The Day I Gave My Sermon Back to God

I still remember the moment—sitting alone with my notes, rehearsing my opening line for the fifth time, heart pounding, mouth dry, stomach flipping like I’d just stepped onto a rollercoaster I wasn’t sure I wanted to ride.

It wasn’t my first sermon. But I was just as nervous as the first time.

That’s the part nobody tells you: sometimes, the nerves don’t go away. You just learn what to do with them.

But this time was different. Because that day, something snapped. Or maybe… something clicked.

I realized I was holding something I was never meant to carry: the weight of the sermon.

I had made it mine.

I’d poured myself into it. Prayed over it. Crafted each sentence. But somewhere along the way, without meaning to, I’d made the message about me—how I’d come across, what people would think, whether I’d be interesting, insightful, or forgettable.

That’s when God whispered, “Give it back.”

It stopped me in my tracks.

Give what back?

The sermon.

And I knew exactly what He meant.

Preaching Can Feel Like Performing

Let’s be honest: preaching can feel a lot like performing.

You stand up front.

All eyes are on you.

You open your mouth and hope to God your words don’t come out awkward or forgettable.

Meanwhile, in the back of your mind, a voice is whispering:

• What if they think you’re boring?

• What if you mess up?

• What if no one comes back next week?

I’ve had all those thoughts. Maybe you have too. And here’s the truth behind them:They’re all about you.

Your ego. Your image. Your fear of failure. Your desire to be liked or respected.

But preaching was never supposed to be a spotlight. It was always meant to be a mirror—reflecting the heart of God to the people He loves.

You Don’t Need to Be Impressive

Here’s the freeing truth I’ve been learning (slowly, sometimes painfully):

God never asked me to be impressive. He just asked me to be faithful.

Faithful to show up.

Faithful to speak the truth.

Faithful to point people to Jesus—not myself.

And when I started letting go of the need to be great, or memorable, or profound—something beautiful happened.

The fear lost its grip.

The pressure faded.

The joy came back.

Because now, every time I prepare a message, I ask myself a simple question:

“Whose sermon is this?”

If the answer is “mine,” I know I’ve drifted.

If the answer is “God’s,” I can breathe again.

Flip the Focus

So if you’re feeling nervous about preaching—or even dreading it—here’s my invitation to you:

Flip the focus.

Don’t ask:

• Will they like me?

• Will I sound smart?

• Will they think I’m good?

Ask:

• Will they see Jesus?

• Will God be glorified?

• Will someone leave here more hopeful, more anchored, more loved?

Because when preaching becomes all about God’s message to God’s people, and not about you… you preach with less fear and more freedom.

A Prayer for Preachers

Here’s the prayer I’ve been praying before I preach:

“Lord, let them forget me. Let them remember You.”

And strangely enough… that’s when people actually do remember the sermon.

Because it wasn’t mine to begin with.

John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” That’s not just a verse—it’s a blueprint for every preacher.

So if the nerves hit this week, it’s okay. Don’t try to fight them by puffing yourself up.

Just hand the sermon back to God.He knows what to do with it.

Blessings,