Keep close to the eternal source of spiritual vision. Imagination finds it's inspiration and power in the upper room today in the same way as on the wonderful day of Pentecost; expectant waiting, continual prayer, reflection upon the word of the Gospel - these were in the background. And what happened? Tongues of fire and a rushing wind were it's open symbols, and the coming of the Holy Spirit it's explanation. By the power of the Spirit these things happened, a great realization, an overwhelming spiritual energy and power of utterance. Their eyes were opened as they saw Reality as it had never been seen before. The invisible spiritual world became more real than the upper room. It was no longer remote or future. They were even now under the ruling authority of God more than the Romans or the Sanhedrin. From that time on their imaginations - their power to see and to relate facts were given unclouded vision, their wills the strength of rushing wind, their speech the warmth and glow of fire. That is how the Spirit of God always responds to the open heart. Rhetoric, logic, psychology are the channels and instruments of preaching, the Spirit of God is the source of power, as His Word if the message of life.
John Broadus, On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, P233
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