“When you say you sensed the presence of the Lord in a powerful way during the sermon, what do you mean?” someone asked me the other day.
I appreciated the question because too often we use religious expressions that are ill-defined and therefore confusing.
The reason I made the comment was because the auditorium had gotten unusually quiet. I wasn’t preaching, but I’ve been in ministry long enough to know when this happens. The speaker wasn’t manipulating his audience; neither was he telling a moving story. It’s just that he was dealing with matters pertinent to where his people were, and it was obvious to me that they were hanging on his every word. And, this sense of incredible quiet lasted for a good six to eight minutes.
I questioned a friend I respect after the service regarding whether he noticed what I had. “How could I miss it?” was his response.
Another indication of the Lord’s presence is gentle tears in many eyes. Certainly a touching story can elicit that kind of response. But, that’s something different from what I’m talking about. What I’m referring to are tears when there’s no apparent reason for them to be surfacing, except for the fact that people are keenly aware of the Holy Spirit ministering to them in a most profound manner.
I sense that when Jesus spoke, the crowds were extremely quiet even though, for the most part, they were out-of-doors. I also believe there were more than a few who listened with tears in their eyes, even though Jesus wasn’t telling emotional stories.
Anyway, there are two evidences that His presence has again invaded His church in a powerful way. And, that’s what I was referring to by my comment.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
