For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
~because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:16–18, 21 (RSV)
A good friend once shared that preaching is the agony and the ecstasy of parish ministry. I agree with his observation. As Lutherans, we hold the Word of God in high regard, both in the Scriptures and the sermon.
A sermon is never to be a personal flight of fancy on the part of the preacher. It is never a private platform from which we expound our political beliefs, siding with whatever movement is trending.
A sermon is rooted in the apostolic witness stretching back to the Holy Apostles, who are the living witnesses to our Lord, His death and resurrection. The sermon is a continuation of the Gospel first proclaimed by those who were present at the resurrection.
The agony comes each week as the preacher knows that they are not worthy of proclaiming the Word by themselves. The ecstasy comes through the confidence that the Holy Spirit will create and sustain faith in those who hear the Word despite their weakness.
Thanks be to God who keeps the Word alive in the hearts of those who hear by the Holy Spirit.