Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)

Ms 79, 1909

Sermon/“That It May Bring Forth More Fruit”

Council Grove, Kansas

August 26, 1909

Portions of this manuscript are published in UL 252.

Sermon by Mrs. E. G. White, Council Grove, Kansas, camp-meeting, August 26, 1909.

“I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” [John 15:1, 2.] 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 1

Often when this purging comes to us, we feel that it is a misfortune, when it is no misfortune at all. Christ purges for a reason. He purges, not that we may fight against Him, but that we may bring forth fruit unto the saving of souls—our own souls and the souls of others. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 2

When trials come to us, let us not dwell upon the greatness of the difficulties and feel that we cannot have joy in the Lord. It is true we will have changes of feelings. There will come to us times of discouragement and depression. But shall we live by feeling or by faith? When our brethren and friends speak unadvisedly, and cause us grief, let us not be cast down. Let us remember that we are in a world of trial and grief, of sorrow and disappointment. When these experiences come to us, they should drive us to Christ. If they do not, we meet with loss. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 3

When tempted to give up under discouragement and difficulty, let us study the life and experiences of Christ. He had to contend against the powers of darkness, that He might not be overcome. We have the same battle to fight, the same victories to win. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] It is our privilege to lay hold on the strength of One who is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. He invites you to present your case at the throne of grace and cast your helpless soul on Him. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 4

The purging is not pleasant; but let us remember that Christ came to our world and took humanity, that He might bear the afflictions that humanity must bear and be an example of faithful endurance under every form of trial. God wants us to realize that we are a part of the great human family and that we must bear its tests. My brethren and sisters, let your humanity lay hold of divinity. Go to the footstool of God’s grace and say: Lord, I hang my helpless soul on Thee. Help me to control my speech; teach me to overcome. Christ will give you a spirit of overcoming. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 5

“They overcame him,” we read, “by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony.” [Revelation 12:11.] 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 6

You may bear a testimony the opposite from that which Satan would have you bear. You may keep heart and mind sanctified by obedience to the truth. Look to Him at morning and at noon and at night. Keep heart and mind fastened upon Christ. This is your privilege. The suffering and death of Christ has paid the price for your redemption, and through faith in Him you may overcome. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 7

You have battles to fight, but you may overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. This is your warfare and your means of victory. Let us not spoil our humanity, that it shall not lay hold upon divine power. If Satan can tempt you to do some unworthy thing, he is well pleased. Remember, when tempted to retaliate in passionate speech, that silence is eloquence. Determine to hold your peace under provocation. Silence is the greatest rebuke you can bring upon the one who would mar your peace. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 8

Let the love of Christ dwell in your hearts. You cannot be sanctified through the truth while words and characters are not in harmony with the Spirit of God. If the hasty temper, the unguarded speech is not overcome in this life, you can never be transferred to the courts of God and the presence of Jesus Christ. We must graduate sensibly in this life if we would be transferred to the higher school of the courts above. Let none think that they can with safety seek an education from those who make no profession of keeping the commandments of God, and who do not try to obey Him. It is the privilege of the believer to say, “In His Word Christ has provided me with every advantage. Through belief of this Word and an acceptance of the blood of Christ in my behalf, I can overcome. Christ has made an infinite sacrifice, that I might receive a higher education than the world can give. Through faith in Him it is mine to lay hold of divinity and stand on vantage ground with God.” Christ should be everything to us. Let us not offend the Son of God by putting Him to open shame. But let us depend upon His power, and overcome through His grace, bearing witness to those around us that we are His people and that He is our God. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 9

“Now ye are clean through the word that I have spoken unto you,” the Saviour said. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” [John 15:3, 4.] 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 10

