Mighty Deeds and Empty Words
The power of simple announcements lies in their ability to convey the significance of mighty deeds without the need for elaborate words.
The preacher delves into the Greek word 'chortazo,' which means to feed with herbs or grass until fully satisfied, emphasizing the concept of being filled to satisfaction. This term is used in the Bible to describe the miraculous feeding of the multitudes by Jesus, highlighting the abundance and satisfaction provided by God. The sermon explores how 'chortazo' is used figuratively by Jesus to signify experiencing inward satisfaction or contentment with an object or state, ultimately pointing to the deep spiritual longing within each person that only God can satisfy. Various Bible verses and illustrations are used to illustrate the importance of hungering and thirsting for righteousness, seeking God's nourishment, and finding complete satisfaction in Christ alone.
Text
Again, that world-shaking event, the crucifixion of Christ, is stated in four words, "There they crucified him." One shudders to think what fanfare and buildup such a stupendous event would require if written by the shallow novelists or dramatists of our day. To represent such a solemn event on the stage would cost thousands of dollars and would require enough words to fill a dozen pages of script. The reason for the difference is of course that the evangelists felt the crucifixion and instinctively spoke of it in few words.
To follow this thought further, it is only necessary to note the simple brevity of the announcement of our Lord's resurrection.
The "young man" told the inquiring disciples the story in three words: "He is risen." These needed no eloquent preface to such a wondrous announcement. Where there have been mighty deeds, there need be no multitude of words to tell of them. Many words are required only where the deeds have been too feeble to speak for themselves.
Sermon Outline
- The Power of Simple Announcements
- The Brevity of the Resurrection Announcement
- The Connection Between Deeds and Words
- Mighty deeds require no multitude of words
- Many words are needed where deeds are feeble
Key Quotes
“Where there have been mighty deeds, there need be no multitude of words to tell of them.” — A.W. Tozer
“Many words are required only where the deeds have been too feeble to speak for themselves.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should strive to communicate the significance of our experiences and faith in a simple and concise manner.
- When faced with mighty deeds, we should not feel the need to use many words to describe them.
- Our words should be guided by the power and significance of the events we are describing.