Living In The Light

September 29, This Is Gospel Ministry

“But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.”
—Malachi 4:2 LL 287.1

The gospel ministry is an organization for the proclamation of the truth to the sick and to the well. It combines the medical missionary work and the ministry of the word. By these combined agencies opportunities are given to communicate light and to present the gospel to all classes and all grades of society. God wants the ministers and the church members to take a decided, active interest in the medical missionary work. LL 287.2

To take people right where they are, whatever their position or condition, and help them in every way possible—this is gospel ministry. Those who are diseased in body are nearly always diseased in mind, and when the soul is sick, the body also is affected. Ministers should feel it a part of their work to minister to the sick and the afflicted whenever opportunity presents itself. The minister of the gospel is to present the message, which must be received if the people are to become sanctified and made ready for the coming of the Lord. This work is to embrace all that was embraced in Christ’s ministry. LL 287.3

Then why do not all our ministers heartily cooperate with those who are carrying forward medical missionary work? Why do they not carefully study the life of Christ, that they may know how He labored, and then follow His example? Is it for you, the appointed ministers of Christ, who have His example before you, to stand off and criticize the very work that He came among people to do? The work now being done in medical missionary lines ought to have been done years ago, and would have been done if God’s people had been soundly converted to the truth, if they had studied the word with humble hearts, if they had reverenced the God of the universe and studied His will instead of pleasing themselves. Had our people done this work, many persons of ability and influence would have been converted and joined us in giving the message of Christ’s soon coming. . . . LL 287.4

The ambassadors of Christ, those to whom have been committed the living oracles of God, can be doubly useful if they know how to help the sick.— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 300—302. LL 287.5

Further Reflection: : What part of Christ’s ministry to the sick would you like to try? LL 287.6