The Church Must Be Quickened
GREETINGS!
How are you doing? I pray well.
ELMinchin Site
For my part, I have been very busy with the ELMinchin site, and would encourage you to visit it. There are many wonderful sermons on revival there, as well as testimonials on the revivals that took place. Here is the link to the "final days" page on the site that includes written and video testimonials. There is a page of some of his audio sermons, another of his articles and sermons, another on his youth revival work, and another on his beliefs and teachings.
AN EXCELLENT BOOK ON RAISING CHILDREN
I can heartily recommend Studies In Character Building by Ella Kellogg. She was the wife of John H. Kellogg. She was also very involved in the Haskell Home for Orphans in Battle Creek, established by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg to care for and educate orphaned children, teaching them trades. The home was named after Caroline Haskell, who donated $30,000 for its construction, not S. N. Haskell who was one of our leaders. The children were placed in family settings, with "parents" who were carefully trained. The training was excellent, and eventually it was decided to compile the training in a book entitled "Studies in Character Building."
Might I request your prayers for all of the children of our readers, including mine and the little one with Rose and I? Those of us who have kids know just how hard it is these days to raise our kids to become the lovely Christians that God intends.
A WONDERFUL ARTICLE
I have also continued to find wonderful articles, one of which, entitled "The Church Must Be Quickened," shares wonderful encouragement for us to witness even though the interest in what we share is non-existent. You really must read the article! I share some strking thoughts, and then a few of the paragraphs. To read the entire article, go to the link that follows to read it on the discipleheart website.
SOME KEY THOUGHTS:
The weakness and inefficiency of the church must pass away. "
The church to whom God has imparted his endowment of heavenly truth must not remain dead in trespasses and sins. [Eph. 2:1]
The testimony is that in the church of God there is great waste in energy misapplied, in talents perverted to wrong uses, in strength unemployed; and the abilities that God has bestowed on his people are degenerating, because they are not used for the seeking and the saving of those who are lost.
The world around us is stirred from beneath with earnest activity in evil works, but apparently dead to all that pertains to their eternal interests. But although this seems to be the condition of those around us, and there is little to encourage us to hope for the conversion of souls, God requires those to whom he has committed his truth for these last days, to present the word to the fallen children of Adam, both in the world and among the churches.
The command of God is addressed to all the members of the church to use their powers in his service. Though the instrument may be weak, it is the power of God that will accomplish the work.
God has jewels in all the churches [Mal. 3:17], and it is not for us to make sweeping denunciation of the professed religious world, but in humility and love, present to all the truth as it is in Jesus.
Let men see piety and devotion, let them behold Christlikeness of character, and they will be drawn to the truth.
The souls of those whom we desire to save are like the representation which Ezekiel saw in vision,—a valley of dry bones. [Ezek. 37] They are dead in trespasses and sins, but God would have us deal with them as though they were living.
To all appearance there is nothing to lead us to hope for their restoration. Yet nevertheless the word of the prophecy must be spoken even to those who are like the dry bones in the valley. We are in no wise to be deterred from fulfilling our commission by the listlessness, the dullness, the lack of spiritual perception, in those upon whom the word of God is brought to bear.
We are to preach the word of life to those whom we may judge to be as hopeless subjects as though they were in their graves. Though they may seem unwilling to hear or to receive the light of truth, without questioning or wavering we are to do our part.
The human minister may do his best to help you in all your difficulties; but he is only a mortal man, and can render no service that will be of benefit except to point you to the true Minister. He must do all his work in utter dependence upon God, as you must do your work.
The church may be visited only occasionally by a minister, and yet be a growing church; for Jesus is our minister, and we are never to think that we are left alone. Jesus never forsakes the flock of his pasture. “This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.” {RH January 17, 1893, par. 11}
SOME KEY PARAGRAPHS from "The Church Must Be Quickened."
