Sermon preparation is a wonderful and lovely thing. I take it seriously. Over time, I have developed even greater respect for God as He faithfully works with me on each sermon. I pray to Him to not leave me at the pulpit by myself.
The Word is still sharp and active. The Bible is a mountain range full of precious ore. Our job is to enthusiastically dig. With great admiration for the scholars and insightful students, I am confident to use what skill of searching God has awarded each. My paperwork of accreditation would merely be a hunger for seeing God arise in the eager hearts in front of me.
Tomorrow I get to open the Word and let it coast into the hearers' heart-zone. It is not my job nor my worry to track down cleverness of delivery. Tomorrow I will open up the text and stand in awe of what God will do with the combination of my study and their need. It will be a match; no doubt.
It is a strange thing being a preacher. While the sermon is being delivered I am learning as fast as the listeners. Sermons are like blooming flowers on speed-dial. They unfold at good pace and, if centered on God, develop into a word that even the deliver hadn't intended.
Hunting for sermon material is rather easy once two things come into the forefront of one's heart; God's hope for people and a people's hunger for God's hope. When I find another reason to offer hope....I have found my sermon.
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