 SERMON? As you know, I usually use this part of the bulletin to introduce the topic of the morning's message. I can't tell you how many times over the years, I have waxed eloquent about the message only to have it change at the last minute. I tell you this, because I sometimes don't know until the very last minute what it is I am supposed to preach about. I remember years ago thinking about buying one of those Church signs where the message title is posted every week. I laughed as I realized that any such sign that announced my sermon titles would need a lot of question marks. The summer is for me a time when I take a few steps back, and review the past year and critique my performance. I ask myself if I am staying on task with the mission of the Church. I ask the Lord, if what we are doing here is pleasing to Him and in accordance with His Word. I'm sure you can appreciate that a process like this is not comfortable It is messy and unpredictable. To exercise the candor that is necessary is a risky thing. What if the results of this review show that I am off the mark, or worse....not in accordance with the Lord's will? I think you can see that trying to have it all mapped out and ready to announce in a weekly bulletin doesn't always work. So here is the topic of this morning's message: (I told you that we would need a lot of question marks . . ..) Pastor Jim |
