AI Is Here! (How Shall We Then Minister?)

WARNING!  THIS IS A LONG POST! THERE IS A MAJOR SHIFT HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD... SHOULD WE EMBRACE OR REJECT THIS EMERGING SOURCE OF "CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE?"

Responding to an email invitation for a FREE video clip of our morning sermon, I attended a ZOOM meeting with a group of other pastors (whom I did not know) who were receiving instruction about this new "service."  My appointment time was at 2PM, but I clearly entered a meeting that had been going on for awhile.  What this service offered was a very impressive array of material, especially video presentations for churches seeking to make a "splash" on the internet... How many places can you post videos these days?

What I received for my ZOOM visit was a tidal wave of material that overwhelmed me and maybe even frightened me.

NOW, we are simply a small country church -- but we do have a BIG Gospel to share, so I'm interested in pursuing means to that end.  However, we are not a "modern day" mega-church appealing to cultural trends in order to expand our growth and prominence in our community.  We are an "ordinary means" church that seeks to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, and are doing our best to disciple the saints.

Yes, I did receive a nice video clip (see it below).  But I also unexpectedly received REEMS of printed material that was a complete MELDING of my own Biblical research and actual spoken words WITH the now available AI generated "Hive Mind" that exists on the internet, consistent with what other ministries have posted online regarding 2 Kings 18 & 19.

I'm currently preaching a series entitled,  "Great Salvation Moments." On this occasion,  we find God coming to the aid of King Hezekiah when besieged by the Assyrian King Sennacherib; but this AI service went up and beyond what I anticipated with: Blog Content (also posted), Small group devotionals, Daily devotionals, and Discussion Guides that -- YA KNOW WHAT?  -- Aren't half bad!!  They certainly don't come right out and offend my Reformed sensibilities! AND YET they do tend to focus on 'contemplations' for the individual developing their own personal spiritual acumen rather than on exalting the character and covenants of God... What would we expect from popular devotionals??

I certainly didn't expect both my thoughts and the combined thoughts of the internet to actually combine into some decently  impressive and coherent material!

Take a look:

