An Introduction to Health Evangelism
1. “Eat the Banana”: a pastor once made the analogy that carrying our Bibles without reading or internalizing the message is similar to carrying a Banana around but not eating it!
The truths of the Bible and messages about health ministry can change your life, but many Christians do not internalize the message. Just like a banana- it won’t do you any good to just carry it around -you must eat it in order to get the nutrition!
Spiritual food is wholesome, whole wheat messages (rather than refining out only those parts of truth which we find tasteful)
Accepting Christ is the highest form of spiritual food. 1 Cor 11:24 “and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
2. What is Health Evangelism? (Meaning)
Modeling after Christ; Working for the body in order to reach the soul. Manifesting the compassion of Christ to show who He is.
3. Why is it important to do health evangelism? (Purpose)
To help relieve human suffering
To introduce people to the gospel, as a practical demonstration of the Gospel (touch the heart)
Pioneer work- to enter new fields, break down prejudice
4. What effect can doing this work have on our own lives?
Humble service helps us mature, experience the true joy of life
5.What kind of effect can this type of work have on the lives of others?
Foot washing example of Jesus: the disciples went from bickering with each other about who was the greatest to subdued humility. The example of Christ washing the disciple’s feet is one of the purest examples health ministry.
Ellen White Quotes:
Who was Ellen White? ;
Ellen White named by Smithsonian among the 100 most significant Americans of all time ,
EGW Link 2
A Revelation of Christ's Compassion
。Medical missionary work brings to humanity the gospel of release from suffering. It is the pioneer work of the gospel. It is the gospel practiced, the compassion of Christ revealed. Of this work there is great need, and the world is open for it. God grant that the importance of medical missionary work shall be understood, and that new fields may be immediately entered. Then will the work of the ministry be after the Lord's order; the sick will be healed, and poor, suffering humanity will be blessed. {MM 239.3}
True Charity
It is only by an unselfish interest in those in need of help that we can give a practical demonstration of the truths of the gospel. "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." Much more than mere sermonizing is included in preaching the gospel. The ignorant are to be enlightened; the discouraged are to be uplifted; the sick are to be healed. The human voice is to act its part in God's work. Words of tenderness, sympathy, and love are to be witness to the truth. Earnest, heartfelt prayers are to bring the angels near."--An Appeal for a Medical Missionary College, pages 13, 14. {MM 251.3}