Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

When we come to the Word preached, we come to a business of the highest importance, therefore should stir up ourselves and hear with the greatest devotion. Luke 19:48. “All the people were very attentive to hear him.” In the Greek it is “they hung upon his lip.”—When the Word is dispensed, we are to lift up the everlasting doors of our hearts, that the King of glory may enter in!

When we come to the Word, and stir up ourselves to hear with devotion, consider,

1. That it is God himself, who speaks to us! If a judge gives a verdict upon the bench—all listen. If a king speaks—all pay attention. When we come to the Word, we should think thus with ourselves—we are to hear God in this preacher! Therefore Christ is said—to speak to us from Heaven, Heb. 12:25. Christ speaks in his ministers, as a king speaks in the person of his ambassador. When Samuel knew it was the Lord who spoke to him, he lent an ear, 1 Sam. 3:10. “Speak Lord, your servant hears!” Those who slight God speaking in His Word—shall hear him speaking to them in his wrath, Psalm 2:5. “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath!” “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!” Matt 25:41.

2. Let us consider the weightiness of the matters delivered to us. As Moses said to Israel, Deut. 30:19. “I call Heaven and Earth to record this day, that I have set before you life and death.” We preach to men of Christ and of eternal recompenses; here are the weighty matters of the law; and does not all this call for serious attention? There is a great deal of difference between a common news article read to us, and a letter of personal business, wherein our whole land and estate is concerned. In the Word preached our eternal salvation is concerned; here we are instructed to the kingdom of God, and if ever we will be serious, it should be now! Deut. 32:47. “It is not a vain thing for you, because it is your life.”

3. If the Word is not regarded—it will not be remembered. Many complain they cannot remember; here is the reason, God punishes their carelessness in hearing—with forgetfulness. He allows Satan to take away the Word from them, Matt. 13:4. “The fowls of the air came and devoured the seed.” The Devil always comes to church—but it is not with any good intent; he takes away the Word from men. How many have been robbed of the sermon and their souls both at once!

4. It may be the last time that God will ever speak to us in His Word. It may be the last sermon that ever we shall hear; and we may go from the place of hearing—to the place of damning. Did people think thus when they come into the house of God, “perhaps this will be the last time that God will counsel us about our souls, perhaps this is the last time that ever we shall see our minister’s face,” with what devotion would they come! how would their affections be all on fire in hearing? We give great attention to the last speeches of friends. A parent’s dying words are received as oracles. Oh, let all this provoke us to diligence in hearing; let us think this may be the last time that Aaron’s bell shall sound in our ears, and before another day—we shall be in another world!