Plain Talk Vol.18, No.11, Pg.5 - Cedar Park Church of Christ

Vol. 18, No. 11	January, 1982
*USE YOUR BIBLE*

Intro. "WE PERSUADE MEN" (2 Cor. 5:9-11) 1. Definition of persuade (Gr. PEITHO)

a. Vine: "..signifies to apply persuasion, to prevail upon or win over, to persuade, bringing about a change of mind by the influence of reason or moral considerations..."

b. Only persuaded men change & God only persuades by gospel (1 Cor. 1:18-21) (Not direct operation. of HS, experiences, feelings) etc.)

2. Why Paul persuaded men

a. To be well-pleasing to God, vs. 9 b. To prepare self and others for judgment, v.10 c. Out of fear for the Lord, v. 11

I. THINGS MEN NEED TO BE PERSUADED ABOUT A. Their sins (Jn. 16:8)

1. As David, Herod, Pentecostians, etc. 2. A sense of sin essential to repentance

B. Their Saviour

1. The remedy for sin, Matt. 1:21 2. Thus, Acts 28:23 (the persuaded believed); Acts 5:42; Jn. 8:24

C. Their accountability to God

1.V.10, "For we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat.." 2. Rom. 14:12; Acts 17:30,31 (implies consequences of sin)

II. HOW MEN ARE TO BE PERSUADED A. With the word of God

1. Seen in story of Lazarus &. rich mar:, Lk. 16:27-31 2. Rom. 1:16; called "word of reconciliation", 2 Cor. 5:19 3. Men come to Christ. only as they hear & learn word of God, Jn. 6:45 4. NOT persuaded with gimmicks, food & frolic, appeal to carnal

B. With a sense of urgency ("the night cometh")

C. With a spirit of boldness (Eph. 6:20; Acts 4:29; NOT apologetic, etc.

D. With love and genuine concern (Eph. 4:15) and longsuffering (2 Tim. 4:2)

III. WHO IS TO DO THE PERSUADING? A. Faithful men (2 Tim. 2:2)

1. Only persuaded people can persuade others 2. Men, like Paul, who fear the Lord & want to please Him 3. Those who are persuaded about the judgment and its consequences

IV. WHEN ARE MEN TO BE PERSUADED? A. Now! (2 Cor. 6:2)

1. "As we have opportunity" (Gal. 6:10); lit. "while we can" 2. Most intend, plan & prepare while opportunities pass & sinners die. NOW is the time to be involved in the great. work of persuading men! Dan S. Shipley

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