PREACHING by John Matteson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1868

PREACHING

By John Matteson

BY ELD. JOHN MATTESON.

TEXT,—“Preach the word.” 2 Tim. iv. 2.

The time has come “when they will not endure sound doctrine;” but “turn away their ears from the truth . . . unto fables.” This is manifested throughout the popular churches, and many minds in the ranks of the remnant have their equilibrium disturbed, by the remains of the wine of Babylon. Where we have been once habitually given to this dreadful, intoxicating cup, it is truly a great work to be delivered therefrom. I may be enlightened upon this point, I may write and speak against it, I may realize that it is a great evil, and yet at the same time I may be ignorant of the fact, that in my very thinking, praying, speaking, or acting, there may be many taints of the same. Or, I may at the same time be struggling hard against the fearful remains of depravity. Now the power of Satan is ten-fold greater than in the days of the apostles. Moreover, we are members of a generation subject to much greater imbecility of body and mind; and consequently the perils and dangers of the last days are immense. Nothing but the mighty power of Jesus can save; and no one will realize this power who does not agonize to enter in through the strait gate.

What will be the end of these things, and who will come off victoriously, only the judgment day can reveal. Now, more than ever, it is needful to follow the example of Paul: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away.”

Now Satan is working with all power, and signs, and lying wonders. Strong delusions are working powerfully, and evil angels are drilling their armies, and preparing for the last great battle. Oh, what a contest! What fearful darkness is pressing upon us! What clouds of unbelief, lukewarmness, stupidity, worldliness, selfishness, covetousness, depraved appetites, and fleshly lusts, all warring against the soul. What a pressure without and within! What a powerful current of corruption sweeping along its millions to the whirlpool of destruction! But we are bound to give thanks always to God that his word and truth still lives. In the midst of all this, still the pure work of God has been preserved. In the midst of this gross darkness, still the bright rays of heavenly truth find their way through to fainting hearts. And the truth, though fearfully corrupted through the long, dark ages of superstition, is shining brighter and brighter toward the setting of the gospel sun. Blessed be God for the light that shines on our pathway! “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” The words of Christ, prophets, apostles, still ring loud and clear over the mountains of centuries as the trumpet of the watchman from the tower in the silent morning. Angels hurry to and fro. A remnant must be saved. The end of all things is at hand. Mighty appeals must be sounded throughout the land. The work will be quickly finished. “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Louder, and louder, will be the sound of the gospel trumpet, calling out volunteers to fill the ranks of God’s remnant. Voices are heard through the land: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” And many more will help to swell the cry, till the work is finished, and Jesus comes to redeem his waiting people.

The Bible furnishes many illustrious examples of preaching the word. It is indeed wonderful that Jesus, the adorable Son of God, has himself condescended to preach the word to poor, erring mortals. He is the great leader and captain in this work. Jesus was the most successful, powerful, and perfect preacher. He laid the foundation of all true preaching. All the glory and blessing that ever attended preaching before or after him, is but a reflection of his glory, and power, and wisdom. “Never man spake like this man.” What heavenly dignity in his appearance. What peace in his countenance. What love and compassion shone from his eyes. What calmness, and yet authority and zeal. And those heavenly words—not mere words—but every one filled with life and spirit and compassion. Not one vain word escapes his lips. Not a useless word. No vain repetition. No tautology. He would speak only in the proper places, only at the right time. The truth would proceed from his lips to always perform that whereunto it was sent. Yet he would not seek his own glory, but the glory of Him that sent him.

He despised no one. He would preach to the Samaritan as well as to the Jew; and though he was sent to begin the work among the lost sheep of the house of Israel, yet even the poor woman of Canaan was not sent away empty. He would preach to one as well as to a thousand,—in the desert, or a dwelling-house, or synagogue, among friends and foes. Truly he was instant in season, and out of season. And when they thronged him in the house, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, “he preached the word unto them.” Mark ii. 2. Christ was the anointed of the Lord, “to preach the gospel to the poor, . . . to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke iv. “He went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with him.” Luke viii. And these glad tidings of the kingdom are still proclaimed, assuring us that the kingdom now is near. The Judge standeth at the door. The Chief Shepherd soon will appear to bring a crown of glory. “Behold,” says he, “I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

Christ sent his apostles to preach. “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.” Mark iii. “And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke ix. “After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways; behold I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” Luke x. How eminently applicable these words are right here in these last days of peril. The harvest is about to be finished. The work is great and of the most solemn character; and the call for laborers is urgent. Oh! for more earnest appeals to the heavenly court for help, and for corresponding works of love and self-denial. Brethren, pray and work.

The commission of preaching continues till the end of the world. “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, . . . and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” And the apostles were faithful to their charge. “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ.” Acts v. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” Chap. viii. Among whom we also find Philip, “preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God.” And foremost among all the heroes of the

gospel stands the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, ever zealous and active above all others, until he dies a martyr. In him, truly, Christ was honored, not only by his life and sufferings, but also by his death. “The word of God was preached of Paul.” Let him testify of his labors in Ephesus. “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations. By the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.” He endured stripes above measure, prisons, deaths, shipwreck, perils, weariness, painfulness, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness. But all these could not crush his faith, obscure his hope, hinder his joy, or prevent his laboring more abundantly. In the inner prison, his feet fastened in the stocks, we hear him singing praises to God. And while Silas joined in, the prisoners listened to the heavenly song. And not only did they listen, but Jesus listened, and mighty angels, who made the earthquake, opened every bolted door, and loosened every band. Then did the word of God have free course, and that same night a whole family was brought to rejoice in the Lord, starting on their way to the kingdom.

