This week was an especially difficult week of study for me. I truly felt all of the limitations of an unseasoned minister. What do I mean?
I attempted to do something that I rarely ever attempt – a topical sermon! I don’t understand how so many other preachers do it. Not only did I attempt to do a topical sermon, I attempted to put together a topical sermon about the implications of the resurrection of Jesus!
I pulled it off, kind of. I did tons of research and formulated an outline that had four major points. That’s not so bad. The trouble I ran into was that each major point that I developed had no less than five sub-points, which, could have all been major points themselves.
I actually finished a sermon outline complete with PowerPoint presentation that included twenty-four points. Because I worked so long and so hard on it, I tried to convince myself to preach it. In the end, I couldn’t do it. I could’ve preached that sermon for three hours.
During one of the Apostle Paul’s sermons, do you remember the young man that fell out of the window and died? (Acts 20:9) His name was Eutychus. He fell three stories to his death. Why? The NIV Bible says that the young man fell into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on.
Looking at my outline, that’s all I could think of.
So, what did I do? I thanked God for the great time in study that I spent with Him this week. I thanked Him for the depth of knowledge that I gained. I thanked Him for the multitude of wonderful realties that are ours to enjoy because Jesus rose from the dead. I encourage you to go on a similar journey of exploration through your Bible. I assure you; you will be overwhelmed by grace.
I then took a deep breath, chose a text with three wonderful verses regarding the resurrection and I started over.
Thank you for your patience with me. In the words of Jon Anderson, “I’m just an old chuck of coal, but I’m gonna be a diamond someday!”
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
