How to Listen to a Sermon

In a class this semester, after seeking to explain what James meant in his context — and that means learning to read James in light of themes in James, a student was both in agreement (so it seemed to me) and frustrated, and said, “How in the world can you listen to sermons?” Careful study of James leads the specialist to see things others probably wouldn’t see, so the student wondered how I could put up with what some see in the Bible.

What is your wisdom on how to listen to a sermon?

My response to him may have surprised him, but first something I learned from Bonhoeffer years ago. His biographer said this about sermons preached in the Preacher’s Seminaries that the Confessing Church set up and Bonhoeffer taught:

It initially seemed strange to his students that their sermons, however hesitant and inadequate, were treated in all seriousness as the expression of the true and living voice of Christ. Nothing, insisted Bonhoeffer, is more concrete than the real voice of Christ speaking in the sermon. He adhered strictly to this principle with regard to any sermon preached in the worship service. It was to be listened to in all humility, not analyzed. The only sermons he allowed to be discussed were those that were read aloud, never those that had been delivered before a congregation (E. Bethge, Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Biography, 443-444).

I told the student that I don’t go to church to hear sermons; nor do I go to church to learn something new about the Bible. But to hear the Word and to hear that Word preached, and I seek to receive what is said, not what is not said. I do think we should have a reverence for the preached Word, but I don’t think sermons are infallible. Our pastor, Jay Greener, occasionally reminds us that we recite the Nicene Creed after the sermon so the sermon stays in line with our historic faith.

The preaching of the Word requires spiritual discipline: first, to be in a listening mode, which means dispelling distractions and gathering our thoughts to hear the Word read and then to hear it preached; second, to become a genuine listener one must be receptive to what is said and let the preacher’s words guide us. Third, this means we will need to learn to trust the preacher, trusting that he or she has spent time in God’s presence over this Word so something can be said that will edify God’s people.

But, fourth, listening does not mean passivity. Having heard the Word read we then are prepared to hear the preaching of the Word expound or explain and apply what was heard in the reading of the Word.

This is where it becomes a challenge and temptation. Some are cynical or distrusting and so seem intent on waiting for the preacher to mess up; others are neutral and accept some and reject others; I contend we are to approach the sermon in a receptive mode but not a passive mode. We are to engage the sermon with an active and receptive mind. Sometimes we disagree but I hope it is not often.

Bonhoeffer, evidently, wasn’t consistent with his original theory of being receptive and not critical. While in the USA in 1939, he heard a few sermons that led to some very critical remarks about sermons he heard:

Worship at Riverside Church. Simply unbearable. Text: a statement by Jane James (!) about “accepting an horizon,” how one gains a horizon, namely, God as the necessary horizon for humankind. Preacher Luccock, Professor of Yale; the whole thing a discreet, opulent, self-satisfied celebration of religion. With such an idolization of religion, the flesh, which was accustomed to being held in check by the word of God, revives. Such preaching renders people libertine, egoistic, indifferent. (DBWE 15.224).

Worship service at Luther Church. Church on Central Park, Dr. Scherer. Sermon on Luke 15, about overcoming fear. Very forced approach to the text. Otherwise lively and original, but too much analysis and very little gospel. It hit home when he said of the life of the Christian that it is similar to the daily joy of one who is on the way home.—Again, basic exegesis of the text. It is very pathetic (15.231).

Church, Park Avenue, Rev. Sockman (radio preacher!) about “today is ours,”tinl without a text, not the faintest echo of Christian proclamation. One more disappointment (15.235).

Over to you: How do you think we should listen to a sermon?