After every sermon I preach, we have a time of response to God's Word. We try to respond through prayer and song. During this time, I stand in front of the stage with my head bowed for anyone who wants someone to pray with them. As I stand at the altar, a lot of things fight for prominence in my mind. I, like the rest of the congregation, ought to be responding to the Word that was preached. Sinfully, some Sundays, I'm mentally critiquing my own sermon. On other weeks, I'm mapping out my afternoon meetings and activities.
God is gracious to my wandering heart. More than once, he has interrupted my private pity parties with a brother or sister in need of prayer. I have the distinct privilege of kneeling before our Father with them in times of weeping and rejoicing. I cannot express to you how precious those moments are to me.
This past Sunday, I experienced something for the first time at the altar. Someone came forward and said the beautiful words, "I want to be saved." I've heard those words before. I've been able to lead friends to Jesus in my office and on a mountainside. But until that moment, I had not experienced leading someone to Jesus at the altar. It easily is one of the most joyous moments in my ministry.
Fellow pastor, take a word of encouragement from someone who is often distracted at the altar. God is doing far more than you can see. On that particular Sunday, I felt that I had preached a dud. I expected no visible response. To use Mark Dever's analogy, I knew my sermon was no homerun. I was just hoping to get on base.
God had more in mind. In the midst of the service, God was saving the soul of an 88-year-old man. To continue with the analogy, despite my batting average, God brought His man home. The next time you stand at the altar, bear in mind the promise of Scripture. The power of preaching is not in eloquence or your own comfort with how you thought it went. The power of preaching is the power of the Spirit of God working through the Word of God to save the people of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
Brothers and sisters, pray for the family of God. In that time of response to God's Word, consider what He is doing all around you. Whether you bow at the altar or stay where you are, pray for those in your pew and those sitting near you. Pray that God would do the work that only He can do in their lives. Pray for your pastor as he fights distraction in that moment. Pray that the work God begins in hearts at the altar does not end there.
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