HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD
Introduction:
1. How often each day we are called upon to hear something.
2. Commercials on television, radio are presented that we might
hear them and respond favorably.
3. In order to do this successfully, we have to listen and take
note of what is being said.
4. The Lord calls upon each one to "HEAR."
5. In the Old Testament the phrase "Hear the Word of the Lord,"
appears 36 times. The phrase appears 15 times in the book of
Jeremiah.
6. The people of God had become exceedingly sinful and
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, calls upon them over and over
to "Hear the Word of the Lord."
7. They had forgotten Jehovah; adultery was plentiful in their
midst; they were continually backsliding; yet, they refused
to repent of their sins.
8. The basic reason for the condemnation of this people was
they "refused to hear God's Word," Jer. 13:10. Thus, God
committed them to Babylon.
9. In like manner, those who refuse to "hear the word of the
Lord," shall be cut off. Acts 3:22-23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9.
10. In the days of Jeremiah there were many voices clamoring to
be heard: false prophets, priests, idolatry, wicked kings.
11. So today: voices clamoring to be heard: liberalism; false
teachers; denominationalism, materialism, etc.
12. Thus, God calls upon each one: "HEAR MY VOICE, MY WORD."
BODY:
I. THE TERM "HEAR" HAS MANY DIFFERENT USES:
1. Sometimes it means simply hear a sound.
(1) Acts 9:7--heard the voice (sound) but did not
understand. Acts 22:9. Also, Jn. 12:28-29.
(2) We hear the truck on the highway, but no message.
2. More often it means to understand the message. Mt. 10:27;
Mt. 11:2; Lk 19:47-48.
3. To yield to, to hear and respond, obey. Acts 3:22-23.
II. WHAT IS IT THAT WE ARE TO HEAR?
1. "The Word of the Lord."
2. Jeremiah had a great task, just as we do today.
(1) He encouraged the people to hear God's Word, rather
than false prophets, and man's words. Jer 23:16-17.
3. Jesus warned of this same problem. Matt. 7:15.
4. The apostles confronted the same problem. Col. 2:8.
(1) They warned of false teachers. 1 John 4:1; 2 Pet 2:1-
5. So, we must hear, obey and teach the "Word of the Lord."
6. Acts 17:11 -- Need the spirit of the Bereans.
III. SOME HINDRANCES TO HEARING THE WORD OF THE LORD: (Though the
Word is widely preached, taught, many do not hear and obey
it. What are some of the reasons for this.)
1. IGNORANCE:
(1) Rom. 10:1-3 -- Jews failed to hear out of ignorance.
Acts 3:14-17.
(a) It must be understood that ignorance is not God's
fault.
(b) God gave them the oracles of God, the law and the
prophets. Rom. 3:1-2.
(c) God gave them the law to bring them to Christ.
Gal. 3:24.
(d) The prophets bore witness of Christ. Acts 10:43;
26:22-
(e) Yet, they rejected the Christ.
(2) Man's ignorance today is not God's fault.
(a) The word has been preached to all of the world.
Col. 1:23;
(b) All things necessary for man's salvation have been
provided. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3.
(c) It surely is not God's fault if man is lost. Look
what He provided. His Son upon the cross.
2. TO PROVE A PRECONCEIVED THEORY:
(1) Some have a theory to prove and they go to the Bible
for evidence. This will make one dishonest if one is
not careful.
(2) 2 Thess 2:10-12 -- A lie believe will cause one to be
lost.
(3) Mt. 5:6 -- Must hunger and thirst after righteousness.
3. BECAUSE OF PREJUDICE:
(1) Religious prejudice closes many ears to Word of God.
(2) Prejudice, "preconceived judgment or opinion; the
making up of one's mind without regarding the facts."
(3) "My mind is made up! Don't confuse me with the facts."
(4) Many Biblical examples of prejudice:
(a) Naaman -- 2 Kings 5:9-11.
(b) Jews who stoned Stephen -- Acts 7:54-59.
(c) Jews who heard Paul -- Acts 22:17-23.
4. THINKING THERE IS SUFFICIENT TIME TO CHANGE:
(1) God's Word warns about waiting until tomorrow --
Prov. 27:1; Jas. 4:13-14.
(2) Let us suppose that you had information that tomorrow
would be your last day on the earth. Would you hear
God's Word today? Would it make any difference???
(3) How do you know that might not be the case.
IV. THOSE WHO REMOVE THESE HINDRANCES WILL HEAR THE WORD OF GOD:
1. They hear:
(1) That responsible persons who have sinned are under the
condemnation of Heaven, unless they hear and obey.
(2) That Christ invites men and women to come to Him,
Mt. 11:28-30.
(3) That God has a plan to Save: Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38.
(4) That God demands an obedient life to be lived.
Titus 2:11-12.
(5) That one must obey from the heart. Rom. 6:17-18.
(6) That the promise of salvation is for the obedient and
the faithful. Rev. 2:10.
Conclusion:
1. The question that each one must ask is: AM I HEARING THE
WORD OF THE LORD?
2. Have I sought out what I need to do to be saved?
3. Have I removed all hindrances that would cause me to reject
any part of God's Word?
4. Jehovah is pleading with us to "Hear Ye Him."
5. Am I listening? Are you listening????
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