在各水边播种
1、一个宣教的教会
人人都要参与
一些在不同城镇的真心相信真理的人，会发挥一种影响力，引人询问他们的信仰。若是他们的生活可资效法，他们的光就会照出来，产生收聚的影响。……现在要完成的大工乃是教育上帝的子民去参加圣工，并发挥圣洁的感化力。他们应该起到工人的作用，用智慧、谨慎和爱心为邻舍和亲朋的得救劳苦作工。所表现的感情太疏远冷漠了。人们没有正确地持住十字架，也没有照着所应该的背起它。人人都应感到自己是弟兄的看守者，在很大程度上要对自己周围之人的灵魂负责。{PH078 3.1}
弟兄们若把这项工作全部留给传道人，就是犯了错误。庄稼很多，而作工的人很少。凡有好名声的人，生活与自己的信仰一致的人，都可作工人。他们可以与别人交谈，向他们力陈真理的重要性。他们务必不可等着传道人而疏忽上帝已留给他们去尽的清楚明白的本分。(《教会证言》卷一368、369页){PH078 4.1}
家庭为宣教士
在1868年6月12日赐给我的异象中，我蒙指示看到，若是适当地作出努力，就能在使人认识真理上做成一项大工。若是将真理以一种明智的方式呈现在人们面前，每一城镇乡村就都有人会接受真理。我们中间需要传道士，像我们伟大的榜样那样具有自我牺牲精神的传道士，他们不求自己的喜悦，只求活着有益他人。{PH078 4.2}
我蒙指示看到，我们这班人是有缺欠的。我们的工作与我们的信仰不相称。我们的信仰证明，我们正生活在传扬曾交给人类的最严肃最重要的信息之下。可是虽完全看到这个事实，但我们的努力、热心、自我牺牲的精神，却比不上这工作的性质。……{PH078 4.3}
那些想要搬家的弟兄们，若以上帝的荣耀为念，感受到对别人行善的个人责任，使基督不惜牺牲其宝贵生命代死的人获益和得救，就当搬到那些只有微光或没有光的乡村市镇，使他们能作出真实服务，用自己的劳动和经验使别人蒙福受惠。现今需要传道士到各乡村市镇，树起真理的旗帜，使上帝在全地各处有其见证人，让真理之光进入尚未接触的地区，让真理的大旗竖立在那些尚不知道它的地区。弟兄们不应因为更合己意而聚集在一个地方，而应努力实现自己崇高的恩召去有益于人，成为拯救的器皿，至少拯救一个人。但得救的可能更多，不止一个。……{PH078 5.1}
想想基督为我们所作的，想想祂为罪人所受的痛苦，我们就应对同胞存纯洁无私的爱，效法基督的榜样，为他们的益处而牺牲自己的享乐和便利。那摆在基督面前、支持祂忍受一切苦难的喜乐，就是可怜的罪人能够得救。这也应当是我们的喜乐，激励我们投身我主圣工的雄心壮志。我们这样作，就使上帝喜悦，也显明我们作为上帝的仆人对祂的爱与忠诚。(《教会证言》卷二113-115页){PH078 5.2}
基督的见证人
我蒙指示看到，基督的门徒是祂在地上的代表。上帝定意要让他们成为这世界道德黑暗里的光，散布在各地城镇乡村，“成了一台戏，给世人和天使观看”(林前4:9)。如果他们遵从基督的登山宝训，他们就必不断追求基督徒品格的完全，真正成为这世界的光，成为上帝传达祂神圣旨意的通渠，将来自天庭的真理传给那些坐在黑暗里的人和不知道生命之道也不知道救恩的人。{PH078 5.3}
上帝的见证人若不散居全球各地，上帝就无法在这不信的世界上彰显祂旨意的知识和祂恩典的奇妙。(本文写于基督复临安息日会向国外派遣第一个宣教士之前的三年)祂的计划是，那些通过耶稣基督而与这伟大救恩计划有份的人，应当成为祂的传道士，在全世界各地作灯台，给百姓作证据，成为活的荐信，为众人所知道、所念诵，用他们的信心和行为证明救主将要降临，表明他们没有徒然领受上帝的恩典。人们必须受到警告，为那即将到来的审判作预备。对于那些素来只是在听虚言的人，上帝要给他们机会听到先知更确的预言，如同灯照在暗处，使他们在这预言上留意。……{PH078 6.1}
每一个随从耶稣的人都有一项工作要做，就是在家里、邻里、在他们居住的城镇或乡村为基督作传道士。凡献身于上帝的人都是传光的导管。上帝使他们成为义的器具，要把真理的光和祂丰盛的恩典传给别人。不信之人或许要表现出漠不关心和粗心随便的样子;但是上帝仍在感动他们，使他们的心知罪，感到真理里有一种现实。……{PH078 6.2}
上帝计划祂的百姓要成为世上的光，世上的盐。将大量信徒聚集一处组成一个大教会，这种计划缩小了他们的影响力和效用范围，实际上是把他们的灯放在斗底下。(发表本文时，本会在北美只有185个教会，信徒不超过五千。)上帝的计划是要让人人都听到真理，不把一人留在黑暗里，对真理的原则一无所知;而是要使人人都受真理的试验，决定是支持它还是反对它，以便人人都可受到警告，无可推诿。聚居的计划，或者从只有很少的力量或影响力的不同地区搬走，将许多人的影响力集中在一个地方，这种计划乃是在把亮光从上帝愿意让它照在的地方挪走。{PH078 7.1}
散居世界各地的基督信徒并没有高度的责任感和义务感，要将他们光照在人前。若是只有一或两个人在一个地方，虽然人数很少，他们也可以在世人面前行事有影响，使不信的人感到他们信仰的真诚。跟从基督的人若是满足于处在对祂的话无知的状态，就不符合上帝的心意和旨意。人人都应成为圣经的学生。基督吩咐跟从祂的人说：“你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生，给我作见证的就是这经”(约5:39)。彼得劝勉我们：“只要心里尊主基督为圣。有人问你们心中盼望的缘由，就要常作准备，以温柔、敬畏的心回答各人”(彼前3:15)。…….{PH078 7.2}
真正跟从基督的人会对祂为他们施行的伟大救恩心存感激;无论祂把路带到哪里，他们都会跟随。他们会认为背基督放在他们身上的任何担子都是一个特权。 (《教会证言》卷二631-634页，1871年第一版){PH078 8.1}
上帝的宣教士
1871年12月10日，我在佛蒙特州蒙指示看到纽约州的一些事。……{PH078 8.2}
某地教会在属灵方面的进步与照耀在他们道路上的亮光不相称。上帝托付给每个人不同的才干，要他们予以善用，以便主人来的时候，可以连本带利收回。……{PH078 8.3}
教会中还有更多的人才，更多的人选可以成为优秀的工人，用来推进当地教会的工作富富有余。整个教会在灵性上都没有成长。他们没有处于有利的位置，藉着运用上帝赐予他们的才干来发展力量。没有足够的空间让人人都工作，这人妨碍着那人。他们缺乏属灵的力量。……{PH078 8.4}
这个教会中若干信徒的才干和影响力若能用在确实需要他们帮助的其他教会，他们就会在属灵的事上获得具有最高价值的经验，既这样在上帝的工作中负责任挑重担，便会造福他人。他们忙于帮助他人之时，就在效法基督的榜样。基督来不是要受人的服侍，乃是要服侍人。祂从不取悦自己，也不贪图名利，却取了奴仆的样式，一生行善事。祂本可以在地上度一种安逸而富足的生活，本可以尽情享受今生一切的享乐。但祂活着不是为了享乐，而是要行善并搭救别人脱离苦难，我们都当效学祂的榜样。……{PH078 9.1}
上帝在呼召传道士。某地教会有一些才子，他们在上帝的事工上运用自己的才干时，才干和能力便会增长。倘若这些弟兄愿意训练自己，使上帝的圣工成为自己第一关心的事，乐意为了真理的缘故而牺牲自己的乐趣和喜好，那么上帝的福气便要临到他们了。这些热爱真理并由于圣经中不断照出的亮光而欢喜的弟兄们，也当使他们的光照亮那些黑暗中的人。上帝要作他们的智慧和力量，也要藉着与这些人同工，又因着他们完全跟随祂，而荣耀祂的名。“若有人服事我，我父必尊重他”(约16:26)。上帝的智慧和能力要赐给那些乐意且忠心的人。{PH078 9.2}
某教会的弟兄们愿意把钱财捐给各项事业，却不愿意奉献自己。他们没有说：主啊，我在这里，请差遣我。不是人的力量，而是那位使人做工并与人同工的上帝的能力和智慧，才能使人成功完成必需完成的工作。我们将自己的财物奉献给那位天地的拥有者，却不愿意奉献自己，就不能得到祂的嘉许，也不能获得祂的赐福。某教会弟兄姐妹的心中必须有一个原则，就是将一切，包括自己，都摆在上帝的坛上。……{PH078 10.1}
