Friday, December 22, 2023

Neighborhood Work












House-to-House labor, searching for souls, hunting for the lost sheep, is the most essential work that can be done.”  (Letter 137, 1898, p. 3/ 1MR 14.1)

Every day we are to exercise personal activity in seeking the salvation of souls perishing in their sins. We must seek with all humility of heart to stir up our church members, to show them the necessity of personal active labor...” (1MR 15.1)

Every soul who has accepted this truth should make personal efforts for the salvation of friends and relatives and neighbors.”  (1MR 16.3)

“Golden opportunities occur almost daily where the silent messengers of truth might be introduced into families and to individuals; but no advantage is taken of these opportunities by the indolent, thoughtless ones. Living preachers are few. There is only one where there should be a hundredMany are making a great mistake in not putting their talents to use in seeking to save the souls of their fellow men. Hundreds of men should be engaged in carrying the light all through our cities, villages, and towns. The public mind must be agitated. God says: Let light be sent out into all parts of the field. He designs that men shall be channels of light, bearing it to those who are in darkness.”  {4T 389.2}

“The apostle's efforts were not confined to public speaking; there were many who could not have been reached in that way. He spent much time in house-to-house labor, thus availing himself of the familiar intercourse of the home circle. He visited the sick and the sorrowing, comforted the afflicted, and lifted up the oppressed. And in all that he said and did he magnified the name of Jesus. Thus he labored, “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” 1 Corinthians 2:3. He trembled lest his teaching should reveal the impress of the human rather than the divine.”  {AA 250.3}

Galatians 6:10  “Let every sinner within our households and WITHIN OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS be sought for. Let personal efforts be bestowed upon them. The cases that seem the most hopeless are to be labored for the most earnestly, in faith and hope and earnest prayer…”  {HP 329.2}

God expects personal service from every one to whom He has entrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time. Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home missionaries IN THEIR FAMILIES AND WITHIN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. There are many ways in which church members may give the message to those around them. One of the most successful is by living helpful, unselfish, Christian lives.”  {6T 30.1}

Every follower of Jesus has a work to do as a missionary for Christ in the family, in the neighborhood, in the town or city where he lives...”  {2T 632.2}

“All around us are doors open for service. We should become acquainted with our neighbors and seek to draw them to Christ. As we do this, He will approve and cooperate with us.”  {9T 171.3

“Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace," you will be prepared to walk from house to house, carrying the truth to the people. Sometimes you will find it very trying to do work of this kind; but if you go forth in faith, the Lord will go before you, and His light will shine upon your pathway.”  (CM 90.3)

“Men in the humble walks of life are to be encouraged to take up the work of God. As they labor, they will gain a precious experience. Young men and women should be educated to become workers IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS and in other places. Let all set their hearts and minds to become intelligent in regard to the work for this time, qualifying themselves to do that for which they are best adapted.” {MC 77.2}

“I have been instructed that we are not to delay to do the work that needs to be done in health reform lines. through this work we are to reach souls in the highways and byways. I have been given special light that in our sanitariums many souls will receive and obey present truth. In these institutions men and women are to be taught how to care for their own bodies, and at the same time how to become sound in the faith. They are to be taught what is meant by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. Said Christ, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63.” {CD 447.1}
Our sanitariums are to be schools in which instruction shall be given in medical missionary lines. They are to bring to sin-sick souls the leaves of the tree of life, which will restore to them peace and hope and faith in Christ Jesus.”  {CD 447.2}

“By this parable the duty of man to his fellowman is forever settled. We are to care for every case of suffering, and to look upon ourselves as god's agents to relieve the needy to the very uttermost of our ability… We are to be laborers together with God. There are some who manifest great affection for their relatives, for their friends and favorites, who yet fail to be kind and considerate to those who need tender sympathy, who need kindness and love. With earnest hearts, let us inquire, Who is my neighbor? Our neighbors are not merely our associates and special friends, they are not simply those who belong to our church, or who think as we do. OUR NEIGHBORS ARE THE WHOLE HUMAN FAMILY. We are to do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faithWe are to give to the world an exhibition of what it means to carry out the law of God. We are to love God supremely, and our neighbors as ourselves.  “The angels look upon the distress of God's family upon the earth, and they are prepared to co-operate with human agents in relieving oppression and suffering. They will co-operate with those who "break every yoke," who “bring the poor that are cast out to thy house;” who, “when they see the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh.”  {RH, January 1, 1895 par. 4}

