Seite 262 - Evangelism (1946)

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Methods of Clinching Decisions
Christ Spoke Directly to His Hearers—Even the crowd that so
often thronged His steps was not to Christ an indiscriminate mass of
human beings. He spoke directly to every mind and appealed to every
heart. He watched the faces of His hearers, marked the lighting up of
the countenance, the quick, responsive glance, which told that truth
had reached the soul; and there vibrated in His heart the answering
chord of sympathetic joy.—
Education, 231
(1903).
He Watched the Changing Countenance—Jesus watched with
deep earnestness the changing countenances of His hearers. The faces
that expressed interest and pleasure, gave Him great satisfaction. As
the arrows of truth pierced to the soul, breaking through the barriers of
selfishness, and working contrition, and finally gratitude, the Saviour
was made glad. When His eye swept over the throng of listeners,
and He recognized among them the faces He had before seen, His
countenance lighted up with joy. He saw in them hopeful subjects for
His kingdom. When the truth, plainly spoken, touched some cherished
idol, He marked the change of countenance, the cold, forbidding look,
which told that the light was unwelcome. When He saw men refuse
the message of peace, His heart was pierced to the very depths.—
The
Desire of Ages, 254, 255
(1898).
[296]
Preaching for Decision—Cultivate earnestness and positiveness
in addressing the people. Your subject matter may be excellent, and just
what the people need, but you would do well to mingle a positiveness
with persuasive entreaties....
Present the plain “Thus saith the Lord” with authority, and exalt
the wisdom of God in the written Word. Bring the people to a decision;
keep the voice of the Bible ever before them. Tell them you speak that
which you do know, and testify that which is truth, because God has
spoken it. Let your preaching be short and right to the point, and then
at the proper time call for a decision. Do not present the truth in a
formal manner, but let the heart be vitalized by the Spirit of God, and
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