It may seem trite in light of the campaign a number of years ago based on the phrase: “What would Jesus do?” But, the truth is that every time pastors prepare their sermons, they should recognize that they are acting as a stand-in for the Lord Himself.
If Jesus was to come to your church this coming Sunday and speak to your congregation, because He knows the needs of your people, what would He preach? Would He encourage them to walk more closely with Himself? Would He admonish them to put away the petty sins that seem to always drag them down? Would He speak words of comfort? Would He exhort them to devote themselves more diligently to the work of the Kingdom?
By spending time in prayer and meditation, as you read God’s Word, as a pastor, you can begin to get a glimpse of the message Jesus would speak if He were bodily present. Then, you can weave that message into your sermon. The result will be a very effective sermon that will bolster the spiritual formation of your people.
In Podcast 238, I develop this idea in greater detail. I offer some concrete suggestions as to how you can put this idea to work in your church and to the benefit of the members of your congregation. If you would like to hear what I have to say, just click the link on this page that will take you to my Sermon-Coach.com website and then click the link in the left-hand menu that will take you to the Podcasts.
When we preach a message that Jesus might preach, we not only provide those listening to us the kind of help He might offer them, we also please Him. Surely that is what we should want to do more and more, as we strive to be ambassadors of the Great King Jesus.
I continue to feel very grateful and am humbled by the many positive comments about my latest book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday. This book is now available at Amazon.com by clicking here.
This book gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said from the pulpit when they come to worship services in the church where you serve as pastor.
Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.
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