The Power of the Pause [Scott Lehr]

·21 min·1 clip

Jesus pauses and writes on the ground when accused men demand he condemn an adulterous woman, shifting the entire scene.

This sermon from Southbridge Fellowship is delivered by Pastor Scott Lehr, focusing on the spiritual significance of divinely appointed pauses in life. He addresses the congregation on a Sunday disrupted by unexpected winter weather, using the forced stillness as a starting point. Lehr argues that pauses, whether expected or unexpected, are not empty periods but are filled with formative purpose. He opens with a personal anecdote about being an extra on a TV set, observing the extensive preparation and setup that occurs between filmed scenes. Lehr transitions to scripture, identifying a recurring "pause principle" in the lives of biblical figures. He cites Abraham, who waited decades between God's promise of a son and its fulfillment, a period described in Romans 4:18 as a time where he believed "against all hope." The sermon references Joseph, whose character was tested during years of slavery and imprisonment before his rise to power, as noted in Psalm 105:19. Lehr discusses Moses, who spent 40 years in the wilderness before encountering the burning bush and receiving his calling in Exodus 3. He notes how David, anointed as king, wrote Psalm 27 about waiting for the Lord during his long flight from Saul. The message highlights Jesus himself, pointing to his deliberate two-day delay before visiting the sick Lazarus in John 11. A central, detailed example is the story from John 8 of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus pauses to write on the ground, creating space for her accusers to be convicted and leave. Lehr connects this to the church's current study of John 17, where Jesus pauses to pray before his crucifixion. The sermon concludes by relating the theme to the church's vision to reach a million people in their city, suggesting this collective pause may be a period of divine formation. A key insight is that what our fast-moving culture perceives as stagnation is often God's intentional time for character formation and preparation. The story of Jesus writing on the ground illustrates how a pause can create space for grace, conviction, and restoration without a word being spoken. The idea that followers of Jesus are described as a "gift from the Father to the Son" is presented as a foundational identity. Lehr suggests that true success in faith looks more like long-term faithfulness than immediate achievement. The prayer at the end asks for protection from evil and for the congregation to be sanctified and set apart by biblical truth. The tone is pastoral, instructional, and encouraging, blending personal storytelling with direct biblical teaching. The style is conversational yet structured, moving from a relatable modern analogy into a survey of scriptural examples to support its central thesis. Listeners interested in Christian spiritual growth, biblical exposition, or finding meaning in life's waiting seasons would appreciate this message. Those seeking a theological debate, a non-religious perspective, or a purely narrative podcast might find it less aligned with their interests.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Southbridge Fellowship Sermons