I recently was asked to preach at one of our area Baptist churches. I worked hard on the sermon and was convinced it was going to be great.
But as I stood at the lectern, speaking with as much enthusiasm and passion as I could, I noticed a man sitting at the end of one of the middle pews. His chin had sunk down to his chest. His eyes were closed. He was sound asleep.
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There were plenty of other people in the audience, most of them attentive and alert. But I found my eyes constantly going back to the sleeping man. I’d like to say he wasn’t a distraction, but honestly, he was.
As I continued to deliver the homily, I became determined to try to wake him up. I was using the verse from John 14: “I am the way, the truth and the light.” I started to overemphasize certain words, and to shout them loudly in an attempt to rouse him: “I am the WAY! The TRUTH! And the LIGHT!”
Nothing. Not a stir.
Undaunted, I continued to shout “NO ONE comes to the Father except through ME!”
He continued sleeping. I tried long pauses. Sometimes sudden quiet will awaken folks. Not this time. I never did succeed in getting his attention. He missed a good message. I don’t know if I delivered it well, but I know the content was solid because it was God’s word.
New appreciation
In the following weeks when I attended worship at my church, I found myself thinking about that man. It gave me a new appreciation for preachers, and the work they put into preparing for Sunday morning. They are not oblivious to their audience when they speak from the pulpit. They can see — and they do notice — if you are paying attention or if you are daydreaming, looking off into space, talking to someone, staring at your phone, or sleeping.
Your preacher would probably never admit it, but I can tell you firsthand, it is distracting, not to mention disturbing. Every preacher walks away from his message wondering, “Did I do well enough? Was it my fault some weren’t paying attention?”
Want to support and encourage your preacher? Give him your complete attention. It will benefit both of you.
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