“How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14) Yes, God certainly does send out His precious Word through His preachers.

The Apostle Paul understood this, for he stated that he was entrusted with the proclamation of the Word of God. (Titus 1:3) Whenever he spoke, he spoke with faith that God would speak through him, and that He did, as we see in his epistles. “… I am eager to preach the gospel… For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Rom 1:15-16)

“Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God… so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.” (1 Pet. 4:11) The utterances of God? Why, that’s God’s Word!

Right. That’s the point. God’s Word was never intended to be bottled up in a book collecting dust on the shelf. It was always intended to be spoken, passed from one to another, bringing life to all it touches by the Holy Spirit. Yes, mankind is very fallible, which is why we desperately needed the solid foundation, the written Word, to keep us from spinning off on a tangent. But, dear saint, if I may make the obvious conclusion, you (and I) are called to take the precious Word of God we have received, eat it, digest it so it becomes part of us, and then pass it on to those around us, trusting that the Holy Spirit will anoint it, straighten out our mistakes, and bring it to life afresh in the hearts of those who hear. That is God’s Word. It has been sent out, through you and me, and it never returns without accomplishing that for which it was sent. (Isa. 55:11)

“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. [This is not telling the future. This is telling God’s Word by His Spirit as He tells it to you.] One who prophesies speaks to men for edification, exhortation, and consolation… if all prophesy, and an unbeliever… enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.” (1 Cor. 14:1, 3, 24, 25) That is God’s Word.

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