Word and Spirit Together
This series has walked the preacher from the study to the pulpit: analyzing the text, finding its main idea, building the structure, explaining and applying, writing for the ear, handling every kind of text, and connecting with real people. A man can do every one of those steps well and still preach a lifeless sermon. The last word of the series is not another step. It is dependence on the Holy Spirit.
“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”1 THESSALONIANS 1:5 · KJV
Read Paul carefully. He does not say the Gospel came not in word. He says not unto you in word only. The words mattered. Paul preached real content, and the Thessalonians received the word (1 Thessalonians 1:6). But the words came also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. The word translated assurance means full conviction. The same Spirit who gave the Word went with it, and the hearers were persuaded. Then Paul adds, as ye know what manner of men we were among you. The power of the Spirit, the content of the Word, and the life of the preacher went together.
Preaching in which the Holy Spirit, working through the faithful proclamation of the Word He inspired, gives the preacher boldness and clarity and brings the truth home to the hearts of the hearers. It adds no new revelation. It carries the written Word with power.
The Spirit who moved holy men of God to write (2 Peter 1:21) is the Spirit who empowers that Word when it is preached and who opens the hearts of those who hear it. When Paul preached by the river at Philippi, Luke records both sides: Lydia heard us, and the Lord opened her heart, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul (Acts 16:14). Paul spoke, and the Lord opened. Neither replaced the other. Why We Preach the Word showed from 1 Corinthians 2 that Paul's preaching came in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. This study asks what that means for the man in the pulpit next Sunday.
Vines and Shaddix close Power in the Pulpit by warning against letting the process of sermon preparation become mechanical. The methods should become second nature through weekly practice, so that the preacher's heart is free for God. Method serves the preacher. It never replaces the Spirit.
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For Deeper Study
- Power in the PulpitAmazon Jerry Vines and Jim ShaddixThe Southern Baptist textbook this series follows, which treats the anointing of God as a foundation of preaching.
- Spirit-Led PreachingAmazon Greg HeislerA Southern Baptist preaching professor on the Spirit's role in both sermon preparation and delivery.
- Power Through PrayerAmazon E. M. BoundsA Methodist pastor's short, searching classic on the praying preacher.
- Lectures to My StudentsAmazon Charles H. SpurgeonA Calvinistic Baptist's lectures to young preachers, including the preacher's private prayer and the Holy Spirit in connection with the ministry.
- Preaching and PreachersAmazon D. Martyn Lloyd-JonesWelsh Calvinistic Methodist and Reformed. A stirring call to preaching as logic on fire; read with care where he ties the Spirit's power to his view of a baptism of the Spirit after conversion.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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The Work of the Spirit
The Spirit convicts the world, regenerates the believer, baptizes him into Christ's body, indwells and seals every child of God, and fills those who yield to Him.
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