The Highest Calling

"Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season..." (2 Tim. 4:2, ESV).
NB: We are called to be Christ's ambassadors, preaching the gospel.

What this means is that preparation (and knowing the Word is implied here) is a requisite for preaching.  One needs to be ready for any opportunity God may give, in opening doors to preach--being sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. There is a world of difference between preaching and teaching and some teachers end up preaching!  (or should I say, in some cases, lecturing) and the latter may be "interesting, edifying, challenging, and informative (like info FYI)," but preaching takes it to the next level and faith comes by the preaching of the Word, while teaching is for discipling, and preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit's unction and anointing and is illuminating, enlightening, prophetic, challenging, upsetting, convicting, edifying, and inspiring--viva la difference!

When you preach you never know where the Spirit will lead, but that doesn't mean you don't prepare notes; it just means God may lead you off your subject, go off on a tangent, or go somewhere you couldn't have guessed and may mention in passing and be forced to leave your notes, because of a special anointing. Preaching the Word means faith in the Word and not in yourself, your experiences, your research, or the media you use. It isn't how professional you appear, but how spiritually prepared and led you are--prayer and faith are a must.

The called preacher afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted.  You don't just learn something--you are edified (i.e., built up in the faith).  People have to be knocked out of their comfort zones, and you have to know where the sheep are to be able to do that.  People tune you out once they feel you are lecturing them and aren't speaking to their needs or relating to them--don't condescend or "wow" them with your scholarship or expertise. The last thing he wants to do is to appear pedantic or as dry as a seminary prof.  Paul said that he preached the "Christ and Christ crucified," and not himself--he wants to keep the focus off himself and on Christ and the cross, where the power is.

Preaching is prophesying to some degree when you edify the body you are controlled by the filling, having the anointing.  This is the highest calling for a believer, not a job (he isn't a hireling), but he will be judged according to how faithful he was in using his gift and being available, humble, sensitive, and obedient, more important than being able intellectually or naturally talented with appropriate inclinations.  God is able to make him able if he has faith and is sensitive to the leading of the Spirit.  There is a certain effect when one is preaching that the person really believes what he is saying and practices what he preaches and preaches what he practices, and he does it with obvious passion and a delivery that is noticeable and effective, through the power of the Spirit, not his own charisma or personality, lest he get the glory instead of God. 

The gift of teaching is not necessarily connected to the gift to preach, and elders who are good at teaching should be given double honor. Preaching is not something you seek, or aspire to, but are called to (if you can do anything else, do it!), and if you are ordained, you must do it and it drives you. Every mature believer should be able to teach to some degree, but he who prophesies edifies the church, and may not necessarily be called to preach.  Soi Deo Gloria

Checking Out The Spirit

We should always be suspicious of hyper-spirituality and so-called hyper-charismatic phenomena. Piety has its place but not to be paraded before man and to be "holier-than-thou" (Isaiah 65:5). There is the real thing out there, so there is also the counterfeit of the devil.  You can be a spiritual person without being very "religious" (expressing religiosity) at all.  The simpler your faith the better off you are--make things simple, but not more than necessary, Einstein said.

The big issue today in charismatic circles is whether one has the "baptism."  1 Cor. 12:13 says "By one Spirit we were all baptized into the body."  Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation--that settles it!  Nowhere are we exhorted to "seek the baptism." This is a false dogma of the Neo-Pentecostal movement. There is no second work of grace to expect--they are going by experience, not Scripture.

The filling of the Spirit is another story:  It is always accompanying some ministry that the Holy Spirit has appointed to be accomplished by His power. The fillings are not permanent, but for a purpose and empower the believer for service that he couldn't accomplish alone.  When Paul was saved they told him to "be filled with the Holy Spirit."  To be filled by the Spirit for a task is to be controlled and led by God's will.  Like when the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and "spoke the Word of God with boldness."  I believe that when the Word says that the Spirit "fell on them" that it is basically the same thing.

Fillings are the result of obedience and in the service of God and doing His will, often in the context of one's spiritual gift.  No gift or fruit of the Spirit is solely for one's own benefit, but for the body's sake--they are predominately manifested in the realm of Christian service.  It is crucial to realize that it is not how much of the Spirit you have, but how much of you the Spirit has.  In other words, the degree or amount of filling depends upon our yielding to God.  It is not like Elisha getting twice the spirit of Elijah.  We all have the measure of the indwelling Spirit.

Paul exhorts the Ephesians to "be filled with the Holy Spirit."  This does not refer to a perpetual "high" on Jesus or walking in the glow of some experience.  Paul goes on to describe basic speaking manifestations--presumably to take place at the meeting of the church.  I believe that one is filled initially at salvation, but that he "leaks."  We can lose the filling and may need confession or restoration (Gal. 6:1; 1 John 1:9),  We need each other to edify and encourage each other.

