Preach It Tenderly
Preach with compassion, humility, and love to melt the hearts of those you reach.
Arthur Vess emphasizes the importance of preaching tenderly with tears of compassion, mirroring Jesus in Gethsemane, to touch the hearts of both saints and sinners. Despite facing opposition from the Pharisees and Sadducees, the preacher is encouraged to continue in humility, seeking God's blessing even in the face of stress and persecution. The goal is to soften hearts through love, leading to repentance and transformation, as the preacher's love for souls becomes a catalyst for melting both their own heart and the hearts of the listeners.
Text
Preach it tenderly, with tears of compassion from Gethsemane, flowing from your hearts through your eyes and words, so that every place you go, saints and sinners will say, "He preaches so tenderly, and with such an humble spirit." The Pharisees and Saducees will both accuse and abuse you, but preach so that God will bless you, while others would stress you. You must melt the hearts before they can yield and repent. 'Your love for souls must melt your own heart and their hearts.
Sermon Outline
- Preaching with Compassion
- Tears of Compassion from Gethsemane
- Flowing through Hearts, Eyes, and Words
Key Quotes
“Preach it tenderly, with tears of compassion from Gethsemane, flowing from your hearts through your eyes and words” — Arthur Vess
“Your love for souls must melt your own heart and their hearts.” — Arthur Vess
Application Points
- Make an effort to preach with compassion and a humble spirit.
- Recognize the importance of melting the hearts of those you preach to.
- Prioritize love for souls in your preaching and evangelism efforts.