Sometimes I'm almost human

[Hans Deventer]

and I need some words of encouragement. You may remember that a few weeks ago I preached in a church where I got no reaction whatsoever.
Today I preached in the Amersfoort church and my former DS, who attends there, said that he was touched and didn't hear Hans, he only heard the story (I preached on the prodigal son). To me, that's one of the best compliments a preacher can get: not to be a hindrance between the text and the listener.
I was very grateful for this feedback.

[Betty Bolerjack]

That truly is an awesome compliment, Hans. I would much rather hear someone say that God spoke to them through my sermon or something similar than, "That was a great sermon today, Pastor." I don't know why, but that statement always makes me feel uncomfortable. I guess I just don't know quite what to do with it, but I'm not very good at accepting compliments, anyway. :o

[Barb Bouldrey]

Hans,

John had a college professor who told me that when he preaches and it seems as if no one responded to go home, look in the mirror and say, "It was not THAT bad."

And when a sermon goes really well and he gets a lot of compliments to go home, look in the mirror and say, "It was not THAT good!"

One winter night it was snowing really hard an hour before service and did not let up. By the time the service started, John and swept or shoveled the walk 4 times. When the service started he decided to have two songs, prayer, read his scripture and dismiss and get everyone back home on the gravel country roads around us.

That is what he did. He read his scripture and gave the 3 points of his outline and had us stand for dismissal. While he was praying people went to the altar. I peaked and saw this happening and thought, "HUH? What made THAT happen?"

After praying with these folks, we had testimonies. One man said, "Preacher, you really know how to preach it." And my mind said, "HUH?"

Then a lady said, "I really needed that message." And again, my mind said, "HUH, what message??????"

LOL You just never know how God uses what you preach.

Barb

[Betty Bolerjack]

Barb, that's when you definitely know it was God doing the preaching and not you! :laughing

[Hans Deventer]

That truly is an awesome compliment, Hans. I would much rather hear someone say that God spoke to them through my sermon or something similar than, "That was a great sermon today, Pastor." I don't know why, but that statement always makes me feel uncomfortable. I guess I just don't know quite what to do with it, but I'm not very good at accepting compliments, anyway. :o

I understand, Betty. I don't think Jesus ever got a "That was a great sermon today, rabbi" from anyone who really understood what He was saying.