1. This morning our lesson was based on the statement that God made in Matthew 17:5 when Jesus was transfigured. a. God first identified Jesus as His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. b. He also said, "hear ye Him." 2. We must listen to Jesus because He is God's spokesman today. 3. Not only does God require us to listen to His Son, but He also requires us to hear His Son properly. 4. In our lesson we are covering several principles that relate to hearing the Lord's Word. 5. Let us first point out that . . .
Discussion:
I. THERE ARE BASICALLY 4 WAYS OF HEARING THE LORD'S WORD
A. (Luke 8) Jesus taught a parable in which He illustrated this point. 1. (vs.5-8) A sower sowed his seed on 4 kinds of ground, including: a. wayside ground b. rocky ground c. ground infested with thorns d. good ground. 2. (vs.11-15) Jesus explained that these types of ground represent 4 ways of hearing the Word. a. (vs.12) One kind of hearer is compared to the wayside ground. b. (vs.13) A second kind of hearer is compared to the rocky ground. c. (vs.14) A third kind of hearer is compared to the ground infested with thorns. d. (vs.15) A fourth kind of hearer is compared to the good ground. 3. Please note that only the good ground produced fruit. B. Since the Lord's Word may be heard in different ways, we must pay careful attention to His warning in Luke 8:18 -- "Take heed therefore how ye hear."
II. HOW TO HEAR THE LORD'S WORD PROPERLY
A. 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 the Lord's Word. 4. In order to hear with understanding, we must hear with the right attitude, and we must have a desire to understand. B. We must hear with eagerness but also with discernment (Acts 17:11). C. 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 hear, we must obey (James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46-49).
Conclusion:
1. Let us hear the Lord'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.