我们希望上帝的仆人都成为工人。警告生灵的工作不应当仅仅局限于传道人，凡心中有真理的人，凡在家中发挥了良善影响力的人，都应当感受到自己承担了一份责任，应当奉献出自己的部分时间，出去与邻舍以及周围城镇的居民接触，作上帝的布道士。他们应当带着我们的出版物出去，(在发表本文的那一年，为配合总会第十次年会所通过的决议，各州区会完成了“建立书报宣教社”的计划。见1905年 年鉴171页)。本着基督的精神与自己所访问的人交谈，与他们一同祷告并为他们祷告。这样的工作会引起研究和改革的精神。……{PH078 10.2}
上帝的葡萄园中有每个人当做之工。没有人应该闲懒。上帝的天使都很活跃，升到天上又降到地上，带来怜悯与警告的信息。这些天上的使者在感动人的心思意念。各处都有男女的心可以被真理所激励。那些拥有真理知识的人现在若愿与上帝的圣灵和谐同工，我们便可看到一项大工告成。{PH078 10.3}
很多新的园地都已敞开，人人都可在这些园地中做工，将人从黑暗和错误中领出来，使他们坚立在永恒真理的立场上，从而验证自己所蒙的呼召。……在这些末后的日子预备一班人迎见基督的第二次降临，乃是最神圣严肃的工作，这工作需要献身无私的工人。那些谦卑、有信心、充满活力、不屈不挠、意志坚定的人，会发现在主人的葡萄园中有很多工作要做。有很多责任需要履行，这需要付上热心并全力以赴。上帝所悦纳的乃是乐意的侍奉。我们所宣称的真理是如此无限的重要，以致能决定生灵的命运，我们在宣扬这真理时应当多么谨慎啊。(《教会证言》卷三48, 53, 54，56, 57, 51, 64页，1872年第一版){PH078 11.1}
PH078 - Sowing Beside All Waters
《A Missionary Church》
【All to Act a Part】
A few in different towns who really believe the truth, will exert an influence and excite inquiry in regard to their faith; and if their lives are exemplary, their light will shine, and they will have a gathering influence.... The great work now to be accomplished is to bring up the people of God to engage in the work, and exert a holy influence. They should act the part of laborers. With wisdom, caution, and love, they should labor for the salvation of neighbors and friends. There is too distant a feeling manifested. The cross is not laid right hold of, and borne?as it should be. All should feel that they are their brother’s keeper; that they are in a great degree responsible for the souls of those around them.?{PH078 3.1}[1]
The brethren err when they leave this work all to the ministers. The harvest is great, and the laborers are few. Those who are of good repute, whose lives are in accordance with their faith, can be workmen. They can converse with others, and urge upon them the importance of the truth. They must not wait for the ministers, and neglect a plain duty which God has left for them to perform. [Testimonies for the Church 1:368, 369.]?{PH078 4.1}[2]
【Families as Missionaries】
In the vision given me June 12, 1868, I was shown that a great work might be accomplished in bringing souls to the knowledge of the truth, were proper exertions made. In every town, city, and village, there are persons who would embrace the truth if it were brought before them in a judicious manner. Missionaries are needed among us, self-sacrificing missionaries, who, like our great Exemplar, would not please themselves, but live to do others good.?{PH078 4.2}[3]
I was shown that as a people we are deficient. Our works are not in accordance with our faith. Our faith testifies that we are living under the proclamation of the most solemn and important message that was ever given to mortals. Yet in full view of this fact, our efforts, our zeal, our spirit of self-sacrifice, do not compare with the character of the work....?{PH078 4.3}[4]
Brethren who wish to change their location, who have the glory of God in view, and feel that individual responsibility rests upon them to do others good, to benefit and save souls for whom Christ withheld not His precious life, should move into towns and villages where there is but little or no light, and where they can be of real service, and bless others with their labor and experience. Missionaries are wanted to go into towns and villages and raise the standard of truth, that God may have His witnesses scattered all over the land, that the light of truth may penetrate where it has not yet reached, and the standard of truth be raised where it is not yet known. The brethren should not flock together because it is more agreeable to them, but should seek to fulfill their high calling to do others good, to be instrumental in the salvation of at least one soul. But more may be saved than one....?{PH078 5.1}[5]
In view of what Christ has done for us, and what He has suffered for sinners, we should, out of pure, disinterested love for souls, imitate His example by sacrificing our own pleasure and convenience for their good. The joy set before Christ, which sustained Him in all His sufferings, was the salvation of poor sinners. This should be our joy, and the spur of our ambition in the cause of our Master. In so doing we please God, and manifest our love and devotion to Him as His servants. [Testimonies for the Church 2:113-115.]?{PH078 5.2}[6]
【Witnesses for Christ】
I have been shown that the disciples of Christ?are His representatives upon the earth; and God designs that they shall be lights in the moral darkness of this world, dotted all over the country, in the towns, villages, and cities, “a spectacle unto the world, to angels, and to men.” If they obey the teachings of Christ in His sermon on the mount, they will be seeking continually for perfection of Christian character, and will be truly the light of the world,—channels through which God will communicate His divine will, the truth of heavenly origin, to those who sit in darkness, and who have no knowledge of the way of life and salvation.?{PH078 5.3}[7]
God cannot display the knowledge of His will and the wonders of His grace among the unbelieving world, unless He has witnesses scattered all over the earth. [This was written three years before the first missionary was sent by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination to a foreign land.] It is His plan that those who are partakers of this great salvation through Jesus Christ, should be His missionaries, bodies of light throughout the world, to be as signs to the people, living epistles, known and read of all men, their faith and works testifying to the near approach of the coming Saviour, and showing that they have not received the grace of God in vain. The people must be warned to prepare for the coming judgment. To those who have been listening only to fables, God will give an opportunity to hear the sure word of prophecy, whereunto they do well that they take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place....?{PH078 6.1}[8]
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....?{PH078 6.2}[9]
God designs that His people shall be the light of the world, the salt of the earth. The plan of gathering together in large numbers, to compose a large church, has contracted their influence, and narrowed down their sphere of usefulness, and is literally putting their light under a bushel. [At the time this was published, there were 185 churches in North America, with a membership of less than five thousand.] It is God’s design that the knowledge of the truth should come to all, that none may remain in darkness, ignorant of its principles; but that all should be tested upon it, and decided for or against it, that all may be warned, and left without excuse. The plan of colonizing, or moving from different localities where there is but little strength or influence, and concentrating the influence of many in one locality, is removing the light from places where God would have it shine.?{PH078 7.1}[10]
The followers of Christ scattered throughout the world do not have a high sense of their responsibility, and the obligation resting upon them to let their light shine forth to others. If there are but one or two in a place, they can, although few in number, so conduct themselves before the world as to have an influence which will impress the unbeliever with the sincerity of their faith. The followers of Jesus are not meeting the mind and will of God, if they are content?to remain in ignorance of His word. All should become Bible students. Christ commanded His followers, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Peter exhorts us, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” ...?{PH078 7.2}[11]
The true followers of Christ will appreciate the great salvation which He has wrought for them; and wherever Her leads the way, they will follow. They will consider it a privilege to bear whatever burdens Christ may lay upon them. [Testimonies for the Church 2:631-634?(first published in 1871).]?{PH078 8.1}[12]
【Missionaries for God】
While in Vermont, December 10, 1871, I was shown some things in regard to New York....?{PH078 8.2}[13] The advancement of the church in ----- in spiritual things, is not in proportion to the light which has shone upon their pathway. God has committed to each talents to be improved by putting them out to the exchangers, that when the Master comes He may receive His own with usury....?{PH078 8.3}[14]
There is more talent in the church, and more material to make good workmen, than can be employed to advantage in that locality. The entire church are not growing in spirituality. They are not favorably situated to develop strength by calling into exercise the talents that God has given them. There is not room for all to work. One gets in the way of another. There is a lack of spiritual strength....?{PH078 8.4}[15]
If the talent and influence of several of its members should be exercised in other churches, where they would be drawn out to help where help is really needed, they would be obtaining an experience of the highest value in spiritual things, and by thus bearing responsibilities and burdens in the work of God, would be a blessing to others. While engaged in helping others, they would be following the example of Christ. He came not to be ministered unto, but to ministers to others. He pleased not Himself. He made Himself of no reputation, but took upon Himself the form of a servant, and spent His life in doing good. He could have spent His days on earth in ease and plenty, and have appropriated to Himself the enjoyments of this life. But He lived not to enjoy, He lived to do good and to save others from suffering, and His example is for us to follow....?{PH078 9.1}[16]
God calls for missionaries. There are men of ability in the church at -----, who will grow in capacity and power as they exercise their talents in the work and cause of God. If these brethren will educate themselves to make the cause of God their first interest, and will sacrifice their pleasure and inclination for the truth’s sake, the blessing of God will rest upon them. These brethren, who love the truth, and who have been for years rejoicing because of increasing light upon the Scriptures, should let their light shine forth to those who are in darkness. God will be to them wisdom and power, and will glorify Himself in working with and by those who wholly follow Him. “If any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.” The wisdom and power of God will be given to the willing and faithful.?{PH078 9.2}[17]
