“…for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak.” Matthew 10:19
Dear Ones:
We are apt to limit, or explain, the working of the Spirit of God by what we can “see” and “understand.” This is a grave error. When the Apostle John speaks of the new birth, and how one comes to that new birth, he declares: “…not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but OF GOD.” (Jn. 1:12) Correspondingly, we find in Zechariah 4:6, the phrase: “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by MY Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts.” If Jesus declares to us that being born of the Spirit is like the effect and working of the wind that no man can see, nor discern from where and how it blows, is it not so with preaching? Preaching, the declaring of the truth, work, and Person of God, is from heaven, Divinely originated and realized. Did not the Apostle Paul tell us in Romans 9:14,15: “How can they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except THEY BE SENT?”
So, what is preaching, and how is it to be practiced? First of all, we need to see that from beginning to end, it is a spiritual endeavor, the great Alpha initiating it, and realizing it in the heart and life. It is a calling with a certain gift or capacity, but it is also an enabling which is by the Spirit. It is God the Spirit that calls, and enables, that “touches the lips,” “fills the mouth” and heart, and gives the words at the appropriate time. In the gospel of Matthew, the Lord Jesus tells his disciples, when they would be “delivered up,” that they should not be anxious. The reason is declared in the promise: “…for it shall be GIVEN you in that same hour what you shall speak.” “Preaching” is much more than a gift, and an enabling, because it applies to every believer, who is called upon to give an answer for the hope that is within him or her, and this, in season and out of season. How can this be, and realized? “For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of My Father which speaks in you.” (Matt. 10:20) Herein is the key to proclaiming the wondrous works of God, even Spirit of God.
What are the conditions for “preaching?” In Isaiah’s experience, it began by the revelation of the thrice holy God, and Isaiah’s experience of being “undone.” He saw what he was in comparison to the holy God. Then came the live coal from the altar to be put upon his lips…lips that needed to be cleansed from uncleanness, and “prepared for the Master’s use.” In Ezekiel’s experience, we see that the Lord tells him to “eat the scroll…fill thy belly with it.” (Ez. 3:2,3) This scroll speaks of the revealed truth, the written will of God, that is to be the essence of the preaching. If we go to Jeremiah, we find a man confronted with the same God as Isaiah, and Ezekiel. Before the daunting task of receiving the very words of God, and transmitting them to a “rebellious” people, he timidly recoils before the challenge. It is then that the Lord tells him, “…for you shall go to ALL that I send you, and WHATSOEVER I command you, you shall speak.” (Jer. 1:7) Why consider the experience of these three men with regard to preaching? Ultimately, it unveils to us a way of life for us all, one of living by the power of the Spirit, in all that we do and say. We may not have the “gift” or “calling” as an evangelist or pastor, but we are ALL called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His most marvelous light, by our lives and words.
Dear Father, give us to understand that on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit came, every man and woman in that upper room was filled with the Spirit, “declaring the wondrous the works of God.” (Acts 2:11) Open our eyes to see that, though we may not have the specific gift of being a pastor or evangelist, yet, the same miracle of declaring the wonders, and greatness of God, is ours by the Spirit…today. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad