Ephesians 6:16-20

“Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel…” vs. 19

Every week in thousands of congregations around the globe preachers are called upon to present the word, usually in the form of a sermon. They need our prayers! Proclaiming the word of God is a scary proposition–the responsibility is great. It’s not a matter of showing off rhetorical skills or trying to impress with clever or witty stories. Rather, as Ephesians plainly states, the preacher is charged with presenting with boldness the mystery of the gospel. It’s an enormous challenge. So many pieces have to fall into place–the needs of the congregation, the situation of the world, the context of the scripture–all these things will have a part to play in the development of a fitting message. Occasionally the preacher will have a vision of what needs to be said but struggle to find the words–mysteries are notoriously difficult to explain. Hours can go by with no inspiration. And sometimes the message falls flat–the words that are finally said seem woefully inadequate and the preacher is wracked with guilt. But sometimes it works–the prayers of congregants are heard, the Holy Spirit gives the words, and by the grace of God the gospel is proclaimed and heard. And a truly humble preacher gives all the glory to God! 

Thought for the Day: What makes a sermon great?