Empowered Preaching: Relying on the Holy Spirit

In today's message, I explored the profound and paradoxical nature of preaching, emphasizing that it is a task humanly impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit. Preaching is not merely an exercise in rhetoric or oratory; it is a divine miracle where the preacher becomes a vessel through which the Holy Spirit works. The ultimate goal is to bring people to see, savor, and show Christ for who He truly is—glorious, valuable, and beautiful. This cannot be achieved through human effort alone but requires the sovereign work of God's Spirit.

I shared my personal approach to preaching, encapsulated in the acronym APT: Admit, Pray, Trust, and Act. First, I admit my utter dependence on God, acknowledging that without Him, I can do nothing. This is rooted in the understanding that apart from Christ, we are powerless to effect any spiritual change. Second, I pray for the specific help I need, whether it be clarity, humility, or compassion. This is a moment of seeking God's intervention in the preaching task. Third, I trust in the promises of God, believing that He will supply the Spirit and work miracles through the message. This trust is not a vague hope but a confident reliance on specific, blood-bought promises of God. Finally, I act in faith, stepping into the pulpit with the assurance that God will work through me, and afterward, I thank Him for His faithfulness.

Preaching, therefore, is a supernatural act where the preacher and the congregation are both transformed by the Spirit. It is a miracle of seeing, savoring, and showing Christ, and it requires a deep reliance on God's power and promises.

Key Takeaways

• 1. bought promises of God is crucial for preaching. This trust is the channel through which the Holy Spirit is supplied, enabling the preacher to become an instrument of God's miraculous work. [25:16]
  4. The Role of Prayer: Prayer is vital in preparing for and delivering a sermon. It involves seeking God's help for specific needs, such as clarity, humility, and compassion, and trusting that He will provide what is necessary for the message to be effective.
  
  5. Living a Life of Faith: The principles of APT are not just for preaching but for all aspects of life. Living a life of faith involves admitting our dependence on God, praying for His guidance, trusting His promises, and acting in faith, knowing that He is at work in us.
  
  ** [25:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:16] - The Impossible Task of Preaching
• [01:06] - Beyond Natural Abilities
• [02:34] - The Foolishness of the Cross
• [04:02] - The Goal of Preaching
• [05:07] - Expository Exultation
• [06:12] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
• [07:30] - Preaching as a Unique Miracle
• [09:04] - Not I, But Christ
• [11:23] - Paradoxical Statements in Scripture
• [13:10] - The Miracle of Preaching
• [14:11] - The APT Acronym
• [16:10] - Preparing for the Miracle
• [19:39] - The Role of Prayer
• [25:16] - Trusting in God's Promises
• [37:42] - Seeking Specific Promises
• [48:11] - Conclusion and Prayer

1. 1 Corinthians 2:14 - "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
2. Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
3. John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

1. According to 1 Corinthians 2:14, why is the natural person unable to accept the things of the Spirit of God? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the necessity of the Holy Spirit in preaching? [01:26]
2. In Galatians 2:20, what does it mean for Paul to say, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me"? How does this paradox relate to the sermon’s discussion on preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit? [09:49]
3. How does John 15:5 illustrate the concept of dependence on God, as discussed in the sermon? What does this verse suggest about the relationship between abiding in Christ and bearing fruit? [18:24]
4. What is the significance of the acronym APT (Admit, Pray, Trust, Act) in the context of preaching, as explained in the sermon? [14:11]

1. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming both the preacher and the congregation during a sermon? Why is this transformation considered a miracle? [07:30]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between human effort and divine intervention in the act of preaching? How does this relate to the concept of "expository exaltation"? [05:07]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of trusting in God's promises? Why is this trust considered crucial for the supply of the Holy Spirit during preaching? [25:16]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the principles of APT can be applied to aspects of life beyond preaching? How does this relate to living a life of faith? [15:20]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt utterly dependent on God. How did that experience shape your understanding of faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit? [18:24]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer in seeking God's help for specific needs. What specific area in your life do you need to pray for clarity, humility, or compassion? How can you incorporate this into your daily prayer routine? [19:39]
3. Consider the promises of God that you hold onto in your life. How do these promises impact your daily actions and decisions? Can you identify a specific promise that you need to trust more fully? [25:16]
4. The sermon discusses the concept of "not I, but Christ" living in us. How can you apply this principle in your daily interactions and responsibilities? What practical steps can you take to live more fully in this truth? [09:49]
5. How can you incorporate the APT approach (Admit, Pray, Trust, Act) into a current challenge or decision you are facing? What steps will you take this week to apply this approach? [14:11]
6. The sermon highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the glory of Christ. How can you create space in your life to be more receptive to the Spirit's work? What distractions might you need to minimize? [07:30]
7. Think of a person in your life who may not understand the things of the Spirit. How can you be a vessel through which the Holy Spirit works to reveal Christ to them? What specific action can you take this week to engage them in a spiritual conversation? [01:26]