AMEN Australia 2014: From Bended Knee to Bedside

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Adventist Medical Evangelism Network Australia

Plenary

Phil Mills

Christ’s Method of Training Medical Evangelists

I've been praying for proper words to share some thoughts because we're dealing with a subject of such vast importance.

Far-reaching implications because we're going to be looking at the secret that Jesus used to train his own disciples and qualify them to lastingly change the world.

Christ taught them a method that was so effective that money doesn't even assist it in accomplishing its goals.

To prove the point, Jesus twice sent disciples on nationwide tours in face of mortal enemies.

Without money, bodyguards, or supplies, yet these tours generated immense publicity and protection.

Furthermore, the disciples had to turn down substantial financial support which this method generated.

After we look at his unique method, we'll focus on the way Jesus trained his disciples in his powerful method of reaching multitudes.

Christ's method is not a secret, it's known.

But I believe the method is often ignored because the training has been forgotten, overlooked, or neglected.

But this topic is so comprehensive and so important, I want to begin with another word of prayer.

Dear Lord, who's sufficient to present the matchless charms of Christ?

I pray that your Holy Spirit may fall, that just as you spoke to disciples by the Sea of Galilee, so you'll speak to us today, your disciples, by the sea again, that this time together may not be just ordinary time, but that our hearts will burn as you speak with us by the way.

We will know, take knowledge, that there is a Jesus who's living and wants to use us to reach those around us.

The method to reach the multitudes is medical missionary health evangelism, comprehensive.

It's foolish to ignore this method in our outreach to others.

Medical missionary work is the right arm that gives the visible 3 legs which sustain and promote the gospel publicity protection and prosperity.

Without it gospel outreach is weakened, crippled.

Public and Personal evangelism is weakened and crippled as well.

First, it's foolish to ignore medical evangelism in our outreach to others, because medical missionary work brings the gospel publicity.

Lip-to-lip advertising is by far the most effective advertising.

It's the advertising that Madison Avenue, that's, I don't know, do you use that expression here in Australia?

Madison Avenue is the term in America we use for where the big advertisements are made, Madison Avenue.

And they seek to imitate, seek to create lip-to-lip advertising.

Money can buy media advertising, but the most effective advertising has always been free.

The skin cancer and cosmetic dermatology clinic where I trained, Dr.

John Chung instilled in our minds that every patient is our next advertisement.

Years ago, now forgotten almost, Microsoft produced the Zune.

They paid money to college students to have buzz groups and talk about the Zoom.

The iPhone spent very little, but before it was even could be purchased.

How can you get that kind of advertising?

Well, that's what God does in medical missionary work.

That's why it's called the injuring wedge.

Those who are healed spread the news more effectively than television advertisement.

Those friends become interested and tell those friends who become interested.

And it is this type of explosive spread that will finish the work in months.

We found this with the CHIP program in Wichita.

We received excellent television and radio publicity, which cost us very little, and our church in Wichita, Kansas became known because of medical missionary work." This is how comprehensive medical evangelism brought crowds to Jesus.

Luke tells us that after healing a leper, so much the more went there a fame abroad of him and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

This word of mouth publicity was actually too effective.

The crowds became so big that Jesus had to go to places that were more inaccessible as a result.

When we want crowds that convention centers can't hold, we'll start doing comprehensive medical evangelism.

When we want the windows of heaven to be open so much that we don't have room for the blessings, we'll do comprehensive medical evangelism.

Works at all times and in all places, all situations.

It was medical missionary work that opened Syria to the gospel at the highest levels in the time of Elisha.

In the middle of a war between Syria and Israel, at a time when feelings were fever-pitched, when emotions and hatred were at their peak, Elisha's medical missionary work brought peace, it was his entering wedge.

Medical missionary work brought crowds to the apostles, it was their entering wedge.

Luke tells us that believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes, both of men and women, insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing might overshadow some of them.

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits.

By the space of 2 years, all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks, and God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul.

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the disease departed from them and the evil spirits went out of them.

Yes, it's foolish to ignore medical missionary work in our outreach to others because comprehensive medical evangelism does bring publicity like no other work.

But second, it's foolish to ignore medical missionary work in our outreach to others because comprehensive medical evangelism provides protection like no other work.

The people protect the medical missionary from their enemies.

Because of Jesus' medical missionary work, the Jewish leaders were afraid to lay a hand on him because of the crowds who would defend Jesus.

The enemies of Christ had to delay murdering him for years.

Christ's trial, all mention of Christ's comprehensive medical evangelism was avoided and excluded because even discussion of it would have prevented his condemnation.

Had Jesus performed a medical missionary healing in King Herod's palace, he would have been released there on the spot.

This protective effect of medical missionary work is true in all times and at all places.

Acts 5.26 says, then went the captain with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

Bartholomew Massacre, tens of thousands of Protestant citizens were murdered at the command of King Charles IX in an attempt to exterminate Protestantism in France.

But while the king carried an aquabus and himself shot Protestant subjects who sought his protection by coming to his palace gates, he hid his Protestant physician in his cabinet to preserve his life, locked him in.

Down under when the Adventist message was taken to Australia, ancient Sunday laws were revived.

Some of our members here were placed in stocks.

Some of our members were threatened with fines.

But at Avondale where medical missionary work had been done, the community refused to enforce the laws.

It's foolish to ignore medical missionary work and our outreach to others, because medical missionary work brings publicity and protection like no other work.

But third, it's foolish to ignore medical missionary work in our outreach to others because medical missionary work provides financial and voluntary efforts necessary to support the work of the gospel.

It was medical missionary work that provided for Christ and the disciples' maintenance.

Mark tells us that Peter's mother-in-law was sick.

Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Luke tells us that certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went 7 devils, and Joanna, the wife of Chusa, Herod's Steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

True medical missionary work inspires sacrificial service at all times and in all places.

When Paul was a prisoner being transported to Rome and was shipwrecked on the island of Miletus, the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux, to whom Paul entered in and prayed and laid his hands on him and healed him.

So when this was done, others also which had diseases in the island came and were healed, who also honored us with many honors.

And when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

Elisha's medical missionary work brought huge donations.

So Hosea went to meet him and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, 40 camels burdened, and came and stood before him and said, thy son, Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, hath sent me to thee saying, shall I recover of this disease?

Now, think of it, Abraham sent only 10 camels for Rebekah, 40 camels for Elisha.

It was medical missionary work alone that's gonna cause the wealth of the Gentiles to flow into the church to support the final gospel outreach.

Yes, it is foolish to ignore medical missionary work in our outreach to others when it is medical missionary work that gives publicity, protection, and prosperity to the work of the gospel.

But it's equally foolish to ignore the gospel in our medical missionary outreach to others.

Medical missionary work, comprehensive medical work, is merely a means, not an end.

Comprehensive medical evangelism brings to view at best only a few brief years of comfort and health, while the gospel brings to view an eternity of comfort and health.

If medical missionary work providing a few years of health is good, the gospel which provides an eternity of health must be infinitely better.

If providing a few years of health is important, the gospel with its eternity of health and happiness must be infinitely more important.

It's foolish to share the good while we fail to share the infinitely better.

Fred Hardinge

Essential Elements of Effective Health Ministry

As I was listening to the devotional this morning, which I appreciated very much, it was a wonderful reminder, a thought did occur to me.

And that is that in the context in which I often work, we often say that we can accomplish almost nothing from the General Conference.

And yet We have our temptations in the same line.

The work of the church happens at the local level, and that's a wonderful organizational structure.

And you don't go to the General Conference to accomplish a whole lot at the local level.

And I have learned that over the years, having worked in local churches, in conferences, at divisions, and now at the General Conference.

We may be able to plant a few ideas and do some encouraging and some supporting, and that's our major role.

But at the same time, we still have our temptations to become selfish and proud and uplifted up.

And so we are all the same in our need to daily fall before the cross and give our lives to our Savior.

There is, we're all the same in that regard.

And that also at the same time brings us together in ministry.

And irregardless of what our profession is, what our skill levels are, what we do the best, as we humbly team together in doing comprehensive health ministry, we can be effective for Jesus Christ.

And so I look forward to even more inspiration as we meet this weekend.

Normally I look out at the Pacific Ocean and I'm looking westward.

I grew up on the West Coast, not on the ocean, but we often visited.

I've been at a few conferences on the coastline and we look west when we look out.

We have had a wonderful, almost 2 weeks now, here in the SPD.

We spent last weekend and the weekend before in New Zealand.

And it's always good to meet God's people.

And I must say that as I look at this audience, even though I don't know very many of you, you're my favorite people because you're interested in health ministry and in the Lord's work.

1 of the great blessings of being a part of God's work is that you get acquainted with people here and there and you rarely go somewhere but what you know some people.

So it's been wonderful to reconnect with Rob.

We were just talking at breakfast this morning.

I invited him to come and be a speaker, a health speaker at our camp meeting in Walla Walla, Washington.

And he came and we had a wonderful time together.

And of course, as I walked in here, Sybella was greeting us so warmly.

And my first meeting of Sybella, and I think most of you know her.

I think she's going to share a little bit this afternoon.

Kevin Price introduced us at the Health Ministries Department as 1 of the great health heroes for your division.

And as I've gotten acquainted with her, I certainly think that's a very fitting description.

Paul Rankin, of course, is in your health ministries department.

I met him when he was first Health Ministries Director in New Zealand.

Phil Mills, we've been friends for many, many years and share a passion for health ministry.

And of course, your director here at the Health Ministries Department, Kevin Price, is in the estimation of the Health Ministries Department at the General Conference, 1 of the strongest leaders, and you certainly have the largest Health Ministries Department in the entire world field here in SPD.

And you're accomplishing many wonderful things with God's blessing.

And it's been wonderful to be with Kevin and Sue the past 2 weeks as they've showed us around and showed us some of the beauties of this great division.

We've only seen just a little bit of it, but we feel like we've been filled.

