Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

PRICE OF POWER When Jonathan Edwards preached his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," whole congregations were swayed under the power of the preaching. Once a man sprang to his feet, ran down the aisle and cried, "Mr. Edwards, have mercy." Others caught hold of the backs of the pews lest they should slip into perdition. This one sermon rocked New England, and its influence is still felt today. What was the secret of that sermon's power? For three days before Mr. Edwards preached this sermon, he fasted and prayed. He cried out to God, "Give me New England! Give me New England!" Mr. Edwards refused to sleep, preferring to be alone with Jesus. When Christ called His disciples, Mark records: And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him (3:14). Christ knew that one day the Twelve would be called upon to witness for Him, and only by being with Him would they have the power to do so. In being with Christ, they learned how to act and react. They grew to know His nature, and this could help them understand how He wanted them to live before the world. One senses that they learned more by their association with Him than from His messages. If the Christian is to overcome and be an effective "fisher of men" today, he also must take time to be with Jesus. As soul winners, we must turn away from our own concerns and absorb ourselves in prayer and communion. Jesus said to the disciples: I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49).