“Sometimes you just don’t listen.” These words come from my wife’s mouth and, unfortunately, are often true. Sometimes we just don’t listen. Even when we want to listen and perhaps think we are, we are not listening well. I have found this is because I don’t think rightly about listening. Many view listening as passive. Others talk, I do nothing. This results in non-listening. Because listening is an active engagement. Good listening involves awareness of the thoughts and thought processes in our minds. When we are listening well, we are hearing, thinking about, and evaluating what we are hearing. There are several impacts this should have on how we listen to the Sunday sermon.

First, it means that we should listen to the Sunday sermon with awareness. We should discipline our minds to remain engaged with what we are hearing. It is easy to become distracted and stop listening. Noises, activity, and our own imagination can distract us from listening. Yet, when we find our minds wandering, we must bring ourselves back to listening.

There are tactics I have found that help me. One tactic is to ask questions about what is being said. “What is he saying?” “Where else would I find that in the Bible?” “Where do I see the things he is talking about in my life?” There is almost no end to the questions that you could ask. And I have found that asking questions keeps me engaged.

Another tactic is to take notes to stimulate my mind. When I hear something, I sometimes remember it. When I hear and see something, I am more likely to remember it. When I write it down, I hear it, I write it down, and I see it. This helps me remember. It also helps me organize my thoughts. If there is something I am not sure I agree with, I will make a note so that I can go back and study it out throughout the week. If something is well stated, I write it down so I can use it later. Writing it down also helps me trace the line of thought so I can follow the argument. Writing while listening engages my mind and helps me listen.

Understanding good listening also means listening to the Sunday sermon with emotion. When I listen to God’s Word, the Holy Spirit uses it to go to work on my life. This means that sometimes I respond to the message negatively. I don’t like what is being said. Perhaps I don’t think I agree with what is being said. And it makes me a little angry. When this happens, it is important that I pause and ask why I am responding with the negative emotion. Usually, it is because the Holy Spirit is using God’s Word to convict me of the change I need in my life. Other times, I hear God’s Word and respond with excitement. This excitement should not be repressed but is a form of worship. When someone in the congregation gives a sincere “Amen!” it’s like throwing a bone to a pit bull. Further, it can help those around me re-engage. Finally, it reminds me of the goodness and glory of God.

There is a whole world of study called Listening Theory. In this study, they call these things self-talk. When we listen, we should be aware of the thought process at work and self-talk our way through it. This engages our minds and leads us to a place of decision. At the end of every sermon, we should arrive at a place where we accept what has been preached and make necessary applications, or we reject what has been preached and can give sound, biblical reasons why. What should not happen (and I think happens often) is that we arrive at the end of the messages with no thought for or against what has been said. We simply feel we have fulfilled our duty and move on with life. When we listen to sermons, we must listen intentionally, asking questions, so that we can apply God’s Word to our lives and show all our great God.

As we concluded last year, we examined several biblical passages to remind ourselves of the importance of applying the sermon we hear on Sunday. We don’t need to spend long in church before we discover that, at times, it can be a struggle. While we want to hear from God and change our lives, there are times when we leave on Sunday without that seeming to happen. I believe this is a two-way struggle we must understand to ensure it does not recur.

First, this is a struggle for and/or because of the preacher. As a pastor, my desire is that the messages on Sunday impact your lives Monday through Saturday. As I (and I know this is true for Christian) prepare the message, I am reflecting on what I know of each of you and how this text might impact your life. I seek to make some applications as I preach. However, there is an inherent challenge. We have a diverse church body. The practical applications of each text are also diverse. How a text might practically work out in the life of an older widow is not the same as how it practically works out in the life of a middle school boy. The way it practically works out in the lives of a couple who have been married for 30 years is not the same as the way the text might practically work out in the life of the young ladies longing to be married. It is impossible for me, as a preacher, to make all the applications I would like to the church body. That is, unless we extend the morning service to 3:00 pm, which I don’t think anyone really wants.

