Your parents.
Your siblings.
Your spouse.
Your kids.
The partner of one of your children.
Your theology lecturer.
Your first or most influential minister.
Your ministry hero.
Your oldest friends.
Your non-Christian mate.
For a variety of reasons, each of the above people would be intimidating to be in attendance while you preach.
Maybe they've known you a long time.
Perhaps they know all your darkest secrets.
They may be someone you hold in high esteeme.
You may fear looking like a hypocrite.
You may be concerned if they'll agree or how their thinking of you may change.
But, I wonder, would you rather know they were in attendance or be completely unaware?
Would it make a difference?
From the above list, I've preached before quite a few of them - for better or worse.
And, I'd like to say that nothing was changed due to their attendance.
That would be a lie.
I would be mindful if someone of personal significance would be listening.
It's only natural.
But, in every sermon, there's intimidating people.
Someone who is giving church a chance after years away.
Someone who has had a near faith-wrecking week.
Someone who was the former leader of your denomination.
Someone who has preached on this passage previously.
Someone who holds a doctorate in theology.
You just aren't aware.
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