Sermons and my life....

I heard something the other day that made me stop and think...... "The best sermons are not preached, they are lived". What a profound statement I thought. I mean really listen to the words, say them out loud, I did. Think about it. What does this really mean?

I have found, for many years now, great comfort and joy in my church home and my church family. I have heard many great sermons from our Pastor and others who have on occasion filled in for him, each sermon very worthy on its own. I have, in my life, even given what some would call a "sermon" or two. But when I heard this said the other day, "The best sermons are not preached, they are lived", it caused me to stop and think. What does qualify a "good sermon"? Is it the character of the person who is giving it? Is it the words themselves that are spoken? Is it the message alone that has meaning and merit? I have come to conclude that it is all of these things. This goes back to the old saying, "if you are going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk". I have to admit I am not always good at "walking the walk", it is much easier to say something than to actually do it. But after thinking on this for quite some time I have decided that what we say has no real merit unless we actually do it. When I hear a "sermon" at church or even give one myself, my words are just that, WORDS, those sermon words are just words unless we take them and give them life. I have to follow them up with action, in every way. And the person who is saying them has to have character and value to me and/or others or I don't take what he or she is saying seriously. Likewise, I have to have merit and character for my words to matter.

For example, I say I love Jesus, do I really live it everyday? I say that I love my family, do I really show them, everyday? I say I have a heart and a desire to see lost people saved, but do I do anything about it? I have to admit I make an attempt on all of these points but do fall short more often than I succeed.

Thank God that He is a forgiving God and that He loves me inspite of myself. I challenge myself to walk the walk, to live out the "sermons" in my life and be a person of character and conviction each and every day, not just when I really think about it and work at it......I have to admit it will be difficult at times but I do want to mean what I say, and say what I mean......when I really think about what Jesus did for me, for all of us, (eventhough He knew I would be a sinner and would fall short more than I succeed) it is the very least that I can do for Him.


Til next time.....