There is also the reality that I am not always the best preacher. There are times when I should improve the message. Vocal inflection ceases to exist, and my voice puts you to sleep. The message is not structured in a pattern that is easy to follow. After almost 400 Sunday-morning messages at Cambria, I am sure we can all think of a few duds. As much as I want every message to be the best message ever, I am not Charles Spurgeon, John the Baptist, or the Apostle Paul. Thankfully, all who trust Christ have the Holy Spirit within them, who illuminates God’s Word to them so that He overcomes my shortcomings.

Second, the struggle arises from the listener. While you want to hear God each Sunday, there are things that can hinder this. Sometimes, you are tired, and the struggle is to stay awake, much less listen. Sometimes, people around you are talking over the message, which is a distraction. Sometimes, you may struggle to follow the flow of the message or to understand the concepts presented. And sometimes, the mind wanders to other things, like lunch or the challenge you are facing at work or in your family. We have all been in the pew at one time or another, feeling that we are not getting anything from the message.

Christmas is about redemption. Peter informs us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus himself stated, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). Jesus did not come as our example or as a good teacher. He came to save the world. As we gather this Christmas and exchange gifts, we must remember the most important gift of all: the gift of eternal life.

Our God is a God of redemption. Mankind willingly rebelled against him. Yet, instead of destroying us in wrath, “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So, you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (Galatians 4:4-7).

That baby we think about in the manger came for the specific purpose to die for your sin. This was the angelic message to Joseph. The angel commanded Joseph, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This was no ordinary baby. This was the pinnacle of history. This was the fulfillment of prophecy. This was the answer to sin. This was the promised seed of Genesis 3. This was our redemption.

A look at the false gods throughout history revealed them to be angry and vindictive. But that is not our God. He is redemptive. The false gods demand that we sacrifice our children for them. But our God sacrificed His Son for us. False gods require penance and suffering for acceptance. Our God took our suffering on Himself and requires only faith from us for acceptance. Our God is a redemptive God.

A third text that helps us understand the need to apply God’s Word through the Sunday sermon is found in James 1:21-25. While Peter reveals that God’s divine power has given the believer everything he needs for life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ, and Paul reveals that this knowledge arrives through the proper proclamation, interpretation, and application of the inspired Scripture, James reveals that listening to God’s Word without applying it is worthless.

As James addresses the newly formed church scattered throughout the Roman Empire, he seeks to address an ongoing challenge: sinfulness within the church. Some claimed that a simple statement of faith was all that was needed to demonstrate salvation. However, in his epistle, James seeks to reveal that faith requires works to be true faith. He anchors the argument for a faith that works in the purpose of God’s Word.

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing (Jas 1:21-25, ESV).

James calls the believer to remove himself from the stain of sin and to change his life by listening to God’s Word. Immediately, James reveals that life change occurs only when God’s Word is implanted into the believer. We see from this that the early church viewed life change as the purpose for preaching. So, they centered their worship around the preaching of God’s Word.

Further, James instructs the listener to receive the Word. One cannot simply listen to the message. Instead, the message must be considered and applied. Christians reveal their faith by humbly accepting God’s Word as their authority and guide for life. By receiving the implanted Word and allowing the seed to grow, the believer can bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

The believer who receives the implanted Word then becomes a doer of the Word, not merely a hearer. We see then that the goal of preaching is not hearing. If the Christian satisfies himself with only hearing the Word, preaching God’s Word does not accomplish its goal. The implanted Word can only flourish in the soil of a heart that longs to obey.

James then uses two illustrations to picture the need for life change through God’s Word. First, James relates an illustration of the forgetful hearer. This hearer listens to the proclamation of God’s Word, sees his spiritual state, and walks away without application. James compares this man to someone who looks in a mirror and does not act upon what he sees. His hair remains out of place. The stains of filth remain on his body. Seeing himself in the mirror accomplished nothing.

However, James also relates an illustration of the Christian who hears and applies God’s Word to their life. This man is like the one who looks in the mirror and makes the necessary changes to better his appearance. The one who hears and applies the Word experiences life change. By hearing God’s Word and applying it, they strengthen their walk with God. Only this accomplishes the goal of preaching.

