ࡱ> DFC%` !bjbj 48̟̟,4,'llllll $h}llllRRR"llRRRRl` s6R0'RLRRTZ@R44h0<'d $$ Are You Listening? Heb. 12:25 Introduction The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming." When God speaks, people must listen. To fail to do so is the height of foolishness. Repeatedly our Lord said in passages like Mk 4:9, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." There are none so deaf as those who will not hear. To hear Gods command and not respond is to ultimately destroy your ability to hear the voice of God at all. In the epistles to the seven churches of Asia Minor found in chapter 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation, Jesus completes each message with the exhortation, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The repetition of this refrain not only implies but also teaches that we are to be spiritual receiving stations. The God who spoke in ages past will speak today to those who are willing to hear. [We need to tune our ears to hear the language God uses] I. The symbolic language of nature (Read Ps. 19:12). The psalmist was able to see both the power and the grace of God in the beauty of the world and in the immensity of the universe. Are you listening? [If we are listening, God speaks through the language of history] II. The historical language of experience. A. God would speak to us through history if we had but eyes to see and ears to hear. 1. The great prophets of the Old Testament had a message from God for their day that is relevant for ours. a. God has not changed, b. People have not changed, c. Sin has not changed. 2. The law of cause and effect still works. a. No new instinct has been added, and no new appetite has been created. b. The God who rewarded faith and punished wickedness will do the same today. B. God speaks to us through the personal experiences of Bible characters. He directs us to paths of conduct that lead to the right destination. Are you listening? [ God uses the language of our conscience to speak to us] III. The inward language of conscience (Read Rom. 2:14-15). A. God has placed within the hearts of all humankind a conscience, a sense of moral obligation to do what is right. B. The conscience is not always a safe guide, because the content of ones conscience is determined by the teachings that have been received and accepted by an individual. C. If a person has accepted false ideas and a faulty scale of values, he or she could do wrong without any qualms because of a calloused conscience. Nevertheless, God often chooses to speak to us through our conscience. Are you listening? [God speaks to us through the language of His witnesses] IV. The personal language of His witnesses (Read Heb. 12:1). A. That God speaks to people through people is the main point of Hebrews 12. B. The inspired writer marshals one after another to the witness stand. 1. The purpose of each is to bear a personal testimony concerning the faithfulness of God 2. With a view to encouraging more faith on the part of all who read the record of their experience. C. God speaks through His servants today as they share from His word and testimony found in the Bible scriptures. God speaks through preachers, through godly teachers, and even through church hymns. Are you listening? [E.F. Hallock called Bible study the listening side of prayer. God still speaks to us through the language of His written and inspired word. ] V. The language of the written Word (Read 2Tim. 3:1617). A. God will speak to each of us daily if we will do as the psalmist did in Ps. 1:12. 1. We are to delight in Gods word and meditate on it day and night. 2. Psalm 119 is a magnificent tribute to how God speaks and blesses the lives of those who will listen to and obey His divine Word. B. Success was promised to Joshua if he would let God speak to him and provide guidance through His word.(Josh. 1:8). "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Are you listening? [God will speak into our hearts by His Spirit] VI. The direct Word of the living Lord (Heb. 1:12). A. Through Christs life and words we can hear God. B. By listening to Jesus speak as it is recorded in the Bible, we can know Gods desires for our lives and our service. C. In His word we can get not just what we want, but what we need 1. At times we stand in need of rebuke 2. At other times we need to be encouraged. 3. On other occasions we need to be commissioned according to His grace; and according to our needs and our opportunities D. He will speak if we will listen. Are you listening? Conclusion In Washington, D.C., a number of years ago, people were enjoying an afternoon movie. Outside it was snowing hard. Suddenly from within the group there was a shout, Get out! Get out! A miner, who had been trained to be cautious in the mines, had heard a sound that revealed that the roof was in the process of caving in. Many heard his shout, responded and escaped while others who ignored him perished. Is it possible that God has been seeking to communicate with you and you have been so preoccupied that you have failed to hear His knock at the door? One of the most inspiring pictures of God to be found in all the Scriptures portrays Him as taking the initiative and seeking to bring his blessings into each individuals life. If you will hear and open the door, He will come into your life in a powerful way. If you seek His guidance, you should respond to Him. Beware, because even as in your physical life you can lose the ability to hear, you can lose the sensitivity that would make it possible for you to hear the voice of God. That is tragic and unnecessary. 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