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A grown man or woman would be ashamed of being spoon-fed from a jar of baby food, yet how many Christians expect a minister to spoon-feed them the Word!
Jesus describes four kinds of listeners to the Word in the parable of the soils, only one of whom receives the Word, perseveres in faith, and goes on to bear abundant fruit. In Luke 8:18a, Jesus says, “Take heed therefore how ye hear.” On Saturday, prepare for Sabbath worship by asking God to open His Word to you and to open your heart to His Word. As you come to church, remind yourself that you are going to the throne of God to hear Him speak. John Calvin (1509–1564) writes, “Whenever the gospel is preached, it is as if God himself came into the midst of us.”1John Calvin, Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, trans. William Pringle (repr., Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), 3:129. What an awesome thought! When you sit before a preacher, stir up your mind to listen actively, as one who hears the living voice of God.
A grown man or woman would be ashamed of being spoon-fed from a jar of baby food, yet how many Christians expect a minister to spoon-feed them the Word! Cut your food and chew it for yourself. Think about what the preacher is saying. Train your soul just as an athlete disciplines his body, engaging in hard exercise to become stronger, faster, and more skillful. Take notes on the sermon, giving special attention to the main points, Scripture references, and personal applications. Listen with humble self-examination. Listen with delight at the words of life.
Thomas Watson (c. 1620–1686) offers numerous directives on how to actively listen to the preaching of the Word, such as come to the Word with a holy appetite and a teachable heart; sit attentively under the Word, receive it with meekness, and mingle it with faith; and retain the Word by praying over it, practicing it, and speaking to others about it. “Dreadful is the case of those who go loaded with sermons to hell,” Watson says.2Thomas Watson, Heaven Taken by Storm, ed. Joel R. Beeke (Pittsburgh: Soli Deo Gloria, 1992), 16–18.
Ephesians 4:10–14 says the exalted Christ builds up His church through His Word. The risen Christ gave the gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, all servants of the Word, to the church. Therefore, we, as members of that church, must be faithful in receiving and seeking to profit by their ministry of the Word.
Read: Fifteen ways to exercise faithful church membership
Excerpt From
Beauty and Glory of Christ’s Bride
Joel R. Beeke
