"Another thing about which the Corinthian assembly reminds us is that preaching is God's primary means of sounding His voice, bringing conviction on listeners, and granting them repentance. Without a doubt, preaching is the most effective means of communicating God's Word to both believers and unbelievers. In fact, this passage implies the superiority of preaching over all other means of communicating God's Word to anyone."
The Passion Driven Sermon
by Jim Shaddix
Others believe that the sermon is the foremost method in which God communicates with us. At the 3:00 mark of the following video, the narrator states:
"Sermons are God's primary means for communicating with His church today." (http://vimeo.com/67724114)
And there are still others who believe God's primary means of communication is through the Bible.
"We believe that the Bible is both relevant and meaningful for our lives today and that it is the primary way that God speaks to us." (http://www.houstonvineyard.org/sunday_mornings.html)
Authors, preachers, teachers and theologians, all weighing in, sharing their own thoughts as to the most effective way in which God communicates with creation.
But what does God Himself say?
"And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him.'" (Mark 9:7)
How then, does Jesus speak to us?
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 13:26)
You may be wondering, "So what's the big deal? He uses all of these ways to speak to us." I will agree with you. However, without the working of the Holy Spirit behind it, the literal and spoken word alone can only bring knowledge alone. We are but vessels used by God to communicate with other vessels. Depending on which particular gift God has imparted to us determines the form of communication we will use. These gifts are for the purpose of sowing and watering His seeds. (1 Corinthians 3:7) Some will bring life, others judgment, and His Word will not return to Him void. (Isaiah 55:11) We are all ambassadors of Christ and that comes in many different forms. We should not be so anxious to elevate our particular gift as more important than others.
"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building." (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'"
(1 Corinthians 12:21)
Regardless of the form of communication, it is by the present work of the Holy Spirit through it that one hears the Word of God. Without your intimacy with the Spirit that dwells within you and His orchestrating the communication, your message is your own, and it will fall on deaf ears. It becomes an augmentation of your own mind's efforts according to your own limited knowledge and position within the body of Christ. The power to transform lives is by the sovereignty of God, and you must be in touch with Him to know what that present work is. We are not to simply splatter God's Word over the face of the earth expecting Him to come along side our own efforts. Many suffer needless persecution due to their inability to discern the Spirit of their ministry.
PJR
Then What’s Next To Do?
Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers
June 9
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