Sun 9:30a Class; 10:30a Worship; 11:35a Communion
Bible Bites
How’s Your Hearing?
I can see it when I preach. The pew pupil is staring in my direction, yet with a deer-in-the-headlights gaze. They are present in body, absent in mind. They are “off in space” or “tuned out” and if there were a pop quiz after the lesson they would flunk it. I might as well be speaking in another language.
Ever seen those vacant stares as a preacher? Ever felt that way as a listener? Listen (no pun intended), if any aspect of the message preached will ever sink in it all starts with effective listening. Jesus warned, “Therefore take heed how you hear” (Luke 8.18, NKJV). The CEV translates this phrase, ‘‘Pay attention to how you listen!” Since “hearing” is vital to faith, consider the examples of some of the best listeners in Bible history (Romans 10.17).
Samuel. God speaks to Samuel at a time when “there was no widespread revelation” (1 Samuel 3.1). After Eli and Samuel determine it is God calling Samuel, Samuel replies to God’s voice, “Speak, for Your servant hears” (3.10). Samuel’s response combines both the duty of hearing and serving! God’s instructions to Samuel require him to rebuke and promise punishment to Samuel’s mentor, Eli (3.11-18). Samuel took the message he heard and did with it as God instructed, even if it was a daunting task to rebuke Eli! The sign on one meetinghouse’s entrance read, “Enter to Worship” and the sign above the exit read, “Leave to Serve.” Like Samuel, good hearers are also doers (James 1.22-25).
Post -captivity Israel. In the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, after the return from Babylonian captivity, the people of God ‘‘gathered together as one man” to listen to ‘‘Ezra the scribe” read from “the Book of the Law of Moses” (Nehemiah 8.1). The nation of Israel had likely been without this written text for over seventy years as they languished in Babylon. Yet, as they find themselves in a more conducive situation in Jerusalem they are finally able, after a long separation, to listen to God’s Word again. Of this ‘‘assembly” composed of both “men and women and all who could hear with understanding” this book was read “From morning until midday” and “the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” (8.2-3). Furthermore, ‘‘all the people stood up” as they listened to these words and responded saying “Amen, Amen!”
One word may best define the attitude of this ancient assembly — desire! Take food and water away from a man and it will create an intense desire. Take God’s Word away and the spiritual man feels an intense hunger and thirst for spiritual food so spiritual growth can begin again (1 Peter 2.1-2). We must appreciate the blessing we have to hear God’s Word freely and regularly. Some have the attitude, “‘Oh, what a weariness!’ and you sneer at it” (Malachi 1.13)! Good hearers intensely desire the truth (Matthew 5.6; Acts 17.11).
The Ethiopian Officer. As Philip is led to the Ethiopian officer he “heard him reading the prophet Isaiah” (Acts 8.30). As a side note, teachers and preachers need to be good hearers too because helpful preaching may depend on our listener’s questions (Acts 8.30). Nevertheless, Philip asks the Ethiopian, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8.31) The Ethiopian humbly and candidly replies, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8.32) At this point, Philip joins the chariot ride, the divine text is studied and its application is brought to fruition (Acts 8.33-38). Yet, it all began with the Ethiopian’s willingness to be taught and guided. A proud and self-righteous person is diffi cult to teach. Before we can hear, we must have the humility to admit we do not know it all and cherish the guidance and correction of God. If we are not willing to be broken down, we will not be built up by the Word. If we are not willing to ‘‘ask,” we may not “receive” (Matthew 7.7-8).
Cornelius. As the Apostle Peter acquaints himself with the household of Cornelius, he is told, “We are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God” (Acts 10.33). Notice Cornelius does not say, “We are present to hear some of the things commanded.” No, his attitude was admirable in that he wanted “to hear all the things” Peter commanded by the authority of the God of heaven. Good listeners do not take their sermons “cafeteria-style” picking and choosing what they will and will not obey. They are not content with less or more than what God has decreed (Galatians 1.6-9; 2 John 9-11). We should not be pleased with anything less of our preaching or of our obedience than to hear and do “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20.27).
A good hearer wants all the truth, is willing to ask questions to ascertain truth, desires to listen as long as it takes to learn the truth and walks away from the truth ready to apply it to his own life. How’s your hearing?
— In "Biblical Insights", May 2013 (p16)
