months, would it not be well to encourage our own dear people to set a good example by bringing their Bibles to the meetings? And then en courage the public to bring their Bibles as well.
The Word is the hammer that breaks the rock of self. It is the Word that brings forth a new creation. New converts are born by that living Word. So let us above all others be known as Bible preachers. Whatever aids are used to help make our message clear, let us beware lest we depend on these rather than the living Word.
THE PEACE OF GOD
By: George E. Vandeman
"HOME lovers—watch out for the shadow of under insurance. Time and tide wait for no man —neither does FIRE." So reads a startling insurance advertisement. Fire, burglary, old age and accident fears daily plague John Q. Public to be better pre pared. He is harassed on all sides by warnings against inflation, atomic war, and dangers both real and imaginary. The supersalesman and the ruthless politician have both learned about this effective appeal to the fears of man. As one result, life has for many grown tense, anxious, and fearful.
There is a very real danger that our preaching, rather than relieve the strain of haunting fear, will add to the play upon this potentially destructive emotion. Let us not add to the tired confusion of men's minds, but rather reveal the healing secret of freedom from fear.
What worker has not noticed the superficial experience of some believers whose faith has been built upon the "crisis" phase of the message? These good people will rise to great heights of devotion and confidence in time of war and national troubles, which events they feel are fulfilling prophecy. But their experience will lag in tranquil times. How much better it is when we see in the lives of our people the evidence of genuine religious experience, with a simple, constant, satisfying inner peace of mind and soul! The peace of God in man's heart is the stabilizing force for the days ahead.
Men need to know that times will worsen before Jesus comes, and awareness of fulfilling prophecy is vital. But if this phase is emphasized to the over shadowing of a positive, saving message, we build on uncertain ground. Some of our youth have been heard to reason, "All we hear is that the world is going to pieces; maybe we had better test the promises of certain popular isms." Had these youth listened to an equal emphasis on the part of Adventist preachers on the positive, glorious outcome and the saving provision of the gospel, they would not reason thus.
People from all walks of life recognize a substantial anchor in our message when we shun the sensational, wild predictions in favor of a sure and certain message from God. We must lead men and women to face the future without fear and with un bounded confidence in a loving God, but this is well-nigh impossible if the very basis of our appeal is that of fear.
The idea behind this caution will not in the least diminish the distinctive warning phase of our commission. It will definitely enhance its appeal to the weary hearts of men.
WORSHIP REVERIES
By: R. Allan Anderson
When God came down and spoke with Adam, there was joy in their communion. But when sin entered, something happened—joy had 0ed, and we see Adam running away from his God. He was hiding from the very One with whom he had fellowshiped and communed in peace. Sin always has this effect.
But Adam did more than hide—he tried to meet his need by making garments. The record states they "made themselves aprons." Aprons do not suggest quietude, rest, and relaxation, but rather noise, toil, and work. Moreover, Adam was no longer the companion of God; he was the servant of sin.
But God wants to restore that broken companionship. That is why He calls men to worship Him. True worship grows out of an understanding fellowship between God and His creatures, and it becomes even more real when we realize the Father hood of God our Creator. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him"—a beautiful picture of the Fatherhood of God, and it came to men a thousand years before Christ. The New Testament brings us an even more wonderful revelation of God, for there we see Him as a sympathizing Father, who loved us so much as to give Himself for us. Yes, in Christ Jesus His Son He died for us. Truly we can pray, "Our Father."
The concept of God as an understanding Father should inspire courage and confidence. We do not approach Him in childish demand, but rather in childlike trust. It is this concept of filial fellowship that the world needs again to hear. When men are lost they long to find the way home. It is our work to lead men back to the Father. Worship that does not do this is not true worship.
