As one who has spent decades preaching and teaching God’s Word, I can say without fear of contradiction that this beast we call preaching is sometimes akin to riding an untamed monster. Let me explain.

First, we are met with the weight of trying to communicate God’s Word, on his behalf. to his people. So it is we need to separate between our own mere thoughts, opinions, agendas and ideas, and God’s as they are found in the text. There is the constant danger of letting us as communicators spill over on to him. To superimpose ourselves onto Christ’s personality, heart and mind. Here is a battle we must constantly fight – to let his Word be heard, and not our own.

Second, we come to the task with all sorts of defects. We preach to people about their sins, but must never lose touch with our own lest we become imperious and give the impression we do not need the Gospel as much as our hearers do. That we are the example – not Christ. Truth be told, we often do not want to need the Gospel as much as we tell others they do. We want to think ourselves above certain attitudes, weaknesses and outright sins. But as the old saying goes, we are in fact only lepers, telling other lepers where they can find bread – as per 2 Kings 7.

Third, we are so often prone to gauge our success (or lack thereof) by how we feel a particular sermon was received or not; by the sensory experience of that particular worship service. To rely on the comments of others, both positive and negative. In this, we can forget the reality of how our own subjective feelings on any given day may fluctuate due to a host of factors – as well as those of our audience. It is a fruitless consideration – but very present and real.

Fourth, it is easy to forget that we are merely heralds and that the Holy Spirit alone can make our preaching effectual in the hearts and minds of our hearers. And so to constantly plead with him for his moving upon both ourselves, and them in the execution of our office.

It is in thinking on these things again this morning that I offer up something I wrote many years ago for my own reflection upon my preaching duties. I titled it then – The Preacher’s Manifesto.

And might I add, if you are going to worship this morning – pray for your preacher. Please.

I am a preacher of the Gospel,

One of the sails on a great ship.

I did not make myself.

I was created by His hand,

For His purpose.

Sin brought rottenness, carelessness and neglect.

But the holes are mended through by His Grace,

Lest even unfurled, I am of no use.

Prayerlessness keeps me wrapped and rolled.

Prayer alone hoists me high in preparation for service.

Yet, mended in righteousness and hoisted high in prayer,

If the Wind not blow,

If the Spirit not move;

There is no power, no progress,

no true advancement toward the Harbor.

I am, we are, adrift – and at the mercy of the currents, or lack of them.

Holy Spirit – Breathe on us!

John 12:21d – “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”