To leave the suffering neighbor unrelieved, is a breach of the law of God.”   {WM 47.1}

The Lord is calling upon His people to take up different lines of missionary work, to sow beside all waters. We do but a small part of the work that He desires us to do among our neighbors and friends. By kindness to the poor, the sick, or the bereaved we may obtain an influence over them, so that divine truth will find access to their hearts. No such opportunity for service should be allowed to pass unimproved. It is the highest missionary work that we can do. The presentation of the truth in love and sympathy from house to house is in harmony with the instruction of Christ to His disciples when He sent them out on their first missionary tour. {MYP 217.1}

“We have done only a small part of the evangelical work that God desires us to do among our neighbors and friends. In every city of our land there are those who know not of the truth; and out in the broad world beyond the seas there are many new fields in which we must plough the ground and sow the seed.”  {LUH, June 21, 1911 par. 4}

“Every follower of Jesus has a work to do as a missionary for Christ in the family, in the neighborhood, in the town or city where he lives. All who are consecrated to God are channels of light. God makes them instruments of righteousness to communicate to others the light of truth, the riches of His grace.

Unbelievers may appear indifferent and careless; yet God is impressing and convicting their hearts that there is a reality in the truth. But when our brethren leave the field, give up the contest, and allow the cause of God to languish, before God says, ”Let them alone,” they will be only a burden to any church where they may move. Those whom they leave, who were convicted, frequently quiet their consciences with thinking that, after all, they were needlessly anxious; they decide that there is no reality in the profession made by Seventh-day Adventists. Satan triumphs to see the vine of God's planting either entirely uprooted or left to languish. It is not the purpose of God that His people should cluster together and concentrate their influence in a special locality.”   {2T 632.2}

“With earnest hearts, let us inquire, Who is my neighbor? Our neighbors are not merely our associates and special friends, they are not simply those who belong to our church, or who think as we do. OUR NEIGHBORS ARE THE WHOLE HUMAN FAMILY. We are to do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faithWe are to give to the world an exhibition of what it means to carry out the law of God.”  --Review and Herald, Jan. 1, 1895.” {RC 229.6}

Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the peopleThe Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.” {MH 143.3}

There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort. If less time were given to sermonizing, and more time were spent in personal ministry, greater results would be seen. The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We are to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice...this work will not, cannot, be without fruit.” {MH 143.4}

We may do much in a short time if we will work as Christ worked.”  (1MR 20)

“Oh, that thousands more of God's people had a realization of the times in which we are living, and of the work to be done in field service, in house-to house labor! There are many, many of our neighbors who know not the truth. Let us become acquainted with them and seek to draw them to Christ. Entering the homes of our neighbors to sell or to give away our literature, and in humility to teach them the truth, we shall be accompanied by the light of heaven, which will abide in these houses. Our feet “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” we shall be prepared to go from house to house, carrying the truth to the people. Sometimes we shall find it trying to do this kind of work; but if we go forth in faith, the Lord will go before us, and will send His angels to cooperate with us in our efforts to bring our neighbors to a knowledge of the truth.” {PH092 6.1}

"Health reform will reach a class and has reached a class that otherwise would never have been reached by the truth. There is a great necessity for labor being put forth to help the people, believers and unbelievers, at the present time by health talks, and health publications. I cannot see why the health books should not have a permanent place as well as the other publications notwithstanding human prejudices to the contrary."  --Letter 25a, 1889. {CM 134.5

“As you enter the homes of your neighbors to sell or to give away our literature, and in humility to teach them the truth, you will be accompanied by the light of heaven. Learn to sing the simplest of songs. These will help you in house-to-house labor, and hearts will be touched by the influence of the Holy Spirit…We may enjoy the companionship of the heavenly angels. We may not discern their forms, but by faith we may know that they are with us.”  --Review and Herald, Nov. 11, 1902. {CM 90.3}

Should there be sickness in the home while he is there, let him do all he can to help...” --Manuscript 26, 1905. {CM 88.2}

“…if you do only those things necessary to your temporal comfort and happiness, you will find time to read your Bible with prayerful interest and to perfect a Christian character.”   {4T 112.3}
(This could include house-to-house work).

