A Certain Man . . Smote the King of Israela Certain Man . . Smote the King of Israel
Effective soul-winning requires discovering the vulnerable part of a man and striking there, with the help of the Holy Ghost.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of understanding the vulnerabilities of individuals when sharing the Gospel, likening people to armored figures who protect themselves with excuses and justifications. He argues that effective soul-winning requires discernment to identify the 'joints' in their armor where the truth can penetrate. Meyer stresses the necessity of self-examination, deep study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to reveal the true nature of sin and the need for God's grace. He calls for a more profound analysis of sin in contemporary society, urging Christians to help others recognize their shortcomings in light of God's laws.
Text
A certain man . . smote the king of Israel
between the joints of the harness. 1 Kings xxii. 34.
EVERY man we meet is clothed in armour; in other words, we all cover ourselves with plates on which to receive the thrust of accusation and reproach. "I only do as others." "I do not see any special harm in it." "My father did it before me." "I cannot help it." Such are some of the plates in the armour of the soul; and our work as Christian workers becomes abortive in so many instances, because we are content to belabour the plates, instead of striking home to the one place where the armour joints are. Successful soul‑winning depends on discovering the vulnerable part of a man, and striking there. But all this demands a very special discernment of spirits, and anointing of the Holy Ghost. Only so can we detect where best to bring about conviction, and make men know their need of the Gospel of God's grace. The great need of the present day is a sharper and more searching analysis of sin. Men need to be shown how they are violating the laws of God. They assent generally to the Scriptural statements of what God requires, but fail to realize how greatly they have come short. You are almost sure to hit, if you begin to show the various ways in which respectably‑living people are coming under the Divine sentence.
But several conditions must be fulfilled. (1) Study well your own heart. (2) Be a deep student of the biographies of Scripture; because every type of human character is delineated in Holy Writ. (3) Open your heart to the Holy Ghost, through whom alone you can discern spirits. He is a discerner of the thoughts of the heart, and will teach you to cut to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow.
Sermon Outline
- The Armour of the Soul
- The Vulnerable Part of a Man
- The Need for a Sharper Analysis of Sin
- Conditions for Effective Soul-Winning
- Study your own heart
- Study the biographies of Scripture
- Open your heart to the Holy Ghost
Key Quotes
“Successful soul-winning depends on discovering the vulnerable part of a man, and striking there.” — F.B. Meyer
“Men need to be shown how they are violating the laws of God.” — F.B. Meyer
“The great need of the present day is a sharper and more searching analysis of sin.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- As a Christian worker, I must be willing to study my own heart and the biographies of Scripture to develop the necessary discernment for soul-winning.
- I must open my heart to the Holy Ghost to receive the anointing necessary for effective soul-winning.
- I must be willing to show people how they are violating God's laws and help them see their need for the Gospel of God's grace.