#42 Preach To An Empty Room
“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).
You must preach to an empty room. This concept may seem strange or even pointless at first, but its value cannot be overstated. When God calls you to preach, the size or presence of an audience is irrelevant to your calling. The essence of preaching is not contingent upon the number of ears that hear you but rather the faithfulness with which you deliver God's message. If God has called us to preach, He has also called us to be diligent and to learn the craft of preaching. Our audience, when we eventually have one, has likely heard many sermons over the years. They know how to differentiate between well-prepared sermons and poorly delivered ones. It is unfair to subject them to our unrefined attempts when we have not taken the time to perfect our skills. This is why it is crucial to practice preaching to an empty room. Doing so allows us to make and learn from our mistakes without putting souls at risk. It enables us to refine our message, delivery, and overall approach so that when the time comes, we can preach with confidence and clarity. And most importantly to learn to hear God’s direction for our sermons. Preaching to an empty room also helps in cultivating a sense of humility. It reminds us that our primary audience is God, not people. This practice reinforces the notion that our ultimate goal is to honor God through our preaching, rather than seeking the approval or admiration of others. By preaching to an empty room, we strip away the distractions and pressures of public speaking and focus solely on delivering God's message faithfully.
“And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:16).
Maintaining a good conscience is essential for anyone called to preach. It involves living a life that is consistent with the message we preach. If we are called to preach we will know the reality of that calling before we ask God to give us an audience. Preaching to an empty room provides an opportunity to cultivate this integrity. It allows us to examine our hearts and motives without the influence of an audience. We can reflect on whether our message is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit or if it is tainted by personal ambitions or desires for recognition. This self-examination is crucial in ensuring that our preaching remains pure and God-centered.
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season” (Psalm 1:2-3).
Delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night is the foundation of effective preaching. Like a tree planted by streams of water, we need to be deeply rooted in God's Word. This involves not only studying the Scriptures but also allowing them to transform our hearts and minds. When we are firmly rooted in God's Word, our preaching will naturally bear fruit in due season. It is normal to first grow and then produce. Growth precedes fruit-bearing, and this principle applies to preaching as well. We must first grow in our understanding of God's Word and in our relationship with Him before we can effectively minister to others. This growth often requires time, patience, and diligent study.
However, we must also recognize the urgency of our calling. Jesus warned of the consequences of not bearing fruit when He cursed the fig tree that had leaves but no fruit. We are called to feed God's people with His Word, and we must take this responsibility seriously. Preaching to an empty room allows us to prepare ourselves so that we can bear fruit when the time comes. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). In due time, God will provide an audience for those He has called to preach. This promise is a source of great encouragement. The work that God begins in us, He will bring to completion. Our responsibility is to be diligent in our preparation, trusting that God will open the doors for us to minister to others.
For students of theology, this preparation often involves several years of study. Typically, a bachelor's degree takes four years, followed by another three years for a master's degree. During this time, there may be opportunities to preach, but they might be limited. Nevertheless, the time spent in study and preparation is invaluable. Imagine the scenario where, after seven years of theological education, you are given the opportunity to preach, and you fail to deliver a meaningful message. This situation would be disheartening not only for you but also for those who have invested in your training and growth. It underscores the importance of diligent preparation and practice. If we consider that a new student of theology may has more than 350 Sundays before they finish their education it becomes evident that with diligence we may preach 350 sermons without an audience. Each sermon delivered to an empty room is a step toward readiness. It hones our skills, deepens our understanding, and builds our confidence.
Too busy? If a potential pastor claims to be too busy with schoolwork and other commitments to answer this charge, then one must wonder if they are truly ready to answer the call that God has placed on their heart. Being too busy to prepare for preaching suggests a misalignment of priorities. If God has called you to preach, then that calling deserves your utmost attention and dedication.
It is worth noting that this is an impossible standard. Yet we all must consider what our true calling is.