"When God Becomes Your Deliverer: Lessons from Hezekiah's Crisis
In times of overwhelming crisis, where do we turn? The story of King Hezekiah and the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem offers profound insights into how God delivers His people when all seems lost. This ancient account, verified by archaeological evidence, reveals timeless truths about divine salvation and human desperation.
The Historical Context: A Kingdom Under Threat
The northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrians under King Shalmaneser. The reason was clear: "they did not obey the voice of Yahweh, their God, but transgressed his covenant." Now Sennacherib, the powerful Assyrian king, was conquering territories around Judea, leaving only the southern kingdom of Judah standing. This isn't just ancient history—it's one of the best-attested archaeological events in antiquity. The siege of Lachish, depicted in Assyrian reliefs now housed in the British Museum, shows the brutal reality of Assyrian warfare. When you visit Israel today, you can still see the siege ramp Sennacherib built at Lachish.
What Happens When We Try to Handle Crisis Alone?
Initially, Hezekiah attempted to handle the crisis through human means. When Sennacherib demanded tribute, Hezekiah stripped gold from the temple doors and gave away all the silver from the royal treasuries. He paid the demanded 300 talents of silver and 30 talents of gold, hoping to buy peace. But appeasement rarely works with those who seek total domination. Sennacherib wasn't satisfied with material wealth—he wanted complete allegiance. He demanded that Hezekiah join his military campaigns and abandon trust in God.
The Power of Intimidation and Spiritual Warfare
Sennacherib employed a particularly cunning strategy. He sent the Rabshakeh, likely an apostate Jew who spoke perfect Hebrew and knew the covenant promises of God. This representative bypassed diplomatic protocol and spoke directly to the people on Jerusalem's walls in their native language. The Rabshakeh's message was spiritually devastating: "Don't let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh... Make peace with me and come out to me, and every one of you eat from his own vine and every one from his own fig tree." He was quoting covenant promises, suggesting that Assyria could provide what God had promised.
How Many People Sell Their Souls for Temporary Glory?
The Rabshakeh represents those who abandon their faith for worldly power and position. The Talmud suggests he was an apostate Jew, possibly even one of Hezekiah's own sons, who traded his heritage for influence in the Assyrian court. This serves as a warning about the temptation to compromise our integrity for temporary advantages.
When Human Solutions Fail, What's Left?
After trying diplomacy and tribute, Hezekiah finally turned to the right source. He went to the prophet Isaiah and sought a word from the Lord. Isaiah's counsel was simple: "Lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left." Hezekiah's prayer in 2 Kings 19 reveals the heart of true faith under pressure: "Now therefore, Yahweh our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone."
What Does It Mean to Be Saved?
The Hebrew word "Yashah" means freedom. Hezekiah wasn't just asking to be saved from something—he was asking to be saved to something. We are saved from oppression, sin, and death, but we're also saved to glorify God and proclaim His majesty. True salvation involves both deliverance from bondage and freedom to worship and serve God rightly. This dual aspect of salvation—from and to—defines the Christian experience.
How Does God Deliver His People?
God's response came through Isaiah: "Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard... Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land." The deliverance was swift and supernatural. In one night, the Angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers camped around Jerusalem. When morning came, the siege was over. Sennacherib returned to Nineveh, where he was eventually assassinated by his own sons.
Archaeological Evidence Confirms the Biblical Account
Remarkably, Sennacherib's own records corroborate this story. His hexagonal clay cylinder boasts of capturing 46 fortified cities and deporting over 200,000 people. He claims to have shut up Hezekiah "like a bird in a cage." But notably absent is any claim of capturing Jerusalem—a remarkable omission for Assyrian propaganda that routinely exaggerated victories but never admitted defeats.
What Can We Learn About God's Character?
God's deliverance of Jerusalem reveals several key truths about His character: He keeps His covenant promises. God told Hezekiah, "I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake." Divine faithfulness isn't based on human merit but on God's unchanging character. He responds to desperate prayer. When human solutions fail and we cry out in genuine dependence, God hears and acts. He saves for His glory. The purpose of deliverance extends beyond our comfort—it's so "all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone."
How Does This Point to Jesus?
The Angel of the Lord who delivered Jerusalem prefigures Christ's greater deliverance. Just as the angel destroyed the enemies of God's people, Jesus destroys our greatest enemies—sin and death. But unlike the Angel who struck down the Assyrians, Jesus accomplished our salvation by being struck down Himself outside Jerusalem's walls. The same city that was miraculously saved from Sennacherib would later witness the ultimate act of salvation when Christ died and rose again. God saves His people, but the cost of that salvation would ultimately be borne by His own Son.
Life Application
This week, examine the "Assyrians" in your own life—the overwhelming circumstances, intimidating voices, or seemingly impossible situations that tempt you to compromise your faith or handle things through purely human means. Like Hezekiah, you may need to stop trying to appease or negotiate with what oppresses you and instead take it to the Lord in prayer. Remember that you're not just asking to be saved from your troubles, but saved to glorify God and proclaim His goodness. Consider these questions as you reflect on this passage:
• What situations in your life are you trying to handle through human wisdom rather than seeking God first?
• Are there voices in your life (like the Rabshakeh) that sound convincing but are actually leading you away from trusting God?
• How can your current struggles become opportunities to demonstrate that God alone is your deliverer?
• In what ways might God be calling you to pray not just for personal relief, but for His glory to be revealed through your circumstances?"

What do you think?

Many phrases and sentences in this compilation ARE NOT my words; they are definitely AI generated.  The organization of this material is also AI generated, but quite genius!  It has taken my sermon material and ordered it in such a way as to be 'reader friendly' and does drive toward my main intention:  Where is Christ and God's salvation in all of this?

