We’ve Heard that Sermon

“Pastor, we’ve heard that sermon.”

I was having coffee with The Lutheran Pastor.

He was telling me about a colleague of ours who preached his first sermon to his new church, and was received with praise and open arms.

The second Sunday in the pulpit, he preached the same sermon. Got questioning looks in response.

Third Sunday, same sermon. Awkward silence from the people.

At a church leadership meeting that week, the primary topic was the new pastor’s preaching.

“With all due respect, you’ve preached the same sermon three times now.”

“Yes. And?”

“Pastor, we’ve heard that sermon.”

“And you’ll keep hearing it until you start following it.”