Remember Who Is Speaking

By Rev Tan Eng Boo

“It’s easy to forget who’s actually speaking when a biblical sermon takes place. Although we may see a mere man standing before us, every biblical preacher is truly a herald of the King of kings. Paul commended the Thessalonians for recognizing this reality:

“when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13). 

We must learn to hear the urgency of divine speech in the normalcy of human preaching. Only then can we listen and respond like the Thessalonians, who realized that God himself was being revealed to them through the preached Word.” (“7 Tips for Getting More out of Sunday Sermons” by Gunner Gundersen)

Thank God for faithful preachers who ascend the pulpit each Lord’s Day to proclaim His Word. Let us pray for them that the Word of God

“may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1, KJV).

The preacher is only the Lord’s instrument; the power lies not in the man, but in the message.

At the same time, we must prepare our hearts to hear. The Devil will do all he can to distract and hinder us. Our Lord Jesus warned:

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful (Matthew 13:22)

How then should we listen?

We must listen attentively and thoughtfully. After every sermon, we ought to examine ourselves:

·       Is there a promise to believe?

·       Is there a command to obey?

·       Is there a truth about God in which I must rest?

·       Is there a calling I must fulfill?

·       What is the Holy Spirit impressing upon my heart?

Every sermon is a divine summons to respond.

 

Hearing God’s Voice Through the Preached Word

Remember who is speaking. The message must always be grounded in Scripture. When it is truly Bible-based, it will bear fruit in the lives of believers as seen in the Thessalonians, who became imitators of Christ and endured suffering for the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:14).

Remember who is speaking . In the early church, many believers did not possess personal copies of Scripture. They depended on the preached Word. Yet they listened eagerly and received it wholeheartedly. Today, though we are richly blessed with Bibles, we may still fail to listen with the same earnestness.

Our Lord exhorts us:

“Take heed what you hear” (Mark 4:24, NKJV).

Remember who is speaking. The Thessalonians did not treat Paul’s preaching as mere human opinion. They received it as the very Word of God. This is the perspective every listener must cultivate. Even the most faithful preaching will profit little if it is not received with faith.

Therefore, come to worship prepared. Quieten your heart before the service begins. Lay aside distractions. Fix your mind upon the Lord. Say within yourself: This is the moment God will speak to me.

And pray earnestly: “Lord, speak to me—I am listening.”

For when the Word of God is truly heard and received, it will never return void—it will accomplish His purpose in our lives (Isaiah 55:11).

The example of Samuel

When the Lord called Samuel, he thought it was Eli, the high priest who called him:

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. (1 Samuel 3:7-8) 

Then Eli told Samuel:

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’”  So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3:9) 

And this time the Lord called Samuel:

And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:10) 

God has a personal message for each of us when we sit and listen to the preaching of God’s Word. Our response must be like Samuel:

“Speak, for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10)