Through the study of Scripture, it becomes apparent that the Holy Spirit was Christ’s closest friend and companion during His ministry here on earth. Thus, it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was able to live, serve, and teach others under the Father’s command. However, very few modern-day preachers follow Christ’s example of depending on the Holy Spirit when teaching others. Hence, one of the most overlooked and neglected parts of sermon preparation is the preacher’s own understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in gospel communication.
While the New Testament, in particular, the Book of Acts, is chalk full of examples of people being filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4, 4:8; 7:55: 13:52), the New Testament does not clearly answer the reasons why a dependence on the Holy Spirit is needed in gospel communication. Turning to the Old Testament sheliach principle, the reason becomes clear. Sheliach, in Hebrew, means “to send” and connotes the idea that a lesser person is sent on behalf of a greater person to accomplish a divine task ("Sheliach…show more content… In terms of church history, it can be concluded that preachers must depend on the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures and the Spirit’s unction, while in theology, and this author’s denomination, the gospel communicator is dependent on the Holy Spirit’s filling. In terms of self, this author believes a dependence on the Holy Spirit in preaching requires an emptying of self and an appreciation for what the Holy Spirit has done in this author’s life, and since this author appreciates what the Holy Spirit has done in his life, obedience to God’s Word, and dependence on the Spirit, in preparation, teaching, and the preaching of sermons, can be appreciated as