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those who had rejected the Savior and to This is, perhaps, all the more important
those who had condemned the Lord Jesus today when most of the people to whom
to death. Then notice the different tenor we preach have reversed this, hearing
of his message when he later preached things with their eyes and thinking with
to the Roman centurion Cornelius and their emotions.
his household (Act 10). Ecclesiastes 12
records that the preacher sought to find (If Possible) Transmit the Truth
out acceptable words (v10). He did this with Brevity
by giving “good heed,” seeking out and Years ago I read these two memorable
setting things in order (v9). The result was lines: “Preach about Jesus and about
(v11) that his words were as goads (urg- twenty minutes. A sermon does not need
ing, motivating) and as nails (establishing, to be eternal to be immortal.” (The first
maintaining). By way of contrast, consider sentence in that quote is a clever example
the confusion in these words from an of zeugma; forgetting the second should
article in The Winston-Salem Journal: “An be anathema). It is remarkable how com-
attacker shot and killed a Spanish newspa- pact and concise some of the Bible’s most
per executive seven times yesterday.” Bad memorable gospel statements are: Repent
enough to be shot, but to be killed seven ye and believe the gospel; Flee from the
times is horrible! Be sure to search for ac- wrath to come; I will pass over you; Pre-
ceptable words, give good heed, and, by pare to meet thy God; Be sure your sin
all means, be orderly in your statements will find you out; Ye must be born again;
and delivery. Christ has made us free; Salvation is of the

Appraise the Audience’s Lord. In fact, a whole gospel series could
be based on just the Bible’s 5-word texts!
Inability If we wish to avoid the Circumlocution
Very few people remember a sermon’s Office made famous by Charles Dickens,
finely-tuned outline or follow our rab- we should endeavor to understand the
bit warren of endless alliterative points. truth and should study to communicate it
Research at the University of Minnesota in God-given words (Isa 59:21), taught to
revealed that in listening to a 10-minute us by the Holy Spirit (1Co 2:13). Sir Win-
talk, hearers operate at only a 28% ef- ston Churchill termed the vocabulary of
ficiency. And the longer the talk, the less the English language “bullets that become
the comprehension. Read the discourses ammunition.” How much more potent
of the Lord Jesus and you will be amazed and powerful those “bullets” are when
at His consummate ability to engage His they come from God and are about His
audience, to draw listeners into the sub- Son. What a joy it is to listen to the glori-
ject, to capture and hold their attention ous gospel being preached by someone
and interest. The varied styles of com- who believes it thoroughly, understands
munication He employed, the powerful it competently, loves it fervently, and con-
biblical references He utilized, the simple veys it with a passionate longing for the
(yet profoundly picturesque) illustrations salvation of souls – proclaiming it intel-
He mobilized to convey truth – all remind ligibly, wisely and concisely! God grant
me of the ancient proverb, “He is the best that the number of those who do so may
orator who can turn men’s ears into eyes.” become legion!

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