My Greatest Sermon Ever

It’s not something I mention here often.  If at all.

I preach.

OK, when I say that, what I mean is that in some gatherings, at some times, I’ve been asked to outline a monologue to engage with listeners about some aspect of the Christian life.

It doesn’t happen often and to be fair in the models of church I prefer monologue preaching, as such, is not the centrepiece of the gathering if it’s used at all.  Still, I enjoy making the most of the opportunities to share in this setting, and wherever possible invoke elements of the dialogue in it.  (Shoot me down for hypocrisy if that’s what you see, I see it as something very different.)

Recently I experienced what must undoubtedly be seen as my greatest sermon.

We gathered in the home and got comfortable with hot beverages (of course I didn’t have coffee or tea, that would be madness right, but I am a convert to the power of a hot cup of water).  We conversed over various areas, as the host explained the situation.

Brothers talked with sisters and sisters talked with brothers over issues ranging from church plants to whether if one is saved they are always saved.  The children had fun learning how they could walk through an A4 piece of paper if they put a hold in it.  We enjoyed some bible videos.  The food was prepared, we sat and enjoyed the food together.  I particularly enjoyed the salad, because I love a good salad – no onions, you understand.  The salad had lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes.  Beautiful salads are like this.  Sure you could add some sweet corn, but that’s not essential.  Crunching through the lettuce with some good salad cream, that can just do the job every day.

As we retired back to the main room, we conversed further and encouraged each other about truths such as the importance of trusting each other and loving each other.  IT was a really good time of fellowship and worship, sharing and loving each other.  Brilliant, I really enjoyed it.

That is what makes it undoubtedly my greatest sermon ever.  I hardly said a word, I was not the centre of attention, it was clear that God was not primarily and predominantly speaking through me.  The message that needed to come across got through and it was clear that it was a communal effort.

I certainly hope to experience sermons like this on a regular basis.  It’s not about not saying anything or decrying the merits of gifted speakers.  It is about acknowledging and celebrating how God speaks to us through us, and being lead by the Spirit to facilitate more occasions like this.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden