Sermons

SUN., JULY 8, 1984, 6:40 AM
FARM, STUDY

This is a Sunday morning, o son, and, if all goes as expected, you shall hear a sermon this morning. As you think about it, you have listened to a sermon nearly every Sunday since your youth… many sermons, preached by many good men (and a few women). Few of these have been directly memorable, but you can assume that they’ve had some impact on your life. So receive a Teaching about this phenomenon as the sun shines through the trees.

The sermon is an important part of the formal worship in most of the churches that make up “My Body.” It should be based on Scripture, for it should be the exposition and interpretation of some portion or portions of the Word. It can range from academic to very personal… from a call for social action to one focused entirely on personal salvation. It can be quiet to loud and fiery… short to long… sharp and provocative to dull and repetitious. Oh, there are more contrasts (and I know them all, for consider how many sermons I have heard!) but these are sufficient to make the point that sermons shall be in great variety as they are preached this morning.

My servant Duane’s bidding prayer is a proper one, and I like it… may his words and the thoughts in the hearts of all who listen, including himself, be acceptable in My sight. The term “acceptable” is a relatively humble term. He’s not asking that I be “moved” or warmly startled by his words… even these put together as ideas… nor is he asking that I warm and turn every heart present to the majesty of his words, the wisdom of his thoughts, and to the power of the Word underlying. That would be presumptuous, certainly, but hear as I comment further.

I said it was a proper prayer, for I like humility. It asks only that his best (for the week, at least) be “acceptable in My sight” (not necessarily in a front row seat, but just somewhere “in the great hall”) I’m not asked to applaud or give the sermon a grade… just accept it. Likewise for the thoughts that come from the congregation… “don’t expect much Lord… just accept what comes as a result of or at least along with… my sermon.” Proper humility, certainly.

On the other hand it would be pleasing (to Me), every now and again, and probably startling to the congregation, to hear, “May the words… and the thoughts… be more than acceptable, o Lord. May they be the best You hear on this entire Sunday!” That would be brash, but I certainly would listen with more elan.

The other comment on Duane’s introduction is in reference to the “thoughts of all our hearts,” which asks Me to listen to the minds and the spirits of all gathered. The words are meant not just for (the) intellectual consideration, but are offered to touch, elevate, and enlighten the spirit of any and all who can so respond. And I shall hear, if they do.