“FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: Hearing and Listening” - 9-19-21

 “FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: Hearing and Listening” - 9-19-21

INTRODUCTION

VIDEO - “Word of God Speak” - MercyMe Lyric Video (Emily Mader)

ONCE THERE WAS A MAN...

Once there was a man who dared God to speak.

Burn the bush like you did for Moses, God. And I will follow.

Collapse the walls like you did for Joshua, God. And I will fight.

Still the waves like you did on Galilee, God. And I will listen.

And so the man sat by a bush, near a wall, close to the sea and waited for God to speak.

And God heard the man, so God answered.

He sent fire, not for a bush, but for a church.

He brought down a wall, not of brick, but of sin.

He stilled the storm, not of the sea, but of a soul.

And God waited for man to respond.

And he waited. . .

And he waited. . .

And waited.

But because the man was looking at bushes, not hearts; bricks and not lives, seas and not souls, he decided that God had done nothing.

Finally he looked to God and asked, ‘Have you lost your power?’

And God looked at him and said, ‘Have you lost your hearing?’

- Max Lucado in his book, Gentle Thunder

I.  HEARING THE GOOD NEWS

A.  The power of the Gospel

‬ “for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭10:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬

B.  The necessity of the preaching the Gospel

“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭10:15-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

II. HEARING GOD’S VOICE

THE MAN WHOSE HEART IS PURE

Charles Spurgeon: “The man whose heart is pure, will be able to see God in nature. When the heart is clean, he will hear God's footfall everywhere in the garden of the earth in the cool of the day. He will hear God's voice in the tempest, sounding in peal on peal from the tops of the mountains. He will behold the Lord walking on the great and mighty waters, or see him in every leaf that trembles in the breeze. Once he gets the heart right, then God can be seen everywhere. To an impure heart, God cannot be seen anywhere; but to a pure heart God is to be seen everywhere."

A.  The Word of God

1.  The Bible

Lets examine what the Bible tells us is the spiritual food for a Christian. 1 Peter 2:2 tells us, 

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,”  

1 Peter 2:2 NIV

As infants have a taste for their mother's milk, so we are to develop a taste and a craving for the life-giving Word of God. Growing in Christ requires that we spend time in His word.

Commentator Matthew Henry puts it like this, "A new life requires suitable food. They, being newly born (spiritually), must desire the milk of the word. Infants desire common milk, and their desires toward it are fervent and frequent."

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

‭‭ 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2.  Preaching

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.”

‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C.  Godly counsel

‬ D.  The Body of Christ

E.  The Holy Spirit

III.  LISTENING FOR THE VOICE OF GOD

We use hear for sounds that come to our ears, without us necessarily trying to hear them!  For example, 'They heard a strange noise in the middle of the night. ... Listen is used to describe paying attention to sounds that are going on. For example, 'Last night, I listened to my new Mariah Carey CD.

BBC.co.uk

Listening is an action.  Hearing is a passive event.

A.  Read/listen to the Word

1.  Daily Bible reading has never been easier.

2.  Find a plan that is right for you.

3.  Stick to it.

B.  Listen to the Word preached

1.  Attend church

2.  Listen/watch 

3.  Be careful

C.  Study the Word

1.  Attend Bible School

2.  Join a study

3.  Be careful

D.  Talk with Godly people

1.  Surround yourself with God’s people

2.  Discuss your spiritual life with others

E.  Listen to the Holy Spirit

1.  Remain open to God’s prompting

2.  “Test the spirits” - 1 John 4:1-6

3.  Know the Word that is in harmony with the Holy Spirit

CONCLUSION

Hearing the Good News.  Hearing God’s voice.  Listening for the voice of God

CHALLENGE

Journaling is an effective tool for spiritual development.  Writing connects our minds, bodies, and spiritual lives.  My challenge to you during this series is to journal about the topic of Sunday’s  message on Monday through Friday of the next week.  This weeks I would like you to journal about hearing God through His Word, through the voice of God’s people, through the Holy Spirit, through the Gospel.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.