An evangelist is described in Macmillan's Modern Dictionary as "an enthusiast or a revivalist." In this same dictionary an enthusiast is presented as "one who is very zealous or intensely eager (in support of anything)." The lexicographer, while strangely omitting the sacred significance of the evangelist's office in this brief description, has hit upon the element in the "revivalist's" make-up that is his greatest asset—his zealous, intense eagerness. It is this prominent element that challenges emulation, The "zeal" of the Lord's "house" consumed the vital energy of Jesus in His ministry for men. (Ps. 69:9.) He was aware that the task of vitalizing others could not be accomplished without devitalizing Himself.
Is it any wonder, then, that enthusiasm is so important in an evangelist—the most distinctive type of soul winner of which our denominational classification of workers can boast ! It was this quality in preachers that led Abraham Lincoln to say, "I like to see a man preach as though he were fighting bees." This fact, however, does not presuppose the vaudevillian, or spectacular, in the evangelist. This intense, burning passion to save souls will spring spontaneously from a burdened, Christ-possessed heart, manifesting itself in self-forgetful expressiveness that need not depend for its power upon premeditated externals. "The miracle-working power of Christ's grace is revealed in the creation in man of a new heart, a higher life, a holier enthusiasm."—"Testimonies," V ol. IX, p. 152.
I once stood behind the curtains out of view of a large audience, within ten feet of an evangelist engaged in addressing the people, and marveled at the degree of energy that he put into every sentence. His eyes sparkled with a holy fire, while his lips moved with remarkable ease. He clearly, freely enunciated every word, well chosen to appeal to needy hearts. There was perceptible silence in the auditorium as the Spirit of God shot the arrows of truth into receptive minds. And yet there was nothing theatrical in the evangelist's manner. He did not need to be theatrical. He had his slides to help him, but most of all he had earnestness and zeal, which, after all, were his greatest asset.
Oh, that we preachers could experience more than we do the vitalizing infilling of the Holy Spirit, for it is this heavenly torch that sets the latent powers and energies of the heart's altar ablaze for Jesus. When the Comforter comes, the enthusiasm needful in both public and personal ministry appears. In fact, every needed blessing for service follows in the train of this heavenly Guest.
If a man advertises himself as an evangelist, he puts himself on display before a curious public who expect to see in his sermons and mannerisms the outworking of a zeal and message that is heaven born. His meetings, including prayers, announcements, song services, and lectures, must be vital and soul stirring. To accomplish this, each meeting must be well planned and well timed. One great power which adds sparkle to the revivalist's announcements and lectures is his choice of words. It is not the high-sounding, philosophical diction, but rather the short, picturesque, pithy Anglo-Saxon words put together in silhouette-clear perspective, that captures the ear and wins the hearts.
The Evangelist's Choice of Words
More word symbols that create mental pictures in the minds of our listeners are needed in our evangelistic sermons. Anyone who reads Moody's sermons will conclude that he was a master at this, even though his grammar may have been atrocious. The power of the Gospels lies not alone in their heavenly inspiration, but in the wise choice of simple, forceful words and expressions used by the Master and His four inspired biographers. Peter's powerful sermon at Pentecost, Stephen's scholarly defense in the presence of the Sanhedrin, and Paul's immortal stand for the gospel before Festus, Felix, and Agrippa, are Biblical examples of enthusiasm keyed to its highest legitimate pitch by the skillful use of simple, heart-stirring speech.
Consistency and naturalness are necessary characteristics of the evangelist's enthusiasm. The man who is on fire for the lost in the pulpit should not let that fire go out when he is in the homes of the people. If he does, the type of sinner that Jesus represents as a wayside hearer in the parable will quickly notice the casual spirit of the preacher, mark him as a hypocrite, and lose interest in the message he preaches.
There are probably several causes for this inconsistency. First, the presence of sin in the life, driving out the Spirit of God; second, the failure to spend time alone with God in study and prayer ; third, a tired, overworked mind and body much in need of sleep and rest. If we would consistently present a front typical of our office as evangelical preachers—divinely appointed "enthusiasts"—we should see to it that these three causes for failure in our work are removed.
I have written of enthusiasm as an asset and aid. But it is more than that. It is a necessity. The apocalyptic message entrusted to the ministry of the remnant church. must be preached with power and holy enthusiasm. Anything short of this would be a betrayal of our trust. We read in "Gospel Workers:"
"In a town in New England a well was being dug. When the work was nearly finished, while one man was still at the bottom, the earth caved in and buried him. Instantly the alarm was sent out, and mechanics, farmers, merchants, lawyers, hurried breathlessly to the rescue. Ropes, ladders, spades, and shovels were brought by eager, willing hands. 'Save him, 0 save him !' was the cry. Men worked with desperate energy, till the sweat stood in beads upon their brows and their arms trembled with the exertion. At length a pipe was thrust down, through which they shouted to the man to answer if he were still alive. The response came, 'Alive, but make haste. It is fearful in here.' With a shout of joy they renewed their efforts, and at last he was reached and saved, and the cheer that went up seemed to pierce the very heavens. 'He is saved !' echoed through every street in the town.
"Was this too great zeal and interest, too great enthusiasm, to save one man ? It surely was not ; but what is the loss of temporal life in comparison with the loss of a soul? If the threatened loss of a life will arouse in human hearts a feeling so intense, should not the loss of a soul arouse even deeper solicitude in men who claim to realize the danger of those apart from Christ ? Shall not the servants of God show as great zeal in laboring for the salvation of souls as was shown for the life of that one man buried in a well?"—Pages 31, 32.
May God help us to be "enthusiasts" in the true sense of the word—evangelists preaching with an enthusiasm born of the love of God and the love of men for whom Christ died.
