I was deeply, deeply moved by a sermon I heard this past Sunday. Several times I found myself on the verge of tears. This surprised me because the speaker wasn’t telling stories that in any way would have prompted such a response.
On Sunday afternoon I had time to process the occurrence. The conclusion I came to regarding the reason I was so emotionally stirred was that the speaker had captured the message of Jesus in such a marvelous way that I was almost experiencing what listening to Jesus Himself was like. I don’t know how often people have similar feelings when I preach, but I know it would be a high honor if that happened at least every once in a while.
I was reminded of various verses in Scripture that record the response of people who actually heard our Lord preach. For example, here’s Matthew 7:28-29, which follows His Sermon on the Mount: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”
Were our Lord to preach again today, I believe the response would be similar. And, my prayer is that the same could regularly be said of us, as we attempt to substitute each Sunday on His behalf.
———————————————
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.
