SECTION FOUR

THE PATTERN OF JESUS

IN MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

THE DIVINE PATTERN IN MISSIONARY WORK:

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

Ministry of Healing, 38-44; but especially for the poor and needy and those who considered themselves to be so: Matt. 11:5; Luke 4:17-21; 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 5:3; 19:21; Welfare Ministry, 169-177.

6 – He was very economical: Matt. 10:8-10: John 6:12; Desire of Ages, 368; Ministry of Healing, 47-48, 207- 208; Counsels on Health, 281.

7 – He was poor—He had little money, few possessions, and no permanent home: Matt. 8:20; 10:9-11; Luke 12:33; 2 Cor. 8:9; Ministry of Healing, 197-198.

8 – He sought no display or publicity: Matt. 9:30; 12:16; 16:20; 17:9; Mark 3:12; 5:42; 9:30; Luke 5:14; Ministry of Healing, 31-32.

9 – He was cautious: Matt. 9:30; 10:16.

10 – He realized that He might meet possible persecution and maybe even death: Matt. 10:17-40; Desire of Ages, 541.

11 – He feared no man: Matt. 10:26, 28.

12 – His work was branded "of the devil": Matt. 10:24-25; 12:24.

13 – He taught and healed in the cities: Matt. 4:23-24; 9:35-36; Ministry of Healing, 29, 38, etc.

14 – He taught and healed in the churches: Matt. 4:23- 24; 9:35; 13:54; in the homes and from door to door: Matt. 8:6-8, 14; 9:23-25; Ministry of Healing, 24-25; and in the streets and fields: Matt. 8-9; Luke 6:1-4; Ministry of Healing, 38.

15 – He often had a humble dwelling as a city center for His work: Luke 4:38-41; 5:17-19; Ministry of Healing, 29-30.

16 – He often centered His work in the larger cities: John 4:45; 5:1; 9 Testimonies, 121; Counsels on Health, 500-501.

17 – He brought the people out into the country for further teaching and healing: Matt. 5:1; 13:1-2; 14:13-14; 15:29-30; Ministry of Healing, 54; Medical Ministry, 299; Christ’s Object Lessons 24-27.

18 – He traveled from city to city: Matt. 4:23-24; 9:35-36; 11:1; 14:34; Ministry of Healing 22, 30, 31; Counsels on Health, 318, 501.

19 – When He was rejected in one place, He went to an other: Matt. 10:14, 23; 8:32-34; Ministry of Healing, 97.

20 – He recruited fellow medical missionary workers: Matt. 4:18-22; 8:22; 9:9, 37-38; 10:1; Ministry of Healing, 95-103.

21 – He often chose disciples with little secular education and taught them, by personal instruction and actual field work with Himself, how to teach and heal: Matt. 4:18-24; 10:1-42; Ministry of Healing, 95-103.

22 – When workers in one place were ready to carry on alone after a short course of study, He left them and went to another place: Ministry of Healing, 95-99; Matt. 8:28-34.

23 – Or, He would organize them into gospel companies to go out together and do medical missionary work (dividing into groups of two as they walked from house to house): Matt. 10; Luke 10; Ministry of Healing, 139, 142.

24 – He used simple remedies: John 9:6-7; Ministry of Healing, 126-127, 231-233.

25 – He taught those that He healed to obey God’s laws, lest they become sick again: John 5:14; Ministry of Healing, 73, 91, 113.

26 – He asked no charge from those He healed: Matt. 10:8; Luke 6:38; 12:33; Medical Ministry, 122-123.

27 – He commissioned every follower to do the same fourfold work that He did: Mark 16:15-17; Matt. 28:18-20; 10:1, 7-8; Ministry of Healing, 104, 139-169, 226; Welfare Ministry, 52-58.

