Obeying the Gospel Involves Hearing God's Word (Romans 10:13-17)
Introduction:
1. Last Sunday morning we studied passages that relate to "obeying the Gospel." a. We showed from 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 why obeying the Gospel is essential. b. We showed from the Scriptures what is involved in obeying the Gospel. c. We showed from Acts how a number of people obeyed the Gospel. 2. In this lesson we are taking a more detailed look at how "obeying the Gospel involves hearing God's Word." 3. This point is made very clearly in Romans 10:13-17. a. Before a person can call upon the name of the Lord to be saved, he must believe in the Lord. b. Before he can believe in the Lord, he must hear [be taught] about the Lord. c. Also, faith is developed as a result of hearing God's Word. 4. Since hearing God's Word is involved in our salvation, let us examine some additional passages.
Discussion:
I. IN HIS PARABLE OF THE SOWER, JESUS SHOWED THAT THERE ARE BASICALLY FOUR WAYS OF HEARING GOD'S WORD
A. In the parable (Luke 8:5-8), Jesus showed how a farmer sowed his seed on 4 types of soil, including: 1. wayside soil (vs.5) 2. rocky soil (vs.6) 3. thorn infested soil (vs.7) 4. good soil (vs.8). B. As Jesus explained His parable (Luke 8:11-15), He showed that these 4 types of soil represent 4 kinds of hearers, including: 1. wayside hearers (vs.12) 2. rocky hearers (vs.13) 3. thorn infested hearers (vs.14) 4. good hearers (vs.15). C. Please note that only the good soil produced fruit. D. Because God's Word may be heard improperly, Jesus issued a warning in Luke 8:18 -- "Take heed therefore how ye hear."
II. HOW TO HEAR GOD'S WORD PROPERLY
A. God's Word must be heard with understanding. 1. On one occasion Jesus said to a multitude, "Hear, and understand" (Matthew 15:10). 2. One who lacks understanding is like the wayside soil (Matthew 13:19). 3. God's Word can be understood when it is read (Ephesians 3:4; Acts 8:30-31). 4. Hearing with understanding requires having the right attitude and a desire to understand. B. God's Word must be heard with eagerness but also with discernment (Acts 17:11). C. God's Word must be heard with a meek [humble] spirit (James 1:21). D. When God's Word is heard, the heart must not become hardened (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15; 4:7). E. When God's Word is heard, it must be obeyed (James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46-49).
Conclusion:
1. The Bible clearly teaches that "obeying the Gospel involves hearing God's Word." 2. The Bible also teaches: a. how God's Word is heard properly b. why God's Word must be heard properly. 3. Let us strive to be the kind of hearer that Jesus described in Luke 8:15.
