So I preached the sermon this past Sunday. I didn't say anything about it ahead of time as not to make a big deal out of it.
This time was different. In the past, I've had some message in mind that I prepared and Linden let me share. He was there to help guide the morning and clean up after me if needed. This time Linden was leaving for the weekend and asked if I'd preach. So while we had an idea that I'd develop a sermon based on an article we'd recently read in Christianity Today, it was really on me. Linden hadn't looked at and approved it before, and still trusted me. I had to get a sermon done on a deadline, which was a first.
One of the biggest differences was that this time, there was no particular message beating in me to share. Most times before, there's something God is laying on me and I've got to get it out. At least on paper. For this, I wasn't overly burdened. Just share a message from God's Word with Truth and a biblical perspective. I had decided that I wasn't going to try to convict people, rather share what I thought I should share and let God convict as needed.
Now I've got to tell you, I had fun. That was easily the most enjoyable sermon I've ever given and likely the most fun I've ever had speaking in front of a group. I felt fairly smooth, people laughed, I remembered my points, and we finished in a good amount of time. I was on a high the whole day afterward.
I don't mean to be pessimistic, but that does have me a bit worried. In the past, Satan's MO is to push down on a preacher either before, during or after a sermon. Point being that he doesn't want people to hear God's Word, therefore he attacks the messenger. Since I had such a good and easy time, does that mean what I shared was of little risk to Satan? True, it wasn't Earth-shattering however I still worked to preach a biblical message. Only God will answer this one. If you heard my message and have any input, please let me know.
All in all, I'm looking forward to preaching again. Poor Linden, I'll try to leave him be for a little bit. :-)
