Preachers’ Credit Crunch

On Sunday morning I’ll be preaching from John 16:5-15, with the emphasis on the v.8 and the work of the Spirit in convicting the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement.  I’ve preached this passage before so I looked out my old notes (may I advice all young preachers to make and carefully file away their notes) and came across a short reference to James Buchanan’s “The Office and Work of the Holy Spirit.”  This is one of these references that doesn’t make it into the sermon which I’d like to share. 

 

Preachers are only human, and we enjoy receiving praise as much as anyone (though we try to hide it modestly).  Here Buchanan reminds us where the real credit goes for any ministry that does others good.  

 

Ministers are often used as instruments in enlightening and converting the soul; and hence they may be said, ministerially, to be the spiritual fathers of their converts.  Yet it is not by their own power but by the power of the Holy Ghost so that every successful minister might well say with the apostles, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this sight? or why look ye so earnestly upon us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? [Acts 3:12]

 

This great truth, if it shows the weakness of the minister will also prove the very strength of his ministry, for never will he feel so deeply impressed either with the greatness of his work or the dignity of his mission as when he is most thoroughly convinced that the efficacy of all his preaching depends on the power of the Spirit.  This will nerve him with new strength and inspire him with new hope when all outward appearances are most unpromising; and in the strength of this simple faith he will stand prepared to deliver his message before any audience, savage or civilized, assured that the same Spirit who has brought the truth home to his own soul can also bring it home with demonstration and power both to the obtuse and unlettered peasant and to the refined, perhaps the sceptical,  or the scornful man of science.