Many of us remember the old Kirby vacuum salesmen. They’d come to our door complete with all the material they’d need to make the sale. it’s the old Boy Scouts adage –“Be prepared.” In the business of eternal of life , shouldn’t we also be prepared? If we are a professed worker in His vineyard , we should be prepared for any and all contacts we may make , especially on the Sabbath, before, during and after the services. Here we have the best chance of coming in direct contact with our brethren.
“And Jesus said unto them, ‘Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”(1 Mark 1:17).
In these very last hours of our probation, we should be looking at ourselves as fishers of men and women. Prepared for the potential clients ,whom the Lord may put in our path. With this thought in mind, let us see how we can become more prepared. A ready and able servant of the Lord, willing to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear..”(1 Peter 3:15).
In explaining how we must be orderly and an example of proficiency , SOP says-
“God is a God of order. Everything connected with heaven is in perfect order; subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host. Success can only attend order and harmonious action. God requires order and system in His work now no less than in the days of Israel. All who are working for Him are to labor intelligently, not in a careless, haphazard manner. He would have his work done with faith and exactness, that He may place the seal of His approval upon it.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p.376)
Exactness, a very good word for us. As we go out into His vineyard there are some things we can do to help our exact work, for starters how about this–
I have found this a truly great tool to have when we go to church on Sabbath. Inside the case I have Tracts, Present truth literature, Cd’s and Dvd’s , Bible, Testimonies vol. 1 to 9, highlighter, calling card with my contact info, and the standard pens and note pads.
This is a portable traveling witness tool, plain and simple. We are really salesmen-women doing God’s bidding so why not get serious about it? This reminds me of the old saying, “Those who enjoy what they are doing will be good at what they are doing.”
Some may ask– What about churches we attend where the elders and/or pastor is against the Lord’s message of Elijah (and there are many)? In this case we can load our case with present truth reports comprised of solely SOP and Scripture. For a link to 18 such reports click here- http://shepherds-rod.org/basic/
You can print these out as individual reports and share them. They cannot be denied by our church because it is from God’s word. Also for those interested, we have about 20 small booklets that the discretionary present truth Elijah messenger can use in these situations. Contact us through the contact info on this page.
Time is so short my brothers and sisters, we must use every avenue at our disposal to reach any that would be in our path, placed there by God. The salvation of our brethren is of our utmost importance.
“The salvation of souls and the interests of the kingdom of God are matters of the highest importance. What object is there that calls for greater earnestness than the salvation of souls and the glory of God? There are considerations here which cannot be lightly regarded. They are as weighty as eternity. Eternal destinies are at stake.” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.232-233)
As we often say to the world, the SDA church is God’s remnant church. Yet look at part of Babylon, our Jehovah Witness brethren. They are a classic example of preparedness. Almost each Saturday or Sunday we can find them walking around our neighborhoods, complete with briefcases or hand bags which contains their material. Should not we as His end time church do the same in regards to preparedness?
“The school of God does not teach only from its textbook, not merely in the school-room, it teaches the practical as well as the theoretical. The practical, of course, most men dislike, and some would not take practical training even for a gift.” (Timely Greetings, vol. 2, no.25, p.9)
“Now is our time to labor for the salvation of others. There are some who think that if they give money to the cause of Christ, this is all they are required to do; the precious time in which they might do personal service for Him passes unimproved. But it is the privilege and duty of all who have health and strength to render to God active service. All are to labor in winning souls to Christ.”(To be like Jesus, page 78)
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.”(Proverbs 11:30)
Let us keep the following counsel , as we the SDA church , not the world, is about to be sprued out. The souls in our church are worth our every effort.
“Have you so deep an appreciation of the sacrifice made on Calvary that you are willing to make every other interest subordinate to the work of saving souls? The same intensity of desire to save sinners that marked the life of the Saviour marks the life of His true follower. The Christian has no desire to live for self. He delights to consecrate all that he has and is to the Master’s service. He is moved by an inexpressible desire to win souls to Christ. Those who have nothing of this desire might better be concerned for their own salvation. Let them pray for the spirit of service.” (Testimonies, vol. 7, p.10)
“Christ’s followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service–service to God and to their fellow men. Here Christ has presented to the world a higher conception of life than they had ever known. By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the connecting link which binds us to God and to our fellow men.
To His servants Christ commits “His goods”–something to be put to use for Him. He gives “to every man his work.” Each has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in co-operation with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for God.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p.326-327)
Our prophetess spoke Inspired words in counseling us that each one of us has a duty to perform , a plan made by God to work in His vineyard. Time is closing rapidly, accounts will soon be settled. Have we made sincere efforts to reach our brethren in the church who stand , for the most part, lost, and no not that they are “miserable, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”?
“The words of Christ apply to the church: “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” Why are you not at work in some capacity in His vineyard? Again and again He has bidden you: “Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” But this gracious call from heaven has been disregarded by the large majority. Is it not high time that you obey the commands of God? There is work for every individual who names the name of Christ.
A voice from heaven is solemnly calling you to duty. Heed this voice, and go to work at once in any place, in any capacity. Why stand ye here all the day idle? There is work for you to do, a work that demands your best energies. Every precious moment of life is related to some duty which you owe to God or to your fellow men, and yet you are idle!” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p.203)
In closing, if we are in this game of life to win souls why not –get down to business? Make this God sent job of ours a serious one. As SDA members we all should have this goal right now–
“Let us strive with all power God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all we can to help others to gain heaven.” (Review and Herald, March 9 , 1905)
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