INTRODUCTION
Outline.
3. The Art of Persuasion
Remarks.
1. This is lesson three, in the sermon-series: "The Art of Preaching." This lesson reviews the need for the church of Christ, to identify sound; capable, and faithful men, to be taught the "art of preaching" of the word of God. This lesson establishes that preaching is an art, that this skill can be taught, learned, developed and perfected. Paul wrote: "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child...that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
2. We will investigate the "art of persuasion" in the man of God's preaching and teaching, of the word of God. The sermon begins with the reading of the text. It continues with the minister following good presentation skills. He starts with the aim or proposition of the sermon. He states clearly the points of the lesson; moving systematically through the sermon from one point to the other.
3. The preacher establishes how each point harmonizes with the others; validating the aim of the lesson. Finally, he moves into the conclusion of the lesson; with an invitation from Christ, then, with words of motivation and persuasion, unto the believers. He encourages believers to act on the word of God: in obedience to the gospel of Christ. With this introduction, let's consider the last lesson, in this sermon-series: "The Art of Persuasion."
BODY OF LESSON
III THE ART OF PERSUASION
A. The art of persuasion. The goal of preaching is to instill faith and to encourage and persuade the believer to accept and obey the gospel of Christ. Observe--
1. The word "persuade" in Gr., is peitho or pa'-tho, which means to convince (by argument, true or false); to pacify or conciliate, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty) on:—agree, assure, belief, have confidence, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, and yield.
2. It refers to the persuasive power of preaching: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with Excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God."
a. His message: "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him (being) crucified."
b. His presence: "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and much trembling."
c. His presentation: "And my speech and my preaching weren't (delivered) with enticing (peithos or persuasive) words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
d. His reason: "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God," 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
3. "Peithos" means to persuade, "through the preaching of the gospel, by the work of the Holy Spirit and power of God, contained in the gospel message. That the believer's faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God," Romans 1:14-16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:21.
4. Paul's preaching and persuasion:
a. First, in Corinth: "And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks," Acts 18:4.
b. Further, in Ephesus: "And he went into the synagogue and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God," Acts 19:8.
c. Finally, in Caesarea: "For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian," Acts 26:26-28.
d. Conclusion: The minister's message is not done after the delivery of the lesson. He concludes the message with an invitation to the hearers, to incite faith, and obedience to the gospel through repentance, confession of faith and baptism. The younger ministers must be instructed and guided how to present the invitation; and, how to persuade the believers, unto gospel obedience. This without a doubt; is the most important part, of the minister's overture, of the invitation of Christ.
B. Peter's sermon. On Pentecost, Peter concluded his lesson with a powerful and persuasive invitation. Observe--
1. The conclusion: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men, and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:36-37.
2. The invitation: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Acts 2:38.
3. The persuasion: "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation," Acts 2:39-40.
4. The results: "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls," Acts 2:41. These were added to the church, by the Lord, Acts 2:47.
5. Conclusion: Peter's sermon conclusion: incorporated both an invitation and sincere motivation or persuasion; for these Jewish believers to obey the gospel of Christ, through repentance and baptism. Observe--
a. He persuaded the audience to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins; and that they might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
b. His persuasion involved the promise of God, not for these alone, but for as many as the Lord will call through the gospel. The promise is unto:
1) You (those present in the audience).
2) To your children, Jewish family.
3) And to the entire afar off, Gentile nations, Isaiah 54:3; Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 61:4; Psalms 2:8; John 10:16; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 2:12-19; Acts 15:13-18.
4) Even as many as the Lord our God shall call, Romans 10:13-17.
c. He encouraged them to save themselves, from this crooked and perverted generation, Acts 2:40.
d. Those that received his words were baptized; and, added to the church that same day, Acts 2:41; Acts 2:47; Acts 5:14.
e. He preached Christ unto them; and, then persuaded believers: "to be obedient unto the faith," Acts 6:7; Acts 11:24; Acts 13:48.
C. The judgment of God. Paul wrote: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences," 2 Corinthians 5:10-11. Paul also persuaded believers to prepare for the judgment of God. Observe—
1. Everyone shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ, Romans 14:10-12.
2. That they might receive a reward for things done in their body, whether good or bad, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
3. Paul persuaded men because of the terror of God, Hebrews 12:28-29; Psalms 50:3; Psalms 97:3; Isaiah 66:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Matthew 10:28.
4. Being made manifest unto God, and unto the consciences of all the believers.
5. Day of salvation. Today is the day of salvation. When the gospel is heard, believed and understood; it should then be obeyed. The ministers must preach the urgency of obedience to the gospel. Yesterday is gone; today is nigh, but tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Paul wrote:
a. First, "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)," 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Isaiah 49:8.
b. Further, "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, today if ye will hear his voice, Harden, not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years," Hebrews 3:7-9.
c. Next, "But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin," Hebrews 3:13.
d. Finally, "Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts," Hebrews 4:7. The cry of Jesus for all to repent and come to Him; should not be rejected or postponed until another day, Matthew 11:28-30; Revelation 3:20; John 5:39-40.
6. Conclusion: In the invitation of Christ, the minister must encourage, motivate and persuade believers to: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord," Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Titus 3:5.