In Rome, the great city, Providence favored Paul with a golden opportunity of preaching the word. This did not present itself in the shape of a 20,000 dollar meeting-house, with a splendid, convenient parsonage, and a $2000 salary. No, but as a prisoner was he delivered into the hands of the Romans. And though his hand was weighed down with a chain, yet he ceased not to point to the heavenly crown, and with freedom he presented the blessed hope of Israel. Two whole years did he dwell there “in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”

Thus the servant of the Lord did labor, and endured trials, and was purified like the precious gold in the fire. And when his sun was setting, what heavenly serenity appeared, what celestial glory gilded the smiling horizon, how the blessed hope shone brighter than purple and gold. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day.” We almost forget the little while, and see Paul arrayed in the white robe, wearing the heavenly crown, bright with stars, and hear him chanting the songs of Heaven, and shouting the loud hallelujahs with the happy company around him, who are his hope, and joy, and crown of rejoicing, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. ii. 19.

The charge which the apostles had received from the Lord Jesus, they did again deliver to succeeding generations, that it might thus be continued till the end of probation. How solemn the charge given to Timothy, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ. And in the remnant church we still have the most solemn charge from the Lord Jesus, through the Spirit of prophecy, to preach the word,—to be our brother’s keeper, to stand shoulder to shoulder, to obtain the truth warm from glory and pour it out warm to others.

The Lord has “set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people.” As God sent his angels and messengers to deliver ancient Israel from Egyptian bondage; so the Lord has sent his angels—the first, the second, and third—to direct in the important work of gathering the last remnant of the house of Israel. “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel which are of Israel, . . . but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Rom. ix. “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal. iii. “Peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Chap. vi. “Even so, then, at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace . . . and so all Israel shall be saved.” Rom. xi. “Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles. . . . Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness.” Rom. ix. Thus the Lord of Sabaoth has left us a seed, and though the dragon be wroth with this seed of the woman, who keep the commandments of God, and have the Spirit of prophecy, yet the Lord of hosts is with us. In him will we trust.

It is a great work to be prepared for translation. There must need be a thorough work of purification. The messenger of the covenant doth “sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” We must endure trial. We must drink the bitter cup. Many of us did drink, once, twice, or more times. Then said we, Oh, how bitter! I will never forget. I will humble myself before the Lord. I will give God all the glory. I will live for Heaven, for Jesus, and for him alone. Then the clouds disappeared. Clear, heavenly sunlight shone on our pathway. How carefully we walked; how we watched and prayed; how interested in every advancement of the good cause; how willing to sacrifice, to leave home, and comforts, and friends, and battle with the cold, unfriendly world, and with the enemies of God. But again the zeal is diminished. The fervent prayer becomes less fervent. The gold is dimmed. Faith is too little exercised. Another bitter cup is needed. The chastening rod is laid to the back. I look up. It is Jesus who corrects in mercy. I murmur not. I deserve it. I need it. I kiss the rod. Lowly at my Saviour’s feet will I lie, and thank him for every correcting stroke of mercy. It is only to bring me nearer to him. It is to wean me from this deceitful world, that I may eat the heritage of our father Jacob.

And when my brethren drink, I drink also, whether it be joy or sorrow. For this reason I desire to hear more often from our brethren, specially those who labor in word and doctrine. When they are successful, and many souls are gained, it makes me glad. Then I can praise the Lord for his goodness. Then I think, such a brother has walked carefully and prayerfully before the Lord. He has been very humble. I remember his earnest petitions. I remember how sober and solemn he was. I remember his zeal, and the love that shone from his eyes, as he waxed fervent in exhortation. Now the Lord can trust him with an abundance of his grace. Now the Lord is with him in power. It makes me feel very thankful to God. Then I search my own heart. Oh! how far below I am. Not fit to be called a servant. How wonderful that God will assign any work to me at all. And yet he doth assign a humble sphere. Oh! how condescending. If I could be as much in earnest as my brother, perhaps I could also be entrusted with a greater work; and though I never had so many talents as he has got, and consequently could not be as useful, yet I yearn that I may use my one talent more faithfully, and not at last be a castaway.

Then I see the servants of God prostrated; many of them suffering more or less from disease. Dark clouds hang over Zion. The churches are neglected. The living testimony is dying away. Pride and worldliness are eating out life and spirituality. Our enemies rejoice. Envy and slander tear asunder many a tender cord of love and sympathy. Keen anguish rends the hearts of those who would fain give their very lives for the prosperity of Jerusalem’s daughter. Yet the voice of prayer has not ceased. Deep in the dust, God’s servants cry and weep for the abominations in the land. From many a secret chamber the earnest supplication is heard. But evil angels press their darkness upon them, while now and then a heavenly ray of light illuminates the fainting hope. Jesus hears it all. He knows every heart. Not one true and earnest petition is forgotten. Not one tear lost. It is all recorded in Heaven. The Lord is now waiting for the most favorable opportunity to remove the bitter cup from his people. The living testimony is revived. Many humble confessions are made. Jesus is pleased to listen. Angels rejoice. More and more light breaks through the darkness. Disease is rebuked. The suffering mind is relieved. Victories are gained. Formality and coldness die away. Hearts are warmed up with heavenly love. Wounds are probed and healed. The broken-hearted find consolation. Sinners are converted. Backsliders reclaimed. Temperance espoused. Self-denial practiced. Trifling conversation driven off. Vain amusements laid aside. Solemn soberness reigns. Hearts are made tender. Confession and sympathy awakened. God is honored, and the cause is prospering. Blessed be God! Brethren, praise the Lord! Praise his holy name! He doeth all things well. He will purify his people. He is leading out to victory. Glorious victory! Eternal victory!

Suffer a few more remarks, brethren. Let me speak freely, though I be personal. I think of my brethren in Battle Creek. They are preaching the word effectually. Here is the great center of the work. If God’s blessing is there, it will be felt throughout the body. Let us pray for them daily. May the Lord bless those who are faithfully giving themselves to the wearing work at the Office. May God give them grace to rejoice in the Lord. May their conduct ever invite mighty, heavenly angels to be present in that establishment. May the Lord also bless in the Health Institute, and continue to bless his church as he is now blessing, yea more abundantly. May still greater victories be gained. May love and union, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, still more prevail.

I think of Brn. Cottrell and Fuller; how they have suffered, and been brought nigh to the grave, and their testimonies have been silenced for a while. Oh! what poor, frail mortals we are. How dependent upon the Lord. How soon we may be laid stiff and cold in the coffin. This weighed much in my mind last night. Death is a cruel enemy. Oh! I would prefer to live to be translated. The first death is dreadful; but the second death a thousand times more so. Oh! for deliverance from the second death. Now God has raised up again these two beloved fellow-laborers. His name be praised. May their testimony also be revived. We need it. We can spare none. The laborers are few. The harvest is great.

And many other dear servants of the Lord are more and more endeared to me as I behold their patient labor in love. If you labor with much distress for souls, and yet after a long, persevering effort see but little fruit, I can sympathise with you. But often the fruit will be seen after many days. And when you have a little success, and gain a few souls, after much ardent labor, to rejoice in Jesus and prepare for his coming, I can also sympathise with you. My daily prayer is that God may give us all of the same Spirit, that we may be fully united in love, and faith, and hope, that we may be more consecrated, and that God may trust us with greater blessings and more spiritual gifts, that we may share in the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and in the final glory.

I have followed no rule nor skeleton in these remarks, but simply talked out my feelings. I have still another burden on my heart. The harvest is great. The laborers few. Places enough to preach the word, but very few to preach it. Is not the number of the laborers to be increased? Who will come over and help us? Where is the next one that will help swell the third angel’s message? There are many who have experience, learning, and strength to do so. What binds you? Do you love home comforts and convenience too much? Are you afraid to trust the Lord, and sacrifice some earthly possessions? Do you say that you have not got learning enough? When I say learning, I mean such a knowledge of the Scriptures that we can impart some of it to others for their benefit. This is the best learning. Time is short. What you do, do quickly. Are you afraid of making some blunders and being scoffed at? This will not hurt you. It is a stepping-stone to experience. If you break down, it will not kill you. Do you feel a burden of souls? Do you yearn for the salvation of your fellow-men? Are you willing to be directed and guided? Have you got a judgment enlightened by the Lord? Then go. Try. Not to debate or make a show; but to win souls to Jesus. He that winneth souls is wise. Brethren, do you pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into this harvest? Then be sure and let your works

sustain your prayers. For otherwise the Lord cannot hear and bless you. Let not that farm, those possessions, those relations, hinder you. Go, if you know the Lord would send you. Some will go who ought not to, and others hold back who ought to go. Thus things in this world are often turned upside down. But may the Lord direct in this all-important work, and may you be careful of the crown, that others may not step in and take it from you.

Then, finally, brethren and sisters, we must all preach the word. We must all help. We must all take shares in this enterprise. Our prayers will help open many an effectual gospel door. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Hold up the sinking hands of God’s servants. Sustain the cause liberally by your means. You certainly can not say that your gifts have been squandered. A popular minister, taking his ease all the week, receives a salary of from $800 to $10,000 a year. Your servants are contented laboring daily all the year round to receive $400. The Lord loveth a cheerful giver. And above all, you must preach the word by your conversation and actions. Let your lives tell for Jesus. Ye are the light of the world, the salt of the earth. Brethren, let us all be in earnest. Soon the preaching of the word shall cease forever, and the mystery of the gospel be finished.

Now in the days of the voice of seventh angel, Soon will be finished the mystery of God; Whilst mighty voices in Heaven sing praises, Christ is receiving the kingdom of God.