I realize that many people who read this blog are not preaching three times every Sunday.  Many preach periodically, or maybe not at all.  So for those that get to listen to sermons as well as preach them, I thought I’d mention something obvious but important.  Be thankful.

It’s easy to criticize.  Roast preacher is a delicacy we’re all very capable of serving up for Sunday lunch.  It’s easy to spot holes, disagree with details or nitpick the niceties of a sermon.  There is a place for evaluation, and even a place for appropriate criticism.  But remember to recognize that a dull sermon does not equate to heresy, a sermon that didn’t fire your imagination does not equate to a dud.  We should be discerning.  We should be testing everything against Scripture.  We should be careful not to be lead astray.  But we should also be thankful.

Thankful for the work put in.  Thankful for a preacher who at least tries to handle the Bible with some degree of skill.  Thankful for effort in the arena of application.  Thankful for a pastor who cares about his listeners even if the sharpness in sermon delivery is lacking a little something.  Very very few get to listen to stunning sermons week in and week out.  But let’s all be thankful for what we do get.  (And if there are genuine issues of concern, pray for wisdom and courage to know the best path forward, rather than taking the simple option of roast preacher with a gravy of gossip!)