Mark 13:11 “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”

This is not an excuse not to be prepared for preaching! At such times the preacher is not on trial for their faith (usually) but is charged with feeding the flock. (John 21:17) At the same time, it should eliminate much of the anxiety from preaching, because it is a strong reminder that the Holy Spirit does speak through human instruments. The responsibility of the speaker is never to “cook up a message,” but rather to be sensitive, available, and obedient to the Holy Spirit. Even Jesus said, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.” (John 12:49) That reference is at the top of a page I have on the wall right beside the computer where I prepare sermon notes. The page is titled, “Preaching to Change Lives,” and it has done me more good that my preaching class in seminary by far. The material is by Mark Conner of Australia, and it lists “Five questions to ask when preparing a message.” Those questions are: 1. Who’s listening? (audience) 2. What am I trying to say? (purpose) 3. What to say? (content) 4. Who’s talking? (messenger) 5. How will I say it? (method) Of course, each of those has one or more points below it. This is not a recipe for cooking up messages, it’s a guideline on listening to the Holy Spirit for what He wants to say and how He wants you to say it. In situations such as Jesus was describing in this verse, you won’t have time to go through these steps in preparation. The point is to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that you won’t get in His way whatever He wants to say. I’m reminded of the story of the missionary family that was captured by a bandit gang in China a century ago. The family’s 12 year old daughter stood boldly before the bandit chief and his men and declared the Gospel and the judgment of God to them fluently in the local dialect. They were killed anyway, but we know the story because several of those present later repented and became Christians themselves, unable to forget what they had heard through that little girl. That is the sort of thing Jesus was talking about.

I’ve never been on trial for my faith, but in a way I am “on trial” every time I open my mouth. I am to seek to let the Holy Spirit use my mouth at all times, to whomever I am speaking. Preaching is a given, but that’s just one example. It’s been many years since I’ve been hesitant to preach, because I’ve experienced the Holy Spirit speaking through me so many times. However, I must never take that for granted! I have inflicted needless pain on people by my words, and I have displayed my ignorance and/or stupidity more times than I could count. I am always to speak the truth in love, (Ephesians 4:15) letting the Holy Spirit show me “what to say and how to say it,” as Jesus said.

Father, thank You for the amazing privilege of speaking Your words. Thank You for the opportunity I will have this morning. It is a vitally important message, but then, that’s nothing unusual! Help me not try to “get it across” by my own strength or intellect, but allow Your Spirit to take Your words through me and work them into the hearts and minds of my hearers, me included, so that we may be transformed into the likeness of Your Son, as You desire. (Romans 8:29) Thank You. Praise God!