Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit has two main roles in preaching the gospel. First, the Holy Spirit fills and empowers the disciple to be a public witness of Jesus. And second, He convicts the world of sin, righteous, and judgment (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit is not just a “force” or a “thing,” but rather He is a person with the exact same divine nature of the Father and Son and therefore is worthy of the same obedience and worship, John 4:24 & Hebrews 3:7.
In the book of Acts when Ananias lied to Peter about his offering Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit…” Thus, the Holy Spirit can by “lied to,” “grieved” (Ephesians 4:30), and “quenched” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). In turn, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17.
Jesus said in John 16:7 to His disciples, “it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” Jesus also said in John 16:13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” As a result, the preacher desperately needs the Holy Spirit in regards to the gospel because he needs the Spirit to reveal the truth of God to the lost and to guide him in all that he does.
Jesus taught in John 16:8, “When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” Therefore, the world- those who are lost in their sins, desperately need the Holy Spirit too. They need Him to prove and convict them of their sins, the righteousness of God, and the judgment to come.
Consequently, when preachers are empowered by the Spirit and given His truth, guidance, and power the Holy Spirit can convict the sinner and when they are willing to confess “Jesus as Lord” they will be born or the Spirit- made a new creation!
Reflection
When you preach the gospel do you rely upon the Holy Spirit or do you trust in your own human efforts?
Action
- Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His power with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, Acts 2:4.
- Make a conscious effort to rely upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance when you are preaching, “say what He says.”
- Pray for the lost to “hear what the Spirit is saying!”
