Three Essential Questions for Discerning Sermons: Gospel, Accuracy, Application

Three Essential Questions to Ask Before Listening to a Sermon

As a Christian, listening to sermons is an essential part of growing in faith and learning about God. However, in a world full of variant gospels and preachers with different messages, it's important to be discerning about what we hear. We need to make sure we're listening to sermons that align with the truth of the Bible and the gospel message.

That's why it's important to ask ourselves three essential questions before listening to any sermon. These questions will help us analyze the content of the sermon and evaluate its alignment with the Bible and the gospel message.

Question 1: What is the Gospel?

The first question we must ask ourselves before listening to any sermon is, "What is the gospel?" The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, who came to earth to die for our sins and reconcile us to God. It's the message that God loves us, despite our sin, and offers us salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

It's important to make sure that the sermon we're listening to is centered on the gospel. If a preacher is not preaching the gospel, then the message they're sharing is not in line with the Bible. As Paul says in Galatians 1:8-9, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."

So, before you start listening to a sermon, make sure that the preacher is preaching the gospel message. Is the sermon centered on Jesus Christ and his work on the cross? Is the message one of salvation through faith in Christ alone?

Question 2: Is the Message Biblically Accurate?

The second question we must ask ourselves is, "Is the message biblically accurate?" The Bible is the inspired word of God, and it's the ultimate authority for our lives. So, it's important to make sure that the message we're hearing is in line with what the Bible teaches.

As Christians, we need to be careful not to be swayed by false teaching or inaccurate interpretations of the Bible. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

So, when listening to a sermon, be sure to evaluate its biblical accuracy. Is the preacher using sound biblical interpretation methods? Are they using scripture to support their claims? Are they staying true to the message of the Bible?

Question 3: How Can I Apply This Message to My Life?

The third and final question we must ask ourselves is, "How can I apply this message to my life?" The Bible is not just a book of information, but it's also a book of transformation. As James 1:22 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

So, when listening to a sermon, it's important to think about how we can apply the message to our lives. What changes do we need to make? How can we live out the gospel message in our daily lives?

It's not enough to just hear the message; we must also act on it. As Jesus says in Matthew 7:24-25, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Conclusion

As Christians, we need to be discerning about the messages we hear. We need to make sure that the sermons we listen to are centered on the gospel, biblically accurate, and applicable to our lives. By asking ourselves these three essential questions before listening to any sermon, we can evaluate the content and make sure it aligns with the truth of the Bible and the gospel message.

Remember, the Bible is the ultimate authority, and we need to be careful not to be swayed by false teaching or inaccurate interpretations. By staying true to the message of the Bible and applying it to our lives, we can grow in our faith and bring glory to God.

References

• Galatians 1:8-9


• 2 Timothy 4:3-4


• James 1:22


• Matthew 7:24-25