“The church must realize its obligation to carry the gospel of present truth to every creatureI entreat of you to read the third and fourth chapters of Zechariah. If these chapters are understood, if they are received, a work will be done for those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, a work that means to the church: “Go forward and upward.”  {6T 296.1}

 RESULTS OF NEGLECT
Wherever a church is established, all the members should engage actively in missionary work. They should visit every family in the neighborhood and know their spiritual condition. If professed Christians had engaged in this work from the time when their names were first placed on the church books, there would not now be such widespread unbelief, such depths of iniquity, such unparalleled wickedness, as is seen in the world at the present time. If every church member had sought to enlighten others, thousands upon thousands would today stand with God's commandment-keeping people.”  {6T 296.2

“My brethren and sisters, take an active part in the work of soul saving. This work will give life and vigor to the mental and spiritual powers. Light from Christ will shine into the mind. The Saviour will abide in your hearts, and in His light you will see light.” {9T 41.1}

Consecrate yourselves wholly to the work of God. He is your strength, and He will be at your right hand, helping you to carry on His merciful designs. By personal labor reach those around you. Become acquainted with them. Preaching will not do the work that needs to be done. Angels of God attend you to the dwellings of those you visit...By visiting the people, talking, praying, sympathizing with them, you will win hearts. This is the highest missionary work that you can doTo do it, you will need resolute, persevering faith, unwearying patience, and a deep love for souls.”  {9T 41.2}

THE BOOK WORK:
Health reform will reach a class and has reached a class that otherwise would never have been reached by the truth. There is a great necessity for labor being put forth to help the people, believers and unbelievers, at the present time by health talks, and health publications. I cannot see why the health books should not have a permanent place as well as the other publications notwithstanding human prejudices to the contrary.”  —Letter 25a, 1889. {CM 134.5}

Our health literature is the helping hand of the gospel, opening the way for the truth to enter and save many souls. I know of nothing which so quickly unlocks hearts as this literaturewhich, when read and practiced, leads souls to the searching of the Bible for a better understanding of the truth.”   {CM 132.1}

 “Canvassers should bring the health publications to the notice of those they visit, telling them how useful they are in the treatment of disease.”  —Manuscript 113, 1901. {CM 132.2}

“Publications upon health reform will reach many who will not see or read anything upon important Bible subjects…The truth must come to the people upon health reform. This is essential in order to arrest the attention in regard to Bible truth.”  {CM 132.3}

The circulation of our health publications is a most important work. It is a work in which all who believe the special truths for this time should have a living interest. God desires that now, as never before, the minds of the people shall be deeply stirred to investigate the great temperance question and the principles underlying true health reform…”  {CM 131.1}

SALES PITCH WHEN SELLING OUR HEALTH BOOKS:
Tell the people that you have for sale books which give much valuable instruction regarding sickness and disease and how to avoid them, and that a study of this instruction saves much suffering and saves also much of the money spent in paying doctor's bills. Tell them that in these books is advice which they cannot possibly obtain from their physician during the short visits he makes.” Manuscripts 113, 1901. {CM 90.2}

Canvassers should be able to give instruction in regard to the treatment of the sick. They should learn the simple methods of hygienic treatment. Thus they may work as medical missionaries, ministering to the souls and the bodies of the suffering. This work should now be going forward in all parts of the world. Thus multitudes might be blessed by the prayers and instruction of God's servants.” (6T 324). {CM 89.3}

“Should there be sickness in the home while he is there, let him do all he can to help...”Manuscript 26, 1905. {CM 88.2}

House-to-house work is to be done. Let this work go forward in the name of the Lord. Those who engage in it have the heavenly angels as their companions. They will resist the attacks made by the enemy on those who are cooperating with God.”   (1MR 23)
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