Getting Decisions
129
Public
To get decisions, Christ must be placed above theory—Many
of our ministers have made a great mistake in giving discourses which
were wholly argumentative. There are souls who listen to the theory
of the truth and are impressed with the evidences brought out, and
[126]
then if a portion of the discourse presents Christ as the Saviour of the
world, the seed sown may spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God.
But in many discourses the cross of Christ is not presented before the
people. Some may be listening to the last sermon they will ever hear,
and some will never again be so situated that they can have the chain
of truth brought before them and a practical application made of it to
their hearts. That golden opportunity lost is lost forever. Had Christ
and His redeeming love been exalted in connection with the theory of
truth, it might have balanced them on His side.—
Testimonies for the
Church 4:393
.
Eloquence may mask truth and not produce decisions—He
who presents eloquent words, simply causes the people to forget the
truth that is mingled with his oratory. When the excitement passes
away, it is found that the Word of God has not been fastened upon the
mind; nor have the simple gained in understanding. The people may
go away from the church and may speak in admiration of the oratorical
powers of the man who has preached to them, but they may not be
convicted by the truth or brought any nearer to the point of decision.
They speak of the sermon in the same way as they would of a play,
and of the minister in the same manner as they would of an actor at a
theater. They may come again to listen to the same kind of discourse,
and may again go away unimpressed and unfed.—
The Voice in Speech
and Song, 283
.
Decisions should be called for in every meeting—Prompt, ener-
getic, and earnest action may save an undecided soul. No one can tell
how much is lost by attempting to preach without the unction of the
Holy Spirit. There are souls in every congregation who are hesitating,
almost persuaded to be wholly for God. The decision is being made
for time and for eternity; but it is too often the case that the minister
has not the spirit and power of the message of truth in his own heart,
hence no direct appeals are made to those souls that are trembling in
the balance. The result is that impressions are not deepened upon the