By Mark A. Taylor
What sermons do you remember?
I remember a sermon preached by Wayne Smith at a Talent Rally at Lincoln Christian College when I was just a teenager. God used that sermon to prod me toward vocational Christian service.
I remember a sermon by Paul Jones preached at Cincinnati Bible College chapel that moved me and most who heard him to express appreciation to our parents.
Another time in that same chapel building John Wilson preached about his daily prayer routine. And I”m still challenged to pray like he described.
I”ve listened to sermons that have helped me stop worrying or confess a sin. I remember the sermon at my ordination. I remember a sermon Paul Williams preached at the end of a very long North American Christian Convention continuation committee meeting. Boy, I”d hate to be preaching in his spot,I thought as he got up to speak sometime mid-afternoon. And then when he was finished, I realized I had heard the best sermon of several delivered there that week.
Most of us remember preachers better than their sermons. (As someone who has preached a few sermons himself, I”m quite challenged by that truth.) More than one ministry has been sabotaged by a minister who was strong in the pulpit but weak in self-control or humility or the ability to demonstrate concern for others. And more than one average speaker has ministered powerfully because of the way he helped people one-on-one through the week.
I”m glad this special issue about preaching leads off with a challenge for preachers to prepare themselves as well as they prepare their sermons (see p. 8). Preachers influence others through their lives as much as by their public speaking. One of the great blessings of my career at Standard Publishing is getting acquainted with preachers who show me how to live and serve. Influenced by their example, I”m even more open to the truths they speak when I hear them preach.
Perhaps that”s a reminder for every reader. Even those without the gifts or training or opportunity to preach or teach can still wield a powerful influence. Most of us have heard that a hundred times, but all of us can find new ways to take the lesson to heart. And we don”t need a sermon to make us do it.
Remember our resource to help churchgoers LISTEN to sermons! How to Listen to a Sermon by Brian Mavis suggests practical, biblical ideas and action steps for every member of your church. Help them get more from every message with this downloadable resource. (it is item number D021533609 at www.standardpub.com).
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