In this text, James reveals the purpose of biblical preaching. Preaching the Word so that crowds only listen does not accomplish God’s purposes. Instead, the goal is to hear for a life change in the listener’s heart. Nevertheless, one should note that God places the onus of acting on the heard Word on the hearer. You must do the work to take the message and apply it directly to your life. Don’t be a forgetful hearer!

A second text that helps us understand the need to apply God’s Word through the Sunday sermon is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2. While Peter reveals that God’s divine power has given the believer everything he needs for life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ, Paul reveals that this knowledge arrives through the proper proclamation, interpretation, and application of the inspired Scripture. In 2 Timothy, Paul reveals the purpose and place of God’s Word and its proclamation in the Christian life.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching (2 Tim 3:16-4:2, ESV).

Paul begins by explaining that all Scripture is God-breathed. By Scripture, Paul refers to the sacred writings he spoke of in verse 15. The word for Scripture (graphe) was a word that had been used to refer to the Old Testament. However, by the time Paul wrote this letter, it also came to be used of the Apostles’ inspired writings. All that had yet to be written of the completed sacred writings at this point were the writings of the Apostle John. By this time, Christians recognized these books and letters as sacred writings from God. Peter agreed with this sentiment through his statements in 2 Peter 3:14-16, acknowledging these writings as Scripture.

Further, Paul identifies these writings as God-breathed. This word claims that the entire Bible owes its origin and contents to God. The Holy Spirit guided the human authors so they wrote what God wanted them to write. Thus, Scripture originated in God’s mind and was communicated from God’s mouth by God’s breath, so it is rightly called the Word of God.

God gave His Word for a specific purpose. Paul explains this purpose through four statements. These four statements provide two categories: What the Christian should believe and how the Christian should act. First, the Scripture reveals what a Christian should believe. Paul reveals that the Scripture explains doctrine. This means that the primary function of the Bible is instruction. It is not a motivational book. It is not a self-help book. It is a book that teaches the Christian what to believe. Paul explains the idea of instruction in further detail in Romans 15:4, where he states that Scripture was written to teach the believer so that they might have hope in their walk with God.

Second, the Scripture reproves the believer. This word refers to the Scripture’s ability to convict by refuting error and rebuking sin. Thus, Scripture serves to warn the believer. Warnings, based on the word, must be issued so that errors in doctrine and conduct are refuted in the spirit of love. In so doing, these Christians use the Scripture for its God-given purpose.

Third, the Scripture corrects the believer. This word refers to the Scripture’s ability to help individuals restore their belief or personal practice to the proper state before God. Thus, a primary purpose of Scripture proclamation is to apply the message to restore the believer’s faith.

Finally, the Scripture instructs the believer. This word is often translated as discipline. In Ephesians 6:4, Paul uses the word to refer to a system of discipline a parent uses to help their child develop a godly character. In this text, Paul uses the word to describe a system of discipline to lead to a holy lifestyle. Thus, a regular regimen of Bible study serves to discipline the believer in a holy life. Used properly, the believer applies the Word received into action for life change.

The fourfold purpose of Scripture results in a fully formed and mature believer. Paul concludes chapter three with the statement that the fourfold purpose of Scripture makes the believer complete and fully supplied to accomplish all that God calls him to accomplish. Stott notes, “At all events, it is only by a diligent study of scripture that the man of God may become complete, equipped for every good work.” God uses His Word to equip His people for His work.

For this reason, Paul commands the pastor to preach the Word faithfully. Paul charges the pastor to herald and proclaim the Word out loud. This heralding is to be a priority for the pastor. Paul then gives the content of this proclamation: the Word. This proclamation is not simply motivational speaking but a proclamation of God’s inspired, sufficient Word.

As the pastor heralds the Word, Paul instructs the pastor on the reasons and methods of this proclamation through three vital terms. First, the pastor is to reprove. As shown earlier, the purpose of the Word is to refute error and rebuke sin. Thus, the pastor must highlight this purpose in the proclamation of the Word. The believer must be conscious of his sin so that he may repent. It means that the herald applies the Word of God to sinners and that their sin is pointed out as a violation of God’s standard and will through this application. The message of sin is not popular. However, the pastor’s role is not to determine what the congregants perceive as felt needs and then to meet those needs. This reproving is the faithful proclamation of the Word of God, which allows the Word of God to confront sin.

