1. Sayings Sink Down Into Your Ears
“43: And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
44: Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
45: But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying” (Luke 9).
“23: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (Jas. 1).
Must deny self
Jesus’ teaching that emphasizes the urgency of listening was prompted by his announcement of his death (Luke 9: 43-45, cp. Mark 9: 30-32). Jesus’ death is very fundamental and such knowledge must be retained. Luke 9: 44 is rendered thus in the NIV and G.N.M.M, respectively: “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you” and “Don’t forget what I am about to tell you.” The Greek is: thesthe (lay) humeis (you) eis (in or into) ta (the) ota (ears) humon (of you). Hence, there is emphasis placed on not just hearing, but hearing with a view to retaining and allowing a deep reception.

2. Sayings Sink Down Into Your Ears
Some refuse to hear (Acts 7: 57).
Some cannot hear (Matt. 13: 13).
We need to listen carefully (Luke 9: 44).
Must deny self
Take heed how we hear what we hear – Luke 8: 18; Mark 4: 24

3. Sayings Sink Down Into Your Ears
Must deny self
Luke 9: 23
Consider Philippians 2: 3-8 and I Corinthians 10: 24. Stress how so many simply live to do what they want without serious regard to others….

4. Sayings Sink Down Into Your Ears
Do unto others as you….
Matt. 7: 12

5. Sayings Sink Down Into Your Ears
Strive to enter in….
Luke 13: 24
The Greek word for “strive” literally means to agonize and suggests the amount and degree of effort that must be expended (as an athlete exerts all his strength and then some to win or obtain the goal, to the point even of agony).

6. Sayings Sink Down Into Your Ears
Division will happen…
Luke 12: 51
Explain that the nature of pristine Christianity is such (strict doctrinal and moral conformity) that no compromise is allowed. Hence, division on occasion is inevitable (I Cor. 11: 19).

7. Sayings Sink Down Into Your Ears
If right eye offend….
Matt. 5: 29
Address the text in which verse 29 resides and explain the relationship of verse 29 (see vs ).

8. Sayings Sink Down Into Your Ears
He that endureth unto the end….
Matt. 10: 22
Also consider and mention I Corinthians 15: 58 and Luke 9: 62 for more general application.