Matthew 10:19-20 “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Jesus is talking here specifically about times of persecution, but this is still an absolutely marvelous promise. Sadly, a lot of preachers seem to forget it! It’s not that sermons aren’t to be prepared, or that research isn’t to be done, but rather that the words that come out of our mouths should be those of our Father in heaven, and not something we have cooked up. A carefully crafted argument, such as a lawyer might use, can be convincing, and skillful oratory can be moving, but nothing matches speaking the words of our Father in heaven, given to us by His Spirit. Part of the problem is that we have it very easy, being paid to speak whatever we come up with. Here, Jesus is talking about being hauled into a hostile venue and required to speak to defend your life. Such circumstances really sharpen your focus! Today, there are multiple sermon collections for people to copy, and even sermons written by Artificial Intelligence! I don’t think an AI sermon is going to work the will of God. (Isaiah 55:10-11) The problem is two-fold. First, we think that what we say depends on us. We don’t really believe God will speak through us, and so we don’t expect it. Second, we think we can get by without the Holy Spirit. That one is absurd to the point of being laughable! A message is not the same as a Ted Talk, but you’d never know it from many churches. When we focus on “your best life now,” we have abandoned the God we say we serve, and are pandering to itching ears. (2 Timothy 4:3) Sometimes God will indeed say encouraging things through us, but He never excuses sin and he always calls us to repentance. Part of the problem is that the preacher hasn’t repented! That God chooses to speak through His servants, His children, is miraculous, and we are never to take it lightly. Rather, both speakers and hearers are to be humble before our Creator and do as He desires, fulfilling the words that He speaks, for His glory.

This is the very center of my ministry. It has been recognized since my childhood that God has given me a gift for words, but that gift is meaningless unless I’m speaking His words. That’s why I start every formal message with a prayer acknowledging that reality. I can cook up a message and have it sound pretty good, but it has no power without God’s Spirit, just as Jesus says here. I have quoted and claimed Isaiah 55:10-11 for many years, but I am never to think for a moment that words that are just mine have that effect. At the same time, I must acknowledge that God can and does speak through me, and so keep myself available to Him in all humility and gratitude.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the incredible privilege of being Your agent, both in words and in deeds. Thank You for the beautifully productive day yesterday. May I be fully yielded to You today as well, so that Your will may be done in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!