Philippians 4:9, New International Version

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

A statement I heard from a British detective TV show said, “It is not what the sermon does to you, but what you do with the sermon.” The statement came from a vicar in the show who was confronting an individual who blamed the Word of God for not changing the circumstances he was in. He claimed it was a waste of time to come to church every Sunday. Wow, how true the vicar’s answer was!

Every student attends classes and lessons, but does each student have the same learning experience? Maybe I should say it this way: does each one who attends pay the same attention, pour out the same heart to learn, and take the same time to study? Does each one think about their future concerning what they learn and how they should apply that knowledge in their daily lives? If you know students, I believe everyone can answer this question with certainty: not at all!

If this is the case, why would anyone expect a different result when attending church in the same manner as school?

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”

(James 1:22-24, NLT)

However, the Word then continues: “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:25, NLT)

It is not what the sermon does to you, but what you do with the sermon!

You heard how Christ died for you, redeeming you from your sin and making atonement for your debt. How are you responding to His love?

You heard how the Father loved you and sent His one and only Son to redeem you and return you to Him as a child of God. How are you responding to His grace?

You heard how the Holy Spirit was sent to guide you into all truth. How are you responding to His guidance?

“Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’” (James 2:18, NLT)

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand… Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:13, 15, NIV)