Returning to the Heart of Preaching: The Call for Holy Spirit Guidance
2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
If there is a part of our legacy of faith that we need reviving in our day, it is that holy men of God would again speak as they are moved by the Holy Ghost. Question; when you preach, what moves you to say what you say? Is it personal opinion? Is it other’s expectations? Is it what others have said that you feel compelled to repeat because it sounds good to you? Is it tradition that compels you to speak? Is it applause that motivates you? Is it money that is the driving force that molds your messages? Is it religious peer pressure? Is it a fear of being exiled from the fellowship that shapes your words? Is it revenge that controls your tongue? Could it be a need to be heard that drives you, because you’ve never been heard before, and now is your chance to be in the spotlight? Is it your hunger for power, or your lust for control?
I ask again, what moves you, or what motivates you to say what you say when you stand to speak to God’s people? These questions need to be answered honestly and thoroughly by every person who professes to be a God-called preacher. What we ought to be willing to do is not speak at all if what we are saying is not guided by the leading of the Blessed Holy Ghost.
However, I’m afraid that a great deal of “man-made” sermons are “preached” across the world Sunday after Sunday, hence one of the primary reasons a good number of churches are not revived, no matter what style, method, denomination, gimmick, trinket, or program they claim or adopt. We’ve tried everything! Here’s an idea; what about preaching only what the Bible says, as we are moved only by the Holy Ghost? Too old-fashioned? I think not!
Some things never change; one of those being our need for Holy Ghost filled preaching of the Word of God. I would suggest that if more of our pulpits were filled with the Holy Ghost, then more of our pews would also be filled with the Holy Ghost! May God grace us one more time with some holy men of God who will speak as they are moved by His Spirit, and His Spirit alone! I can’t speak for anyone else, but I personally have heard enough of men’s opinions, men’s agendas, men’s religions, and men’s boastings!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
If there is a part of our legacy of faith that we need reviving in our day, it is that holy men of God would again speak as they are moved by the Holy Ghost. Question; when you preach, what moves you to say what you say? Is it personal opinion? Is it other’s expectations? Is it what others have said that you feel compelled to repeat because it sounds good to you? Is it tradition that compels you to speak? Is it applause that motivates you? Is it money that is the driving force that molds your messages? Is it religious peer pressure? Is it a fear of being exiled from the fellowship that shapes your words? Is it revenge that controls your tongue? Could it be a need to be heard that drives you, because you’ve never been heard before, and now is your chance to be in the spotlight? Is it your hunger for power, or your lust for control?
I ask again, what moves you, or what motivates you to say what you say when you stand to speak to God’s people? These questions need to be answered honestly and thoroughly by every person who professes to be a God-called preacher. What we ought to be willing to do is not speak at all if what we are saying is not guided by the leading of the Blessed Holy Ghost.
However, I’m afraid that a great deal of “man-made” sermons are “preached” across the world Sunday after Sunday, hence one of the primary reasons a good number of churches are not revived, no matter what style, method, denomination, gimmick, trinket, or program they claim or adopt. We’ve tried everything! Here’s an idea; what about preaching only what the Bible says, as we are moved only by the Holy Ghost? Too old-fashioned? I think not!
Some things never change; one of those being our need for Holy Ghost filled preaching of the Word of God. I would suggest that if more of our pulpits were filled with the Holy Ghost, then more of our pews would also be filled with the Holy Ghost! May God grace us one more time with some holy men of God who will speak as they are moved by His Spirit, and His Spirit alone! I can’t speak for anyone else, but I personally have heard enough of men’s opinions, men’s agendas, men’s religions, and men’s boastings!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill