Spirit-Led Preaching: The Holy Spirit's Role in Sermon Preparation and Delivery

Dr. Greg Heisler (Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY) serves as assistant professor of preaching at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. His passion for the nature of preaching is quite clear: Our students need to see the complementary relationship between the Word and the Spirit and to understand the proper function of sermon mechanics and sermon dynamics for preaching. They need to have as much zeal for the theological realities as they do for the dependence on the Holy Spirit (15). He states this because the previous generations of homiletics professors and their works only offer a "passing reference to the Spirit" (11). In this volume, Heisler admirably makes the case in how the Holy Spirit must not be an afterthought in sermon preparation and delivery, but he must stand in the forefront in every step of the process of constructing a sermon as well as a holy life. The preacher will appreciate Heisler's chapter on "What is Spirit-Led Preaching?" He illustrates two differing models of expository preaching: "text-driven preaching" (18) in which the focus is on presenting the biblical text correctly, with the Spirit's role seen as implicit; and "spirit-driven preaching" in which the focus is "on the dynamic of the Spirit and the Spirit's text" with the result being a "Christological witness and Spirit-filled living" (19). He uses a picturesque illustration to drive home this concept: I imagine the Holy Spirit's power touching down on the tracks of the biblical text, and suddenly the combination of Word and Spirit together ignite into sermonic propulsion. The preacher's responsibility is not to push the train in his own strength; nor it is the preacher's responsibility to build new tracks to new places. The preacher's responsibility is to keep the train on the tracks (19)! Preachers would do well to internalize this concept and embrace this powerful picture. Heisler rightly reinforces the complementary relationship between the Scriptures and the Spirit in Chapter Five. Given the problematic theology of the charismatic movement who puts the Spirit and the Word against one another, Heisler gives a strong argument demonstrating the harmony between the two. Together Word and Spirit form the powerful catalyst that serves as the theological foundation for Spirit-led preaching. The Word activates the Spirit, and the Spirit authenticates the Word. The Word is the instrument of the Spirit, and the Spirit is the implement of the Word. The Word is the written witness, and the Spirit is the inward witness. In terms of preaching, the Word is the source and substance of our preaching, and the Spirit is the supernatural power of our preaching (62). He rightly notes how the three testimonies of preaching (Scripture, the Spirit, and the Preacher) come together toward a Christological witness. "The Spirit's ministry is a continuation of Jesus' ministry, as the Spirit stands in

In Spirit-Led Preaching Heisler has provided readers with a concise yet informative look into the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian preaching. Writing from a mainstream Baptist perspective with a leaning towards a Reformed theology of Word/Spirit, this book tackles the tough questions most other preaching books leave unattended. Heisler retains the strengths of solid biblical preaching and challenges his readers to not only be unafraid of God's Spirit, but to passionately pursue the work of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of the preaching task. Where books abound on the mechanics of preaching, this work addresses the more dynamic, less easily defined aspects of Spirit prepared, Spirit empowered, Spirit led preaching. It is from this area, however, that many Christian preachers need a strong word from one who has applied his heart, mind, and life to the subject. This word, Heisler supplies. If you are content with simply crossing the homiletical i's and crossing the hermeneutical t's, then don't read this book. But if you are hungry for a fresh anointing in your calling as a Christian preacher, then devour this book at least once a year, and rejoice in the power of God that still fills the pulpits where the man of God, brings the Word of God, to the people of God, by the Spirit of God, to the glory of God. Pastor Keith, Live Oak Baptist Church

Many writers have done preachers a favor in writing books on preaching. Dr. Greg Heisler has done preachers a unique favor in his new book "Spirit-led Preaching." He brings to the table what has been missing in most homiletic books, and quite frankly, what has been missing from the academia and the pulpit. The Holy Spirit! Most preaching books focus on the skills, techniques, and steps involved in preparing and delivering a sermon. Those are needed! But what is also needed is an emphasis on the sovereign side of the preaching process. Heisler rightly and urgently makes the case that the Holy Spirit's role in preaching is absolutely essential. Without the Holy Spirit there is no illumination; there is no power; and there can be no real fruit produced in people's lives. The greatest need today is the Holy Spirit's presence and power in both the study and the pulpit. What good is it for a preacher to have all the tools and know all the skills but not have the Holy Spirit? He is like a car finely put together but with no engine. This is a great book and ought to be on every preacher's shelf. It ought to be reread every few years. It is theological, practical, easy to read, and convicting. I believe it to be one of the timeliest books in homiletics today.

Whether you are a veteran preacher or someone who has just begun the journey, this book must be on your short list. Indeed, it should bypass your list and be your next purchase. In a market flooded with skills-development books which provide a routine for every element of preaching, this book will de-program you and provide a needed reminder of Who drives the preaching process from the initial stages of sermon preparation to delivery and even after the sermon is delivered. As a recent seminary student who felt defeated and discouraged by the barrage of skills-development books assigned, this book is liberating. Do not let another Sunday pass you by without picking up this book!

I was pleasantly surprised that I picked up this book a couple of weeks ago at a local bookstore. This is an excellent primer on the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching. Heisler reminds us that most seminaries today focus almost solely on training students to be good expositors of the biblical text but neglects to mention the all-important role of the Spirit's illumination, empowerment, and character-building of the preacher. He tells us the goal of preaching is not to preach a good message but the goal should be Christological witness and life-transformation (Spirit-filled obedient living). In terms of delivery, Heisler advocates the "incarnational" approach to sermons, where the preacher "incarnates" the very message he/ she is to preach. Rather than relying solely on notes or a manuscript, the preacher speaks from the life-lessons learned from the Spirit's work in his/her life. Here are the chapters of this book: Introduction What Spirit-Empowered Preaching Looks Like Chapter 1 Missing in Action: Where is the Holy Spirit When We Preach? Chapter 2 What is Spirit-Led Preaching? Chapter 3 The Biblical Foundation for Spirit-Led Preaching: Paul, the Prophets, and Jesus Chapter 4 Recovering the Doctrine of Illumination for Spirit-Led Preaching Chapter 5 Word and Spirit Together: The Theological Foundation for Spirit-Led Expository Preaching Chapter 6 The Spirit and the Preacher's Sanctification Chapter 7 The Spirit and the Sermon's Preparation Chapter 8 The Spirit and the Sermon's Presentation Chapter 9 The Holy Spirit and the Anointing: Understanding the Spirit's Empowerment for Preaching All the chapters were excellent; I really enjoyed and benefitted from the chapters that talked about the Word and Spirit working together, the Spirit's role in illumination, and the Spirit's role in the sanctification of the preacher. This is an excellent supplement to Haddon Robinson's Biblical Preaching. It is very clear, concise, and helpful in addressing a very neglected aspect in expository Bible preaching. The goal of expository Bible preaching should not be just to give a good message but to transform the hearers to be good witnesses for Christ and obedient, Spirit-filled disciples. It is essential reading for those who wish to be used by the Spirit to preach God's Word. Highly recommended!!