Listening to Sermons; Then and Now

I have been enjoying putting together 1000 piece puzzles lately while listening to some of my favorite Christian podcasts and audiobooks. This afternoon, I was listening to my home church's (Faith Church in Fort Collins) message from a couple of weeks ago. They began a new series called, 'Return' from the book of Malachi in the OT. Pastor Charlie Sandberg gave that first sermon from the first chapter of Malachi. The message was hard, biblically strong, and convicting. Hard messages to hear but really needed in our current culture. These sermons are not for ticklish ears! 

After the first sermon, I grabbed a Bible study booklet that Faith Church creates to go with each sermon series and have been going through the questions on my own just to reflect on what was taught. 

This afternoon, I was working on my latest puzzle while listening to the second message in the 'Return' series and again, was blown away. 

My family was a part of the Lutheran Brethren Church in Watertown, SD when I was growing up. My church experience at home was similar to most evangelical churches. We had a time or worship with hymns and choruses, an offering, some announcements, a 30 minute message followed by a benediction and doxology. It was difficult at times to sit through the 30 minute message. 

Lutheran Brethren Church, Watertown, SD

When we would travel to my grandparents in Northern Minnesota, we would attend church with them in McIntosh. They attended Our Savior's Lutheran Church which is a part of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America). This was well before the synod began making unbiblical decisions. Our Saviour's incorporated more liturgy with an OT reading and NT reading, special music, hymns selections throughout with piano and organ accompaning, offering, coorperate prayer (my grandma would always pray for the young people), and a 10 minute message. I remember checking things off the bulletin and loved that the message was only 10 minutes! Of course, the service was the same amount of time as the service at home but just arranged differently. 

Outside of Our Savior's Lutheran Church

                                         Inside Our Savior's, my grandparent's 50th anniversary

When we would travel to see my grandma Aasboe in Osakis, MN, we went to Elim Lutheran Church which is in the same synod as the church our family attended in Watertown. So, the services were similar but the church was far older! Hymns were also sung along with the piano and organ playing. After the service, my aunt Joanie and I would go up to the balcony and play the old pump organ. I think we did this every Sunday we would visit this church. I have wondered if that old pump organ is still there...

Elim also had two sets of stone steps on the front. I remember staying with my grandma Aasboe for a week, attending VBS at Elim in the mornings, then sitting on the stone steps with a friend, Rosemary, and eating our lunch before my grandma would come and get me. :) In the afternoons, I would ride her bike around Osakis and even found some free kittens for sale at the Methodist Church garage sale! That's how Sylvester came into our family!

When I was a kid and through my growing up years, I enjoyed the music more than the messages. I am sure the messages were good, but my attention span was often short and I did not do well to pay attention. I am so glad that my parents had all 4 of us sit through the service even if we did not always understand what was being said or chose to not listen. I have probably heard more and have been impacted by more of these past sermons though than I am aware of! 

As an adult, for years, while I still enjoy and love the music, I get so much more out of the sermons and teaching portions of the service. From the churches I have been attending, including my home church in Fort Collins, I have been so blessed to sit under solid biblical teaching. 

Some biblical passages that share the importance of God's Word are the whole chapter of Psalm 119! Others include Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Here are some others:

John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; your Word is truth."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

I like to bring a small notebook with me along with my Bible so I can read the passage along with whomever is teaching and write down notes from the sermon. Even if I don't look at them again, writing down notes and important things to remember from the message helps me to think through what I am hearing and retain the message for much longer than if I only listened. I hope this encorages you as well as you listen to God's Word being taught in your church.