- CHAPTER TWELVE -

1 – MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK AND THE MINISTRY

[1] - THE MINISTER

AS A MEDICAL MISSIONARY EXAMPLE

"Why do some of our ministering brethren manifest so little interest in health reform? It is because instruction on temperance in all things is opposed to their practice of self-indulgence. In some places this has been the great stumbling block in the way of our bringing the people to investigate and practice and teach health reform. No man should be set apart as a teacher of the people while his own teaching or example contradicts the testimony God has given His servants to bear in regard to diet, for this will bring confusion. His disregard of health reform unfits him to stand as the Lord’s messenger."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, 452-454.

"Ministers should be strictly temperate in their eating and drinking, lest they make crooked paths for their feet, turning the lame—those weak in the faith—out of the way. If, while proclaiming the most solemn and important message God has ever given, men war against the truth by indulging wrong habits of eating and drinking, they take all the force from the message they bear."—Counsels on Health, 575.

"Ministers of Christ, professing to be His representatives, should follow His example, and above all others should form habits of strictest temperance. They should keep the life and example of Christ before the people by their own lives of self-denial, self-sacrifice and active benevolence. Christ overcame appetite in man’s behalf; and in His stead they are to set others an example worthy of imitation. . . .

"Men who are engaged in giving the last message of warning to the world, a message which is to decide the destiny of souls, should make a practical application in their own lives of the truths they preach to others. They should be examples to the people in their eating, in their drinking, and in their chaste conversation and deportment."—Counsels on Health, 572-573.

"Let our ministers, who have gained an experience in preaching the Word, learn how to give simple treatments, and then labor intelligently as medical missionary evangelists."—Counsels on Health, 397.

"I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work. The work of a minister is to minister. Our ministers are to work on the gospel plan of ministering. . . .

"You will never be ministers after the gospel order till you show a decided interest in medical missionary work, the gospel of healing and blessing and strengthening. Come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty powers of darkness, that it be not said of you, ‘Curse ye Meroz, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord.’ Judges 5:23. . . .

"It is because of the directions I have received from the Lord that I have the courage to stand among you and speak as I do, notwithstanding the way in which you may look at the medical missionary work. I wish to say that the medical missionary work is God’s work. The Lord wants every one of His ministers to come into line. Take hold of the medical missionary work, and it will give you access to the people. Their hearts will be touched as you minister to their necessities. As you relieve their sufferings, you will find opportunity to speak to them of the love of Jesus."—Counsels on Health, 533.

"There are precious blessings and a rich experience to be gained if ministers will combine the presentation of the health question with all their labors in the churches. The people must have the light on health reform."—Counsels on Health, 431.

"To my ministering brethren I would say, Prosecute this work with tact and ability. Set to work the young men and the young women in our churches. Combine the medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel’s message. Make regular, organized efforts to lift the churches out of the dead level into which they have fallen, and have remained for years. Send into the church workers who will set the principles of health reform in their connection with the third angel’s message before every family and individual. Encourage all to take a part in work for their fellow men, and see if the breath of life will not quickly return to these churches."—Welfare Ministry, 124.

The church is to be a training center, and members should be taught to give Bible readings, teach Sabbath-school classes—help the poor and the sick, and to work for the unconverted. Every church member to be instructed to work in some line for Christ (Ministry of Healing, 148-149).

"At our large gatherings, instruction should be given upon health and temperance. Seek to arouse the intellect and the conscience. Bring into service all the talent at command, and follow up the work with publications upon the subject. ‘Educate, educate, educate,’ is the message that has been impressed upon me."—Counsels on Health, 449.

"As we near the close of time, we must rise higher and still higher upon the question of health reform and Christian temperance, presenting it in a more positive and decided manner. We must strive continually to educate the people, not only by our words, but by our practice. Precept and practice combined have a telling influence.

"At the camp meeting, instruction on health topics should be given to the people. At our meetings in Australia, lectures on health subjects were given daily, and a deep interest was aroused."—Counsels on Health, 467.

