HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM A SERMON

Preparing Ourselves to Listen

Prepare yourself physically

1 Timothy 4:7–8 “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

See 1 Kings 19:1-8 and Luke 8:22–23...

Prepare yourself spiritually

See John 16:7-15...

Recognize your dependence on the Holy Spirit

Psalm 119:36 “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”

Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”

Psalm 90:14 “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

See Matthew 13:13-16...

How to Listen

Give your attention to the Lord.

Jeremiah 22:29 “O land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord!”

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”

Is what I am hearing true?

Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

Isaiah 8:20 “To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.”

How to Respond

What does His Word call me to believe?

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

What does His Word call me to do?

James 1:21-25...

James 2:26 “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

John 14:15 ““If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

1 John 3:18 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

Are there any truths about God, His promises, or His works that should move me to worship Him? Are there any sins that I need to confess and repent of? Are there any acts of obedience that I should pursue? What are some practical things I can do to obey His Word? What are some practical things I can do to flee from sin and temptation? Is there someone that I need to share these truths with?