Several times a month, I will surf through the library of YouTube videos and watch a select few from my favorite speakers. Many of the videos I have seen countless times and some I almost know every word, but each time I hear them, the message is still powerful. The words still influence my heart and my actions. They will motivate me and inspire me for greater service. But where does the power live? Is it in the speaker or the message? Take a moment and look at the six items below and see “Six Powers Behind a Powerful Message.”
The speaker believed the message—In each of my favorite speeches throughout the years, each speaker believed (believes) the message they were presenting. Their belief came through in their actions, words, emotions and gestures. The belief of the speaker was so strong, some of it, if not all of it, was transferred to the listeners on every occasion. Without believing the words you are saying, your message will not fall on the listeners with power – it will just fall.
The speaker gave the audience time to think—Each famous speaker delivered the message in a way to give people time to think. The speaker presented words and offered solutions and even got personal, all the while allowing the listeners to hear and digest the words.
The speaker used breaks and pauses in the message—While this point relies heavily on point #2 (and vice versa), the power in a pause or a break in the speech will help the listeners digest and concentrate on the message. Pauses and breaks in a message not only give the listeners time to think, they convey the serious matters of the message. Try pausing for a small amount of time and see how many people look at you, waiting for the next words.
The message challenged the listeners—Ever wonder why some people can fall asleep in a sermon or at a conference? There are many reasons, but I am convinced there is another—we do not challenge them! You can attend seminar after seminar and never be challenged, and you will have just been to “another seminar.” But challenge the people with a message that makes them move their feet, and those people will tell everyone about the “event” they attended!
The message showed the listeners the future; whether good or bad—Remember the challenge of point #4—point #5 is the thought process. Showing your audience the future, no matter good or bad, makes them act! If you are selling them a product, then show them the efficiency they will have and the great sales they can make or the grand lifestyle they will live. If you want them to take action on something that has been wrong, show them where the dangerous road will lead and challenge them to change the course because of the consequences to come. Take your audience into the future and begin changing tomorrow today!
The message was the motivation for the people—Close your message by motivating the people to take action today, not tomorrow! The great messages of the past motivated the people to change at that very moment! Even in today’s society we are feeling the effects from people who took action hundreds of years ago because of their motivation to live better. Motivate your audience to achieve the next level- Leave them motivated!
These are just six points to get your mind racing toward becoming a greater speaker. Spend time this week and listen to those famous speeches of the past and see how these six points made a difference! Remember, to achieve greatness, you must put them into practice each day. In your next meeting or sales opportunity, try two these steps and see how they work for you. It will take some practice, but practice is necessary for achievement!
Enjoy your day!
Just some thoughts,
OurWork
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While we would never wish harm and turmoil on others, maybe these uncertain times can teach a valuable lesson.
As Christians we must be aware the world is always full of turmoil and chaos. (Matthew 24-25) Many times Christians do not understand all that happens in the world because we focus our minds on heaven. (Colossians 3.2)
Christians are blessed with a unique perspective because we set our minds on higher things; the things of God. When we are focused on heaven, we understand the things of the Earth will pass away. (1 John 2.17) This focus on eternity is something we need to renew each day. (2 Corinthians 4.16-18)
Many times, the turmoil we see in the world allows us to see the frailty of life. When we see the pain, uncomfortableness this world has experienced, we long for heaven. As Solomon, we can see the toil from our labors and realize the most important thing is,
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Life is short. Are we ready?
Uncertain times like we are in help us to realize the shortness of life, we must be ready for everlasting life. Are you ready?
On February 23, 2020, Chitetsu Watanabe did in Nigate, Japan as the oldest man on Earth. Mr. Watanabe was ten days short of being 113 years old. He was born on March 5, 1907.
After the Guinness World Records recognized him as the World’s Oldest Living Man, Mr. Watanabe become known for his response to the question regarding the secret to longevity. His answer was, “…not to get angry and keep a smile on your face.” 1
The Bible speaks to removing anger and not focusing on anger. Consider these passages,
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” (Psalms 37:8)
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)
For Christians, anger can be a fire which consumes our thoughts and our soul. Focusing on anger causes individuals to lose their focus on God and His ability to take care of His people. (Romans 8)
When you get angry, where do your thoughts go? God wants to hear from His people. He wants us to share our thoughts with Him. He cares for us and wants us to go to Him. (1 Peter 5.7)
When you get angry, do you remember that God is in control?
Take time to consider why you get angry and remember that God is in control. Since God is always in control, we can smile. We know he cares for us. Remember Psalm 55.22.
On November 22, 1986, Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion of all time. His fame ultimately deteriorated to infamy, which makes one of his most famous quotes so poignant because it’s autobiographical. He said, and it’s often been repeated with variance, “Everybody has a plan until they get hit.” The year 2020 began with a lot of plans until we got hit. (1)
2020 has been a tough year for many. Each one has felt the effects of this traumatic time. However, as we enter August, what does it mean for Christians?
The words of Jesus from Matthew 6.34 come to mind every week, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
While each of us know these words, in times like the current, these words might be hard to comprehend. It is important that we remember Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13.8). He has sat down at the right hand (Hebrews 12.2) has not left us to fend for our own, but made a way for us to access the Father (1 Timothy 2.5).
God wants to hear from you, and we need to communicate with Him (Luke 18.1). Even when we do not know what to say (maybe in a time like this) His spirit intercedes for us with groanings too strong for words (Romans 8.26).
While we may have had a plan for 2020, our plans probably changed. Remember, just because our plans may have changed, our citizenship in Heaven should have not changed (Philippians 3.20).
Let each of us talk to our Father and approach Him knowing that His Son has made a way for us. May we be blessed.
Last week, we looked at the importance of baptism in Romans 6.1-5. As Romans 6 describes baptism as the action that creates a new life. It is important to remember that Romans is written by the apostle Paul. (Romans 1.1)
Paul was a changed man from the road to Damascus forward. His life before the Damascus Road was steeped in Judaism and the goal of crushing Christianity. His life after the Damascus Road was about the spread of Christianity and its superiority to Judaism.
When Paul spoke of the gospel of Christ, Paul spoke of baptism. In his encounter with the Jewish crowd, Paul recounted his travel on the road to Damascus to the people seeking to kill him. (Acts 21.31) As Paul told them of his conversion account to Christianity, he spoke of the Damascus Road and his discussion with Ananias which lead Paul to baptism. Notice what Ananias told Paul,
And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ (Acts 22.14-16)
Notice Ananias words. Remember this was the man that Jesus said, “Rise and go into Damascus, and there you till be told, all that is appointed for you to do.” (Acts 22.10; see also Acts 9.6)
When Jesus told Paul to go into Damascus, Ananias told Paul what to do and it included baptism. (See Acts 22.16)
For years, the churches of Christ have been known for emphasis on the topic of baptism. Baptism has been a constant discussion among theologicals for hundreds, it not a couple thousand years.
As various religious groups have found themselves divided over baptism, it is key to look at what the Bible says regarding baptism. One overlooked passage is Romans 6.1-14. For instance, look at a few of the questions and let Romans 6 answer them:
Is baptism really important?
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6.3)
When one is baptized they are baptized into Christ – that is really important.
What does baptism do?
“We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6.4)
Baptism connects one with the death of Jesus and the raising to walk in a new life – that is really important.
Is baptism necessary?
“For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. (Romans 6:5)
To be united with Christ, you must be baptized – that is really important.
