Weekly Update | August 17, 2023
Applying What You Hear
Dmitriy Zherebnenkov
Beloved, how often do we run out of time to solidify various lessons? I’ll confess—more often than I’d like to. Why is this so? As Christians, we know that Scripture and the truth are irreproachable, and sermons are merely the passing on of this truth. A preacher is a mailman. He simply brings the message. And the thing that brings up the most questions is how to apply this truth. This is precisely what I want to remind all of us today. How do we apply what we hear? Let’s consider this in light of the sermons we heard on Sunday.
What questions should we ask ourselves when listening to and thinking about a text of Scripture? Here are a few simple yet useful questions:
1. What is the main topic or thesis of the sermon? In our case, “do not be anxious.” It will be easier both to memorize and to more accurately apply the sermon when you understand the basic idea.
2. How is this topic developed? This is where it’s important to consider both how the original author develops the topic and how the preacher passes it on. It’s helpful to recognize the structure of both the text and the sermon. Under the “umbrella” of this question you can note what stood out to you, important illustrations, and parallel texts.
3. What part of my life doesn’t correspond to the presented biblical reality? For example, in what specific spheres of life do I have unbiblical worry and anxiety? Even better would be to write down the specific things where I realize I fail and have sinful anxieties. This should naturally bring us to a prayer of repentance and confession.
4. In what way will God’s grace and the Gospel help me to fight and overcome these sinful actions and weaknesses of my character? In every text we can presuppose that the Gospel and God’s grace can help us overcome the spiritual problems that the same text exposes. This is exactly where there’s a division between those who hear and are convicted but do not change, with those who spiritually grow. Don’t fail this test! This is precisely the focal point of the spiritual battle. Many roll up their sleeves and with good intentions jump into the fight while relying on themselves. Failure is inevitable. But those who find God’s grace and tightly hold onto it are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ!
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18)
Why is this the last step in applying a sermon? Because just as with our salvation which God does in such a way that no person would boast (Eph. 2:1-10), so also with our spiritual growth and victory over sin—this is God’s grace in our lives.
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
Notice, the truth sets us free! We don’t free ourselves! We are actively involved in the process when we abide in the truth, submit ourselves to God’s will, and rely on the grace of God, and He then frees us! Ultimately, we cannot boast, except to boast in the Lord. Beloved, this is a God-centered, practical life of a Christian!
May the Lord bless you to live according to Scripture!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine: gfchurch.com/ukraine/
Future event:
Saturday, August 19, 8:30AM – 1:00PM – Prayer retreat for church volunteers and staff (open for everyone)
You can post your questions and comments for the Q&A session at the prayer retreat through this link: https://forms.gle/LW7ufFvywL5bLK9N9
The Scripture memory text:
99 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
Psalm 99:1-5
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!
Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice.
You have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool!
Holy is he!
Below are the services and meetings for this weekend:
- Thursday (7:00 PM) – Bible study and prayer meeting
- Saturday (8:30AM – 1:00PM) – Prayer retreat for church volunteers and staff (open for everyone)
- Sunday services:
- Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
- Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM
- Family Evening Service at 6:00 PM (presentation of the small groups)