I recently read an article that had some simple, practical advice for anyone reading the Bible. The article had to do with regular, personal Bible reading, but as I examined the advice given, I saw that it could also apply to listening to the Sunday sermon.
The article suggested that when we read the Bible, or in the case of a Sunday sermon, hear the Bible being read to us as we follow along, that it will be helpful to ask ourselves the following questions:
- How is God calling me to think differently?
- How is God reordering my heart’s affections- what I love?
- What is God calling me to do?
When Jesus said in His reply to the devil in Matthew 4:4, “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,’” He was stating that the Word of God is just as important for our nourishment as physical food. He was stating that we need God to fill us spiritually.
When Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work, Paul was teaching us that, in addition to filling us spiritually, the Word of God has other purposes. It teaches us what we do not know. It convicts us of sin in our lives. It corrects things we believe that are not true. It teaches us how to be more like Jesus. It inspires us to do things that bring glory to God.
I would challenge you to write these questions in the “Notes” section under the sermon outline in the bulletin, and answer them as you follow the sermon. You won’t necessarily answer every question, every week, but when you do, it may be just that little extra you need to help that one particular thing God would have you to prioritize to stick.
When we put into action, inwardly and then outwardly, the designs of God, there’s no telling what God will do in you and through you.
Much love,
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