The weakness and inefficiency of the church must pass away. Creative power from above must impart life to the human agents whom God would use, that they may be able to co-operate with divine intelligences. The church to whom God has imparted his endowment of heavenly truth must not remain dead in trespasses and sins. [Eph. 2:1] {RH January 17, 1893, par. 1}
The True Witness, the Spirit of the living God, is inspecting the assembly of those who have had great spiritual light and advantages, and the testimony is that in the church of God there is great waste in energy misapplied, in talents perverted to wrong uses, in strength unemployed; and the abilities that God has bestowed on his people are degenerating, because they are not used for the seeking and the saving of those who are lost. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 2}
The world around us is stirred from beneath with earnest activity in evil works, but apparently dead to all that pertains to their eternal interests. But although this seems to be the condition of those around us, and there is little to encourage us to hope for the conversion of souls, God requires those to whom he has committed his truth for these last days, to present the word to the fallen children of Adam, both in the world and among the churches. As Christ’s witnesses, our commission is clear, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We are to be waiting, watching, working. It is most inconsistent for the church to whom has been opened the treasures of truth, to be dull, worldly, and indifferent. Casting away all unbelief, we should by faith put every capability and every power into exercise. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 2}
There is great danger that those whom God would use in his work shall become discouraged as they see the world’s degeneracy, and their own weakness and inability to do so great a work as must be accomplished. But the Lord would not have required us to go forth as agents through whom his light may shine to those who are in darkness, if he had not provided for our needs, and did not see in the world souls who are responding to the drawing of Christ, who have excellent capabilities intrusted to them for his service. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 4}
God has jewels in all the churches, and it is not for us to make sweeping denunciation of the professed religious world, but in humility and love, present to all the truth as it is in Jesus. Let men see piety and devotion, let them behold Christlikeness of character, and they will be drawn to the truth. He who loves God supremely and his neighbor as himself, will be a light in the world. Those who have a knowledge of the truth are to communicate the same. They are to lift up Jesus, the world’s Redeemer; they are to hold forth the word of life. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 5}
The souls of those whom we desire to save are like the representation which Ezekiel saw in vision,—a valley of dry bones. They are dead in trespasses and sins, but God would have us deal with them as though they were living. Were the question put to us. “Son of man, can these bones live.” our answer would be only the confession of ignorance. “O Lord, thou knowest.” To all appearance there is nothing to lead us to hope for their restoration. Yet nevertheless the word of the prophecy must be spoken even to those who are like the dry bones in the valley. We are in no wise to be deterred from fulfilling our commission by the listlessness, the dullness, the lack of spiritual perception, in those upon whom the word of God is brought to bear. We are to preach the word of life to those whom we may judge to be as hopeless subjects as though they were in their graves. Though they may seem unwilling to hear or to receive the light of truth, without questioning or wavering we are to do our part. We are to repeat to them the message. “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” {RH January 17, 1893, par. 6}
Many who are without spiritual life have their names on the church records, but they are not written in the Lamb’s book of life. They may be joined to the church, but they are not united to the Lord. They may be diligent in the performance of a certain set of duties, and may be regarded as living men; but many are among those who “have a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Unless there is genuine conversion of the soul to God; unless the vital breath of God quickens the soul to spiritual life; unless the professors of truth are actuated by heaven-born principle, they are not born of the incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth forever. Unless they trust in the righteousness of Christ as their only security; unless they copy his character, labor in his spirit, they are naked, they have not on the robe of his righteousness. The dead are often made to pass for the living; for those who are working out what they term salvation after their own ideas, have not God working in them to will and to do of his good pleasure. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 9}
There is so little real vitality in the church at the present time, that it takes constant labor to give men the appearance of life to the professed people of God. When the converting power of God comes upon the people, it will be made manifest by activity. They will become workers, and will esteem the reproach of Christ [Heb. 11:26]greater riches than the treasures of the world. They will have respect unto the crown of life, the immortal inheritance. They will not be dependent upon their ministers for their life and experience, but will realize that Christ is the Chief Shepherd of the flock. They will not think that their ministers are appointed of God to do their work for them. They will understand that they must work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God that worketh in them to will and to do of his good pleasure. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 10}
The church may be visited only occasionally by a minister, and yet be a growing church; for Jesus is our minister, and we are never to think that we are left alone. Jesus never forsakes the flock of his pasture. “This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.” {RH January 17, 1893, par. 11}
The human minister may do his best to help you in all your difficulties; but he is only a mortal man, and can render no service that will be of benefit except to point you to the true Minister. He must do all his work in utter dependence upon God, as you must do your work.
The enemy of God and man has worked with every conceivable device to insnare souls; and when he can lead the members of the church to pour their trials into the ears of the minister, the confederacy of evil rejoices. Through this very trust, ministers fall under temptation, and fail to look to Jesus every moment. Christ has said, “Without me ye can do nothing” that is acceptable to God. But when the agent thinks that he is something, when he is nothing; for he frequently has no living connection with God, he is only a broken reed to those who lean upon him. But it is the privilege of every child of God to look to Him who is the author and finisher of their faith. Every child of God must learn the lesson of entire trust in Jesus. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” {RH January 17, 1893, par. 13}
With these promises shall not every child of God come to Jesus in full assurance of faith? Shall not the church be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might? Will the people of God understand that though they may be deprived of the continuous labors of a minister, they may have the ministration of Jesus in their behalf? They may go to him, and become strong in his strength. The reason why there are so many weak ones in the church is that they do not come to Jesus in faith. They do not engage in his service. They do not have root in themselves, because Christ is not abiding in their hearts by faith. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 15}
THE DISCPLEHEART LINK FOR THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
IN CLOSING
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. I pray it is proving a blessing to you. Please share feedback relative to improvements and encouragement if you have been blessed.
Father in heaven, bless the individual who is reading this newsletter. Might they daily make an unreserved surrender to You. Might they die to self and seek that your will would be perfectly implemented in their lives. Might their lives be revitalized by the power that comes from above, and might they have the joy of being much-used instruments for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
BLESSINGS!
Dan