D. Compassionate close. The minister's invitation, motivation, and appeal, must be filled with love and compassion for the believer's obedience. Observe—
1. Divine compassion:
a. Jesus' preaching, teaching, and ministry of the word; was full of compassion, Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34; Luke 7:11-15.
b. God is full of compassion. For the God, who sends us is: "Plenteous in mercy and full of compassion," Psalms 86:15; Psalms 111:4; Psalms 145:8.
c. Therefore, His servants must also show mercy, kindness, and compassion to others in their preaching and appeal, speaking the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15.
2. Compassionate High Priest. Paul wrote: "For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and them that are out of the way; for that, he also is compassed with infirmity," Hebrews 5:1-2; Hebrews 4:15.
3. Saints must have compassion. Christians must show and demonstrate compassion one to another. This is also true in our preaching and teaching. Consider--
a. Paul wrote: "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will," 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Galatians 6:1.
b. Peter wrote: "Finally, be all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous," 1 Peter 3:8; 1 Peter 3:15.
c. Jude wrote: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh," Jude 1:20-23.
NOTE: See our lesson, "Our God is Able," on SermonCentral.com. It presents an exhaustive discussion of Jude's text, above.
4. Conclusion: Our preaching and work must be full of love and compassion, Micah 6:8; 1 John 3:17-18; Hebrews 13:1-2. Ministers, evangelists, preachers, and leaders should be known as men full of compassion, mercy, and grace.
a. We should be able to tell the story of Christ with kindness, and love; unto those desiring to hear about Jesus, Acts 8:5-8; Acts 8:26-39.
b. As we move to a conclusion, let's consider one additional point regarding persuasion.
c. We must not be persuaded by; or a pleaser of men, in the message of Christ.
E. Persuader of men. Paul wrote: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again: If any man preaches any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you brethren; that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ," Galatians 1:7-12. Observe—
1. Removed from grace. These new babes were quickly removed from the grace of Christ; unto a perverted message. Paul affirmed there was no other message than that of the gospel of Christ. Any message from angels and men, differing from it was to be cursed; and those that preached it also, Galatians 1:6-9.
2. Persuader of men. The messenger of Christ must not be a persuader and pleaser of men; but, the servant of God. As already discussed, he remains faithful in preaching: "the things which become sound doctrine," Titus 2:1. Those that are pleasers of men; are not the servants of Christ.
3. Certified gospel. The message given to Paul was the: "certified gospel." It was given to him through the revelation of Christ, Galatians 1:11-12. Consider—
a. The word "revelation" in Gr., is apokalypsis or ä-po-kä'-lü-pses, which means disclosure:—appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, to be revealed.
b. This revelation was a disclosure of truth, instruction, concerning divine things before unknown — especially those relating to the Christian faith — given to the apostles by God, through the Holy Spirit, John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 2:10. It became the foundation of the “Apostle’s doctrine,” Acts 2:42.
c. This divine revelation made manifest:
1) The mystery of Christ and godliness, 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 1:1-3.
2) The dispensation of the "fulness of time," Ephesians 1:10-14; Hebrews 1:1-3.
3) The uncovering of the promise of God for the church, Ephesians 3:1-6.
d. The young ministers, preachers, and teachers must be taught how to:
1) Rightly divide the word of truth. The young ministers must be taught how to: “Rightly divide the word of truth.” Paul told Timothy to: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” 2 Timothy 2:15. This means to “cut it straight!”
2) Renounce hidden things of dishonesty. Paul charges all ministers: “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God,” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2.
a) The word craftiness in Gr., is panourgia, which means adroitness, i.e., (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry :—( cunning) craftiness, in subtilty. To walk in a specious, dishonest or false wisdom, Ephesians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 3:19; 2 Corinthians 11:3.
b) We must always remember our “calling and election.” We have this ministry; we have received mercy, therefore, we faint not. We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty; we do not walk in craftiness; we do not handle the word of God deceitfully.
c) We must walk in the truth; we must commend ourselves, to every man’s conscience, in the sight of God. If we do these things, we shall never fall! 2 Peter 1:5-11.
4. Conclusion: The mature ministers, evangelists, preachers, and leaders must prepare their younger ministers for the challenges ahead in their preaching. One thing they will be called upon to do: is to remain sound in the faith. Further, to confined their preaching and teaching to the gospel of Christ; as given to the apostles by the Holy Spirit. Finally, they should preach with love and commitment to Christ; and, not to be persuaded by anyone, to be pleasers of men. We have covered a lot of ground in this lesson, the art of preaching. As we move to a conclusion, let me quickly review some key points. Recall we discussed--
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
3. The Art of Persuasion
B. Summarize main points.
1. We investigated the "art of persuasion" in the man of God's preaching and teaching, of the word of God. The sermon began with the reading of the text. It continued with the minister following good presentation skills. He started with the aim or proposition of the sermon. He stated clearly the points of the lesson; moving systematically through the sermon from one point to the other.
2. He established how each point harmonized with the others; validating the aim of the lesson. Finally, he moved into the conclusion of the lesson; with an invitation, motivation and persuasion. He encouraged the believers to act on the word of God: in obedience to the gospel of Christ.
C. Invitation. Present the plan of salvation, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies, Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. Clarke Commentary on the Bible, Eight Volumes, Published 1810-1826, New York, Published by J. Emory and B. Waugh, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the conference office, 13 Cosby-Street., J. Collord, Printed, 1831.
6. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
We thank these prolific writers for their wisdom and insight into the Holy Scriptures. We acknowledge here our consultation of their work, in this lesson.
