How Should You Listen to a Sermon?
With an honest and good heart—come expectantly, believing in God’s Word and expecting it to bless you; be honest about yourself, acknowledging where you need to grow and change; be open to what God has to say about you and your situation
Hold it fast—Listen carefully, take notes, don’t let your mind wander; think about (and discuss!) the sermon later; talk about it during the fellowship hour, listen to it again online, and review your notes; don’t let God’s Word go “in one ear and out the other”!
Put it into practice—try to apply something from the sermon immediately; seek to “bear fruit” from the message
Don’t give up—be patient and persevere–we don’t always see fruit right away; hang in there when life is difficult, when your situation doesn’t seem to change, or when progress is slow
“…Hearing the Word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15 ESV)