Editor’s note: Read Michael Ruffin’s column that appeared yesterday on EthicsDaily.com about what people really mean when they say, “I enjoyed that sermon.”
Below are the top 10 things people really don’t mean when they say, “I enjoyed that sermon.”
10. “Thank you for challenging my prejudices, biases and assumptions.”
9. “I didn’t like what you said but I am glad our church gives you the freedom to say it.”
8. “I’m going to spend time this week reflecting on and praying about what you said.”
7. “That sermon hurt me where I need to be hurt. Please pray that I’ll be broken where I need to be broken.”
6. “You’re right. It’s not all about me, thank God.”
5. “Please keep preaching about love, service and sacrifice so that we’ll become a church that really practices giving ourselves away for the sake of Jesus and others.”
4. “I want to know how to take up my cross, deny myself and follow Jesus. Please keep preaching about it so we can learn together.”
3. “I prayed all week long that the Lord would speak through you today.”
2. “I came spiritually prepared to listen to you today, and I’m glad that you came spiritually prepared to preach.”
1. “I wish you had kept on preaching.”
MichaelRuffin is pastor of First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, Ga. He blogs at On the Jericho Road.
