True Ministry Is Ministry Empowered By The Spirit.

Faithful, relevant, authoritative preaching is preaching which focuses upon Christ, preaching which is empowered by the Spirit, preaching which calls for faith that takes deep root in the heart. With this understanding of preaching, we will take care to hold doctrine and experience together. ... Rightly understood, the words of Scripture are not mere words. They are words which speak with power. Jesus makes this point within the context of his own ministry. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life (Jn. 6:63). Paul, like Jesus, could not conceive of ministry as a thing of words only. True ministry is ministry empowered by the Spirit: My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power' (1 Cor. 2:4); 'Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction' (1 Thess. 1:5).
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This post is an excerpt from my article on The Use of the Bible in Evangelical Preaching Today.