Are You A “Proactive Hearer” During Your Pastor’s Sermons?

Are you one of the people who go to church on Sunday just to relax and listen?  The truth, however, is that if you want to get something out of the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, you must be active in your participation as a “hearer.”  It is not like listening to your IPOD as you walk or do some other task.  You must be committed to learning the Word of God.

Do you think about the words that are being spoken by the preacher or teacher?  If you are not thinking about the meaning of what is being said, the benefit will be lost to you later.  A “proactive hearer” must be conscious.  He must also be consciously focused upon hearing the teaching of the Scripture.

The “proactive hearer” does not simply attend service because it is the right thing to do.  The “proactive hearer” is thirsty and hungry and comes to church to feast upon God’s Word.  As the hungry man focuses on physical nourishment, the Christian focuses on filling himself with the spiritual things of God.  Physical hunger requires getting a physical meal inside you.  Spiritual hunger requires the Christian to get the Word of God inside of him.

When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is taught, if you have heard – you will be guided in wisdom by the Holy Spirit.  This time is so important and yet, how little do we prepare ourselves for it.  Pray for understanding.

Paul writes in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” If you would grow in faith, you must improve your hearing of the Word of Christ.  Prepare your heart through prayer.  Do not allow Satan to distract you with what other people are doing or by the distracting thoughts of your daily concerns.

Prepare your mind by reading the Bible daily.  Allow God’s written word to prepare your mind to receive the anointed preaching and teaching of the Gospel at church.  The proactive hearer does not leave church and then fail to remember the sermon or lesson two hours later.  Be a proactive hearer of God’s Word.  May God help us all to be “hearers” so that we may truly be “doers” of His Word.