Sunday listening

Listening is a lost art in our culture today. 

Our culture dictates hour hour shows, actually 23 minute shows with 7 minutes of commericals.

Face book.

Tweets.

Everything is quick and fast.

If a point can't be made in a matter of minutes, if not seconds, "forget about it."  (said with a New York accent).

We are losing the ability to listen.

Now, to a certain extent, I am not pointing a finger at anyone - because even as a speaker, my mind can begin to wander (especially in the second service).

So, let me give you some "do's" of listening on Sunday mornings.

Do assume that the subject will be something you want to listen to.  Avoid the habit of thinking, "I've heard that before," or "this doesn't apply to me."  Any message will have a fresh insight or a helpful illustration that could apply to your life.  Listening closely will confirm that.

Do give the speaker the benefit of the doubt.  Teachings and sermons are imperfect.  All speakers have faults and idiosyncrasies.  If you focus on them, you will miss some profitable points being made.  Listen for substance and avoid the trap of only listening to someone who fits the style that you like.

Do listen to the entire teaching before forming an opinion.  Some subjects are charged with intense emotions.  Effective listeners keep an open mind and restrain from arguing or agreeing (internally) until they fully understand the intent of the sermon itself.

Do take notes.  It is a known fact that writing down the points of an outline and a few thoughts during the sermon keeps the mind from drifting off course.

Do come in (as much as possible) to the service on Sundays well rested and off a good night's sleep the night before.  Give God your best - not the leftovers of your week of busyness.

As a listener, I always have the attitude that there is at least one "take away" that I can go home with.

No matter who the speaker is - I am always open to that one point (and sometimes that one point has been life-changing).

Just a thought for a Wednesday.