I am in NO WAY responsible for the closing four bullet points, and yet two of them do reflect the actual content of the sermon, while the others must be part of the cannon of internet devotional material.

This material also did an excellent recounting of my sermon to stress that Christians are not simply saved FROM something; but saved TO something... The glories of Christ.  Thankful for that!

It also paid particular attention to the Assyrian envoy member with the name, "Rabshakeh." The commentary that I made regarding his role in this pericope is masterfully documented!

Because SO MUCH material was sent to me, I also feel compelled to include a week's long devotional guide solely based upon one sermon's material, but obviously supported by the collective storehouse of the internet.

Again I will ask, is access to these tools something that will benefit the church, or is it a sign of something else?  When AI literally generates PRAYERS for our people to pray to the Lord, what should be our response?

Please consult the AI organized and generated material developed as a devotional series here...

"5 Day Devotional
Day 1: When Human Solutions Fall Short
Devotional
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where everything you tried just made things worse? King Hezekiah faced the most terrifying crisis of his reign when the mighty Assyrian empire set its sights on Jerusalem. His first instinct was to handle it himself - he stripped gold from God's temple and paid enormous tribute, hoping to buy peace. But sometimes our human solutions, no matter how logical they seem, simply aren't enough. The Assyrians weren't satisfied with gold and silver. They wanted complete surrender. What started as a financial negotiation became a demand for total allegiance. Hezekiah's attempt to solve the problem through human wisdom and resources had only delayed the inevitable confrontation.
How often do we do the same thing? When crisis hits, we exhaust our own resources first. We try to fix, control, and manage our way out of trouble. We might even sacrifice things that are precious to us, just as Hezekiah stripped the temple. But there comes a moment when we realize our human efforts have reached their limit. This isn't a failure on our part - it's often exactly where God wants us. When our own strength runs out, we're positioned to discover His unlimited power. Hezekiah's failed attempt at appeasement was actually preparing him for something far greater: a divine intervention that would demonstrate God's glory to the entire world.
Today, if you're facing a situation where your best efforts aren't working, don't despair. You might be exactly where God wants you - at the end of yourself and ready to discover what He can do.
Bible Verse
'Because he trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.' - 2 Kings 18:7
Reflection Question
What situation in your life are you trying to solve through your own strength instead of turning to God first?
Quote
"Ancient government is just mafia. So a king of a powerful nation comes to you and says, "Hey, that's a cute little civilization there. It would be a shame if someone hurt it. If you pay me a little money, I will just let you exist."
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize when I'm relying too heavily on my own understanding and resources. Give me the wisdom to turn to You first, not as a last resort. Prepare my heart to trust in Your power when my human solutions fall short. Amen.
Day 2: When the Enemy Speaks Your Language
Devotional
There's something particularly unsettling when opposition comes from someone who knows exactly how to get under your skin. The Assyrian representative didn't just threaten Jerusalem with foreign words - he spoke perfect Hebrew, using Israel's own covenant promises against them. He essentially said, "Follow us and you'll get that vine and fig tree and your cistern. Every covenant promise that God has told you for obedience, my king can bring to you." This wasn't just military intimidation; it was spiritual warfare. The enemy was twisting God's promises, suggesting that Assyria could deliver what God had pledged to His people. It's one thing to face external pressure, but when someone uses your own faith language to undermine your trust in God, the attack cuts much deeper. We face similar challenges today. Sometimes the most dangerous voices aren't those that openly oppose our faith, but those that sound almost right. They use familiar spiritual language but lead us away from dependence on God. They promise shortcuts to the blessings God has promised, or suggest that His ways are too slow, too difficult, or too uncertain. The people of Jerusalem were shaken because the message resonated with them in their own language. But speaking the right words doesn't make someone a true messenger. The test isn't whether someone can quote promises or use spiritual terminology - it's whether they're pointing you toward greater trust in God or away from it. When you hear voices that sound spiritual but feel wrong in your spirit, remember that even Satan can quote Scripture. The question isn't whether the words sound familiar, but whether they're leading you closer to God's heart.
Bible Verse
'The Rabshakeh said to them, "Say to Hezekiah: 'Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: What confidence is this in which you trust?'" - 2 Kings 18:19
Reflection Question
How can you discern between voices that use spiritual language but lead you away from trusting God versus those that genuinely point you toward Him?
Quote
"Don't be enticed by trivial matters. Evidently this man had been persuaded to turn on his own people."
Prayer
Father, give me discernment to recognize when spiritual-sounding words are actually leading me away from You. Help me test every voice against Your truth and character. Strengthen my ability to distinguish between Your voice and counterfeits. Amen.
Day 3: Taking It to the Lord
Devotional
