The book Gospel Workers presents a challenge to every minister—a challenge from which no one is exempt, regardless of the degree of efficiency he may have obtained. Christ Himself is set forth as the example par excellence of ministerial attainment.
"There was no building in Palestine large enough to receive the multitudes that thronged to Him."—Gospel Workers, p. 41. This popular response was due primarily, no doubt, to the fact that He conducted His work of healing and teaching on so large a scale. And yet, "had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did."—The Desire of Ages, p. 254. He was constantly about His Father's business. This was "the key-note of His life-work."—Gospel Workers, p. 42. He met the need of the people. Thus "Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching."—Ibid., p. 43. The healing of the sin-sick soul, however, was His objective, and therefore "the Saviour made each work of healing an occasion of implanting divine principles in the mind and soul."—Ibid.
"Christ reached the people where they were. He presented the plain truths to their minds in the most forcible, simple language."—Ibid., pp. 49, 50. Notwithstanding the immense size of His audiences, Christ's method was that of teaching rather than preaching. We are admonished: "Teach as Christ taught, study His example, His methods of teaching. He preached few sermons, but wherever He went, crowds gathered to listen to His instruction. . . . The Lord's way is the best way, to impress upon minds, point by point, the truths that are for their eternal interest to know."—Evangelism, pp. 441, 442. For our encouragement we should remember that Jesus too had discouraging circumstances to contend with. He "had just as hard hearts to deal with, and ... a more trying experience."—Gospel Workers, p. 49.
Enoch, John the Baptist, and Paul are also cited as worthy examples. Enoch' holiness was due to communion with God. "For three hundred years Enoch had been seeking purity of heart, that he might be in harmony with heaven."—Ibid., p. 53. "As was Enoch's, so must be their holiness of character who shall be redeemed from among men at the Lord's second coming."—Ibid., p. 54.
John the Baptist is an outstanding example of humility, on the one hand, and courage, on the other. Here is a gem worthy of memorization: "He looked upon the King in His beauty, and self was lost sight of. He beheld the majesty of holiness, and knew himself to be inefficient and unworthy. . . He was ready to go forth as Heaven's messenger, unawed by the human, because he had looked upon the Divine."—Ibid. "Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of selfabnegation."—Ibid., p. 56. His life was a Spirit-filled life. Jesus testified that his message was of heaven. "We can discern the character of God ... only as we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. And to all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure."—Ibid., p. 57.
Never was there a more able minister, the Lord Himself excepted, than was Paul. "The apostle's heart burned with love for sinners." —Ibid., p. 59. "In all the busy activity of his life, he never lost sight of the one great purpose,—to press toward the mark of his high calling."—Ibid. He preached with "power" and "much assurance" (1 Thess. 1:5), realizing that the Holy Spirit was working "mightily" in him (Col. 1:29). "He clung to the cross of Christ as his only guaranty of success."—Ibid., p. 61.
It is our privilege to recognize that "the power at God's command is limitless; and the minister who in his great need shuts himself in with the Lord, may be assured that he will receive that which will be to his hearers a savor of life unto life."—Ibid., p. 60.
