"Those whom God employs as His instruments may be regarded by some as inefficient; but if they can pray, if in simplicity they can talk the truth because they love it, they may reach the people through the Holy Spirit's power. As they present the truth in simplicity, reading from the word or recalling incidents of experience, the Holy Spirit makes an impression on mind and character. The will becomes subordinate to the will of God; the truth heretofore not understood comes to the heart with living conviction and becomes a spiritual reality. 6T 444.3 Chapter 56—Help for Mission Fields There is a burden upon my soul in regard to the destitute mission fields. There is aggressive work to be done in the missions near us; and there is great need of funds for advancing the work in foreign fields. Our foreign missions are languishing. The missionaries are not sustained as God requires. For want of funds, workers are not able to enter new fields. 6T 445"
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;"
Both passages highlight God's use of seemingly inadequate or 'foolish' individuals to accomplish His purposes. EGW speaks of 'inefficient' instruments who can reach people through the Holy Spirit, while 1 Corinthians 1:27 speaks of God choosing the 'foolish things' to confound the wise.
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
Both passages touch on the idea that those who are perceived as ordinary or 'unlearned' can be effective instruments of God. EGW mentions those who 'in simplicity can talk the truth,' while Acts 4:13 describes Peter and John as 'unlearned and ignorant men' whose boldness was noted.
"All around us are souls perishing in their sins. Every year thousands upon thousands are dying without God and without hope of everlasting life. The plagues and judgments of God are doing their work, and souls are going to ruin because the light of truth has not been flashed upon their pathway. But how few are burdened over the condition of their fellow men. The world is perishing in its misery; but this hardly moves even those who claim to believe the highest and most far-reaching truth ever given to mortals. God requires His people to be His helping hand to reach the perishing, but how many are content to do nothing. There is a lack of that love which led Christ to leave His heavenly home and take man's nature, that humanity might touch humanity and draw humanity to divinity. There is a stupor, a paralysis, upon the people of God which prevents them from understanding what is needed for this time. 6T 445.2"
"But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand."
Both passages address the responsibility of believers to warn others of impending judgment and the consequences of failing to do so. EGW speaks of souls perishing because the light of truth has not been flashed upon their pathway, while Ezekiel 33:6 describes the watchman's responsibility to warn the people.
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:"
Both passages discuss the lost and perishing, though the EGW passage expands on the reasons and consequences. The connection is more than superficial.
"God's people are on trial before the heavenly universe; but the scantiness of their gifts and offerings, and the feebleness of their efforts in God's service, mark them as unfaithful. If the little that is now accomplished were the best they could do, they would not be under condemnation; but with their resources they could do much more. They know, and the world knows, that they have to a great degree lost the spirit of self-denial and cross bearing. 6T 445.3"
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
The EGW passage directly references the 'spirit of self-denial and cross bearing,' which is the core message of Luke 9:23. This is a clear and direct connection.