So...how was the sermon?

Do you evaluate your preaching? If you are a preacher you will be evaluated.  So you might as well evaluate yourself.  I imagine you already think about both your preparation and your presentation and that most Sunday’s you step back and think about your lessons that day.  I have for years and, frankly, it is rarely a pretty sight.

• There are days when I have good material, well prepared and my presentation is poor.
• There are days when I’m not satisfied with my preparation and my presentation is stronger.
• There are days when I’m not happy with either my preparation or my presentation of the text.
• And there are those rare days when I’m pleased with both preparation and presentation. And the cloud part and the sun shines and the birds sing and all is right with the world :).  Oh for more of those days.

The good news is that on good Sunday’s and bad, in the best of times and the worst, if you lean into the Word of God it will minister to the listeners.  On my worst Sunday’s, those when I sort of just sink out of the pulpit someone will indubitably come out and say: “You don’t know how much I needed that sermon today...”, or "that was the best sermon I've ever heard on ____" (hopefully the "blank" that they say will be the area you preached on :)). Or "That sermon really answered something I've been struggling with."

My conclusion is work hard, prepare well, present as best you can but always know that ultimately it is God’s Word that “is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

And never forget: "My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).

And God’s People are kind and patient - at lest most of them.