1. In this verse Jesus warned His followers to pay careful attention to the manner in which we hear God's Word. 2. Two groups of people illustrate the importance of heeding the Lord's warning. a. We read about one group in Acts 2:37-41. b. We read about the other group in Acts 7:54, 57-58. 3. In our lesson we are concentrating on passages that relate to hearing the Scriptures properly. 4. Let us first point out that . . .
Discussion:
I. JESUS GAVE HIS WARNING AS HE CONCLUDED HIS PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Luke 8:4-15)
A. (vs.4-8) A sower sowed his seed on 4 kinds of ground, including: 1. wayside ground 2. rocky ground 3. ground infested with thorns 4. good ground. B. (vs.11-15) Jesus explained that these 4 types of ground represent 4 kinds of hearers [4 ways of hearing]. 1. (vs.12) One kind of hearer is compared to the wayside ground. 2. (vs.13) A second kind of hearer is compared to the rocky ground. 3. (vs.14) A third kind of hearer is compared to the ground infested with thorns. 4. (vs.15) A fourth kind of hearer is compared to the good ground. C. Please note that only the good ground produced fruit. D. Since God's Word may be heard in different ways, we must pay careful attention to the Lord's warning: "Take heed therefore how ye hear." E. Let us turn our attention to . . .
II. PASSAGES THAT HELP US HEED THE LORD'S WARNING
A. As we heed the Lord's warning, we must hear with understanding. 1. (Matthew 15:10) As Jesus taught a multitude of people, He began by saying, "Hear, and understand." 2. (Matthew 13:19) One who hears like the wayside ground does not understand what he hears. 3. (Ephesians 3:4) We can read, and we can understand God's Word. 4. In order to hear with understanding, we must hear with the right attitude, and we must have a desire to understand. 5. We need to seek help with things that are challenging, as illustrated by the eunuch of Ethiopia (Acts 8:30-31). B. As we heed the Lord's warning, we must hear with eagerness but also with discernment (Acts 17:11). C. As we heed the Lord's warning, we must hear with a meek [humble] spirit. 1. See James 1:21 2. As we hear, we must avoid hardening our hearts (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15; 4:7). D. As we heed the Lord's warning, we must obey (James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46-49).
Conclusion:
1. Let us hear God's Word as it teaches us to hear it. 2. The salvation of our souls is at stake. 3. Let us hear the Word, understand it, and allow it to produce fruit in our lives.
