2. God has spoken to us – Are you listening? Heb. 1:1-2 Our attention, effort, respect and desire to understand, Eccl. 5:1; Matt. 13:9, 13-18 (Samuel, 1 Sam. 3:10) Hear and do, Exo. 15:26; Deut. 4:1; Matt. 7:24-25 Are we really listening to God?! 2

3. God by listening to His word, Luke 19:47-48 Read and learn Bible For faith, Rom. 10:17 To follow righteousness, Isa. 51:1, 4, 7 We must be careful listeners 3

4. The reproof of our sin, Prov. 15:31; 25:12 (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Lk. 17:3) Narrow way, Prov. 10:17 Avoid stupidity, Prov. 12:1 To be wise (not stubborn), Prov. 17:10 To avoid spiritual death, Prov. 15:10 4

5. Wise counsel, Prov. 8:34-36 (2:1-2; 5:1) Who counsels you? Prov. 18:15; 29:1 Sources of wise counsel include the Bible, faithful Christians, parents and siblings – those who point us to God 5

6. Sin and disobedience, John 8:44-47 Causes us to “stop our ears” Acts 7:54-58 Heart given over to sin will not listen to God’s truth, Rom. 8:7 Must want to hear and do God’s word Ezek. 33:30-33 6

7. Pride, Prov. 4:5-8; 11:2; 18:12-13 Arrogant conceit refuses to admit any sin or error Prevents accepting sound teaching of God’s word and wise advise, Prov. 15:31-33 7

8. Hard, unrepentant heart, Matt. 13:14-16 Immediately obey, Heb. 3:7-8, 13 Prejudiced hearts reject truth without giving it a respectful hearing, Acts 22:21-23 Day of wrath is coming, Rom. 2:5-6 8

9. Spiritual shallowness of self-interest, Matt. 13:19-22 Carelessness, indifference and lack of attention to spiritual things Use of time, resources and opportunities reflects our desire to listen to God, Matthew 6:33 9

10. Anger, James 1:19-20 Are not able to listen when anger controls us, Prov. 12:15-16 Cannot communicate with a temper tantrum! 10

11. Be wise and listen to the word of Christ and obey Him to be saved, Matt. 7:24-25 11