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

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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 place of Jesus until Christ's triumphant return" (57). Heisler is correct when he says that preaching which claims to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led but fails to preach Christ-centered sermons are not Spirit-led sermons.

The strongest chapter in this volume is Chapter Seven where Heisler addresses "The Preacher and the Spirit." Heisler makes a stunning statement that the preacher must absorb:

I believe that the passion and confidence the prophet of God experiences in his preaching ministry are directly proportional to the daily obedience and surrender to the call of God on the preacher's life. . . . It's as if God has subpoenaed us to stand before him, not in a courtroom in front of a jury but in a pulpit in from of his people. We are there by divine calling, and we are there by divine authority (72).

Heisler sounds a clarion call for ministers to incorporate the Spirit into their personal lives before they attempt to incorporate him into areas of their professional lives such as preparation, presentation, and delivery. Personal obedience to Christ and preaching the Word of Christ must coincide.

The only weakness found in this work is the lack of conciseness in Heisler's working definitions. For instance, when he presents his definition of expository preaching, he states:



Expository preaching is the Spirit-empowered proclamation of biblical trust derived from the illuminating guidance of the Holy Spirit by means of a verse-by-verse exposition of the Spirit-inspired text, with a view to applying the text by means of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, first to the preacher's heart, and then to the hearts of those who hear, culminating in an authentic and powerful witness to the living Word, Jesus Christ, and obedient, Spirit-filled living (21).

While the construct of this definition reminds one of the Greek sentence construct of the Apostle Paul (see Ephesians 1:3-14), this structure does not allow for the reader to absorb the definition easily. Breaking this sentence down into two, three, even four sentences would be helpful. His vision of teaching homiletics commits the same faux pas -- to which he readily admits (75).

Even so, this reviewer plans on using this book as a textbook in training expository preachers in his local church setting. The evangelical world in general and preachers specifically should be grateful to Greg Heisler for re-introducing the Spirit to expositorypreaching. Along with this volume, Arturo G. Azurdia's book on Spirit-Empowered Preaching serves as an excellent compliment. Praise God for raising up Spirit-led preachers in our present age.

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!!

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.

This is a great book. After reading the book and becoming more aware of the Holy Spirit, God started using my preaching to really connect with my audience. In the book Dr. Heisler shows how the preacher needs to take the text and let the Holy Spirit speak through it as well as let the Holy Spirit reveal how he should speak to the audience. The pastor also needs to teach his auidence (congreagation) how to be sensitive to the Spirit as well. Since reading the book we have had a greater response at the Invitation. The Spirit is moving the people. I highly recommend this book to all pastors.

Greg Heisler gives a much need address of the role and nature of the Holy Spirit in preaching. In addition to giving a well written well grounded biblically explanation of the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching, Greg writes in a conversational tone that is absent from many academic books written by Seminary professors. If you have any interest in preaching the Word of God you should read this book.

Greg Heisler is my professor for preaching at Southeastern Seminary. He is an exciting young professor (and he wrote a pretty good book on preaching). His book, Spirit-Led Preaching, stands out among other preaching books because he treats in detail what many books on homiletics only mention in passing. In this review, I will list a few strengths and a few weaknesses of Dr. Heisler's book. Because every book can be improved, and because even authors like some fashion of critical feedback, I will include a few things that I consider to be weaknesses in the book. However, I'll say this right now: go ahead and buy this book. It'll instruct and help any preacher, at any stage of life, in any church.

Heisler's first strength is the theological backbone of his book. In the opening pages, he sets the record straight: Jesus is "the hero of our preaching" (3) and the Holy Spirit's role in preaching is to glorify Jesus! In other words, any preaching without the Spirit is preaching that lacks the purpose to make much of Jesus and, therefore, is not really preaching at all. In the same way, preaching that is not Christ-centered is not really Spirit-led, because the Spirit is not going to move in something that fails to set Christ before those who are listening. (Heisler cites Rom. 1:16 and 1 Cor. 2:4 in relation to his point here.)

Another plus for Heisler's book is: he shows that Spirit-led preaching "maintains that an equal emphasis on both Word and Spirit is critical for effective preaching" (17). He contends that the best approach to preaching is expository preaching, which keeps the sermon "on the tracks of the biblical text" (17). I definitely agree with that (and you should too)! So Heisler defines expository preaching with the big idea of being "Spirit-led" in view. Biblical preaching, according to Heisler, is more than just explaining the meaning of a text verse by verse. It is exposition that "combine[s] the theological catalyst of Word and Spirit working together through the preacher's Spirit-filled life, and this ultimately points to Jesus Christ and all his glory" (20).

If you are really looking for weaknesses in Heisler's book, you could start with the pages of the book. It is a brief, fast-paced book. Many readers may actually be happy that the book is not as daunting as others to read, but so much more could be said. As I was reading, I found myself wishing there was more to read. The only other weakness I can think of off the top of my head is again related to the length of the book. Though this book is written to fill a void that other preaching books tend to miss, there seems to be no real reason why Spirit-Led Preaching should not include a more detailed theology (with examples) for "Spirit-led," "Christ-centered" messages.

Alrighty, with all of that said, let me give you five reasons to grab this book and read it: (1) Spirit-Led Preaching would make for a great resource for your personal growth in pastoral ministry. (2) Heisler gives a biblical foundation for how God calls humble under-shepherds to rightly divide the Word and preach it in the power of the Spirit. (3) Since the book is brief, it would make a nice bed stand book to read over several weeks before you nod off at night. But beware, it's not like other preaching books: this one isn't likely to put you to sleep! (4) Heisler gives a terrific picture of what Spirit-led preaching looks like. Check out this quote: "A preacher's head and heart must meet together in the Holy Spirit to produce powerful preaching that informs the mind, inflames the heart, moves the will, and transforms the life" (10).

(5) You should definitely read this book if you want to be a PREACHER. By capitalizing "preacher," I mean more than just holding a job title. Heisler writes about this: "If the Spirit of God is left out of preaching, preaching did not really happen" (16). If that's true, then there is a lot of not-preaching going on in churches all over the place. Heisler is simply saying something about reality and giving today's preachers a warning. A preacher, no matter how super-gifted he may be at public speaking (or at being funny, or whatever!), cannot preach with the kind of power that leads those who are listening to act without the Holy Spirit. Heisler shows, especially from Scripture, what Spirit-led preaching looks like (and why we need it).

Anyway, grab a copy of Dr. Heisler's book if you're looking for a book on preaching.

I have been blessed to read this book. Dr. Heisler has very effectively shown the need for dependence on the Spirit of God throughout the entire preaching process. This means from preparation through delivery. By allowing the Holy Spirit to illumine the heart of the preacher with the Word of God, he can trust that God will speak through His Word. This book is a great reminder to all preachers that it is all about Jesus. "You cannot make much of Jesus and much of yourself at the same time." (86) Preachers must rely on the Spirit of God to change hearts. I believe that every pastor who reads this book and takes to heart its teaching will see a transformation in his preparation and his preaching for the glory of God.

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!

Dr. Heisler has articuated through his own journey the key to moving sermon prepartion and delivery from a mere religious exercise to igniting an encounter with God through God's word and God's messenger. "Spirit-Led Preaching" should not be the second book a person desiring to preach should reach, it must be the first. "Spirit-led Preaching" will lead every preacher to connect with the power of the Holy Spirit in their Homiletics. A Must Read.