By George Small, FAS Speaker
I remember when the Holy Spirit first engulfed me with His anointing while I preached. I could see the Holy Spirit stirring and transforming lives. But this kind of Holy Spirit anointed, biblical preaching in the pulpit is elusive today, and that we see more “non-preaching” in the pulpit, as J.I. Packer calls it.
So what do we need to do to rediscover the power of Holy Spirit led, biblical preaching?
First: Believe that God wants to anoint us with the power of His Holy Spirit every time we preach as He did Stephen in Acts 6:10. The listeners “could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”
Second: Understand the urgency of Holy Spirt anointed, biblical preaching. The Apostle Paul gave Timothy, “this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Tim. 4:1-2). “Patience” could also be translated “utmost urgency.”
Third: Know that God wants to anoint every preacher with the POWER of His Holy Spirit every time s/he preaches. “For since in the wisdom of God the world by its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased to save those who believe by the foolishness of preaching” (1 Cor. 1:21).
Fourth: John R. W. Stott says that biblical preaching is to expound Scripture in such a way as to open up the inspired text with such faithfulness and sensitivity that God’s voice is heard and his people obey him. Preaching is God speaking in the power of His Spirit about His Son from His word through a person.
Bryan Chappell writes,” When we speak the truths of the Word of God, we are not simply speaking about Jesus, nor are we simply speaking for Jesus. We are speaking as Jesus.” Our world longs to hear the voice of God. Preacher, you are His voice in the pulpit. Sir, we would see Jesus (John 12:21). Let’s covenant together to be Holy Spirit anointed, biblical preachers.