4 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Isaiah 51-54
1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (CSB): “This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon told his son…

Ecclesiastes 12:12 (CSB): “… there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.”

Solomon was telling his son that the number of books would continue to increase, and if he studied them all, he would wear himself out.

Sometimes, I feel that way about preaching. Preaching is a big part of what I do. I prayerfully study God’s Word to understand what it says, what it means, and how it could be applied by those I am speaking to. I put it into a sermon format, preach it, and then start all over with preparing another one. (In an attempt to put sermon prep and delivery into perspective, a pastor writes between 1-3 research papers a week and then takes an oral exam(s). A failing grade will be reflected in people leaving and attending other churches. No pressure, huh?)

If I could restate Ecclesiastes 12:12 as I think about sermon prep, I would write it this way: “There is no end to the making of many sermons, and much study wearies the body.”

I can’t speak for other pastors, but I enjoy the hard work of sermon prep. Honestly, it’s kind of fun and rewarding (spiritually, intellectually, etc.).

But …

I can’t help but feel a bit perplexed and even discouraged as I have looked at the people I am proclaiming God’s Word to and see folks who seem unengaged. Some are sleeping. Others are watching a misbehaving child for extended periods. Still others have a blank stare, seemingly to demonstrate that they are merely going through the motions of religiosity without truly working to receive its benefits.

That’s where the verse I have chosen for today comes into play. If a pastor or Bible teacher is explaining and applying God’s Word, then there needs to be a seriousness to what is taking place. You aren’t merely listening to a man. You are listening to an ambassador who is speaking on God’s behalf.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (CSB): “This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.”

How do we “welcome … the word of God?” By listening intently to what God is saying in the text. This occurs when we are listening, seeking to understand, verifying that the preacher/teacher is not giving opinions but is pointing us to God’s Word, and seeking to apply what we learn.

It’s not enough to say, “Great sermon, Preacher!” In fact, that is nothing at all! You aren’t to be a spectator, judging each sermon and then informing the pastor of whether or not you liked the sermon. Instead, you must listen to what God is saying in the text and then apply it to your own life. A true Bible teacher/preacher would LOVE to hear you say something like, “God showed me something through your sermon/lesson, and I have put it into practice. Thank you for reminding me of what God has been saying to me in His Word all along.”

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you to be more intentionally attentive as you encounter God’s Word.
  • Ask Him to help you do the work of understanding what it says, what it requires, and then to apply what He has said.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into measuring a pastor and sermons by the Bible, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“Should Christians obey their pastors?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of White Hall Baptist Church in Richmond, Kentucky (whitehallbaptistchurch.org)