WORK THESE WORDS INTO YOUR LIFE // A BLOG SERIES // PART 3
Hear the Word of God being read and taught!
…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. —Rom 10:17 NKJ
If you want your faith to grow, if you really want to strengthen your grip on God’s Word, develop the discipline of HEARING God’s Word. It’s one of the easiest and most accessible ways to get into God’s Word. It’s another way to improve your grip and grasp on the “sword of the Spirit” as you continue to “work these words into your life!”
There are all kinds of passages that describe the importance of HEARING God’s Word READ. Several places in the Bible describe the value of the PUBLIC READING of Scripture — where one person READS and the entire congregation simply LISTENS — as God’s Word is read. For instance:
In Exodus 24, Moses read Scripture to the nation of Israel on Mount Sinai.
In Deuteronomy 31:9-13, Moses commanded the nation of Israel to read the Torah (the first five books of the OT) at a gathered assembly at the end of every seven years during the Festival of Shelters (or Tabernacles).
In Joshua 8:34-35, when Israel renewed their covenant with God after an initial defeat and ultimate victory at Ai, Joshua read Scripture to the gathered nation.
In 2 Kings 23:1-3, King Josiah read the entire Torah (the first five books of the OT) to the gathered nation of Israel. This launched one of the greatest revivals in Israel’s history.
In Nehemiah 8:1-12, after the rebuilding of the broken down walls in Jerusalem, as the people assembled, Nehemiah and the gathered exiles asked Ezra, the priest, to read Scripture publicly. He stood and read for hours as the people reverently listened.
It’s not an accident that JESUS actually launched His ministry with the public reading of Scripture (see Luke 4:16-21), as he read from ISAIAH 61.
And, in 1 Timothy 4:13, Paul even challenged his protégé, Timothy, with these words:
“Until I come, devote yourself to the PUBLIC READING of SCRIPTURE, to preaching and to teaching.” —1 Tim 4:13
You get the point, right?
Something happens when we HEAR God’s Word being read or taught!
There are all kinds of ways you can HEAR God’s Word in 2020:
- Use the audio narration on the Bible App
- Start a regular practice of reading God’s Word OUT LOUD to yourself. (We wrote about that in a previous post.)
- Start a regular practice of having a family member read God’s Word OUT LOUD while the rest of the family listens, and, then, asks questions and discusses what was read.
- If you’re not already part of a Small Group, join one and do the same with your GROUP.
- LISTEN as God’s Word is taught by your pastor.
- Check out excellent podcasts where gifted teachers teach God’s Word. Some of my favorite podcasts include Elevation with Steven Furtick, Bill Johnson and others thru Bethel Church Sermon of the Week, T.D. Jakes The Potter’s Touch Podcast, Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life, Tony Evans Sermons on OnePlace, Kris Vallotton’s Podcast, Jonathan David and Melissa Helser Podcast, to name a few.
“In fact, there is no worship of God that is better than the hearing of a sermon.” —Charles Spurgeon
TWO ESSENTIALS
It’s important to point out that JESUS mentioned two essentials when it comes to HEARING God’s Word.
“Pay close attention to WHAT you hear…” —Jesus
In Mark 4:24 Jesus said, “Pay close attention to WHAT you hear…”
“WHAT you hear” relates to the CONTENT you take in. It’s important you be wise and discerning when it comes to the CONTENT you consume.
Leviticus 8 describes the anointing ceremony of Aaron and his sons for ministry. It contains an interesting picture of what God wants to do for every follower of Jesus. Check out Leviticus 8:23-24.
“Then Moses took some of its blood and applied it to the LOBE of Aaron’s right EAR, the THUMB of his right HAND, and the big TOE of his right FOOT. ” —Leviticus 3:23-24
Moses did the same thing to Aaron’s sons!
The blood applied to Aaron and his son’s EARS was a symbol of consecrated HEARING. The blood applied to the thumb of their right hands was a symbol of consecrated SERVICE or ACTIONS. And, the blood applied to the big toe of their right feet was a symbol of a consecrated LIFE or WALK.
It’s interesting that the EAR was anointed first! Why? Because what we HEAR affects our actions and our attitudes. It affects are service to others and our sanctified life and walk before God.
That’s why Jesus said, “Pay close attention to WHAT you hear…”
But Jesus didn’t stop there! He also shared another ESSENTIAL when it comes to HEARING God’s Word.
“Pay close attention to HOW you hear…” —Jesus
In Luke 8:18, Jesus also made this statement: “So pay attention to HOW you hear..”
“HOW you hear” relates to your ATTITUDE when it comes to hearing or reading God’s Word.
It’s interesting that Luke 8:18 comes right after Jesus’ famous parable of the sower where Jesus described four different kinds of soil indicating that we can receive the Word of God (“seed” in the story) with one of four different attitudes or mindsets.
FOUR DIFFERENT ATTITUDES OR MINDSETS
1. A CLOSED mind — this is the “seed that fell on the roadside”.
2. A SUPERFICIAL mind — this is the “seed that fell on shallow soil”. It sprang up quickly. The people responded enthusiastically, but because it didn’t have roots or go down deep, it wilted just as quickly.
3. A PRE-OCCUPIED mind — this is the “seed that fell among the weeds” and got choked or crowded out by all kinds of distractions.
4. A FERTILE MIND — this is the “seed that fell on good soil”. This seed fell on a heart and mind that was ready to respond to and obey God’s Word, and when life-giving seed came into contact with good soil, the result was an amazing harvest!
That’s what God wants for all of us!
That’s why it’s so important, whenever we hear God’s Word, that we examine the ATTITUDE we bring to that experience and encounter. Are we apathetic, disinterested, complacent, prideful, arrogant or pre-occupied? Or, are we ready, enthusiastic, eager, humble, reverent, passionate, obedient and surrendered?
James 1:21b challenges us:
“…in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.”
—James 1:21b AMPC
If we’re going to “work these words into our life,” we must “pay attention to not only WHAT we hear, but HOW we hear, as well.” Both are critical.
In closing, here are a few ways you can ENGAGE in the next message you HEAR at your church, in your small group or online.
SEVEN WAYS TO ENGAGE IN BIBLE TEACHING:
- Arrive early because you expect God to show up and speak (1 Pet 4:11).
- Prepare your heart by engaging in worship. You want your heart to be “fertile” soil.
- Pray for the person speaking or sharing the message.
- Be engaged physically (smile, laugh, nod, clap, say “Amen!”, etc.) Be a participant. Don’t wait for the speaker to impress you, be an active participant in the experience.
- Take notes. (I always take notes. It keeps my mind from wandering.)
- Always ask, “Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?”
- Put what you hear into practice. Apply the truth immediately (James 1:22). We’ll talk more about that in a coming post.
Hearing God’s Word is another great way to improve your GRIP and GRASP on the “sword of the Spirit” and “work these words into your life.”