After exhausting human solutions and facing spiritual manipulation, Hezekiah finally did what he should have done from the beginning - he took it to the Lord. But notice something beautiful about his prayer: he didn't just ask for personal relief. He prayed, "Save us this one time, and you will prove that you're the savior of the world and everyone will understand and recognize it." Hezekiah's prayer reveals a mature understanding of what was really at stake. This wasn't just about Jerusalem's survival; it was about God's reputation among the nations. The king had learned to align his personal crisis with God's greater purposes. He was asking for deliverance not just for his own comfort, but for God's glory to be displayed to the watching world. This is the kind of prayer that moves heaven. When we stop focusing solely on our immediate relief and start asking how God might use our situation to reveal His character, something shifts. We're no longer just seeking escape from our problems; we're inviting God to demonstrate His power through them. There's something powerful about praying beyond our own needs. When Hezekiah connected his crisis to God's global reputation, he was essentially saying, "Lord, use this situation to show the world who You really are." That kind of prayer invites divine intervention because it aligns with God's heart for His name to be known and honored. Whatever you're facing today, try expanding your prayer beyond personal relief. Ask God how He might use your situation to reveal His character to others. When we pray for His glory alongside our deliverance, we position ourselves for the kind of breakthrough that amazes not just us, but everyone watching.
Bible Verse
'Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.' - 2 Kings 19:19
Reflection Question
How might God want to use your current challenges to display His character and glory to others around you? Quote
"It's time to take it to the Lord."
Prayer
Lord, help me see beyond my immediate needs to Your greater purposes. Use my circumstances to reveal Your character to those watching my life. May my deliverance bring glory to Your name and draw others to trust in You. Amen.
Day 4: Divine Intervention in One Night
Devotional
Sometimes God's deliverance comes gradually, through a series of small victories and steady progress. But sometimes, when the situation seems most hopeless, God moves with sudden, overwhelming power. In one night, an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. The massive army that had surrounded Jerusalem, ready to build siege ramps and launch arrows into the city, was completely destroyed while they slept. Imagine waking up that morning in Jerusalem. The day before, you went to bed surrounded by the most powerful military force in the world. You could probably hear their voices, see their campfires, feel the weight of impending doom. But when the sun rose, there was only silence. "When people arose early in the morning, there were corpses, all dead." This dramatic intervention reveals something crucial about God's character: He is not limited by human timelines or conventional methods. While we often think deliverance must come through gradual process or human effort, God can change everything in a single moment. The same power that created the universe with a word can solve your impossible situation overnight. But notice something important: this miraculous deliverance came after Hezekiah had exhausted human solutions and finally turned to God in desperate prayer. Sometimes God allows us to reach the end of our rope so we can discover that His rope has no end. The darkest hour often precedes the most dramatic breakthrough. If you're in a situation that seems impossible, remember that God specializes in overnight victories. The same God who delivered Jerusalem in one night is still working today. Your breakthrough might be just one prayer, one surrender, one moment of divine intervention away.
Bible Verse
'That night the Angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!' - 2 Kings 19:35
Reflection Question
What impossible situation in your life needs God's overnight intervention, and how can you position yourself in prayer and surrender to receive it?
Quote
"The Angel of Yahweh went out and killed in the camp of the Assyrians, 185,000. All the Assyrian soldiers camped around Jerusalem getting ready to build a siege ramp, getting ready to lob bows and arrows into the city. They're all dead overnight."
Prayer
God of miracles, I believe You can change my situation in an instant. Help me trust in Your perfect timing and unlimited power. While I wait for Your intervention, keep my heart focused on You rather than the overwhelming circumstances around me. Amen.
Day 5: Saved From and Saved To
Devotional
The miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem points to something far greater than military victory. This historical event foreshadows the ultimate deliverance that would come through Jesus Christ. Just as God saved Jerusalem from the Assyrian army, Christ saves us from sin and death. But here's the beautiful truth: "We are saved from something. But did you know that you're saved to something?" We often focus on what we're saved from - oppression, death, the power of sin. These are wonderful truths worth celebrating. But salvation isn't just about escape; it's about purpose. "We are saved to glorify the Lord. We are saved to proclaim his majesty and his rule and his dominion and his kingdom." Just as Hezekiah's deliverance was meant to demonstrate God's glory to all nations, our salvation serves a greater purpose than personal relief. We're rescued not just to be comfortable, but to be witnesses of God's power and love. Every breakthrough, every answered prayer, every moment of divine intervention in our lives becomes an opportunity to point others toward the God who saves. The angel who destroyed the Assyrian army was a manifestation of God's power, but it pointed forward to the greater victory. Christ would go "outside the city walls and he will be defeated and mocked. And the accusing powers of our sin will be laid upon him. And he will conquer that which oppresses us, just as those armies oppressed ancient Israel." Your story of God's faithfulness isn't just for you - it's for everyone who needs to know that the same God who delivered Jerusalem, who conquered sin and death through Christ, is still delivering people today. You're saved from your past and saved to a glorious purpose.
Bible Verse
'Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.' - James 5:7
Reflection Question
How is God calling you to use your story of deliverance to point others toward His saving power and glory?
Quote
"We are saved from oppression and death and the power of sin. But you're not just saved from that. You are to be saved to something."
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for saving me from sin and death, and for saving me to a life of purpose and glory. Help me see how my story of Your faithfulness can encourage others and point them to You. Use my life as a testimony of Your delivering power. Amen."

