How do we know the Holy Spirit works in preaching?

The work of the Holy Spirit in preaching is fundamentally about conviction. Jesus teaches in John 16:8 that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This means that when preaching takes place, it is not merely words being spoken; rather, the Holy Spirit is actively illustrating the weight of sin, the necessity of Christ's righteousness, and the reality of God's judgment. As someone hears the gospel explained clearly, the Spirit's work manifests, revealing to the listener their need for salvation and leading them to repentance and faith. This powerful transformation is evident when individuals fall before God in worship upon grasping the truth of the gospel.