To My Preaching Friends

Dear Brother,

It happened to me again last night, and I know it happens to you at times, too. I preached my heart out last night. The sermon wasn’t long, but it was a full-length appeal. Right at the outset, I let everyone who heard the sermon know that the goal of the lesson was to appeal for a response. Basically, the sermon was a 22-minute invitation.

And, you know what happened, don’t you? No one came down an aisle. No one that I could see even looked like they might.

Just like has happened to you, my heart sank just a bit. But, just like you, I put on a big smile and shook a bunch of hands for 15 minutes or so after services before heading home. On the drive home, I talked with my family, listened to some devotional songs…and wondered what I did wrong.

Every preacher has been there.

Some of us, many times.

Maybe the oldest “preacher joke” in the book is that every preacher considers quitting every single Sunday night. That joke sometimes is funny, but not very often (in more ways than one).

Brother, have you ever been there? (The correct answer is “yes.”) If so, let me encourage you. When you preach your heart out and no one comes down to be baptized or restored, please remember…

1. Someone DID Respond. And I’m not talking about the fact that “everyone said no.” Someone made a change based upon your lesson, it just was not public in nature. Someone prayed through the entire invitation song. Someone went home and prayed, asking for forgiveness. Someone decided to make that difficult phone call or visit. Someone responded.

2. It takes time for some people. The sermon may have chipped away at a heart that has been hardened to the message of Christ for years or even decades. That person may not have responded in a public way, but it may have softened the heart for a future decision.

3. You are doing your best. One of the joys of my life is being connected with literally hundreds of faithful preachers all over the country and many in other parts of the world. There are too many folks who think that there are no “great” preachers any more. That’s just not true. There are faithful men who proclaim the truth week in and week out, and do so with both conviction and love. You are faithful to the God of heaven and to His holy Word. Don’t be arrogant in knowing that, but realize that God sees your effort and faithfulness.

4. It’s not always a bad thing to be frustrated. If you get more frustrated because the church cookout got rained out or because the Internet in your office isn’t working than you do over people not being saved, you may have a problem! Your frustration is grounded in the right kind of love. You want souls to be saved. If you ever lose that desire and drive, please stop preaching for awhile.

Trust me, my brother. You are not the only one who has had these feelings. Keep planting the seed of God’s Word, both in the pulpit and anywhere else you can. Keep watering that seed through encouragement, prayer, and hard work. But let God give the increase.

“Preach the Word!”

Brotherly,

Adam

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QUESTION: What other advice would you give?

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