Listening Well (Part 2) Hebrews 2:1-2 01/06/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

Listening Well Introduction Jesus often concluded a lesson by crying out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Listening Well He concludes his letters to the seven churches of Asia by saying, “He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).

Listening Well THREE TYPES OF LISTENERS. THOSE WHO ARE “SLOW TO LEARN”... 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. (Heb 5:11, NIV)

Listening Well THOSE WITH “ITCHING EARS”... 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Tim 4:3, NIV)

Listening Well 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Tim 4:4, NIV)

Listening Well THOSE WHO HEAR WITH “A NOBLE HEART.” 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:15, NIV)

Listening Well THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LISTENING ESSENTIAL TO BEING BLESSED... ESSENTIAL TO SAVING FAITH... ESSENTIAL TO BEARING FRUIT...

Listening Well ESSENTIAL TO PREVENTING APOSTASY... ESSENTIAL TO AVOIDING REJECTION AND CONDEMNATION...

Listening Well STEPS TO BETTER LISTENING MAKE LISTENING AN ACT OF WORSHIP... LISTEN FROM FIRST TO LAST...

Listening Well LOOK AT THE SPEAKER... READ ALONG IN YOUR BIBLE OR ON THE SCREEN. LISTEN WITH FAITH...

Listening Well 1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. (Hebrews 4:1, NIV)

Listening Well 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. (Hebrews 4:2, NIV)

Listening Well LISTEN WITH A MIND TO ACT... Are we like the people in Ezekiel’s day?

Listening Well 30 “As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.’ (Ezekiel 33:30, NIV)

Listening Well 31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. (Ezekiel 33:31, NIV)

Listening Well 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. (Ezekiel 33:32, NIV)

Listening Well 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror (James 1:22-23, NIV)

Listening Well 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James 1:24, NIV)

Listening Well 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:24-25, NIV)

Listening Well Conclusion To be blessed in what we do begins with listening properly. How important, then, is listening?

Listening Well 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. (Isaiah 55:2, NIV)

Listening Well 3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. (Isaiah 55:3, NIV)

Listening Well It is essential for the good of our soul! Is there ever a time when GOD does not listen?

Listening Well Yes, when our sins are between us and God (Isa 59:1-2). But we can take care of that problem by receiving God’s Mercy.

Listening Well 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isa 55:6-7)

Listening Well “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35) Have you listened to Him by obeying His word?

Listening Well (Part 2) Hebrews 2:1-2 01/06/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles