Let Us Be the Listening Church
As Christians, we must listen to God in order to be a listening church and have fresh news from God to share with the world.
E. Stanley Jones emphasizes the importance of Christians listening to God in a world filled with uncertainty and confusion. He shares a powerful anecdote of a caretaker challenging the pastor about receiving fresh news from God before attending church. Jones suggests dedicating time during church services for the congregation to listen to God's guidance collectively, fostering a sense of expectancy and active participation. Small prayer and listening groups are highlighted as essential for training individuals in corporate listening, with a church witnessing tremendous impact through this practice.
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The world of uncertainty and confusion will not listen to us as Christians unless we listen to God. A caretaker, when asked by the pastor why he didn't attend church service, replied: "Have you had any fresh news from God?" The listening church will have fresh news from God.
Suppose on Sunday morning ten minutes were set aside for the audience to listen to God, listen to what God would say in answer to this question: "What would You have us as individuals and as a collective body to do?" Then have a church meeting to prayerfully listen to the suggestions that emerge. It would bring a sense of expectancy into the Sunday morning service. Now we listen to a sermon and leave it at that. And that is the result -- it is left at that, nothing happens.
In order to produce a listening congregation, small groups for prayer and fellowship and listening to God may be the training ground for corporate listening in a church. I know of a church where there are seventeen of these prayer and listening groups. They are the training ground for collective prayer and listening. The total impact is tremendous.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Listening to God
- Practicing Corporate Listening
- Training Ground for Collective Listening
- Small groups for prayer and fellowship can be a training ground
- These groups can help develop a culture of collective listening
Key Quotes
“Have you had any fresh news from God?” — E. Stanley Jones
“The listening church will have fresh news from God.” — E. Stanley Jones
“It would bring a sense of expectancy into the Sunday morning service.” — E. Stanley Jones
Application Points
- Set aside time for your congregation to listen to God and prayerfully discuss the suggestions that emerge.
- Develop small groups for prayer and fellowship to train your church in collective listening.
- Create a culture of expectancy in your church by listening to God and acting on His guidance.