May 10, 2026 – CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday May 10TH 2026, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

Volume 9, Number 11, Edition 411
“A Bad Sermon ?”

I was recently asked if I’ve ever preached a bad sermon. And that got me thinking as I was trying to answer the question – What is a bad sermon ?

When I was actively writing sermons – I would do so over the course of several days to several weeks and even several months. I had the luxury of extending them out as such since I was a fill-in Pastor. I would lead our Sunday morning church services about 8 to 10 times a year. Most of the time I knew a few weeks in advance that I would be leading and preaching.

In my mind – a bad sermon is one that is hastily prepared at the last minute on Saturday night. It’s a rush job. It’s written quickly. It’s unorganized. It’s unprepared. It sounds like it on Sunday morning. I was asked to preach the next morning on Saturday night a few times, but I was always ready with a small supply of already-written future sermons to preach. Once I got the word – I selected the “next-one-up”, and I finalized it and rehearsed it.

I also see a bad sermon as one with few or no verses of Scripture included. Those are usually topical sermons based on real-world events – particularly political events and viewpoints. Bad sermons can also focus on manmade religious rules rather than God’s Good News and His love, grace, and mercy. When God isn’t Glorified in a sermon – it’s a bad sermon. When money and success is the root of a sermon – it’s a bad sermon.

I have preached sermons in the past that after doing so I felt as if I didn’t connect with the church family. Sometimes I’m wrong about that based on the positive feedback received afterwards. I’ve also preached sermons in the past that after doing so I felt as if I hit a home run out of the park. First of all – where’s the humility in that ? Secondly – while I may have thought that everything sounded great – that’s not important. What did the church family think about it ? Frequently no feedback or even incomplete feedback is negative feedback:

– “Hey Pastor Chris good message.”
– “Thanks. What did you like about it the most ?”
– “Oh. Everything was good.”

Some Pastors concentrate too much on time limits. If you preach for only 20 minutes – then it’s not a complete sermon and you weren’t prepared. If you preach for 60 minutes – then you’re long-winded and nobody is paying attention anymore. I personally don’t believe that either statement is correct. I’ve heard great, encouraging, and inspirational 20-minute and 60-minute sermons. (I try to keep mine at 30 to 40 minutes; although, I have been accused of being long-winded a few times.)

Is my sermon relevant to the audience – the church family ? Will they get closer to God after hearing it ? Have I left them with actions to take post-sermon ? That’s what I pray for.

Preach the word of God. Be prepared – whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2 NLT)

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, a testimony, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord – and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know – then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.