Every preacher surely knows the feeling. Sunday’s coming and he’s yet to settle on a text or outline for his sermon. He fears he will enter the pulpit void of power.

What’s he to do?

Clearly, he must pray for the fresh winds of the Spirit to inflame his soul and give him full insight into God’s word. But is there anything else that one can do? Any dispositions of the heart necessary for power in preparation?

LET THE POWERFUL PREACHER ADVISE

Spurgeon was, by all accounts, a legendary force of power in the pulpit. You don’t get the label “Prince of Preachers” if you aren’t a Christ-exalting, homiletical hurricane. And he trained his pastoral students to yearn for the power of God in preaching. In an address to the annual pastor’s conference over which he presided, Spurgeon remarked on “The Preacher’s Power, and the Conditions for Obtaining It.”

Spurgeon starts by reminding his audience that Sovereign God of the universe purposes to use weak vessels (preachers) to proclaim His treasured Christ. Therefore, these men must preach “by Divine power, or else be total failures.” From where does such power come? “The supernatural force is the power of the Holy Ghost, the power of Jehovah Himself. It is a wonderful thing that God should condescend to work His marvels of grace through men.” Amen!

The Prince calls preachers to long for such power in public, but to remember that “in order to have power in public, we must receive power in private.” It’s in this part of the address that Spurgeon speaks about receiving power in sermon preparation. He says it’s during sermon preparation “the Lord gives the soul saving message, and clothes it with power; He gives it to certain order of people, and under certain conditions.”

So, what are those conditions for receiving the Spirit’s power during sermon prep?

6 CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING POWER IN SERMON PREP

1. A simplicity of heart. The Lord pours most into those who are most empty of self. Those who have least of their own shall have the most of God’s. The Lord cares little what the vessel is, whether golden or earthen, so long as it is clean, and disengaged from other uses.
2. A great humility of mind. It ought not to take much humility for such poor creatures as we are to sit at the feet of Jesus. We ought to look upon it as an elevation of mind for our spirit to lie prostrate before infinite wisdom. Assuredly, this is needful to the reception of power from God.
3. A singleness of eye. Such a man, trying to hear what God the Lord shall speak, is all ear. He honestly and eagerly desires to know what God’s mind is, and he applies all his faculties to the reception of the Divine communication. Unless you have but one eye, and that one eye sees Christ and His glory in the salvation of men, God will not use you.
4. A complete subordination to Him. The best of men, must be altogether subordinate to the Word of the Lord.
5. A deep seriousness of heart. We are so weak, and these Divine inspirations are so weighty, that we are subdued into awe, and there is no room for levity. Brethren, avoid anything like trifling over sermon-making. Do not regard preparation for the pulpit as a trifling thing; and do not rush upon your holy duties without devout preparation for the hallowed service. Make your waiting upon God a necessity of your calling, and at the same time the highest privilege of it. Count it your joy and honour to have an interview with your Master. Get your message fresh from God.
6. A sympathy with God. The Lord loves to use a man who is in perfect sympathy with Him. God loves to clasp a sympathizing one to His heart, and then to say, “Go, My child, and work in My Name; for I can trust My gospel in thy hands.” Be with God, and God will be with you. Espouse His cause, and He will espouse yours. There can be no question about this.

This is a well of wisdom from which you can drink as you continue to prepare for this weekend. May you receive power in your preparation!