Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. In ancient times, it was often
customary to have individuals called heralds whose appointed
task was to announce the arrival of the king or the reading of
his decrees. These announcers or heralds had
no power of their own, nor was their task in any sense to draw
attention to themselves, but rather to bring into focus the
glory of the king and the solemnity of his decrees. Solomon describes
himself as a preacher, a son of David and the king. Yet we
see much more in this scripture than a simple reference to Solomon.
For behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Solomon is announcing
that preacher who said of himself, The Spirit of the Lord is upon
me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the
poor. He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the
acceptable year of the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ is the
source of all knowledge, wisdom, and truth. He is the ruler in
Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
He is that one who is the King of kings, and who has hidden
things from the wise and prudent, and yet revealed them unto babes.
His declaration of the gospel is not simply in words, but in
the demonstration of the purpose of Almighty God to redeem His
beloved bride. Though he thought it not robbery
to be equal with God, yet as a preacher he made himself of
no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and
was made in the likeness of men. He was in all points tempted
like as we are, and though he were a son, yet learned he obedience
by the things which he suffered. As this obedient son and faithful
preacher who walked among men, he sought not glory for himself,
but declared the glory of his father. For I came down from
heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent
me. Though the Lord Jesus made himself of no reputation for
a season, he is now glorified and seated upon that throne of
his kingdom as an absolute potentate who is without rival. In the
meantime, he has vouchsafed his role as preacher unto his Spirit,
of whom he said, When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he
will guide you into all truth. For he shall not speak of himself,
but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will
show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall
receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. No man can receive
any knowledge of truth apart from the direct application of
it by the Holy Spirit, who is sent for this purpose to the
sons of God. This is what Paul meant when
he said, No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the
Holy Ghost. Spiritual truth can only be conveyed
by the one who is the author of that truth. So the work of
the Spirit is absolutely vital for men to be able to hear the
gospel. Part of the work of the Spirit
in this present world is to equip and send forth preachers who
are born of Adam's race. None of them have any knowledge
or comprehension of those things which they are sent into the
world to preach, apart from the same work which must be performed
in those that hear them. When the early disciples received
the outpouring of the gift of tongues on the day of Pentecost,
the glory of what occurred was that men heard what was said
by the Spirit. Peter preached unto them. Yet
it was not the preaching of Peter that caused them to believe it.
Rather, it was the work of the Spirit that caused them to hear
it. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart
and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and
brethren, what shall we do? Many preachers consider themselves
to be far more important than they are. If God is able to raise
up stones to praise Him, He is surely able to cause His sheep
to hear what He wants them to hear without the preacher's eloquence. All of God's messengers are prone
to err and see through a glass darkly. Yet God is in no wise
hindered in causing men to hear whatever He determines them to
hear, regardless of the messenger He may be pleased to use. Faith
cometh by hearing, which the Spirit of God alone can impart.
The Lord Jesus is the preacher. This preacher was anointed to
preach the gospel to the poor. They that are whole need not
a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance. This preacher was anointed to
preach deliverance to the captives. The Lord Jesus Christ has set
His people free, having obtained eternal redemption for them.
And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of
them openly, triumphing over them in it. This preacher was
anointed to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. God hath in
these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed
heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. Do you hear
what this preacher saith? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.