Heard a Good Sermon Lately?

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.  –I Corinthians 2:4, 5 

 

A youth minister friend of mine was telling about a youth Sunday his church observed a number of years ago.  On that particular Sunday one of the young people from the church volunteered to preach the message.  Apparently, the young man was so nervous that his sermon lasted about five minutes.  No doubt some people enjoyed getting out of church so early that day.  However, most people who attend church expect to hear a message from God’s Word; typically, that takes a little longer than five minutes.  A few months ago I had to cut short an evening worship service to go home and check on my wife, Andrea, who was recovering from cancer surgery.  After the service I jokingly asked one of our church members if he thought that anyone would be upset over my abbreviated message.  “Keep it up and they’ll probably give you a raise.” He said.

That sermon length discussion is tricky, isn’t it?  Too long, not long enough – a great deal of this depends upon the makeup and tradition of a particular congregation.  However, lets us not underestimate the power of preaching.  Proclaiming the Word of God accomplishes some powerful and God honoring purposes.  Preaching imparts the truths of God’s Word, explains the Scripture, shares the gospel, challenges the hearers to deeper faith, strengthens the believers, and invites sinners to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.    

Where has your mind been lately during the Sunday morning sermon?  Have you been paying attention to the message the Lord has placed upon the preacher’s heart?  Within that message will be a special blessing reserved just for you.  Perhaps you have gotten out of the practice of going to worship altogether.  In either case, the time for opening your heart and receiving the truths of God’s Word is now.  Do not delay another day. 

The troubled soul can find comfort in making worship a priority.  Seek out a Bible believing church where the truths of God’s Word are proclaimed, where the people love one another, are concerned about lost souls, and Jesus Christ is exalted.  Begin daily seeking God in prayer and listening for His voice. 

There are blessings waiting through seeking Christ today.