Responsibility of the Listener in Preaching - Part 3

Responsibilities After the Word has been Preached

Review

The Bible actually promotes the idea that you should personally review the message that was preached:

Acts 17:11 - Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

This is another reason to take notes. Realize that in Shawn’s construction of the sermon, he had to distill a truckload of great biblical information and application into the 40 minutes or so that you will give him. You should dig deeper on your own. Reflection and meditation on the Word preached to you is a foundation for the Lord to build upon. Notice how Solomon said this in Proverbs 2:1-11:

1 My son, if you will receive my words

And treasure my commandments within you,

2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,

Incline your heart to understanding;

3 For if you cry for discernment,

1Lift your voice for understanding;

4 If you seek her as silver

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord

And discover the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

8 Guarding the paths of justice,

And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice

And equity and every good course.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart

And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

11 Discretion will guard you,

Understanding will watch over you,

Retell

You should make it a point to teach other people this week what you were taught in the sermon the previous Sunday. Study it and preach it over again to yourself until you know it well enough to preach it to someone else. You have been entrusted with something worthy of passing on to others – the very Word of God expounded.

Take Action

Shawn’s sermons are worthless if they don’t change your life. You should act on the truths laid out in his sermons. That may mean you should change the way you believe about something. That may mean you should change some behavior. That may mean you should change your attitude. The primary means that God has designed for changing you are Holy Spirit empowered, conscious and purposeful actions. You should be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.