The Power of 1: An Encouragement for Pastors

Every time I write or talk about preaching, please know that I still consider it one of the most unique experiences in human life. We are studying and speaking the Words of God, through the Holy Spirit, in an attempt to encourage or challenge Christians and evangelize the lost, praying that the Holy Spirit does a work in their life as well.

This writing is for pastors, teachers, and others leading a ministry and wondering why they put in the time, energy, and effort into a weekly lesson, sermon, or study. (If you are a church member, allow me to encourage you to go and read 4 Ways to Encourage Your Pastor.)

While I cannot speak for each and every one of you, I know that for many, every lesson (Sunday morning to the quick devotional) has multiple hours of life, thought, and study poured into it. You are trying to uphold a 2 Timothy 4:2 lifestyle. Often, the hours of study are unseen by most, but not by the Lord.

While my books or outline may not be in front of me, my mind is often churning, trying to see if there is an aspect that I haven’t gotten to yet.

Now, allow me to walk you through a recent two-week series, which might be familiar to you, and encourage you to keep going.

1. The Sermon that feels Incredible

Not long ago, I had one of those Sundays that felt incredible. I’m usually my harshest critic. But that week, I could see the power of the Holy Spirit using the message. People weren’t just listening, they were helped, and I was excited.

My family even noticed, and for them to say a sermon moved them, which means something to me. People seemed to “get it.” They caught the illustration, heard the Word, and left wanting to live more like Jesus. Was it something I had done? You and I both know the answer. 2 Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.”

It was one of those sermons that continued to get brought up as I talked to congregation members throughout the week.

Of course, not every Sunday feels this way, but when it does, they can help us understand or encourage us in our calling.

2. The Sermon that was Flat

HOWEVER, then came the next Sunday. That sermon was flat. F-L-A-T! At least, that’s how it felt from my perspective. I spent about the same amount of preparation, study, and prayer as the other sermon. I felt faithful to the text and to what was expected of me.

And if you have been there, you understand that from my perspective in the pulpit, it was a slog. Nothing seemed to land. By the time I stepped down, my biggest thought was, “Well, I’m glad that’s over.” No comments afterward. No spark in the room. Conversations were more about, “Where is lunch?”

At these times, I am reminded that effort does not equal visible results.1 Corinthians 3:6–7: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

I have often said that sermons can be like baseball. Sometimes you hit a home run and receive cheers and high fives. Sometimes you just get on base, and a few people will still clap. Other times, it may feel like you barely connect at all, or even strike out. This day was a strikeout in my book. Little did I know, God had already planted something in that very sermon, I just couldn’t see it yet.

3. The Doubt

I’ve been at preaching long enough to know the ebb and flow that comes along with ministry. Yet doubt still creeps in. I think that doubt is normal for most ministry leaders (I tend to think about ideas like humbleness), but it can also be a trap.

The truth, Satan and sin are thieves. They rob us of joy, confidence, or power in God’s work. John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

I found myself replaying that “flat” sermon. Not in a defeated way, but in those familiar questions: Could I have prepared differently? Could I have presented it better or used a different approach? Should I have changed an example or a slide?

As you can see, my thoughts were not on the joy of what God was doing, nor confidence that Go was using it. Instead, I was trapped in the endless loop of “what could I have done better?”

4. The Power of 1: Our why.

Then came an unexpected reminder. My son Cameron. Cameron serves as the church tech guy. While he is hearing the sermon, he usually isn’t listening because he’s adjusting the cameras or sound levels. We were in the car, and he brought up that “flat” sermon. I braced myself, ready to explain or try to redeem that sermon at least a little. I mean, at least I might be able to clarify it with my own son. But before I could, he stopped me. “Dad, I really enjoyed it.”

What?

He went on to tell me why. He liked that it wasn’t sugar-coated. That I didn’t shy away from the “hard parts” of Scripture, like the grotesque reality at the end of 1 Samuel, where Saul is beheaded. He remembered details I had assumed no one heard. He didn’t just listen, he was engaged.

I didn’t need the compliment for my ego. I needed the reminder that the power of God’s Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). This is true even when we feel the presentation was flat, or even when we wonder if it mattered.

Even if it’s just one person, that’s enough.

Pastor Mark’s Encouragement:

Pastor, keep going. Maybe today it’s not the whole crowd who needs your sermon. Perhaps it’s just one person. That’s the power of one, and that is enough.

The Word you plant may not bloom before your eyes, but it will take root. God’s promise still holds; His Word never returns void. Trust that even in the “flat” moments, someone is listening, someone is changing, someone is being drawn closer to Christ, and that is the power of the gospel.