Well you've got to start somewhere haven't you...On Sunday I had another opportunity to preach at my church, St Paul's Church in Kersal, Salford. I love these opportunities because, for one, they are good practise for a trainee vicar, but the second, and best reason, is that it is always such a pleasure to preach in front of such a warm and welcoming congregation. I always feel a sense that everyone is there to support and encourage me and that's what they do! Whilst this makes it a fabulous and up-building experience for me, I am a little concerned that it makes it harder to objectively assess how my preaching skills are developing.
So I wonder, as one of the first readers of my blog, if you can help me? I've linked below an audio recording of my sermon from Sunday, which is 16mins in length. The theme is 'Make Straight Paths' and it is based on the lectionary gospel reading for the day from John 1:6-8, 19-28 focusing primarily on John the Baptist quoting (in verse 23) from Isaiah 40:3: “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord." The sermon aims to encourage, and perhaps challenge, the listener to use the opportunity during advent to open the road for others to hear the gospel message of salvation. It looks at the example of John the Baptist, the obstacles to hearing and responding to the gospel, what we can do to help clear the pathway, a call to get our own house in order, and finishes with the ultimate evidence of how God uses even the weakest to convey his message of hope.
Have a listen and let me know what you think: Link to Sermon (WMA file) or press play below.
Sermon at St Paul's 12 Dec 2011 by Alan Saunders
