Preaching is of the Holy Spirit when it faithfully lifts up Christ as the central message.
The validation of whether preaching is from the Holy Spirit is found in its adherence to the truth of the gospel, specifically its Christ-centered focus. In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul clarifies that true preaching does not rely on lofty rhetoric or human wisdom but rather communicates the simple truth of Christ crucified. The Holy Spirit attends to the truth of Christ's message, creating faith in believers' hearts. Consequently, any message that centers on human eloquence or entertainment, rather than the grace of God as revealed in Christ, is not sourced in the Holy Spirit. The evidence of the Spirit's work is manifested in transformed lives and a deepened understanding of the truth of the gospel.
Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 2:4-5, John 16:13
Commentary