During the course of my return to public ministry, I have discovered or reaffirmed several facts:
1. There is no perfect length for a sermon; they’re either too long or too short.
2. There is no topic or subject that is pleasing or will be accepted by all.
3. What I have too say is usually more interesting to me, than my listeners, therefore it’s better to let God speak through me rather than wing it alone.
4. Preparation looks better in my notes than the delivery given, therefore my gift is most likely writing not speaking.
5. Every thing I can present is subject to argument and criticism even though I’m right.
6. At least half of my listeners at any given time would rather not hear the truth, but would rather be coddled and “approved of”.
7. No good deed will ever go unpunished.
8. People love you until you step on their toes.
9. Many people follow a trail of excitement rather than a path of substance.
My conclusion? I must not practice “To thine own self be true”, for “mine own self” is tainted with my own emotions and can lead me astray. My mission is “to God’s Word be true”, for truly Christ has said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father, but by Me”. So my mission is clear.
1. There is no perfect length for a sermon; they’re either too long or too short.
2. There is no topic or subject that is pleasing or will be accepted by all.
3. What I have too say is usually more interesting to me, than my listeners, therefore it’s better to let God speak through me rather than wing it alone.
4. Preparation looks better in my notes than the delivery given, therefore my gift is most likely writing not speaking.
5. Every thing I can present is subject to argument and criticism even though I’m right.
6. At least half of my listeners at any given time would rather not hear the truth, but would rather be coddled and “approved of”.
7. No good deed will ever go unpunished.
8. People love you until you step on their toes.
9. Many people follow a trail of excitement rather than a path of substance.
My conclusion? I must not practice “To thine own self be true”, for “mine own self” is tainted with my own emotions and can lead me astray. My mission is “to God’s Word be true”, for truly Christ has said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father, but by Me”. So my mission is clear.
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