How Then Should We Listen?
I recently heard a well-known SBC pastor, speaking to a large group of seminary students, make the following comment, “No one will remember what you preach. What they will remember is, were you there when they needed you.” What a discouraging thing to say to young men who are preparing themselves for a lifetime of ministry. A pastor’s ministry is not limited to preaching of course, but a pastor’s ministry will never become more than what he does behind God’s pulpit. No amount of Monday through Saturday ministry can replace the importance
of the Sunday sermon. That being said, I do understand that you will not remember everything that
I preach. I don’t expect you to remember everything. What I do hope for is that you are intently listening to sermons with “biblical ears”. What does that mean? Here are my thoughts.
Pray Include the Sunday sermon in your prayers each day during the week.
Read You should read the Scripture for the Sunday sermon at least a few days in advance. I’m
planning to begin preaching through Genesis in January, so you should know from one week to
the next where we are in the Bible. If you’re not sure – please ask me.
Come Expecting Come to church on Sunday morning with an expectation that the sermon will be
beneficial for you to hear.
Take Notes This doesn’t mean that you outline the sermon with grammatical precision. It means
that you have pen and paper and simply write down anything that sounds particularly important or
impactful to you. Writing it down will help you remember it and you’ll have it with you to think
about later. (Taking notes also helps you stay awake. Ahem.)
That One Thing Listen for that one thing from the sermon that is fresh and exciting about God’s
word – something new to you, difficult, or even confusing. Write it down. And of course, there
can be more than one thing.
Unpack It Call or text someone within a couple of days of the sermon and spend some time talking
about what ‘that one thing’ was for you.
Pray Again Create a bookend of prayer around each of our worship services. Ask God to sear ‘that
one thing’ into your memory so that His truths soak in and become part of you.
Fundamentally, biblically faithful preaching is not a word about God, it is a word from God. It is certainly not a new word from God, but it is the proclamation, explanation, and application of God’s eternal truth, as revealed in His word. And there is nothing more important in your life than understanding and applying God’s word. Additionally, please never hesitate to ask me to better explain something which I said from the pulpit. I would like nothing more than another swing if I missed the ball the first time around. Call, text, or stop by the church office for a visit any time.
Blessings,
Pastor Bruce bruce.cullom@gmail.com