Keep Speaking Victory - Ilze Hofmeyr

·41 min·4 clips

Ilze found a journal with 50 declarations over her family—and was astounded how many came to pass.

The episode is a sermon by Ilze Hofmeyr at Hillsong Church Africa, focusing on the theme 'Keep Speaking Victory'. It opens with a prayer and lighthearted Christmas banter before transitioning into the core message. Ilze begins by sharing a personal anecdote about decluttering a storeroom and finding an old journal with 50 declarations she wrote over her family during her first pregnancy. She notes that many of these declarations, such as her children walking in divine health and being debt-free, have come to pass, leading to conviction about resuming this practice. She then reads several scriptures, including Proverbs 18:21, to establish the biblical basis for the power of words. The sermon is structured around four main points. First, Ilze explains that words determine the direction of life, using the analogy of a ship's rudder from James 3 to show how speech steers one's course. Second, she emphasizes the need to speak God's promises before seeing them, referencing Romans 4:17 and the creation story where God spoke light into existence. She shares a story about encouraging a hairdresser in Stellenbosch to illustrate speaking light into darkness. Third, Ilze discusses making speaking God's word a habit, citing Psalm 35:27 and the importance of consistency. Fourth, she warns that negative words can stop God's plans, using the example of the Israelites in Numbers 13 whose negative reports prevented them from entering the Promised Land. The sermon includes practical applications, such as the seven declarations Ilze's family speaks daily, and culminates in a communal declaration for 2026. It ends with an altar call for people to give their lives to Jesus, followed by instructions for new believers and announcements about Christmas services.

As heard by us

A brisk sermon frames spoken victory as a practice rooted in God's promises, Romans 4:17, Genesis 1:3, and a haircut in Stellenbosch.

The sermon centers on a simple discipline: speaking in line with God's promises before circumstances appear to confirm them. After a warm Christmas-season welcome and a prayer for encouragement, fresh perspective, and fresh vision, it turns to Romans 4:17 and Genesis 1:3 to…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If Christmas lunch is four days away and defeat is trying to season the week, press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Hillsong Africa Sermons