One of the things I admire about the people I have read biographies for, is the number of them who would be able to deliver a talk or a sermon at the drop of a hat. Part of this ability is undeniably the work of the Holy Spirit and the person’s reliance on Him for words. (Matthew 10:19, Luke 12:11). However, another aspect of this is a person’s heart being submerged in scripture. When our minds are soaked in scripture, prayerfully, thoughtfully, creatively, on a regular basis: we grow in our ability to teach others (even at short notice!).
I must admit, when I go to Church on Sundays, there is often a part of me that hopes the pastor/vicar will ask me to just preach. With no notice. My mind whirs together a talk and hopes this will come about.
Since this is a longing, one of the things I want to do is practice writing a sermon a day, working my way through the New Testament passage by passage. Choosing a supplementary Old Testament reading for each passage. And be faithful to practice. Faithful to grow in this. If I can be faithful with this small thing in the secret hidden place, who knows how God might use it.
It wouldn’t have to be a word-for-word script, (that’s not how I write them anyway!) but a brief outline, kind of like what I see in Spurgeon’s journals and books.
Maybe this blog could be a platform to share some of these daily sermon notes?
Pursuit 