I typically read the appointed readings for Sunday a week in advance of the service. The first read-through is just to familiarize myself with what is going on, to see if there’s any one place where I feel a lot of energy. It’s also a chance to let it simmer on the back burner of my mind. I typically look for energy in the Gospel, as that is where Jesus is most easily seen, and He is the whole reason for Sunday morning.
On Thursday I will begin to prepare in earnest. I listen to at least one sermon on the Sermons that Work Podcast, a production of the Episcopal Church, read several commentaries from a Lutheran seminary, and then zero in on what I want to say. I ask these questions before I begin formulating my sermon: How has my week been? What am I wrestling with this week? What do I need to hear? I then begin to pray, first saying to Jesus, “Help me to preach your truth in love.” This is my semi-constant prayer between Thursday and Sunday morning as I make my way to the middle of the aisle to preach.
On Saturday, I arrive at a point where I say to Jesus, “I have no idea what to say, Jesus! Please help me!” There are times when I know what I want to say, but I don’t know how to say it. I develop my main point first – which is usually the end of the sermon – and then build around it. For example, last week’s sermon was about Simon declaring Jesus to be the Messiah in the middle of Caesarea Philippi, which was a HUGE deal because they were in hostile territory. I wanted to show what a big deal it was, but I had a difficult time finding the right way to deliver it. The main point I was making is that Jesus is our Lord and King, and He is forever, loving, and full of grace; unlike any human king or ruler.
If I can, I tell a story about myself that helps me get to the gospel, but I am careful not to make my sermon the “Jason Show.” If I can’t make a solid connection between a personal story and the gospel, I don’t tell a story. I’ve also started to run out of stories, or at least stories I’m willing to tell in church.
At times I will talk about the Greek that was used in the original manuscript, but by and large I leave this alone, as I’m there to show the daily application of the gospel. I’ve also learned to zero in on one event or sentence in the assigned scripture. We have four readings every week, and some weeks every reading could produce multiple sermons; conversely, there are weeks where there is nothing from the readings that I feel compelled to talk about.
One of the early mistakes I made as a preacher was trying to say everything about the readings in one sermon. I’ve preached through our lectionary six times now and will preach through it six more times before I retire (God willing). If I don’t get to it this year, I’ll have another chance in 2029.
The Rev. Jason Shelby
Rector