Preaching with Power: It’s Not About Volume, It’s About the Word

You know, I’ve heard folks say, “What we need in our churches today is more fiery preaching!” Maybe you’ve heard that too, or even said it yourself. It’s a heartfelt desire, isn’t it? People want sermons that stir the soul, that light a fire under us, that get us moving for the Lord. But let’s pause and ask ourselves: Is “fiery preaching” what the Bible calls us to chase after, or is it more of a reflection of our American Christian culture? Let’s dig into God’s Word together and see what He says about this.

Here in America, our spiritual history has been shaped by some incredible moments, think of the Great Awakenings in the 1700s and 1800s. Preachers like George Whitefield and Charles Finney stood in open fields or packed tents, proclaiming the Gospel with boldness and passion. People’s hearts were stirred, lives were changed, and revival swept the land. It’s no wonder we look back and think, “That’s what preaching should be, full of fire, conviction, and power!” But here’s the thing: while God used those fiery sermons, the Bible shows us there’s more than one way to faithfully preach His Word.

Let’s look at Jesus, our perfect example. When He gave the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7, scholars tell us He likely spoke with a calm, steady voice, full of authority, but not necessarily shouting. He taught with clarity and truth, letting the power of His words do the work. Or think about the Apostle Paul. In Acts 17:2, it says Paul “reasoned” with people in the synagogues, explaining the Scriptures. In Acts 18:4, he’s persuading folks, engaging them in conversation. And in 1 Corinthians 4:21, Paul asks, “Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?” That’s not exactly a picture of a fire-breathing preacher, is it?

Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing unbiblical about passionate preaching. God used men like Elijah, who called down fire from heaven, or John the Baptist, who didn’t mince words when he said, “Repent!” But the Bible never commands preachers to be loud or emotional. Instead, it calls us to “preach the word” faithfully (2 Timothy 4:2), to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), to correct with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:25), and to be ready to give a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). The focus isn’t on the volume—it’s on the truth.

So why do we sometimes think “fiery” equals “faithful”? I believe it’s tied to our American culture. We love bold personalities, don’t we? We’re drawn to confidence, charisma, and energy. And that’s not always bad, God can use those qualities! But it becomes a problem when we start thinking the power of a sermon comes from how loud or intense it is. Church, the power isn’t in the preacher’s style, it’s in the Word of God. As the Lord says in Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not My word like fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” It’s the truth of Scripture that burns and breaks and builds us up, not the tone of the delivery.

Let me share a quick story. I remember hearing a sermon years ago that wasn’t loud or flashy. The older well respected pastor just walked through a passage, verse by verse, explaining God’s truth with clarity and love. It wasn’t a shouting match, but the Holy Spirit used those words to convict my heart and draw me closer to Jesus. That’s what we need in our churches, not more noise, but more truth, more clarity, more of the Spirit working through the Word.

Now, I’m not saying fiery preaching is wrong. God can use a thundering sermon just as much as He can use a quiet one. But let’s not put one style on a pedestal. Faithful preaching isn’t about how loud you are or how much you sweat, it’s about pointing people to Jesus, lifting up His Word, and letting the Holy Spirit do the rest. Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 2:1–5: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Church, let’s pray for preaching that’s faithful to God’s Word, whether it’s loud like thunder or gentle like a whisper. Let’s seek sermons that proclaim Christ, not ones that just entertain or stir our emotions. The power isn’t in the preacher’s voice, it’s in the truth of God’s Word, applied by the Holy Spirit. So let’s measure every sermon by this standard: Does it honor Christ? Does it rightly divide the Word? If it does, then praise God, whether it comes with fire or not!