How to Hear
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SEPTEMBER 29, 2007 (SATURDAY) – The great evangelist, George Whitfield (1714-1770), published a sermon on “How to Hear a Sermon.” I share his main points with you. First, my version of his six points on the subject, then, a brief condensation and summary in his own words.
George Whitfield on how to hear a sermon (as interpreted by Charles Fake in 2007):
1. Prepare your hearts with a sincere desire to hear the Word of God and to act
upon it.
2. Listen carefully and respond with obedience to Christ.
3. Be open minded about the preacher — don’t reject him.
4. Don’t depend too much on the preacher, or think too highly of him.
5. Apply the message to your own life.
6. Pray for the preacher to be faithful to God in his preaching, and for
yourself to be willing to do what God lays on your heart to do for Him.
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Mr. Whitfield gave us food for thought. We need to heed his advice. The worship services can mean more to us if we prepare our hearts for worship and have a genuine desire to be touched and enlightened by the Holy Spirit through every part of the worship service.
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George Whitfield’s own words in the 18th century:
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1. I direct or entreat you to come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty.
2. A second direction I shall lay down for the same purpose, is, not only to prepare your hearts before you hear, but also to give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the word of God.
3. A third direction, Not to entertain any the least prejudice against the minister.
4 Fourthly, As you ought not to be prejudiced against, so you should be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think.
5. A Fifth direction I would recommend is, to make a particular application of every thing that is delivered to your own hearts.
6. Sixth and last direction: If you would receive a blessing from the Lord, when you hear his word preached, pray to him, both before, in, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put in practice, what he shall show from the book of God to be your duty.
Read the entire sermon online, if you like.