“Now ye are clean, through the word which I have spoken unto you.” [Verse 3.] If you will take that word and carry it out in its fulness, you will find that you have a strength you have not realized before. You may be isolated from your fellow men, but you will have a strong arm to lean upon. God has given Jesus that you might break the power of the enemy. By every deceivable device Satan worked to hinder the Saviour from carrying out the work that God designed should be accomplished through Him; but in the strength of a Thus saith the Lord, the Son of God withstood the temptations of the fallen angel. By the same word and in the same strength you also are to overcome. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 11

Let us at this meeting come into right relation to God. Let us improve every opportunity of praying with one another, and of praising the Lord. Let us accept the great sacrifice made for us, that we might come off more than conquerors through Him that has loved us. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 12

In the night season, I seemed to be in a meeting where the work was not going as I felt it should in such a meeting. I took up my Bible and read to the believers assembled the words I have read to you. Then I said: I call upon you, my brethren and sisters, to stand in your lot and place. For the sake of your children, for the sake of neighbors and friends, stand in your lot and place to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Our Christian garments must be without spot and wrinkle; all must be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. If you will humble your souls before God, and realize your need of having a daily connection with Him, you shall see of His salvation. Will you not come up to the help of the Lord? Will you not fasten your souls by living faith to Christ? Will you accept His principles of service? Will you walk in His ways and receive of heaven’s blessings? 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 13

Do not, I beseech of you, let this meeting close until you know that you have not come here in vain. Lay hold of the strength of divinity, and learn to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. It is your privilege at this meeting to gain victory after victory—not as the result of another’s struggle for the mastery over sin, but because your own soul is bowed before God, because your own heart cries out after the living God. If you will draw nigh to God, His promise is that He will draw nigh to you. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 14

The precious Saviour laid off His royal robe and kingly crown and came into our world to labor as the son of a poor family. His life of perfect obedience His own parents could not understand. But this was to give them an example. The life of Christ was to be a pattern for every human soul, and He would not offend in a single instance. O that at this meeting we might make the same consecration to the will of God. Then we should see of His salvation, and we should carry to our distant homes a deeper love for God and a stronger determination to serve Him. My brethren and sisters, let your hearts be softened by the Holy Spirit of God. Give Christ an entrance into your home. Accept the saving merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. You need Christ, and you can find Him here. Do not return to your homes without taking with you the holy presence of God; do not leave this camp-ground until you have consecrated yourselves to Christ and His service. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 15

Christ came in humanity, that humanity might grasp divinity and overcome in His name. Your humanity must lay hold of Jesus Christ. Believe that He saves by His grace. Then you will not be content to say nothing of your faith, but you will seek to enlighten the ignorant. Will you not labor together in confidence for the upbuilding of His kingdom? Will you not make every sacrifice, that you may be accounted a full child of God? 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 16

I heard the praises of God on this camp-ground. I saw victories gained here. I pray that the Lord will give you a mighty deliverance. Confess your sin to Him. Make thorough work for repentance. Do not wait for Satan to come in with a flood of temptations, but right now begin to reach higher and still higher until you shall be made complete in Christ. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 17

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and I in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” [Verses 5-8.] 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 18

Here is the evidence that we are His disciples: we bear fruit in our lives to His glory. But, I ask you, what fruit are your lives yielding for Christ? How much have you done for neighbors and friends? How many times have you prayed with them and asked the blessing of God to come to them? How much interest have you manifested for those who are not in the truth? God wants you to arouse. The judgment is near and hasteth greatly, and the work we now do we must do with eternity in view. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 19

The Saviour continued: “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [Verses 9-12.] 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 20

The remainder of this chapter is just as full of precious instruction and encouragement as the first part. The Word of God is full of comfort and counsel and encouragement. Ask God to impress its truths upon your mind, that you may be converted. You say, I am converted. Are you? Some may be, but there are a great many who unless they are transformed will never see the kingdom of heaven and the salvation of God. We need a new conversion daily; we need our strength of mind renewed, that we may lay hold of the overcoming power that there is in the gospel. 24LtMs, Ms 79, 1909, par. 21