If Anyone Has Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear

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If Anyone Has Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear

• Theme Listening to the Lords will. Matt.
  1310-17

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Introduction

• During His earthly ministry, Jesus often
  concluded a lesson by crying out, He who has
  ears to hear, let him hear.
• In His letters to the seven churches of Asia,
  Jesus concludes each with a similar saying He
  who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
  to the churches. Rev. 27,11,17,29 36,13,22

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Introduction

• Question when it comes to listening to Gods
  word, how well do you listen?
• Some listen with dull ears.
• Others, with itching ears.
• In this lesson we shall notice the (general)
  types of listeners there are and
• See the importance of good listening.
• Look at ways that will help someone properly
  listen to Gods word being proclaimed.

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Types of Listeners

• Some are dull of hearing. Matt. 1315
• Isaiah wrote of such people, and Jesus applied it
  to many in His day. Isa. 69 (cp. Matt. 1313-15)
• They simply do not want to hear the truth
  proclaimed.
• Some Christians are guilty of being dull of
  hearing. Cp. Heb. 511
• This person will not grow in the Lord, and will
  likely die in his sins.

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Types of Listeners

• Some have itching ears. 2 Tim. 43-4.
• These type listeners are looking to hear only
  what they want to hear.
• If the teaching is different than they want to
  hear, they will not put up with it.
• Eventually, they (if they have enough influence)
  will find the teachers who will preach exactly
  what they want to hear. Cp. Jer. 42

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Types of Listeners

• There are those who hear with a noble and good
  heart.... Lk. 815
• These type listeners listen with the intent of
  applying the truths of Gods word to their lives.
• The Bereans were listeners of this kind. Acts
  1711
• It showed in how they received (or listened to)
  the word with all readiness.

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Types of Listeners

• Summary
• It is the kind of heart a person has that
  determines what type of listener he/she is.
• A person can certainly go from having a good
  heart to a dull one. Cp. Heb. 511

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Why Good Listening Is Essential

• It is essential to blessedness. Matt. 1316-17
  
• Those willing to listen properly will hear and
  understand the message of salvation.
• We have an opportunity to listen to all things
  that pertain to life and godliness. 2 Pet. 13
• Things pertaining to wonderful blessings that are
  now available in Christ.

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Why Good Listening Is Essential

• It is essential to bearing fruit. Lk. 815
• In the parable of the sower, the only kind of
  soil (heart) capable of bearing fruit was the one
  who listened properly.
• That is because bearing fruit comes from
  understanding the grace of God. cp. Col. 16
• Only by listening will we understand Gods
  grace, and be motivated to bear fruit to His
  glory.

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Why Good Listening Is Essential

• It is essential to avoid drifting. Heb. 21-3
• There is a real danger of drifting, by neglecting
  so great a salvation.
• The only solution is to give the more earnest
  heed to the things we have heard.
• Poor listening is often one of the first steps
  toward apostasy it is a reflection of a dull
  heart

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Suggestion forBetter Listening

• The following DOES NOT matter if your heart is
  not right with God.
• Only a noble and good heart will listen and
  benefit from the gospel of salvation
• Any other type of heart will keep you away from
  great blessings in the Lord.

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Suggestion forBetter Listening

• Make listening to Gods word of highest
  importance
• How you listen to Gods word being read or
  preached is as much an indication of your
  devotion to God as to how you pray or sing.
• So when you have opportunities to listen, do it
  with reverence and respect for God.
• Think of how you would listen if some great
  person were speaking (such as the president, or
  any well-known person).
• Gods Word deserves more attention.

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Suggestion forBetter Listening

• Look into the speakers eyes intently
• It is conducive to developing a longer attention
  span.
• It helps the listener to focus on what is said,
  and not get lost in the message proclaimed.
• Read along in your Bible.
• Listen with the intent to act. Jas. 122

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Conclusion

• Once again how well do you listen (to Gods
  will)?
• The kind of listener you are tells much about how
  you will live your life and be judged by the Lord.