I was filling in as pulpit supply years ago, when I was approached by a man after the service. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “That has to be worst sermon I’ve ever heard.” Then he turned and stormed out of the church.
I felt crushed. I’d worked hard on that sermon; praying that it would clearly give God’s message and that the Holy Spirit would touch their hearts. Then an elderly gentleman stepped up and put his hand on my shoulder. With a mischievous grin on his face, he said, “Your sermon really hit all of his buttons. It was just like you’d known him for years.”
Well, obviously I didn’t know him, but God did. And it was God who spoke to his heart. I still don’t know just which part touched the man’s heart, but it certainly caused him some serious discomfort. For that, I could only be grateful that God did answer my prayers.