Word from the Pastor

jhpigott — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:45:31 +0000

August 25, 2010
Dear Friends,
There was a fine preacher in the South many years ago by the name of Dewitt
Talmadge.
One Sunday morning Talmadge preached a sermon that was received with great enthusiasm
by his congregation. It was one of those mornings when the Spirit seemed vital and alive in
every heart. That evening, Talmadge was to preach in another nearby church. There was
not much time to prepare that afternoon and since his congregation had been so responsive
to this particular message, he decided to repeat it that night. It must have been somewhat
awkward for him because three of his church members had ridden over with him for the
service. Still he preached that message with all the enthusiasm, all the energy, all the
intensity with which he had preached that morning. This time, however, the sermon fell
absolutely flat. Talmadge’s message was an utter failure as far as he could tell. Driving
home with his laymen, there was an awkward silence in the car. What do you say to the
preacher when the sermon has fizzed? Finally one of the men asked, “Pastor, how do you
explain it? Your sermon got such a great response at our church this morning.” Talmadge
thought for a moment and answered, “Poor preaching is God’s curse on a prayless
congregation”
When you come to a worship service is the soil of your heart prepared to receive seed so
that you might go forth to bear fruit? If my sermon or any pastor’s sermon fails to turn you
on, is the fault completely the preacher’s, or could it be that your heart was not ready to
receive God’s Word? When you read Jesus’ parable of the sower - Matthew 13: 1-9; 18-23
- do you see where the emphasis is? It is not upon the sower or the seed but upon the soil.
The most eloquent preacher or teacher in the world cannot reach the heart that has
hardened or the life that is choked with the weeds of worldly concern. Our personal
devotional life has much to do with our receptivity to the Word of God. Our daily prayer
should be that our hearts are open, receptive, and responsive to God’s Word.
Come to church Sunday. Invite someone.
Grover

PASTOR'S CORNER

Word from the Pastor