If I could give just one sermon before a church audience, then what would it be?
The mere thought of me preaching before a church audience gives me shivers. I would rather go sky diving than speak in front of an audience, and I have a fear of heights.
If I were to give a sermon, then I would have to wear dark pants while standing behind a non-transparent podium. That way the audience wouldn’t see my legs shake or notice if a yellow liquid starting running down my pant legs.
One could say that I have the speaking ability of Moses. If I had a staff that could turn into a serpent, then I might have more self-confidence, but I have tried the wooden walking stick that I use, and it has never slithered.
If I could give just one sermon before a church audience, then I doubt that it would be a sit-com sermon like the ones that Craig Groeschel is known for. He has a spiritual gift that I don’t possess, which is why I share my thoughts in writing.
If I could give just one sermon before a church audience, then why should that audience even listen to me? Who am I that I should even be on a church stage? Whenever I write about a faith topic, I do so with the fear and trembling that the Apostle Paul mentions in Philippians 2:12.
If I could give just one sermon before a church audience, then I would have to keep in mind the words of Proverbs 10:19. That Bible verse is ignored by preachers who are verbose. I wish that verse were engraved on every pulpit on planet Earth, but I digress.
If I could give just one sermon before a church audience, then I would be a jar of clay, useless unless filled by God’s Holy Spirit.
Many years ago, when I was in my early 30s, I was given opportunity to give a few sermons. I did so in the chapel at an emergency shelter owned and operated by the Salvation Army. I was assisting the chaplain, and he was willing to let me try preaching to the few people who attended the Sunday-evening chapel services.
Wow was I ever out of my element. I wasn’t just a fish out of water. I was a fish tethered to a helium-filled balloon floating over Mount Everest. Not even a non-transparent podium and dark pants could rescue me from my horrid performance. In contrast, when Craig Groeschel preaches, he isn’t just a fish. He is Moby Dick.
I am just not cut out to give a sermon before a church audience. What I can do is give this simple testimony in writing:
I have tried life without Messiah Jesus, and I have tried life with Messiah Jesus. Because I have tried the latter, I have reason to live. Because I have tried Jesus, my life has meaning, my life has purpose. Because of Jesus, I have peace even when I am engulfed in a personal storm. That is because Jesus has always been with me in the storm.When boats out at sea encounter storms, the boats head for safe harbor. Jesus is our safe harbor during life’s storms.