Recently, I stood to preach a sermon dealing with the the subjects of anger and hatred. I went through my normal preparation and was confident about the content of the message. But I had an issue with the posture of the message. Let me explain.
Even though I knew the subject was serious, I really wanted my posture to be one of encouragement or teaching. I wrestled with this issue all the way into the pulpit. When the message began I released my hold on the desire to change the posture of the sermon. I decided to just go with it and let the Holy Spirit guide me.
The sermon was stern. It was corrective and challenging. But you know what? It was just the right posture to communicate what the Holy Spirit wanted for God’s people. I must admit it wasn’t the kind of sermon I wanted to deliver but several leaders in our church thanked me for the message. They went on to say it was exactly what our church needed to hear.
“But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” Matthew 10:19-20 NKJV
Pastors and ministers, we need to remember to trust the Holy Spirit to guide us. I’m a firm believer that he will give us the words to say if we listen. And he will show us the right posture to compliment his message if we’re willing to let go and just go with it.