“You may not believe it, but those of us in the preaching profession sometimes wonder if it does any good.  We work at our sermons week after week…and when Sunday comes we stand in the pulpit with pounding hearts, say our piece, and then step down for the closing hymn wondering if it has made any difference at all,” begins Jim Somerville, Pastor of Richmond’s First Baptist Church and co-founder of A Sermon for Every Sunday. In this week’s passage from Mark 1:29-39, Jesus practices the ministry of healing. However, time spent in the wilderness reminds him that his mission is not strictly to be that of healing. Does preaching and teaching make a difference? Jesus sure seems to think it does!

This sermon is from A Sermon for Every Sunday, a series of lectionary-based video sermons designed for use in worship, Bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes or for individual use.

For more sermon preparation help, check out Pulpit Resource, Will Willimon's weekly lectionary-based sermon resource, available online and through a print subscription.