Mark Twain once said that he heard a preacher who was powerfully good. He decided to give him every cent he had with him. But the preacher kept at it too long. Ten minutes later, Twain decided to keep the bills and only give the change. Another ten minutes more Twain said, “I was darned if I’d give him anything at all. Then, when he finally stopped and the plate came around, I was so exhausted, I decided to steal $2 just for spite.”

Now I know you sympathize with Mark Twain. I don’t hear as many preachers as you do — or, I don’t hear preachers on a regular basis the way you do, but I understand that sympathy. I have to listen to myself every week.

But I also feel for the poor preacher in Twain’s story. One of my problems in sermon preparation is how much to cover. When you come to a pass…