Authoritative preaching affects the mind of listeners (Jn.7:45-46). The preaching of Jesus was with authority. That authority was from the Father that sent Him. Paul, the apostle, and other soul-winners of his day bear many fruits because they have, and knew they have the authority of the Lord that sent them (Rom. 1:5-6; 1Cor. 2:4-5; 1Thess. 1:5; Jn. 20:21). As the Father sent our saviour with authority, so has our Saviour sent us.

(Rom. 1:1,5-6, 15; Matt. 7:28-29).

A successful soul-winner knows and believes that there is authority bestowed on him by the Lord for the purpose of winning souls (Jn. 15:16; 20:21). But a believer who is ignorant of, or lack faith in this authority while witnessing Christ to new ones will not profit them, for he is not better than the one without authority, as the preaching or teaching of both will be like that of the Scribes, and that of the self-acclaimed prophets of old whose messages never transformed the people’s lives (cons. Matt. 7:28-29; Jer. 23:21-22,28-29). For such ignorance to be killed among the Ephesians brethren, Paul the apostle prayed God to open their understanding to know what they have so as to make good use of it (cons. Eph. 1:18-22).

Whenever you are preaching to sinners or new-converts, always bear such words of the Master as these in your mind: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:…”; “…Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so, send I you.”