Would you use these devotionals in your church? 

Again, to be honest, the arrangement of the material is masterful for a series of family or small group devotions. 
I think it should be made clear that although Devotions for Day 3 & 4 were truly reflective of the sermon TEXT, MOST of the words for those two days are AI generated, and not my own.  It reflects the type of devotional material that is posted on the internet that would have a broad appeal to the evangelical world, in my opinion.  

Is this this the type of material that my own congregation is actually seeking and would better resonate with their own desire to engage in regular devotions?  I'd like to know!!

The previous Quote section are comprised of my literal sermon quotations.  The AI computer selected them, with my misspeaks and all!  They don't seem to be as inspirational as the AI content generator!  But if they help the Giant Bot to generate more cogent thoughts, should I stand in the way? 

TO CONCLUDE, the big draw to this online service is the production of sermon reels to post on the social utilities.  The included clip (just below) is actually part of my concluding remarks.  For it to make complete sense, the person viewing it would need to be aware of the entire sermon for context.  I fear that this moment, by itself, could raise more questions than intended!
​
With all of this, I was simply overwhelmed by the printed material that was produced from a half-way decent sermon that can NOW become supporting content readily organized for the potential benefit of the church -- even though it was just blurted out automatically by a computer program!

PRAYER:
Help me God, to determine what role this AI Bot world should have to the benefit of Your church!  Is it actually a Rabshakeh,  or a genuine gift to equip and sanctify your saints?  I seek your truth in this, In Jesus' Name, Amen.