Preaching with Authority

A few months ago I heard a preacher who was 85 years old preach one of the most powerful sermons I have heard in a long time.  His was a commanding presence in the pulpit.  His voice was strong.  As folks used to say, "He had fire in his belly," but for sure he had fire in his eyes.  His sermon thundered in that room like the ancient prophets who said, "Thus saith the Lord!"  No one in the room was drifting off to sleep.  All eyes were focused on him.  He preached with such conviction and authority.  There was no doubt in my mind that what he preached was the Word of the Lord.  

The gospel writer Mark tells us about the first preaching foray of Jesus as He moved through the region of Galilee. (Mark 1:14-15). A little later in his account of these early days of the ministry of Jesus, he writes about a visit to the synagogue of Capernaum, "They went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.  They were astounded at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." (Mark 1:21-22). The scribes taught by constantly making reference to older scribes who had left written and oral teachings.  The writings and teachings of other men were the authority of these Sabbath teachers, but no so with Jesus.  He bypassed such references and preached and taught according to the direction of the Holy Spirit.  His Words that day were more like the ancient prophets who made it clear that their authority was the revealed Word of the Lord. 

The church today needs preachers who preach with such authority.  If the preacher to whom we are listening is lacing sermons with words like "I think..maybe...it could be..." or is basing the sermon on something seen on television, find another preacher quickly.  A preacher's only authority is the Scripture, the Word of God. If the sermon does not begin with the Word, it is not worthy of the time invested in listening.  We need more preachers like that old preacher who overwhelmed us that day as he preached with the authority of the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.