He (Jesus) went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. Mark 6:1–6 (RSV)
I still have the first sermon I preached in my home congregation, Bethesda Lutheran in Jewell, IA. Pr. Jolivette was gone on vacation, and the Board of Deacons asked if I could fill in. I was glad to, both because they were paying my tuition at Luther Seminary, and I had received so much support from them in my journey of faith.
I worked long and hard on the sermon. I fretted and stewed over it as well. I wanted to do well, to show the good folk that they didn't waste their money. Jackie suggested that I do a practice run before I gave it on Sunday. I preached, she listened and timed the message. When the 'amen' came at the end, she was quiet, then said, 'It's only seven minutes long.'
I had visions of the Board of Trustees holding a special meeting after worship to vote to end my tuition. I could see my Sunday School teachers shaking their heads at the wasted effort they put in on me. The Gem Cafe would be buzzing after worship, 'I knew that Hatcher kid wouldn't make it as a preacher!' I wanted to throw up.
I don't begin to think my first sermon is on the same level as Jesus teaching at His synagogue in Nazareth. It is the same in that people often don't see beyond the one teaching or preaching and fail to hear the Word. The folk at Nazareth couldn't get beyond who they thought Jesus is. They had seen Him grow up. Everyone knew his family. It didn't seem likely that this hometown boy should be teaching them.
What they thought they knew wouldn't let them hear the Word Jesus was teaching. It did not stop Jesus teaching, preaching, healing, and calling people into discipleship. The Word was all that mattered. It is an essential lesson for a preacher to learn. It is not about what folk think of you that matters. It is the Word that matters.
If we preach and teach the Word faithfully, the Holy Spirit will accomplish His work. As long as the Gospel is proclaimed, the preacher has done what the Lord asks. What then does it matter if the sermon is seven minutes or seven hours long? If the Word of God captures hearts, the preacher is a small matter.