Similarly, the pastor must also rebuke. This word is a strong word used for Jesus’ rebuke of the demons. It consists of a verbal challenge, whereby one is openly or publicly charged with error or sin. The seriousness of sin must not be toned down. As the pastor preaches God’s Word, the issues must be so clearly drawn that the erring Christians and the unconverted can see their own dreadful, sinful condition. In short, Christians should not always walk away from the presentation of God’s Word feeling good about themselves.

Finally, the preacher must herald God’s Word for exhortation. The idea of exhortation means that with pertinent reproving and rebuking, there must be tender encouragement. Exhortation means that those who have been rebuked need encouragement. Each person must be shown how sin can be forgiven, and their spiritual life strengthened. To rebuke without instruction is to leave the root cause of the error untouched. Faithfully applying God’s Word brings the grace necessary into the sinner’s life to encourage conformity to Christ’s image.

In previous letters, we have demonstrated that God takes words seriously. As a result, He chose to reveal Himself to us through His Word, the Bible. Because the Bible is God’s revelation to us, it is to be central to worship and the Christian life. It is also why it is essential that we, as Christians, not only listen to the sermon but also apply it. Over the next few weeks, we will look at some passages that help us in this area.

The first text we will examine is found in 2 Peter 1:3-4. As Peter writes to the church to combat some heresy that was invading it, he began his second epistle with the reminder that God has given us everything that we need for life and godliness in His Word. The heretics that Peter was combating claimed that Christ would not return and that no future judgement awaited all people. As a result, Peter opens his second epistle with these vital words:

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire (2 Pet 1:3-4, English Standard Version).

Peter reveals that God, through Christ’s divine power, has granted us everything we need for life change. At the outset, Peter reminds us that life change does not come through personal will but through God’s divine power. Most importantly, the believer must recognize that this divine power cannot be defeated or frustrated. God accomplishes what He purposes to do.

Peter notes that God grants us everything needed for life. Through this statement, Peter points to eternal life and mortal life. As the heretics of Peter’s day denied the reality of eternal life and judgment, Peter points to God’s sovereignty as a reminder that eternity awaits. Further, God grants us this eternal life even now while we await Christ’s second coming and eternal life in the future. Today’s life impacts every individual’s eternal destiny.

Further, because an eternal destiny awaits all, so too, eternal judgment awaits. As a result, God also grants us everything needed for godliness. Jesus Christ tells us what life is and then enables us to live it as it ought to be lived. Further, it is important that we recognize that this godliness cannot be sourced in our power or will but in Christ’s divine power. Actual change originates only through the knowledge of Christ.

We have a relationship with God because He chose to reveal Himself in detail through His Word. Hebrews 1 traces this revelation by noting that in the Old Testament, God began to reveal Himself through His prophets. God would speak to His prophets, and they in turn would talk to His people.

Noah served as the first of these documented prophets. He warned the world of God’s impending judgment and pleaded for their repentance. Years later, God identified Abraham as His prophet, then Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. God raised Moses as His prophet to reveal God to Egypt and Israel. Yet, Moses was different than the other prophets in that God also instructed Moses to begin to write God’s Word. From that time, until the last of the prophets (the apostles), they not only spoke God’s Word to the world, but many also wrote those Words for us.

Through these prophets, we have received God’s Word in written form. So that today, the way that God’s men speak God’s words is through the proclamation of the written Word. Moses instructed the Israelites to proclaim the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) to their children (Deut. 6:7). The Psalmist instructed us to value God’s Word as a light to our feet, and as honey to our lips (Psalm 119:11, 103). God informed Joshua that the pathway to successful leadership was through meditation and obedience to God’s Word (Josh. 1:8).

When Solomon dedicated the temple, he did so by proclaiming God’s Word (1 Kings 8). The major and minor prophets consist primarily of the sermons of those prophets to Israel and Judah. Nehemiah 8 contains the account of Ezra’s sermon to the Israelites who had returned from exile to rebuild the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. When Jesus ministered, he spent significant time preaching to the people. One of the largest sections of Matthew’s Gospel is now called the Sermon on the Mount.