"Cannot our conference presidents open the way for students in our schools to engage in this line of labor? Again and again it has been presented to me that ‘there should be companies organized and educated most thoroughly to work as nurses, as evangelists, as ministers, as canvassers, as gospel students, to perfect a character after the divine similitude.’ "—Counsels on Health, 541-542.

"The presidents of our conferences need to realize that it is high time that they were placing themselves on the right side of this question. Ministers and teachers are to give to others the light they have received. Their work in every line is needed. God will help them; He will strengthen His servants who stand firmly, and will not be swayed from truth and righteousness in order to accommodate self-indulgence."—6 Testimonies, 376-377.

"The gospel of health has able advocates, but their work has been made very hard because so many ministers, presidents of conferences, and others in positions of influence, have failed to give the question of health reform its proper attention. They have not recognized it in its relation to the work of the message as the right arm of the body. While very little respect has been shown to this department by many of the people, and by some of the ministers, the Lord has shown His regard for it by giving it abundant prosperity. When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths to reach the heart. When the third angel’s message is received in its fullness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body."—6 Testimonies, 327.

"It is presented to me that in many lines of work we are doing but a small part of what ought to be done. Faith, zeal, and energy are not manifested as they should be in the work of the ministry. The efforts of many are tame and spiritless. It is evident that light given us by God regarding our duty and privileges has not been acted upon. Men have supplanted God’s plans with their own plans. I am commissioned to say that the prosperity of the medical missionary work is in God’s order. This work must be done; the truth must be carried into the highways and byways. And ministers and church members should awake and see the necessity of cooperating in this work."—6 Testimonies, 299.

"With earnest, untiring energy those who have felt the burden of the Christian help work have testified by their works that they are not content to be mere theoretical believers. They have tried to walk in the light. They have put their belief into practice. They have combined faith and works. They have done the very work the Lord has specified should be done, and many souls have been enlightened, and convicted, and helped."—6 Testimonies, 299.

"The indifference among our ministers in regard to health reform and the medical missionary work is surprising. Even those who do not profess to be Christians treat the subject with greater respect than do some of our own people, and these are going in advance of us."—6 Testimonies, 299.

"Why, I inquire, are some of our ministerial brethren so far behind in proclaiming the exalted theme of temperance? My brethren, the word given to you is: ‘Take hold of the work of health reform; go forward.’ If you think that the medical missionary work is assuming undue proportions, take the men who have been working in these lines with you into your fields of labor, two here and two there. Receive these medical missionaries as you would receive Christ, and see what work they can do. You will not find them dwarfs in religious experience. See if in this way you cannot bring much of heaven’s vital current into the churches. . . .

"Those who cannot see the importance and bearing of the medical missionary work should not feel authorized to endeavor to control any phase of it. They need an increased knowledge in every line of health reform. They need to be purified, sanctified, and ennobled. They need to be molded and fashioned after the divine similitude. Then they will see that the medical missionary work is a part of the work of God. The reason why so many church members do not understand this branch of the work is that they are not following their Leader step by step in self-denial and self-sacrifice. The medical missionary work is God’s work and bears His signature, and while means must not be absorbed in this one line so as to hinder or cripple the work that should be done in new fields, it should not be regarded as unimportant."—6 Testimonies, 299-300.

"The right hand is used to open doors through which the body may find entrance. This is the part the medical missionary work is to act. It is to largely prepare the way for the reception of the truth for this time. A body without hands is useless. In giving honor to the body, honor must also be given to the helping hands, which are agencies of such importance that without them the body can do nothing. Therefore, the body which treats indifferently the right hand, refusing its aid, is able to accomplish nothing. . . .

"All through this country a work must be done that has not yet been done. The medical missionary work must be recognized. Those who go forth to engage in the work of the ministry must be intelligent upon the subject of health reform. Those men who after many years’ experience have yet no appreciation of the medical missionary work, should not be appointed to preside over our churches. They are not walking in the light of present truth for this time. Those who live the truth and appreciate the question of temperance in all its bearings should not be placed in the charge of a minister who has not heeded the light God has given upon health reform. What help can a man be to a church if he is not walking in the light?"—Medical Ministry, 238.