And as Pastor Kevin said yesterday, 1 of the highlights of this trip I know will be our visit to Sunnyside on Thursday.

He mentioned that My wife's grandmother came from Sydney and Korbang area.

And she was living in Korbang as a little girl during the time that Ellen White was there.

And he, several of you have said, you've got to tell the story, so I will do that before I begin my message very quickly.

She was about 4 years old when she first came to Korabong.

She was born with a deformed hand on her right side.

She had a very small thumb, missing 1 finger.

She wasn't fully accepted because of that.

Ellen White had the habit, apparently at that time, of, after church, gathering the children while the parents were visiting and telling them a story.

And she looked out 1 day and saw that there was a new face there, And it was Katie, April's grandmother.

And she was kind of standing on the edge of the circle.

And Ellen White called her and said, come and sit in my lap.

Sometimes we think of Ellen White as being a very austere, harsh, we see that in pictures sometimes.

But I think that's part of the year, it took a long time to set up a picture in those days, there was no digital cameras, couldn't take 16 shots when you press the shutter.

And I think it was also part of the custom to look really formal.

But it conveys an attitude or a reality that may not have been true.

Anyway, Ellen White invited her up to sit in her lap and she asked her what her name was and she noticed that she was hiding this deformed hand in her skirt.

And she took that hand in her hand in front of all the children and she said, this bothers you, doesn't it?

And Katie was nearly in tears, as any four-year-old would be.

And she held that hand and she said, Katie, God has a special purpose for that hand.

Ellen White became her friend and she would never want to miss those stories.

When Ellen White was leaving to go back to America, after she had told the story, she called Katie, who was now about 7 years old, to ask her to see her after this story.

And she personally had a word with Katie.

She said, I want you to promise that when we get to heaven, and she took her hand, after we see Jesus, I want you to tell me how God used this hand in a special way.

She took midwifery at Sydney Sanitarium and became a midwife.

She became a missionary after marrying April's grandfather, who was an American.

They went to the Celebes in Indonesia and opened up the work there.

And in her work as a midwife in those primitive countries or areas, she was able to deliver hundreds and hundreds of babies with that little hand.

And it was a great blessing that the Lord used to encourage his work.

So that's the story and this is my wife's first time here in Australia and we were really blessed and inspired by our visit to Sunnyside and to that area.

So it has been a blessing for us to be here.

I love your title, From Bended Knee to the Bedside.

And as I read that several weeks ago in the materials that was sent, I was reminded of this statement, the simplest prayer that is put up in faith is acceptable to heaven.

The humblest soul that looks up to Christ in faith is connected with the God of the universe.

And all of us have the privilege of seeing that happen in our sphere of work.

Rob did not mention to you, some of you may have seen the book, the missionary book, Health and Healing, edited by Peter Landless and Mark Finley.

If you look in the back, you'll see that I was 1 of the contributors and I'm listed as a physician.

It probably means that you got 1 of the early printings, but I'm not sure because they're being printed by the millions around the world.

I don't have the same privileges that you who are physicians have in interfacing in the same way with patients.

But at the same time, I have had and continue to have the privilege and opportunity of ministering to people, as all of you do in your various capacities.

And the same principles apply and we need to recognize that it's not our work, but it is God's working through us that brings about the accomplishment of God's mission here on this earth.

As we begin talking about some effective principles of health ministry, I would like to ask the question, what is health ministry?

What do we mean when we say health ministry?

Well, I would like to suggest this morning that it is more than a set of scientifically established health practices.

It is more important than all of its individual component parts.

The whole message carries greater weight than the individual pieces, and it does far more than modern science can demonstrate.

We're thrilled with what we see taking place in the world of science today.

Christ’s Method of Medical Evangelism- House Calls

This morning we want to look at Christ's method, but before we observe his method, I want us to look at 1 of the most well-known of Ellen White's statements in all of Adventism.

In fact, not long ago, there was a whole quarter that was devoted to this statement.

Yet I don't think we've really understood it.

Let's look at the quote briefly so we can better understand Christ's methods.

Greatest and most urgent of all our needs.

The word revival, however, never stands alone.

There must be a revival of something, something that was once done and is now left undone.

In Munich, it used to be the beer capital of the world.

And so they have sought to have a revival, a revival in beer drinking.

That's the greatest and the most urgent of our needs.

And so we look at this a little more closely and it says a revival of what?

Review and Herald, Helen White said this, "'Christ gave a perfect representation of true godliness "'by combining the work of a physician and a minister.

If we need, as our most urgent and pressing need, a revival of true godliness, we find that true godliness combines the work of a physician and a minister.

Ministering to the needs of both body and soul, healing physical disease, and then speaking words that brought peace to the troubled heart.

A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs.

In triage, do you use that word here in Australia?

In triage, what kind of problem is addressed first?

So What problem, if we're working in church work, what problem should be triaged first?

We have many needs, but our first work is true godliness.

Combining the work of physician and minister.

Ministering to the needs of the body, healing physical disease.

Ministering to the needs of the soul and speaking words that bring peace to the troubled heart.

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