1. Jesus asked two questions, found in Matthew 16:26, which indicate that a person's soul is his most valuable possession. 2. Because our souls are so valuable, we must give careful attention to saving them. 3. Two weeks ago we began a series of lessons relating to "salvation." 4. We have studied 2 important subjects: "God's grace" and "Jesus' death." 5. Today, we are studying a number of Scriptures that relate to "hearing God's Word." 6. We learn from Romans 10:13-14 that "hearing God's Word" is essential. a. According to vs.13, a person must call on the Lord's name to be saved. b. However, we learn from vs.14 that a person cannot call on the Lord's name to be saved if he has not heard. c. We also learn from vs.17 that a person develops faith as a result of hearing God's Word. 7. These verses in Romans 10 teach that "hearing God's Word" is a requirement for salvation. 8. In our lesson we are concentrating on how to properly hear God's Word. 9. Let us first point out that . . .
Discussion:
I. THERE ARE BASICALLY 4 WAYS OF HEARING GOD'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 4 types of ground represent 4 kinds of hearers. 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 God's Word may be heard in different ways, we must pay careful attention to the Lord's warning in Luke 8:18 - "Take heed therefore how ye hear."
II. HOW TO HEAR GOD'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 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. 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 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.
