Spirit-filled preaching is not a new concept. It was in the power of the Holy Spirit that Peter preached the great Pentecost sermon recorded in Acts. However, I fear that the prominence of faith-healers and health and wealth preachers that often appeal to miraculous signs and wonders and power from the Holy Spirit has caused many to shirk away from seeking the filling of the spirit in preaching.
Modern era preachers ranging from Spurgeon to Lloyd-Jones and even Vines speak of this power using terms like “unction” of the Spirit. The book of Acts records that the apostles’ preaching was accompanied by signs and wonders. Those signs were not intended to draw attention to the preachers, but rather to validate the message from God. We have become so leery of the frauds in our society that many preachers have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.
Rather than reject the extremes claimed by some, many have simply chosen to avoid talking about powerful preaching. Some have settled for soft or fun sermons without the needed supernatural ingredient. Some have even sought to become so polished in their delivery that they simply ignore the necessity of the Holy Spirit in the act of preaching. Spurgeon once said something to the effect of, “prepare to preach as if the Holy Spirit would not be present and then preach as though you had never prepared.” Preaching, like so many other aspects of the Christian life that exist in tension is 100% God and 100% man.
If you refuse your obligation in preparation, you cannot expect the sermon to be powerful and effective to your audience. On the other hand, if you attempt to do it only in your strength, you should not expect that the people will respond outside of the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Do not let the Television spectacles of the 21st Century dissuade you from claiming power in the pulpit. Cry out to God for fresh anointing in your ministry and in your preaching. The power of God can bring about great revivals in our land.