"Walking in the Spirit" is another matter:  We demonstrate or exhibit the fruit of the Spirit when we are "walking in the Spirit" according to Gal. 5:16,25.  In the context of the fruit of the Spirit, he refers to "walking in the Spirit," and not filling of the Spirit.  There is overlap--they are not mutually exclusive.  It is hard to imagine a preacher, for instance, is filled with the Spirit, and not walking in the Spirit to show the fruit.  But it is easier to see one still walking in the Spirit, but not necessarily filled or anointed for his ministry or gift.

There is also the question of the anointing--also called unction.  In the Old Testament before the Spirit-filled every believer there were selective fillings and anointings, as well as seers and prophets (cf. Psalm 105:15).    1 John 2:20 says that all believers have the anointing.  There are no special believers out there who are infallible prophets or priests or preachers/teachers because they have received an anointing.  There is no Supreme Pontiff that has authority over all of us, so to speak.  The Pope is not the vicar of Christ on earth, but the Holy Spirit is.  The body works together in Christ and all parts are necessary.  We are not infallible and prone to error.  Even if our doctrine were impeccably correct, if we have not love we are nothing, God is more concerned about the condition of the heart than whether we are theologians--is it in the right place?

Being led (or guided) by the Spirit is a sign that we are sons of God (cf. Romans 8:14).  This refers to a direction in the Spirit of what to do or say, as if God were speaking through us or of something we can only attribute to God, such as writing a timely letter or knowing God's will and doing it so that God is glorified.  If we are not led by the Spirit, we are not sons of God.  Galatians 5:18 says that if we are led by the Spirit we are not under the Law. You may say, "I was inspired to do this," or "I did it at what seems a fortuitous deed."  Providence is at work because there are no impersonal forces such as luck, chance, fortune, or fate--God micromanages the universe.

We demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as a result of obedience and in the service of God, doing His will, often in the context of our spiritual gift.  No gift or fruit of the Spirit is solely for our own benefit, but for the body's sake--they are predominately manifested in the realm of Christian service.

We could debate about what you call this or that and quibble about the meaning of words (cf. 1 Tim. 6:4), but this is unhealthy and unproductive.  God wants us to be of one accord in the Spirit (Eph. 4:3).  What is vital is not the names of things for our spiritual health but the state of our spirit and attitude.  It is God's will for us to be holy, for instance, not to debate whether we call it a filling or a walk.  God is much more practical (application is more stressed than theoretical knowledge) and less technical than that--it is like splitting hairs.  It is paramount to learn how to walk in the Spirit and how to be filled!   Soli Deo Gloria!

Why Is Preaching Unique?

A disclaimer:  I am not anti-intellectual or anti-scholastic, but realize God uses all types of personalities and people.   I am not trained in what is called homiletics in seminaries and, though it is considered a what I like to call a no-no to read a sermon, unless you can read like Jonathan Edwards or the Senate chaplain Peter Marshall,  I have witnessed the Spirit's unction regardless--it is the Spirit doing the work, not us.

The prophetic preacher knows how to make the comfortable feel ill at ease, and the needy and poor in spirit to get the good news of encouragement.  There is something for everyone: that's why Jesus said to feed His sheep and His lambs.  We never get tired of the milk of the Word, though only the mature can handle the meat.  The preacher never gets tired of repeating things because even Paul didn't.  It is good to shock the sheep out of their comfort zone and so they are challenged by the message, and not be satisfied only in an academic manner.

Only upon mastering his theology and honing it to perfection, being immersed in the Word and prepared by prayer can he communicate effectively (with illustrations that make you identify with the sermon) what God has laid on his heart and deliver the goods, having a purpose in his preaching.

Preaching is more a thing of the spiritual health of the preacher and not his intellect, though God uses what intellect he has (we are to love God with our whole mind), it is necessary, but not sufficient.  "Where is the wise person?  Where is the teacher of the law?  Where is the philosopher of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" (1 Cor. 1:20).  Paul learned on Mars Hill (Acts 17) that he was to proclaim the gospel and not debate it, that it wasn't an intellectual thing:  He then resolved to know nothing (i.e., keep the main thing the main thing and not to major in the minors), but Christ and Christ crucified (cf. 1 Cor. 2:2).

To say:  "You are a great speaker!" (George Whitefield was known for his oratory, but he had the Spirit too) is not really a compliment, unless one has the concurrent or simultaneous unction of the Holy Spirit.  Discern whether he has the Spirit, not whether he is a brain, or worse yet, an intellectual parading his learning  Some parishioners are impressed with their preacher's brains, not their relationship with Christ or their wisdom--they are to be men of God.  If he wants to be known for his brains, he should really be a prof in a seminary.


