What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Which sermon is suitable to encourage the congregation?"
Answer
A suitable sermon that builds up and encourages the congregation does not consist of purely argumentative lectures or dry theory, but places Jesus Christ, His redeeming love, and the cross at the center. Preachers should proclaim the message with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, point to God's mercy and goodness, and practically tailor their teachings to the actual spiritual needs of the people.
Christ and His Love at the Center of the Sermon
»Many of our preachers have made a great mistake by delivering lectures that are purely argumentative. There are souls who listen to the theory of truth and are impressed by the presented evidence; if then a part of the lecture presents Christ as the Savior of the world, the scattered seed can sprout and bear fruit to the glory of God. But in many sermons the cross of Christ is not presented to the people. ... Had Christ and His redeeming love been raised together with the theory of truth, this could have tipped the balance in His favor. There are more souls longing to understand how they can come to Christ than we assume. Many hear popular sermons from the pulpit and are no better after that than before at finding Jesus and the peace and rest their souls desire.«
Living Truths Instead of Dry Theory
»In this age of moral darkness, more than dry theory is needed to move souls. Preachers must have a living connection to God. They must preach as if they believed what they said. Living truths that come from the lips of the Man of God will cause sinners to tremble and the converted to proclaim: "The LORD is God; I am determined to stand wholly on the side of the Lord.«
Emphasize Mercy and Address the Needs of the Congregation
»Stay in conversation with others on the mercy, goodness, and love of God rather than on His strict judgment and righteousness. Hold fast to His promises. ... The one whose special task is to guide people onto the path of truth should be a capable interpreter of the Word, able to adapt his teachings to the needs of the people. He should be so closely connected with heaven that he becomes a living channel of light, a mouthpiece for God.«
Service to People's Needs for Encouragement
»The true honor and glory of Christ's servant does not lie in the number of sermons delivered nor in the amount of writing, but in the work of faithfully serving the needs of the people. ... The faithful servant of Christ watches over every outpost to warn, rebuke, counsel, plead, and encourage his fellow humans, working with the Spirit of God, who works powerfully in him, so that he may present everyone fully in Christ.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
