The Sermon

Work Zone: Why We Do What We Do  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  34:50
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Why do we dedicate so much time for the sermon? In a world where you can watch a sermon from almost any preacher anywhere in the world online, why do we spend valuable time on preaching? Especially when the sermon isn't very good?

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What is the Sermon?

Acts 2:42 NIV
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The sermon is the reading and explaining of the Covenant.
Exodus 24:3 NIV
When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.”
Deuteronomy 6:6–9 NIV
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Nehemiah 8:7–8 NIV
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
Luke 4:16–21 NIV
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
1 Timothy 4:13 NIV
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
The sermon is an announcement of the Good News of Jesus.
Matthew 4:17 NIV
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
2 Timothy 4:2 NIV
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
The sermon is a message of encouragement to the congregation.
Acts 13:15 NIV
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
1 Corinthians 14:3–4 NIV
But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
The sermon is a call to action for God’s people.
Luke 3:3 NIV
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:10–18 NIV
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

Why do we hear a sermon when we gather?

God has a message and a plan for the congregation.
Romans 1:7 NIV
To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2 NIV
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
Galatians 1:2 NIV
and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia:
Philippians 1:1 NIV
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Colossians 1:2 NIV
To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 NIV
Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
1 Timothy 1:2 NIV
To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
God gifts and commissions some believers to address the congregation.
Ephesians 4:11–13 NIV
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The sermon is how God addresses his covenant people.
Exodus 24:3 NIV
When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Hebrews 13:7 NIV
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

What does the sermon do?

The sermon dedicates time to listening to God.
The sermon trains us to be a mature, active, united body.
Ephesians 4:11–13 NIV
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The sermon confronts us with the living word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The sermon gives us an opportunity to respond to God’s call.
Hebrews 4:6–7 NIV
Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Conclusion

God’s plan for you cannot be fully understood or lived out without the congregation.
The value of the sermon is in what happens in the heart of the hearer, not the mouth of the speaker.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
1 Corinthians 14:29 NIV
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
Every sermon is an opportunity to answer the call of Jesus.
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