"Seal" the Word!

I love a good sermon! One that has eloquence, passion, humor, authority, and relevance. I like messages that are clearly based on, or expounding, Scripture. I like messages that have the unction and anointing of the Holy Spirit. And one more thing, I must admit that I especially like messages that state what I already believe.

We all tend to go where we will hear sermons we like. Every now and then, the Holy Spirit catches us listening and gives us a Word that we need to hear, like it or not! It may be a message about something we have forgotten, neglected, resisted, or rejected. It may be a message that causes discomfort or conviction. But deep in our hearts we know it is true and we need to receive it. This it the time when we must be sure the Word we have heard becomes sealed in our hearts.

Sealing the Word is determining, right there and then, how and where to practically apply the Word to your own life. Hearing the Word is good. Receiving the Word is better. But sealing the Word is best because this is where progress, change, and healing happen.

Good preaching becomes effective when it motivates and assists the listeners to seal the Word. Sometimes I write the words, “SO WHAT?” at the end of my sermons. This reminds me to lead my audience toward sealing the message. Even a great sermon can be quickly forgotten when it is not sealed in the heart of receptive listeners.

I pray that I will be a great preacher of the Word that the Holy Spirit speaks through me. But even more, I pray that I will be a great sealer of the Word the Holy Spirit speaks to me!