Expecting God to Speak
While I was in seminary and college studying for ministry, I listened to hundreds of sermons – sermons in chapel, sermons in preaching classes, sermons at church. In that process you might think that I would have grown tired of sermons, but it had just the opposite effect. I love listening to and reading sermons. I can say comfortably that I have never heard a sermon that I did not learn something from, even if it was not exactly the “something” the preacher intended for me to learn. I had a mentor say to me once that learning to listen to sermons is one of the most important skills that you can develop in your life. He reminded me that God speaks to us in powerful ways through sermons.
This summer, we are looking at ways we can listen to God more effectively, and over the next several weeks I will share some practical ways to help you grow in your ability to listen to sermons. Now this might feel a little weird coming from me, because it might sound like I am asking you to grow in your ability to listen to me! But it is more than that. I believe we hear God’s Word a little differently when we experience a sermon, in fact I believe that God’s Word is uniquely powerful when it is spoken. It has been well described as the “Enduring Word.” Peter says that it remains forever. He writes, “...since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this Word is the good news that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:23-25 ESV)
These next several weekly emails will be influenced by a wonderful little book that I recommend titled Listen Up, by Christopher Ash. I have found it to be very helpful as I attempt to discern the voice of God, especially through sermons that I hear. In his book, Ash says we ought to listen with anticipation to receive something from God.
“We are to listen to sermons expectantly because Jesus gives the authority of God Himself to the preacher who teaches the Bible accurately and prayerfully. Jesus governs His church by the written word of Scripture. The main way He does this is not just by the written word being read, but by the written word being preached and taught. Of course, it is good when people who can read, do read and study the Bible; but it is vital that all people, without exception, hear the Bible preached.” (Christopher Ash, Listen Up)
I can think of several very practical ways to encourage expectant listening. We try to post the sermon title and passage for the upcoming Sunday in these weekly emails. It can be very valuable to pre-study the passage, put it into its context, and consider what sermon you might preach on that passage. It may seem obvious, but getting a good night’s sleep prior to church can go a long way toward helping make the sermon more significant. I learned in my high school chemistry class that it is hard to learn anything when you are asleep. Another helpful practice in preparation for receiving a sermon is to spend time praying, asking God specifically what He has for you to learn through the sermon.
Thank you for considering how you can Listen Up!
Expectantly,
Shawn
P.S. I mentioned in my message last Sunday that we have an ongoing “to-do” list of projects around our property. Anyone interested in helping with these can contact the church office (330-273-5651) for more information.
