Spirit-Anointed Preaching, Part 3

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

Spirit-anointed preaching has one divine prerequisite: Spirit-anointed or controlled living. Any pastor who has prepared a sermon can tell you how difficult a Sunday sermon can be when his personal life is out of step with the Holy Spirit.

We cannot separate our preaching from our living. Preaching is derived from Spirit-filled living, not vice versa. It’s no mistake that the men whose ministries have affected the multitudes were men whose affections and actions were ruled by the Holy Spirit.

The pastor who is the servant of sin during the week will find it very difficult to be God’s oracle on Sunday. That’s the way God has designed it because He is interested in what motivates a man, not just his message.

When a minister is controlled by the Spirit, he is living an obedient life “...so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:32). When a minister is controlled by the Spirit, he is living a pure life. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

A pastor who is obedient and pure in motivation and behavior has the power of the Holy Spirit for a truly Spirit-anointed ministry. The Holy Word of God is to be proclaimed by holy men of God.

“...man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7