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Recently at our church, I heard two sermons on subsequent Sundays by two different pastors about the Second Coming of Jesus. They had worked on their sermons independently and had no knowledge of the subject the other one would be addressing.
Question: Is it the working of the Holy Spirit?
As I listened intently to the second sermon, a fleeting thought entered my mind—is this a coincidence or is it the real working of the Holy Spirit (the spirit of God) speaking to these men on what God wants His church to hear and to heed.
Pondering the question later that day, I remembered that forty men of diverse backgrounds wrote the Bible containing sixty-six books over 1500 years and yet the message is the same. From cover to cover, the message is of one true God and one way of salvation—Jesus Christ. The Bible’s authors, who lived in different times and many never met, conveyed a consistent message inspired by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17, that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Finding the Answer
Because the Holy Spirit inspired forty men over fifteen centuries to write a seamless document, He certainly can prompt two individuals today to preach on the same subject without their knowledge of what the other one is addressing. Not only was the subject the same but both messages exhorted the congregation to “Get Ready,” to be prepared for the imminent return of Jesus. Jesus, himself comforted His disciples with the promise of His return. John 14:3 (NIV) says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.”
He also said, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because, it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 (NIV)
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit comforts, helps, convicts, guides, reminds, teaches, counsels, sanctifies, intercedes, and advocates for believers throughout their lives. No doubt, the Holy Spirit spoke to these two men preaching the Sunday morning sermons and guided them as to the subject of their sermon and what scriptures to identify. The sermons were neither planned nor a coincidence but the “real” work of the Holy Spirit.
Juanita Adamson, 2/7/2025
10 Roles of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s Life – Salvation & Prosperity
