Have you ever sat through a boring sermon? Ha! “Nearly everyone I’ve heard borders on boring,” someone might say. What makes a sermon “boring”?
Is it the preacher? Some speakers are rather boring in themselves, right? Some speakers are easier to listen to than others, aren’t they?
Is it the subject? Some topics are more enthralling than others, right? Of course, some speakers can take an enthralling topic and make it boring, can’t they?
Is it the listener? Could “boring” be subjective? Could one listener find a sermon “boring,” while another listener finds the very same sermon intriguing? (That happens nearly every Sunday, by the way.) So, can I ask a question that we honestly consider? I would concede that a preacher himself could be boring and that a preacher could make a certain subject boring, but is it possible that the charge made about a sermon being “boring” could actually be a reflection on the listener rather than the preacher? Is a “boring” sermon always “the preacher’s fault”?
Ok, that may have been uncomfortable and disagreeable to read, but I think it is worth consideration. But, if you’re still reading, let’s get to the title of the article. I’m sitting in the pew and I’m as bored as can be while this guy keeps going on and on. What do I do?
First, here is what I suggest and try to consider myself. In at least two New Testament passages (Matt. 26:29; Heb. 2:12), Jesus indicates that He is not only present with us in our worship assemblies, but He is also participating. So, if a sermon is “boring,” imagine that Jesus is sitting next to you. What do you envision Jesus doing while the Word of God is being preached, but perhaps is a bit “boring”?
Peak out of the corner of your eye over at Jesus sitting next to you. Is He sleeping while the Bible is preached? Is He playing a game on His phone? Is He scrolling social media? Is He working on His To-Do List for the week? Is He texting His buddies? You can’t envision Jesus doing any of those.
So, with the motivation of Jesus sitting right next to me and the motivation of Jesus knowing not only what I’m doing but also what I’m thinking, what can I do? I would urge you to take notes. Don’t just write down what the preacher says, but write down verses and truths that you find while he’s preaching. Listen and study at the same time. Be careful not to let your felt boredom impact or distract anyone around you. Find nuggets in the sermon that you can mine and study on your own later. Examine yourself carefully. Let your love for the Bible dominate and motivate you.