I suppose the very act of blogging itself may be an exercise in shameless self promotion. But let me take it to a new level and recommend listening to this sermon. Occasionally a preacher has a sense of the Spirit's overwhelming presence and blessing upon his efforts. Not every Sunday, by any means. Nor is it true of every sermon or teaching time. But sometimes it does seem that the Holy Spirit works in an unusually potent fashion. That was my impression during and after our morning worship service on the last Lord's Day. The topic is Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. I decided to handle this passage in three segments. The first focuses on the gravity of Christ's experience as he undergoes anguish of soul. The second will deal with Christ's prayer, and the third is slated to focus on the disciples. The first installment produced an interesting effect upon the congregation. As I greeted people after the service, it seemed as if they really had seen Christ in his agony, and had been deeply affected by it. It was sobering - to me as the preacher and to them as listeners. And herein lies the power of preaching - to enable the believing heart to look upon faith upon the Man of Sorrows. But that is not necessarily an easy thing, especially when the realization sets in that HE suffers for MY sins. His agony is not on account of His wrongdoing, for He had none. It was my iniquity, my transgression that makes the load so awful for Him! Listen for yourself! See how it hits you...
Older
Top
