How a Sunday worship service is conducted differs from church to church. In other words, liturgies vary. But, generally, a Sunday service is separated into four broad parts: prayer, singing, sermon, and the offering or tithes. Some denominations include advertisements or news. Others have an alter call, recently popularised by the famous Billy Graham. A much longer conversation is necessary if we want to examine the place and priority of the various elements, not to mention the sacraments. My purpose in this post is more modest. I want to answer a question: what should come after preaching?
What should we do after listening to a sermon?
This question isn’t directed at service leaders or liturgy planners, but you and me. What should we do after listening to a sermon? How should we respond? These questions are concerned with the moments immediately after a sermon, as well as the week to come. So, what comes after preaching? At least four things.
1. Examine the Word by the Word
Whether you’ve been going to the church for years or it was your first time, it’s important to examine what was preached. It’s easy to obey when we understand why we are obeying. We know that some preachers want the members of the churches to obey them blindly, and this is happening because of a “lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 5:13).
We must meditate on the passage preached, asking the Holy Spirit to convict us.
Paul exhorted Timothy to be guided by the scriptures, before anything else. He told him that the scriptures are enough “for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Before philosophy or even rhetoric, the measure of preaching is God’s word. The Bereans modelled this in Acts 17:11. They “examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
God expects the same from us. A vague notion of the Bible’s stories is not enough. We must meditate on the passage preached, asking God by the Holy Spirit to convict us by his truth. For God speaks to each of us, personally, even though the passage is the same. So, don’t close your Bible after listening to a sermon. When you have time, return to the passage and prayerfully meditate on it. This brings us to the second point, and step.
2. Put the Preached Word into Practice
James 1:23-24 warns against listening without doing. He writes, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” Preaching is for all of life; not just a block of time on Sunday.
Preaching is for all of life; not just a block of time on Sunday.
If we desire to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13), we must put into practice all that we learn each Sunday service. If we don’t, we’ll be no different to the teachers of the Law in Jesus’ day, who he rebuked sternly and regularly. These men had memorised vast portions of the Old Testament. They taught others. Yet they didn’t practice what they preached, earning them the undesirable reproach of “hypocrites.”
The Christian life isn’t lived in monasteries or the mind. One of the most remarkable characteristics of the early Christians was their radical community. They shared their daily lives in prayer and learning from each other (Acts 2:42). That brings us to the third point.
3. Give Testimony to God’s Work
In Acts 4:20 the Sanhedrin confront Peter and John, because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The men answer, “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Their faith was more than mere knowledge or understanding. They were ready to testify before others, even if it cost them.
Their faith was more than mere knowledge. They were ready to testify before others.
Of course, we live in another time. But this doesn’t mean we can’t also testify publicly to the work of God in our lives. In fact, we shouldn’t keep silent. We cannot. When the Spirit convicts you of sin or comforts you in suffering let others know. Share with others the changes God is making in your life. If God has touched your heart during a sermon, testify to his work. If he’s brought about greater repentance and faith, tell someone. Make him known, by pointing others to his gracious work.
Consider the Samaritan woman in John 4. Following her conversation with Jesus she instinctively invites others to meet him (John 4:29). Her testimony resulted in others believing in Jesus Christ (John 4:39). So, don’t be shy to tell others what the Spirit taught you during the sermon. These fruits are both for the church community and visitors, bringing us to my final point.
4. Love Newcomers and Visitors
The reason many people only visit a church once is that no one shows them any hospitality. After the worship service ends, they sip tea alone. When you see that happening strike up a conversation. Yes, we’re all glad they came. But do they know this? Has someone reached out to them?
God works through sermons. But he also works through the hospitality of other believers.
Sunday by Sunday, newcomers and visitors slip through the cracks of Christian churches. If no one else is making the effort to be hospitable, it’s up to you. Perhaps ask them how they came to be there. Try and bring up the sermon. You could even be the one who connects with them during the week ahead. And you should definitely be the one who invites them to worship with you again next Sunday.
God works through the preached word or sermons. But he also works through the testimony and hospitality of other believers. This isn’t only the duty of the pastor. The main task that Jesus gave his apostles wasn’t to build a church and fill seats. He commanded them to go out and make disciples. That’s for all of life, but it can surely start on Sunday, after the sermon.
“Be Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only”
Your faith isn’t measured by how many great sermons you’ve heard. Nor is it about an impeccable Sunday record. Now, don’t hear me saying that it isn’t important to gather together with the church (Hebrews 10:24-25). After all, “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). Only it can’t stop there. Be hearers and doers, testifying to the grace of God and loving those who might not know him. That’s what should happen after the sermon.