The brethren in ----- have been willing to give of their means for the various enterprises, but they have withheld themselves. They have not said, Here am I, Lord; send me. It is not the strength of human instruments, but the power and wisdom of Him who employs them and works with them, that makes men successful in doing the work that is necessary to be done. By offering our goods to the Possessor of heaven and earth while we withhold ourselves, we cannot meet His approbation nor secure His blessing. There must be in the hearts of the brethren and sisters in ----- a principle to lay all, even themselves, upon the altar of God....?{PH078 10.1}[18]
We wish that all the Lord’s servants were laborers. The work of warning souls should not be confined to ministers alone, but brethren who have the truth in their hearts, and who have exerted a good influence at home, should feel that a responsibility rests upon them to devote a part of their time to going out among their neighbors and into adjoining towns to be missionaries for God. They should carry our publications, [This was written and published in the year when, in harmony with a resolution passed at the tenth annual session of the General Conference, plans were perfected for “the formation of tract and missionary societies” in the various state conferences. See year book for 1905, p. 171.] and engage in conversation, and, in the spirit of Christ, pray with and for those whom they visit. This is the work that will arouse a spirit of investigation and reformation....?{PH078 10.2}[19]
There is work for every one in the vineyard of the Lord. None should be idle. Angels of God are all astir, ascending to heaven, and descending to earth again with messages of mercy and warning.?These heavenly messengers are moving upon minds and hearts. There are men and women everywhere whose hearts are susceptible of being inspired with the truth. If those who have a knowledge of the truth would now work in unison with the Spirit of God, we would see a great work accomplished.?{PH078 10.3}[20]
New fields are open in which all can test their calling by experimental effort in bringing souls out from darkness and error, and establishing them upon the platform of eternal truth.... The work of fitting a people in these last days for the coming of Christ, is a most sacred, solemn work, and calls for devoted, unselfish laborers. Those who have humility, faith, energy, perseverance, and decision, will find plenty to do in their Master’s vineyard. There are responsible duties to be performed, which require earnestness and the exertion of all their energies. It is willing service that God accepts. If the truth we profess is of such infinite importance as to decide the destiny of souls, how careful should we be in its presentation. [Testimonies for the Church 3:48, 53, 54 56, 57, 51, 64?(first published in 1872).]?{PH078 11.1}[21]
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