Here's a post from the beginning of Just Jesus: The Greatest Things Ever Said About the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived that will give you a little background information about the book:
It is for sure that the main thing that matters in life, is whether or not one has a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. To borrow biblical terminology, what really matters is: “What think ye of Christ, whose Son is He?”
This I know, anyone who has met this Man along the tragic road of life, and has received Him as their personal Saviour has never been the same. Not only do I know this from observing the lives of others who have believed on Jesus Christ, but I know this from personal experience as well. On December 19, 1979, I had the priviledge and joy of meeting the Man named Jesus Christ in my Air Force dorm room at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. My wretched life was immediately and dramatically changed over night. At the risk of sounding trite, I have never been the same.
I also recognize that this book cannot be limited to a holiday. Indeed, it is a book for all times, because He is a Man for all times. This book is all about Jesus Christ. It is a collection of some of the most eloquent and memorable statements about the One Who died for the sins of the world. These statements were made at different times over the past 2000 years, and by many different people at many different places—but they all give praise to Jesus Christ.
Now, let me, briefly say a word about quotations or memorable statements. When God made each of us, He wired us differently. For example, there are some people who are moved more by music as opposed to just words. On the other hand, there are some people who are moved more by simply reading and hearing the words without music. Both are equally moved, motivated, or encouraged. I happen to be of the latter family, so to speak. I am not big on music. I can live without music, but I cannot do without words, particularly the Word of God. I am a word person. Therefore, words move me just as much as music moves music people. By God’s grace, I can hear the rhythm, cadence, and intervals in a written paragraph as one would hear the same in a music piece. Outside of the Bible itself, probably nothing moves me like a “truth well said,”and that is a quotation or an eloquent statement. Please notice with me what the author Ray Bard said about the power of words:
You study pivotal people and events in history, searching for a common denominator. You hope to identify the recurrent elements of greatness, the keys to phenomenal success. You search for the secret of miracles. After several hundred hours of reading, you reach an utterly inescapable conclusion: words are the most powerful force there has ever been.
Monumental events explode with energetic words, and great leaders are remembered for the things they say. Although a grand idea may carry the seeds of change, it takes powerful words to launch the idea skyward, words strong enough to carry the full weight of vision.
You have seen Rodin’s famous sculpture, The Thinker, and were intrigued the moment you saw it. But how your interest increases when you hear Rodin speak of it! “What makes my Thinker think is that he thinks not only with the brain, with his knitted brow, his distended nostrils, and compressed lips, but with every muscle of his arms, back, and legs; with his clenched fist and gripping toes.” Seeing it now with our ears, we find Rodin’s Thinker far more interesting than when we saw it only with our eyes.
Words are electric; they should be chosen for the emotional voltage they carry. Weak and predictable words cause grand ideas to appear so dull that they fade into the darkness of oblivion. But powerful words in unusual combinations brightly illuminate the mind. (Emphasis by the editor.)
Yes, words are electric. If a sentence does not shock a little, it carries no emotional voltage. When the hearer is not jolted, you can be sure he is not moved. Remember the words of Napoleon: “Small plans do not inflame the hearts of men.”
Words start wars and end them, create love and choke it, bring us to laughter and joy and tears. Words cause men and women willingly to risk their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Our world, as we know it, revolves on the power of words.
Use words that are majestic, words that have the power to inflame people’s hearts and illuminate their minds.
I cannot imagine anyone expounding upon the importance and power of words better than Ray Bard just did. Can you?
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the “prince of preachers,” said:
“If you never quote others, you’ll never be quoted.”
When I first heard or read that famous quote by C.H. Spurgeon many years ago, I rejected it because it seemed to suggest that one could actually learn how to be quotable no matter how uninspired one might be. However, now I can appreciate what Charles Spurgeon said. Here is, at least, one thing that Spurgeon might have meant by that statement: if you do not take the time to read quotes, understand quotes, and use quotes in your preaching, teaching, and speaking, etc., you will never learn how to put an inspired thought in eloquent enough words that it would be memorable or quotable.
What makes a great statement? What makes a statement memorable or quotable? Here is my definition of a quotable statement. A memorable or quotable statement is simply a profound truth succinctly written or spoken in words that are easily remembered and that provokes people to think or to do. This was how we chose the quotes in this book about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, not counting the statements that come from the Holy Scriptures. Of course, the Holy Scriptures represent a different kind of inspiration.
As I said earlier, this book is compiled primarily to bring glory, honour, and praise to Jesus Christ. However, we see how this book can benefit the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, such as: pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Bible teachers, and other Christian speakers as well, when they are preparing a sermon, speech, or lesson. For nothing can prime the pump of a sermon or a Christian speech like a powerful quote from yesteryear.
Also, to my utter amazement, as I began to do the research on this book at the largest seminary in the world—Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, the librarians and I could not find one book that had nothing but quotations about Jesus Christ. By the way, I frankly think it is disrespectful to include Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, in any book, as just another subject among a bunch of other subjects and regular people of history. But that is just me. I apologize, but I had to get that off my chest. Hopefully, this book will fill that void in libraries across America, and around the globe.
As I close this introductory section of this book, let me say that if you have truly been born again, by the grace of God, through accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, then your heart will almost burst with joy and praise as you read what some of the most important people of the past and present, most saved, some even lost, have said about the most important Person Who ever lived. I believe that your spirit will soar to higher heights in praise of the One Who died for us as you read these eloquent and powerful quotations.
The mighty words contained in this book are about the greatest figure Who ever graced the earth—yet my Saviour and Friend, Jesus Christ—Just Jesus!
Image from "Turn Back to God" http://www.turnbacktogod.com/jesus-christ-wallpaper-set-15-crucifixion-images/
Recent Comments