For over twenty-five years, I have been privileged to stand in front of people and preach. In his mercy, God has allowed me to repent of many of my earliest sermons. “The Cure for Insomnia” is a collection of essays that first appeared on my blog (kenhensley.com). I do not claim to be an expert in preaching, only a fellow traveller – and one that is still learning along the way.
One of the most daunting tasks a person can undertake is preaching. Every seven days you must stand before a group of people and offer a word from God to them. If your week gets filled with appointments, Sunday is still on the way.
A preacher must wrestle with the text before he can adequately present it. There are times when clarity unfolds slowly. Yet, the preacher must find the right words to describe The Word.
Preaching is also one of the most fulfilling tasks a pastor can undertake.
As one entrusted with the word of God and people’s lives, we stand at a unique intersection. We have the opportunity to meet real people with real needs – and do so in the power of the Holy Spirit. On any given weekend, we will stand before a variety of people, each expecting to hear from God.
My hope is that “The Cure for Insomnia” might provide a few insights and a little bit of encouragement as you undertake the task of preaching.