Best Sermon Ever

I wrote that sermon in 30 minutes. The points, structure, and transitions were almost divined from the coffee grounds in my cup. The congregation had never been so engaged as when I was working through my conclusion. It was as if they were hanging on the words, anticipating the next move. It was not some selfish pride I felt. It was obvious that the Holy Spirit was speaking through me, and the work being done was from God. The part I do not like to admit… It was easy, too easy to write. The idea and the execution came so naturally. I began to wonder how I could capture not only that moment but that feeling again. The problem is, I have never done it again. That sermon, that feeling, and that response were unique to that moment. It was a moment that I know God was in because I cannot, could not, and never will be able to do that alone.

The bad thing is, now I am caught in this weird space of knowing that God can use a hastily written sermon to do a mighty work. It reminds me (but not on the level of) Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, “These people are not drunk as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!” (Acts 2:15). His immediate and perfectly timed comment disarmed and engaged the crowd in what would result in 3,000 people coming to the Lord. So, do I write my sermons quickly and deliver them from the cuff??? Or do I spend more time dissecting and figuring out exactly why that sermon worked?

Most of these things can paralyze you as a pastor because a divine revelation does not happen every week! Sometimes, you sit at a desk banging your head against the wall to try and jar a creative spark loose that never comes. Or, the inverse, you labor all week meticulously researching and structuring a sermon that falls flat.

It is some sort of middle ground. Jason Sudeikis was on a podcast talking about writing for the screen. He used an old saying that I had never heard. He said, “Get it to where it needs to be, but leave enough room for God to come in the room.” Essentially, you have to be prepared enough to know what you are doing but not so prepared that there is no room for creativity and intimacy (but mostly the Holy Spirit) in the moment.

Tell me about your best sermon moment?