How to Listen to a Sermon Well
A Young Preacher's Reflections and Advice on How to Get the Most from a Sermon
Have you ever had difficulty listening to a sermon? Or have you heard someone say they have a hard time “getting something” out of a sermon?
That’s fair. We have all been there. Truth is, we all listen differently. Others, get distracted easily. With the abundance of technology, we have yet to grapple with the impact it has made to our attention spans (that’s a different topic for a different day).
Though, the preacher (or communicator) is responsible with communicating clearly and engaging the listener, the hearer also plays a major role in the preaching experience.
Here are some of my reflections on the tricks of the trade—not all of them, though—that give you little insight and tips on how to listen to a sermon well to get the most from it. Hope it helps!
What is a Sermon?
A sermon is not just a lecture, though it contains information. A sermon is not merely a Ted Talk, though it can be captivating and relevant. A sermon is not simply a locker room half-time motivational speech, though it offers encouragement and hope to weary hearers.
A sermon is not to be just understood or reduced to one of these ideas. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines a sermon as, "a religious discourse delivered in public usually by a member of the clergy as a part of a worship service.”1 But this definition is too anthropocentric and scientific and does not do it justice.
The center of a sermon is not the preacher but the Word of God from which the preacher preaches.
Simply put, a sermon is the explanation of the written Word of God (The Bible) about the person and work of God throughout history, who is made known to us fully in Jesus Christ (John 1:18).2
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him” (John 1:14, 18).
John makes it clear: if you want to know who God the Father is like, look at Jesus.
John tells us that Jesus is the very explanation of God. The Greek word “explain” used in John 1:18 is the word we get “exegesis” from, which literally means “to bring out of”. This is where we get the notion of “expository preaching,” in that, the preacher draws out of and expounds on God’s word and further explains it to people.
It is my conviction that the Bible is the very source and foundation of a sermon. The author of Hebrews writes, “For the word of God is living and active…” (Hebrews 4:12). Further, Paul explains: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
This is why when life hits, you are not inclined to reach for a psychology book from college or a philosophy text from graduate school. But, again and again, you find yourself reaching for your Bible, the living Word of God.
As my pastor says, “When we open our Bibles, God opens His mouth.”
Thus, the preacher and the hearer ought to have a level of expectancy in hearing and receiving a Word from God.
Isn’t it remarkable? You may never get a chance to personally speak to the President of the United States or your favorite celebrity. You may never have an audience before Congress or Carnegie Hall.
But, every time you open your Bible, you have an audience before the Creator of the world. And He meets you where you are.
Sermons are not merely for informational sake. Since God is the author of His Word and the ultimate communicator in preaching, sermons—with God’s help—are for the purpose of transformation.
God speaks through His Word and through His messenger to people.
…What’s the Point?
This is probably a question you have asked when listening to a sermon. And it is a good question. As my preaching professor would say, “if a sermon does not have at least one point (Jesus), it is a pointless sermon.”
A good sermon will have a thesis/main idea/proposition statement.
Remember writing essays in high school or college? Your instructor likely drilled into your mind that you need to make a main argument in a sentence to inform the reader the point of the essay. Sermons work similarly. Most preachers will say phrases that ought to strike your ear or reengage you if your mind wanders to let you know what is about to be said is very important.
Listen carefully when you hear a preacher say:
For the next few moments I want to argue…
This text is tailored to teach you and me…
If you do not get anything else from what I am saying get this…
I want to argue…
My main idea/thesis/proposition statement is…
My sermon in one sentence is…
If you hear any of these clauses, then what is to follow is very key and central to the main thrust of the preacher’s sermon. Take heed!
Note of advice: There are different sermon delivery methods. A deductive sermon is when the preacher clearly declares their main point fairly early in the sermon (usually after the opening illustration). Then, for the remainder of the sermon, they provide further evidence of their main point. An inductive sermon is when the preacher typically takes you on a journey throughout the sermon, making their case and they often do not explicitly communicate their main point until the end of the sermon.
(Notice how each sentence illustrates the method of preaching I am describing lol).
Alright…Story Time!
Have you ever heard a preacher use a story, a real life example, an episode in history or a lyric from a song in a sermon that you still remember? Great!
Illustrations are intended to be memorable and accessible. One of the most effective ways a preacher can communicate an idea from the text for the sermon is by using a story.
Illustrations are not merely meant for entertainment’s sake. Nor is it a “break” from the meat or substance of the sermon. Instead, the point of an illustration is to literally illustrate, bring to light a distant or complex idea in the text.
Stories are captivating and no one is too young or too old to hear a story. We an inundated with stories: commercials, investigative journalism podcast, listening a friend tell you about their day, movies, TV show series, etc. But, somehow we never get tired of them, and they still work.
The Bible has some very complex ideas and teachings. Good preachers employ illustrations to make a point of connection that enlightens the hearers to better understand the Scriptures.
When you hear a preacher use a story or illustration ask:
What is the main point or message being illustrated?
What emotions or responses does this illustration evoke?
What practical lessons or insights can I draw from this illustration?
Do I identify with any of the characters or situations in the illustration?
How can I apply the lessons from this illustration in my daily life?
Note of advice: try not to overextend the illustration the preacher makes. Typically, illustrations have (at least) one point of connection to illustrate a point. Try to be generous enough not get lost in the illustration or taking the illustration further than the preacher intended. Take it at face value, tie it to the text and move forward with the sermon. The illustration’s purpose is to illustrate and support a point in the sermon.
Parting Admonishments
Pray on your commute (with your eyes open, please) and ask the Lord to prepare your heart, eyes and ears for Worship and the Word. Pray during the service and sermon—for the Preacher, yourself and for your fellow congregant.
Write out reflection questions on ideas the Lord brought to mind in the sermon you heard, and consider the in the following week.
Re-listen to the sermon you heard and you will likely be able to listen to it differently, therefore, draw more out from it. And take notes actively.
A sermon is not merely for head information, but life transformation. Often times God will allow for opportunities for you to live out what He is teaching you. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and be open to apply what God spoke to you through His Word.
Converse and process out loud sermon takeaways with a friend. You will learn how the Spirit uses God’s messenger to meet people where they are and communicate specific things to specific people. The Lord may speak to you in one specific way through a sermon, and a friend can receive something altogether different. The Lord meets His people where they are wherever they are.
Think of the memorable illustrations utilized and consider the major point the preacher made and reflect on it.
Read your Bible throughout the week. I promise, it makes listening to preaching (and preaching) much more sweeter.
If you are ever encouraged by a sermon, encourage your preacher or pastor. Your pastor exerts a lot of time and energy in preparing a sermon just to turn around and do it again the next week (often to people who do not remember anything they preached the previous week—no shade to nobody lol). Pray for your pastor/preacher and encourage them.
Lastly, I have one final admonishment: Try your best not to compare preachers. I get it, we all have preferences. With the advent of media and technology, people often compare their preacher with their favorite online preacher. And, more often than not, their online preacher has more influence over their life over their own home preacher.
Whereas thirty years ago, people’s favorite preacher was their own pastor. These days, we compare, rate and give preference to some over others because we have access to anybody and everybody via YouTube University.
The Lord has spoken through many people throughout Scripture and history. He even spoke through an ass (a donkey, people, read Numbers 22:28 in the King James Version, lol).
The point is God doesn’t really need us. However, in His grace, He uses preachers as his vessels. The main communicator in preaching is not the human preacher, but the Spirit of the Living God.
And, He desires to speak to you.
Postscript: This is longer than I intended it to be. But I hope this helps. I want to know what you think! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
-SH
“Sermon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sermon. Accessed 10 Apr. 2024.
This is not my official definition of preaching, but some of my reflections on sermons and preaching.
This was a great read! Thank you.
Thank you Pastor Sam.
I loved this article. I try to listen to our Pastors with focus on the Word.