How to Listen to a How to Listen to a SermonSermon(Part 2)(Part 2)

Matthew 13:1-9Matthew 13:1-9

ReviewReview• The 1000s of sermons you’ll listen to The 1000s of sermons you’ll listen to + +

what you’re listening to (God’s Word) what you’re listening to (God’s Word) + + why you’re listening (as an act of worship) + why you’re listening (as an act of worship) + the God-ordained ministry of preaching + the God-ordained ministry of preaching + the authority of the preacher as a herald the authority of the preacher as a herald and steward and steward + + the preparation done by the preacher for your the preparation done by the preacher for your benefit and God’s glory benefit and God’s glory = =

we need to learn how to listen to sermonswe need to learn how to listen to sermons

Reverence for God’s WordReverence for God’s Word1 1 Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? a place that I may rest? 2 2 For My hand made For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came all these things, thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, to him one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2) at My word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2)

Reverence for God’s WordReverence for God’s Word

• ““Man will not live on bread alone, but on Man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from God’s mouth.” every word that comes from God’s mouth.” (Matt. 4:4 = Deut. 8:3)(Matt. 4:4 = Deut. 8:3)

• Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.respect to salvation.(1 Peter 2:2)(1 Peter 2:2)

The Sower and the SoilsThe Sower and the Soils1 1 That day Jesus went out of the house and That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. was sitting by the sea. 2 2 And large crowds And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. standing on the beach. 3 3 And He spoke many And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to “Behold, the sower went out to sow; sow; 4 4 and as he sowed, some and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. the birds came and ate them up.

The Sower and the SoilsThe Sower and the Soils5 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. of soil. 6 6 But when the sun had risen, they But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. root, they withered away. 7 7 Others fell among the thorns, Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and and the thorns came up and choked them out.” choked them out.” (Matthew 13:1-7)(Matthew 13:1-7)

The Sower and the SoilsThe Sower and the Soils

““And the one on whom seed was sown And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (13:22)it becomes unfruitful.” (13:22)

The Sower and the SoilsThe Sower and the Soils8 8 “And others fell on the good soil and “And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. sixty, and some thirty. 9 9 He who has ears, let He who has ears, let him hear.”him hear.”

The Sower and the SoilsThe Sower and the Soils23 23 “And the one on whom seed was sown on “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who the good soil, this is the man who hearshears the the word and word and understandsunderstands it; who indeed bears it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”some sixty, and some thirty.”

The Sower and the SoilsThe Sower and the Soils

• Same seed, different resultsSame seed, different results• Controlling factor: the character of the soilsControlling factor: the character of the soils

The Sower and the SoilsThe Sower and the Soils

• Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness. Break up your accordance with kindness. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)on you. (Hosea 10:12)

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body

• Get to bed early on Saturday nightGet to bed early on Saturday night

• The principle of preparation The principle of preparation (Ex. 19, Josh. 3, 7, Matt. 27:62; Luke 23:54)(Ex. 19, Josh. 3, 7, Matt. 27:62; Luke 23:54)

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body• ““Preparing the heart is the most important matter of Preparing the heart is the most important matter of

all, for the Lord’s Day is preeminently a all, for the Lord’s Day is preeminently a ‘day for heart-work.’ From this point of view, the battle ‘day for heart-work.’ From this point of view, the battle for Sundays is usually won or lost on the previous for Sundays is usually won or lost on the previous Saturday night, when time should be set aside for self-Saturday night, when time should be set aside for self-examination, confession, and prayer for the coming examination, confession, and prayer for the coming day. Richard Baxter’s young people’s fellowship used day. Richard Baxter’s young people’s fellowship used to spend three hours each Saturday evening preparing to spend three hours each Saturday evening preparing together for the Sunday gathering in this way…We together for the Sunday gathering in this way…We must get up on Sunday mornings in time to prepare must get up on Sunday mornings in time to prepare our hearts afresh to praise and pray and hear God’s our hearts afresh to praise and pray and hear God’s Word preached.” Word preached.” – J. I. Packer, – J. I. Packer, A Quest for GodlinessA Quest for Godliness

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body

• Rest well so that you can give God your bestRest well so that you can give God your best

• ““We should be sure to get enough sleep. Then in the We should be sure to get enough sleep. Then in the morning our first prayers should be directed to public morning our first prayers should be directed to public worship, and especially to the preaching of God’s Word. worship, and especially to the preaching of God’s Word. If the body is well rested and the soul is well prepared, If the body is well rested and the soul is well prepared, then the mind will be alert. Good preaching appeals first then the mind will be alert. Good preaching appeals first to the mind. After all, it is by the renewing of our minds to the mind. After all, it is by the renewing of our minds that God does his transforming work in our lives (see that God does his transforming work in our lives (see Rom. 12:2). So when we listen to a sermon, our minds Rom. 12:2). So when we listen to a sermon, our minds need to be fully engaged.” – Philip Rykenneed to be fully engaged.” – Philip Ryken

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body

• Rest well so that you can…Rest well so that you can…• Get here on timeGet here on time

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body• 6 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I

am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt my name. But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’ for your name?’ 7 7 You place defiled food on my altar. But You place defiled food on my altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ By saying that the you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ By saying that the LORD’s table is to be despised. LORD’s table is to be despised. 8 8 When you bring blind When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty. LORD Almighty.

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body9 9 “Now implore God to be gracious to us. With “Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will He accept such offerings from your hands, will He accept you?”—says the LORD Almighty. you?”—says the LORD Almighty. 10 10 “Oh, that one “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD Almighty, “and I pleased with you,” says the LORD Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.”will accept no offering from your hands.”(Malachi 1:6-10)(Malachi 1:6-10)

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body

• Those who honor Me I will honor, and those Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be despised by Me. who despise Me will be despised by Me. (1 Samuel 2:30)(1 Samuel 2:30)

• The king said to Araunah, “No, but I will The king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)which cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body11 11 My name will be great among the My name will be great among the nations…” says the LORD Almighty. nations…” says the LORD Almighty. 12 12 “But “But you profane it by saying of the Lord’s table, you profane it by saying of the Lord’s table, ‘It is defiled,’ and of its food, ‘It is ‘It is defiled,’ and of its food, ‘It is contemptible.’ contemptible.’ 13 13 And you say, ‘What a And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the LORD Almighty. “When you bring says the LORD Almighty. “When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the LORD.from your hands?” says the LORD.

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body14 14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD For I am a great king,” says the LORD Almighty, “and my name is to be feared Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.” (Malachi 1:11-14)among the nations.” (Malachi 1:11-14)

The Listener’s BodyThe Listener’s Body

““For the lips of a priest should preserve For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 2:7)the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 2:7)

1.1.Get restGet rest2.2.Get here on time so that you can offer to God Get here on time so that you can offer to God

your bestyour best

The Listener’s HeadThe Listener’s Head

1.1. Remove distractions from your mindRemove distractions from your mind

2.2. Listen carefully to understand the meaning Listen carefully to understand the meaning of the passageof the passage

The Listener’s HeartThe Listener’s Heart

1.1. Guard your heartGuard your heart2.2. Listen with a worshipful heart (God-centered)Listen with a worshipful heart (God-centered)3.3. Listen for your own spiritual growth Listen for your own spiritual growth 4.4. Pray beforehand to prepare your heart for worshipPray beforehand to prepare your heart for worship5.5. Listen with faith and expectancy Listen with faith and expectancy

• For indeed we have had good news preached to us, For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. (Heb. 4:2)those who heard. (Heb. 4:2)

The Listener’s HandsThe Listener’s Hands

1.1. Take notes (if that doesn’t distract you)Take notes (if that doesn’t distract you)

““The main benefit that is obtained by preaching is The main benefit that is obtained by preaching is by impression made upon the mind in the time of by impression made upon the mind in the time of it, and not by the effect that arises afterwards by a it, and not by the effect that arises afterwards by a remembrance of what was delivered.” remembrance of what was delivered.” - Jonathan Edwards- Jonathan Edwards

2.2. Bring your own BibleBring your own Bible3.3. Apply the passage to your lifeApply the passage to your life

The Listener’s HandsThe Listener’s Hands• Sermon BulletinSermon Bulletin: :

Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to consistently apply the divine principles and truths consistently apply the divine principles and truths you have heard (Phil. 2; 1 Tim. 4:7-9; Jam. 1:22-27). you have heard (Phil. 2; 1 Tim. 4:7-9; Jam. 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions: questions:

• How does God want my beliefs or actions to How does God want my beliefs or actions to change? change?

• How can I accomplish this change? How can I accomplish this change? • What is the first step toward bringing about this What is the first step toward bringing about this

change?change?

The Listener’s HandsThe Listener’s Hands22 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 23 For if For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. he was. 25 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. man will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25)(James 1:22-25)

How to Listen to a SermonHow to Listen to a Sermon

How to Listen to a How to Listen to a SermonSermon(Part 2)(Part 2)

Matthew 13:1-9Matthew 13:1-9