There is a difference between being spoon-fed the facts in an encyclopedic or systematic way and listening to a Spirit-led sermon--Jesus didn't lecture (you may get a lot of info, but nothing practical to apply), but preached and taught because the sheep don't need a lecture but a Savior.  If an unbeliever can do it, such as lecturing, it is not preaching.  The preacher should be able to assert divine inspiration or illumination to be "led by the Spirit" to expound on a message as a "word from the Lord"  (if he doesn't recognize the leading of the Spirit he has no business in the pulpit and should at least wonder if that is his gift).

They can get strong impressions and illuminations or even feel a burden they can't resist sharing.  People want to hear what God has been speaking to you about, not just what the so-called scholars have to say (they may be good to cross-reference, mention in passing,  or footnote though)--the better we know our Lord the better we will be able to preach, but learning to depend on the unction or anointing of the Spirit is paramount to good, sound preaching.

We should never attempt to preach in the flesh or without God's leading ("As many as are led by the Spirit are sons of Gods," which implies to be "filled with the Spirit").  The good preacher knows his audience, class, or congregation and where they are spiritual.  He doesn't preach over their heads, nor try to "wow" them with his scholarship and appear pedantic.  He may have to condescend or reach down to their level, but not be patronizing or insulting to them.  It is always a fine line to walk and he is bound to offend some no matter what.

Some preachers never preach well enough to get rejected and just gather crowds not families, which are bodies of Christ. The aim is not to be popular but to speak in the name of the Lord.  He cannot please them all and even Christ didn't go for quantity, but quality!  Only a man of God can say,  "I was led by the Lord to expound on so-and-so or such-and-such."  This doesn't mean he had some mystical experience, but that he knows the Lord well enough to recognize His leading and impressions created to do something about a subject matter.

Being called a gentleman and a scholar is not a spiritual complement, because the Pharisees were scholars and knew what the famous revered rabbis had to say too.  On the other hand, Jesus spoke like no other man to His day and didn't footnote, but dared to claim His own authority (He would indirectly quote by saying, "You have heard it said...")--He didn't say, "Thus says the Lord," but "I say unto you." He dared to be different and broke the mold, thus raising the bar for preaching and prophesying.  His listeners should be eager to hear "a word from the Lord." If he has the gift, he may even prophesy during the sermon.  In the last days, a word from the LORD will be rare: See Amos 8:11.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Are You Inspired?

I don't want to sound flaky (I do not mean theopneustos or "God-breathed" like Scripture claims), but all Christians have the anointing per 1 John 2:20, and I am not just using that word carelessly or loosely.  Note that Christians don't have a monopoly on definitions.  God can put His words into our mouth and we can prophesy (even Caiaphas did)--there is still the ability to prophesy in the body of Christ--but inspiration applies to more than that.  Do you ever feel moved and influenced by God?  I don't mean the ability to speak ex-cathedra like the Pope when he pontificates and claims to have the infallibility or inerrancy like Scripture.

I believe Shakespeare was "inspired" to use the term loosely--he wasn't just an intellectual giant but possessed a divine gift and calling from God (he claimed to be a Christian, mind you). I've heard people say that they wondered where the Beatles got their "anointing" to have such an impact on a generation.   Poets who write love sonnets must really feel in love and have a passion for what they are writing.  They usually pen these sonnets while in the mood and take advantage of the "spirit" whenever or wherever it might hit them.  To be inspired you must be ready to go with the flow, so to speak, and make the sacrifices.  Many great poets have been bipolar or manic-depressive in their personality type and go through moods of euphoria when they feel especially creative.

"My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king;  my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer"  (Psalm 45:1).  We all have the anointing as believers according to 1 John 2:20).

You wouldn't believe the love poems I wrote when I was in love and really just had to express it.  I believe inspiration is for all believers if they find their niche and pursue it with all their passion.  Poetry is not just an intellectual thing, but a matter of the spirit of the man and is his connection with God being expressed verbally.  I know of a preacher who said he knew the Bible was inspired because it inspired him.  Many a husband will honestly say that their wives inspire them--for this is the word of love.  Martin Luther claimed that he never prayed or preached better than when he was inspired by anger, his biggest flaw.

Biblical examples of being inspired are David being "moved" by Satan to number Israel in 1 Chron. 21:1; Cyrus the Great being "moved" to liberate the Jews;  and the people being inspired ("having a mind to work") to work in Neh. 4:6 and Jesus telling his disciples not to worry about what to say when they were delivered up to the authorities (Luke 12:12) because the Spirit will give them the words to say at the time.

The Word, according to the Psalms, is supposed to be inspiring to us:   "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path;"   "The entrance of thy Word gives light, it gives understanding unto the simple;"  "For with you is the fountain of life, in your light we see light;"  Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me." Hosea understood what it was to be persecuted for claiming inspiration: "The prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac"  (Hos. 9:7).  Soli Deo Gloria!