Question: What’s the deal with sermons? Even though pastors have been preaching for 2,000 years, we need a better reason for our weekly routine than mere tradition. So, consider:
God commands church leaders to preach. Your elders and pastors are under orders from On High to provide faithful, practical, biblical preaching. To Pastor Timothy at Ephesus, “I charge you…: preach the word!” (2 Tim 4:1-2). And don’t just pick and choose: proclaim the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). After all, God’s truth is soul-food: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4). Our faith is born and grows as we digest God’s Word: “faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).
God requires preaching for the good of us all—so we can get our bearings in this world: who are we, why are we here, where are we heading, what should we do? Preaching is dropping anchor—so churches don’t drift. Preaching is stopping to look at the compass—so we don’t stray and get lost. Preaching is heralding (and not merely describing); preaching proclaims the wonder of the Gospel! Of course, there’s also a time for Bible discussion—we love interactive groups and Bible studies and classes here at Goshen. But preaching is foundational.
Here are three steps you can take to benefit from sermons:
- Bring your Bible and follow along closely (if you don’t have a Bible, please take one from the pew). Be a “Berean” (Acts 17), examine Scripture to make sure the sermon’s on track.
- Eliminate distractions (give God your full attention; don’t multi-task; power off your phone). A sermon takes up just one third of one percent of your week: seize the moment for your soul!
- Connect the sermon with life (read the text and pray beforehand; discuss the passage and key points afterward).
