What do you think?
Rate this book
Preaching in the Spirit: A Preacher Looks for Something That Human Energy Cannot Provide
With refreshing candor, Dr. Kinlaw discusses the problems of ego that any preacher must face. He tells how he and other evangelists have wrestled with ambition and pride during their ministry. He also shows how he discovered that the Holy Spirit could change his heart. Now published in six languages, this book has revolutionized the ministry of pastors around the world.
- GenresNonfictionSchool
126 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
30 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 17, 2021
Dennis F. Kinlaw in his book Preaching in the Spirit, lays the foundation for preaching out of one’s own personal experience and their relationship with God. When God touches the preacher, the Word becomes alive like never before and understanding Scripture takes on a whole new dimension. I appreciate the experience Kinlaw told in the preface about preaching what he thought was a pretty good sermon until a tall, elderly man came up to him and said, “Son, this world doesn’t need to hear what you think. What it needs to hear is what God thinks. Go home and get down on your knees with your Bible and stay there until you know what God thinks. The next time you stand up to preach, tell the people what God thinks.” (Page 10). To me, that experience demonstrates the essence of what it means to preach in the Spirit and how one prepares themselves to preach in the Spirit.
As Kinlaw points out, the preparation of the preacher is more difficult than the preparation of the sermon. There are all kinds of resources that helps the preacher prepare the sermon but there are no shortcuts to spending time with God for the purpose of preparing yourself to preach. Our work as preacher must grow out of the time we spend with God. In preaching the transformational power of the Gospel, the one who preaches must be a man of the Word and should realize they don’t work for God but with God.
I’ve always loved Wesley’s idea of “prevenient grace” but I appreciate how Kinlaw speaks of it as the “The Law of the Second Witness.” Kinlaw succinctly states “We never preach to someone whose life God has not already been at work.” (Page 84). In other words, no matter what we do or say that moves someone’s heart to faith, God has already gone before us and been at work. This law of the second witness should permeate everything that we do especially in worship planning. If we are going to maximize the Holy Spirit’s opportunity to work, then everything should be in harmony and compliment each other. We must remember that the Holy Spirit is more willing to come than we are to have Him come.
I’m a student of revival and I love the story Kinlaw told about the two students from Asbury College during the Asbury Revival that came to Olivet Nazarene College. What those two young men did was simply obey God. When Dr. Irwin wasn’t going to allow them to speak but reversed his decision after he got a “check in his spirit” the Holy Spirit moved on that campus and revival broke out again. Yielding to the Spirit is key to any move of God. The two young college students yielded to the Spirit, Dr. Irwin yielded to the Spirit and what seemed like an ordinary service turned into something supernatural. Lives were transformed because two youth’s yielded to the Spirit.
Much more could be said but In my estimation, yielding to the Spirit with every fiber of our being is what it means to preach in the Spirit. When that happens, transformation takes place.
As Kinlaw points out, the preparation of the preacher is more difficult than the preparation of the sermon. There are all kinds of resources that helps the preacher prepare the sermon but there are no shortcuts to spending time with God for the purpose of preparing yourself to preach. Our work as preacher must grow out of the time we spend with God. In preaching the transformational power of the Gospel, the one who preaches must be a man of the Word and should realize they don’t work for God but with God.
I’ve always loved Wesley’s idea of “prevenient grace” but I appreciate how Kinlaw speaks of it as the “The Law of the Second Witness.” Kinlaw succinctly states “We never preach to someone whose life God has not already been at work.” (Page 84). In other words, no matter what we do or say that moves someone’s heart to faith, God has already gone before us and been at work. This law of the second witness should permeate everything that we do especially in worship planning. If we are going to maximize the Holy Spirit’s opportunity to work, then everything should be in harmony and compliment each other. We must remember that the Holy Spirit is more willing to come than we are to have Him come.
I’m a student of revival and I love the story Kinlaw told about the two students from Asbury College during the Asbury Revival that came to Olivet Nazarene College. What those two young men did was simply obey God. When Dr. Irwin wasn’t going to allow them to speak but reversed his decision after he got a “check in his spirit” the Holy Spirit moved on that campus and revival broke out again. Yielding to the Spirit is key to any move of God. The two young college students yielded to the Spirit, Dr. Irwin yielded to the Spirit and what seemed like an ordinary service turned into something supernatural. Lives were transformed because two youth’s yielded to the Spirit.
Much more could be said but In my estimation, yielding to the Spirit with every fiber of our being is what it means to preach in the Spirit. When that happens, transformation takes place.
December 2, 2020
Kinlaw practiced what he preached. As this book calls all proclaimers of that Word to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Yes, this is for pastors and preachers but the truths are so marvelous that any Christian yearning for more of God would love this book.
He urges preachers to faithfully search the scriptures and allow the scriptures to come alive for them. It is not so much the preparation of the sermon, he says, but the preparation of the preacher. He in no way diminishes preparation. But without the soul of the preacher touched our preaching can sound like dried peas on a metal roof.
He said so many astounding things. One I will mention came near the end. It was about how important obedience is. He says, "Another fact to consider is that when God is successful in one heart He has greater access to another. There is a cumulative effect when people obey God. Obedience in my life gives God greater leverage on those within my sphere of influence. We may not understand the full mystery of this, but we should recognize that it is true." Obedience can be contagious when we do it with joyful surrendered hearts.
He urges preachers to faithfully search the scriptures and allow the scriptures to come alive for them. It is not so much the preparation of the sermon, he says, but the preparation of the preacher. He in no way diminishes preparation. But without the soul of the preacher touched our preaching can sound like dried peas on a metal roof.
He said so many astounding things. One I will mention came near the end. It was about how important obedience is. He says, "Another fact to consider is that when God is successful in one heart He has greater access to another. There is a cumulative effect when people obey God. Obedience in my life gives God greater leverage on those within my sphere of influence. We may not understand the full mystery of this, but we should recognize that it is true." Obedience can be contagious when we do it with joyful surrendered hearts.
November 7, 2021
Really good preaching comments and emphasis here on trusting the Holy Spirit & His power.
February 7, 2020
This is not exactly an instructional book on preaching, as in one that teaches how to craft a sermon, improve our delivery or connect with the audience but a book that focuses on the preparation of the preacher himself. For this, it fills a huge gap amidst the scores of books on homiletics. Kinlaw succeeds in giving us a book that encourages and inspires, especially those who feel somewhat daunted by the awesome task of preaching the Word of God. Kinlaw is spot-on that it is not 'by might or by power but by the Spirit of God' that one should approach the task. It is God that makes the difference, not our learning, eloquence or charisma.. therefore the invitation to be filled constantly with the Spirit is an important one and Kinlaw shows us how, with his meditation on the Trinity, personhood and stories of ordinary individuals who were set on fire by God's own Spirit to proclaim his mighty Word. A useful reminder for seasoned preachers and aspiring ones alike.
March 20, 2021
A wonderful eye opening, or should I say spiritual opening, testimony for all believers seeking the truth that is slowly fading from today's body of Jesus Christ followers. There is no doubt of how the God cares for everyone who is willing to put self aside and step out in faith. As we educate the soul, we must also feed the spirit with the Gospel truth. Mr. Kinlaw does just that by sharing life long experiences of many believers who serve our Lord and Savior with love--not emotionalism, but true God fearing love.
December 11, 2021
LOTS of stories. Not much practical value. Yes, preachers should be led by the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is already at work in a person's life before they hear your sermon. Not sure an entire book is needed to communicate this.
(I read this in preparation for teaching a Preaching class...I grabbed one quote and nothing else.)
(I read this in preparation for teaching a Preaching class...I grabbed one quote and nothing else.)
February 21, 2019
Enjoyed
I enjoyed reading this book. It is not just for preachers but it will do well for a preacher to read.
I enjoyed reading this book. It is not just for preachers but it will do well for a preacher to read.
September 9, 2013
This is a Christian classic on homiletics and the power of preaching. I would recommend this not only to preachers but to laymen. As a young preacher myself I found the book to be incredibly insightful and poignantly relevant. Kinlaw explains with great clarity the position and purpose of the sermon within the life of a church. His words have helped to encourage and shape my preparation and delivery as well as my life between Sundays.
Kinlaw writes with wisdom relying on an abundance of experience and a life of obedience. The book seems to address the great burden of weight on the shoulders of pastors and ministers. In response to every common burden Kinlaw returns the reader to the power of God and the necessity of life in the Spirit. There are very few books which I would promote as a ‘must read’ but this is one of them. I found this book to a wealth of useful advice which can be immediately applied.
Kinlaw writes with wisdom relying on an abundance of experience and a life of obedience. The book seems to address the great burden of weight on the shoulders of pastors and ministers. In response to every common burden Kinlaw returns the reader to the power of God and the necessity of life in the Spirit. There are very few books which I would promote as a ‘must read’ but this is one of them. I found this book to a wealth of useful advice which can be immediately applied.
March 27, 2010
This book is a great little resource to remind pastors that apart from the power of the Holy Spirit our preaching is works. As we allow ourselves to be lead by the Spirit, Christ speaks into the hearts and minds of people, drawing them to the Father. This book is a mix of biographical/stories, pastoral counseling and exegesis. Originally I rated this 3 stars but after dwelling on it for a few weeks I realized that it deserves more than that.
June 30, 2016
I had to read this book for class. I highlighted A LOT of this book - as well as wrote notes in the margins and put tabs on pages that I want to remember. A book of just 126 pages from 1985, Preaching in the Spirit is a book that is transformational for me! After finishing this book last night, I spent some time in prayer and will continue to do so. This book contains a powerful message - especially for those of us serving in ministry.
February 27, 2012
Great read with very real experiences and advice.
July 5, 2015
One of the best books on preaching I have read. Will re-read this periodically
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews