How To Listen To A Sermon

Take heed therefore how ye hear... —Luke 8:18:

While not everyone is called to preach, everyone is called to listen.  Unfortunately, listening to Biblical preaching has fallen on hard times.  There seems to be a disconnect between the pew and the pulpit.

I believe there are several reasons for a decline in the hearing of sound preaching.  Part of the problem may rest with the preacher’s lack of effective sermon preparation.  Another contributing factor is a culture weaned on video games, television, and blockbuster movies (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

For preaching to be effective, the preacher must deliver God’s Word with Holy Spirit power, and the hearer in the pew must listen with Spirit anointed ears. Here are a few things a person can do get more out of the sermon:

First, listen in faith. Hebrews 4:2 says, “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”  Remember, preaching is God’s appointed means “to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). Therefore, it is imperative to listen with ears of faith if you expect to profit by the sermon.

Second, listen in awe of God’s Word. This is how the Thessalonians listened. Paul writes, “When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:13). Never forget that the Bible the preacher is preaching from is God’s Word.

Third, listen with a prayerful attitude. When young Samuel heard God’s voice, he prayed, “Speak, Lord, for they servant hearth” (1 Sam. 3:9). Have a willingness to obey whatever God says to you.

Fourth, listen intently, avoiding distractions. The devil will do everything he can to get your mind off the preaching of the sermon.

Finally, listen with respect and an appreciation for the preacher. “Esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thess. 5:13).

Pray for your preacher. The more you pray for him, the more you will appreciate his ministry of the Word, and the more effective he will become in delivering God’s message. That’s a WIN / WIN proposition.