"The medical missionary workers are doing the long-neglected work which God gave to the church in Battle Creek—they are giving the last call to the supper which He has prepared."—8 Testimonies, 71.

"In order to be carried forward aright, the medical missionary work needs talent. It requires strong, willing hands, and wise, discriminating management. But can this be while those in responsible places—presidents of conferences and ministers—bar the way?

"The Lord says to the presidents of conferences and to other influential brethren: ‘Remove the stumbling blocks that have been placed before the people.’ "—8 Testimonies, 71.

"Our people in Battle Creek have not exercised their talents in planning and devising how to plant the standard of truth in regions where the message has not been proclaimed and where decided efforts should be made; and the Lord has moved upon Dr. Kellogg and his associates to do the work which belong to the church and which was offered to them, but which they did not choose to accept. Some in Battle Creek, instead of taking up the work given them of God, have, by following their own selfish way, blinded their spiritual eyesight and the spiritual eyesight of others; and God has placed His precious work in the hands of those who will take it up and carry it forward.

"God is in His holy place, and He dwells also with him who is of a humble and contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Those who are doing medical missionary work should have the full sanction and cooperation of the church. If they do not have this they are hindered. Nevertheless, they will advance. . . .

"When the Lord moves upon the churches, bidding them do a certain work, and they refuse to do that work; and when some, their human efforts united with the divine, endeavor to reach to the very depths of human woe and misery, God’s blessing will rest richly upon them. Even though but few accept the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, their work will not be in vain: for one soul is precious, very precious, in the sight of God. Christ would have died for one soul in order that one might live through the eternal ages. . . .

"Many souls are being rescued, wrenched from Satan’s hand, by faithful workers. Someone must have a burden of soul to find those who have been lost to Christ. The rescue of one soul over whom Satan has triumphed causes joy among the heavenly angels. There are those who have destroyed in themselves the moral image of God. The gospel net must gather in these poor outcasts. Angels of God will cooperate with those who are engaged in this work, who make every effort to save perishing souls, to give them opportunities which many have never had. There is no other way of reaching them but in Christ’s way. He ever worked to relieve suffering and teach righteousness. Only thus can sinners be raised from the depths of degradation. . . .

"Brethren, be careful, very careful. There is a work being done by the medical missionaries which answers [by contrast] to the description given in verses 48-51 [of Matthew 24]. The Lord is working to reach the most depraved. Many will know what it means to be drawn to Christ, but will not have moral courage to war against appetite and passion. But the workers must not be discouraged at this; for it is written; ‘In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.’ 1 Timothy 4:1. Is it only those rescued from the lowest depths that backslide? There are those in the ministry who have had light and knowledge of the truth, who will not be overcomers. They do not restrict their appetites and passions or deny themselves for Christ’s sake. Many poor outcasts, even publicans and sinners, will grasp the hope set before them in the gospel and will go into the kingdom of heaven before the ones who have had great opportunities and great light, but who have walked in darkness. In the last great day many will say: ‘Lord, Lord, open unto us.’ But the door will be shut, and their knock will be in vain.

"We should feel deeply over these things, for they are true. We should have a high estimate of truth and of the value of souls. Time is short, and there is a great work to be done. If you feel no interest in the work that is going forward, if you will not encourage medical missionary work in the churches, it will be done without your consent; for it is the work of God, and it must be done. My brethren and sisters, take your position on the Lord’s side and be earnest, active, courageous co-workers with Christ, laboring with Him to seek and save the lost."—8 Testimonies, 71-75.

"The medical missionary workers are doing the long-neglected work which God gave to the church . . . they are giving the last call to the supper which He has prepared." —8 Testimonies, 71