Preparing a sermon for human approval is not the same as preparing a sermon for God’s approval.
The former task is by far the easier of the two. Its bottom line is usually for those listening to find what’s said both helpful and inspirational. With adequate preparation time, a preacher can usually put together a message that’s interesting and informative. And if some kind of practical application is made, and there’s a good key illustration, you can expect to get a number of favorable comments from your congregation.
Preparing a sermon for God’s approval is much more demanding. It usually requires extra time in prayer asking for divine help in discerning what the Lord desires being said to His people. Often that “true word from the Lord” will stretch you to say it. But hearing Him whisper to your heart, “Well done, faithful servant” is worth it all.
Over time, consistently saying what you feel the Lord wants said will probably upset some hearers. As an example, read through the seven short messages of Jesus to the churches of Asia, in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. But how beneficial for them to have received a true word from Jesus, rather than merely some human thoughts.
Maybe the difference can be explained this way: After the sermon has been delivered, are people talking about how skilled or thoughtful or fluent you are? Or are they mulling over what they feel the Lord has just said to them?
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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.
