Sermon Listening

Sermon Listening

Weekly Update – September 30th, 2021

When it comes to the topic that we considered last Sunday, the topic, “Why Preach?”, not only should we understand why it is that we value preaching as the central part of our service, but then, how do we actually listen and benefit from preaching. I wrote and posted this a few years ago, but in light of last week’s message, it seemed appropriate to post it again. Consider the following article:

“Many times we may leave a sermon thinking that it was a great explanation of a certain text or a helpful insight into the character of God, but what does it mean to me?  Or how is this going to help me through my week?  There are five helpful tips in Thabiti Anyabwile’s book titled, “What is a Healthy Church Member,” that I want to present to you that might help aid our sermon times together. 

First, meditate on the sermon passage during your devotional time.  Several days before the Sunday morning sermon, start spending some time in the passage that is going to be preached.  Begin digging into the passage by highlighting some of the major points and think about what the author of the passage is trying to say.  You can even begin to incorporate some of the verses into your prayer time.  To aid you in this, the next week’s passage is listed in the previous week’s bulletin. So save the bulletin and pull it out during one of your Bible reading times and begin to mediate on the scripture that is going to be preached. 

Second, talk and pray with friends about the sermon after church.  After service you might ask someone, “Was there anything unique or challenging that stood out to you this morning?  Or, was there anything about God’s character that surprised or encouraged you?  It is encouraging to others to hear what the Lord may have taught you during the sermon, as well as helpful for you to hear from them.   

Third, listen to and act on the sermon throughout the week.  Don’t let the Sunday sermon be a one-time event that fades from memory as soon as it is over.  Choose one or two points of application to think on and try to find ways to put it into practice.  Discuss these points with others, write them down in a journal or even a note card and keep them before you throughout the week.  There are many ways to keep the sermon alive, so be creative and seek to live out the word of God. 

Fourth, address questions you may have about the sermon text.  Scripture is so vast with application that it is often difficult to address every single aspect in the course of one sermon.  There may be lingering questions or thoughts that are still in your mind after a sermon is preached.  It will be beneficial to your soul to seek out those answers.  One way to do so is to talk with me or another teacher and address those questions.  Or you could simply talk about them one night with friends or family and study the scripture together to find your answers.  Writing down questions will help you to think through the text clearly, it will encourage me and it will be beneficial to your soul. 

Lastly, cultivate humility.  As you dig into God’s word, listen for his voice.  Don’t listen to a sermon and think about how well this applies to the person next to you, but seek to break down your own pride with how God might be speaking to you.  It is easy to become “a professional sermon listener” who is always hearing but never learning.  So beware of false knowledge that “puffs up” and seek to be drawn to Christ during our times together in the word. 

These are just a few ways to aid you in listening and gathering as much as possible from the sermon that is preached every Sunday.  I pray that we will all grow in our knowledge of the truth and in love for God and one another as we seek His face through Christ and his word.”

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week:

"From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him." - Isaiah 64:4

Announcements:

Hannah and Simon Snodgrass: Hannah and Simon are two missionaries that we have the privilege of supporting as they minister to children through Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) in Scotland. Hannah is due with their first child at the end of October and we would like to provide a gift to help with some of their meals when the baby comes. If you would like to give to this, you can do so online HERE or through our offering boxes. Just mark “Hannah Snodgrass” when you give.

Ladies Bible Study: Ladies, join us for a Bible study through the book of 2 Corinthians on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm. The study will be a video based study led by Sheryl Nelson and will meet in the Fellowship Hall. You can learn more about this 8 week Bible Study HERE

Men’s Morning Prayer: On Thursday mornings, there will be an informal time for the men of the church to come and pray. We will pray for ourselves, our families, church, community and the world around us. Come and join us in the library at 6:30am. 

Trunk or Treat:  On Sunday, October 31st from 5-7pm, we will host a trunk or treat outside in our front parking lot. We need people who are willing to hand out candy from the back of their cars, others who can help with set up and/or break down, and some who can simply be present to help with anything else that might be needed for the night. There will be a barrel out in the Welcome Center to collect candy. 

Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday morning, October 3rd, during our Bible Study hour at 9:15am, there will be a Membership Matters class for those interested in joining FBC. This 4 week class will meet upstairs in U-6. You can find out more about our membership process HERE

Missouri Missions Offering: Every year, along with nearly 1,800 other churches, our church partners to pray and give concerning the Lord’s work in our state. The statewide goal is $725,000 this year. Our church goal is $3,500. I hope that you will consider praying and giving to this effort throughout this month. As with your normal offering, you can give in person, by mail or online. Just mark MMO when you do give. Check out more information about this effort HERE

Awana

Every Sunday at 5:45pm, children ages 3 to 6th grade are invited to join us for Awana.

Bible Study

Join us in the Sanctuary at 9:15am on Sunday mornings for a study in the Psalms.

Join us on Sunday evenings at 6:00pm for a 10 week Study through the devotional titled, Gentle and Lowly. No need to buy the book, because we will be giving it away because it is available to you for free in the welcome center. We will meet in the sanctuary. You can find an introduction to this study HERE

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE

Worship Service

Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-3 years is available during the worship hour. 

You can find First Baptist Church’s policy for health guidelines in light of the most recent Jackson County health order HERE.

Livestream

Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. 

Facebook live:  HERE

YouTube: HERE

Guide for Worship can be found HERE

Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.     

Sunday School

Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. 

Pre-K and Kindergarten meet in the nursery suite.

Grades 1st – 5th meet upstairs in U-5.

Grades 6th – 12th meet downstairs in the Youth Room.

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