Obediently “Hearing” God

2002022

Subject: tenderheartedness

Introduction:

A. Selective hearing…

1. often it is true that we hear only about what we want to hear.

2. w/some this is true in their religious life.

B. If we have a predisposition against God – or any part of His will – it will affect our “hearing.”

1. John 8:47 – those who not of God do not hear Him.

C. How much better it is if we determine to have the attitude expressed by Samuel in 2 Sam. 3:9-10.

1. speak Lord…for your servant is listening.

D. What kind of attitude is involved in receiving the word of the Lord in this way?

I. Reverence toward God Himself.

A. How humble & respectful are we before God?

1. Eccl. 12:13; Lk. 6:46

2. Note…behind our obedience is a need to possess a revernt disposition toward God Himself.

3. 2 Cor. 8:1-5 – need to give ourselves to God in genuine respect.

B. Samuel…speak Lord…your servant is listening…

1. what we need is the respect that is due our Master.

2. This = kind of respect that will produce humble submissiveness in ALL parts of our lives!

C. Look at the attitude of the good/faithful servant…Mt. 25:21

II. Responsiveness to Divine Truth.

A. We are often unresponsive to outside communication – even when God speaks to us through the Scriptures.

1. Js. 3:17-18….how much are we willing to yield? Easily persuaded…ready to be convinced…

2. when it comes to divine truth….are we….

a) tender; accessible; open; teachable; receptive; responsive?

B. unresponsive heart demonstrated by Pharoah. Ex. 5:2; 10:3

1. Jehoiakim – Jer. 36:22-25; 2 Chron. 24:19; 36:15-16

C. Responsive heart = illustrated by Josiah – 2 Kings 22:19

1. Cornelius – Acts 10:33

2. David – Psa. 51:17

D. Does God’s word strike a responsive cord in us? Is our mind attuned to God’s mind?

E. What is our readiness to hear come down to?

1. eager for Bible study ourselves?

2. honestly look forward to hearing preaching & teaching from the Bible?

3. How do we respond to those who come to us w/something we need to hear?

a) Gal. 4:16

b) 2 Chron. 16:10; Heb. 13:17

F. Warning of Jesus – Lk. 8:18 – take heed how you hear.

III. Readiness to obey God.

A. How eager are we to obey God?

1. Are we at God’s “beck & call?” Read and willing to do His bidding?

2. How many times does God ask us to do His will?

a) Moses Ex. 4:13-14

b) Or…Isaiah – Isa. 6:8

B. our degree of readiness to obey the Lord is indicated by whether we concentrate more on what we have to do or what we want to do.

1. I need to be looking to “know how” to live more obedient to Him.

2. Genuine eagerness to do God’s will includes a willingness …

a) to do whatever God commands

b) to do it with my full strength

c) to do it without delay.

C. Psa 119:60

Conclusion:

A. I will Hasten to Him…Hasten glad and free…

B. We can be motivated through example of Paul

1. Acts 9:6

2. Rom. 1:15

C. We, you can be those who…Lk. 8:15

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Obediently “Hearing” God 2002022 Subject: tenderheartedness Introduction: A. Selective hearing… 1. often it is true that we hear only about what we want to hear. 2. w/some this is true in their religious life. B. If we have a predisposition against God – or any part of His will – it will affect our “hearing.” 1. John 8:47 – those who not of God do not hear Him. C. How much better it is if we determine to have the attitude expressed by Samuel in 2 Sam. 3:9-10. 1. speak Lord…for your servant is listening. D. What kind of attitude is involved in receiving the word of the Lord in this way? I. Reverence toward God Himself. A. How humble & respectful are we before God? 1. Eccl. 12:13; Lk. 6:46 2. Note…behind our obedience is a need to possess a revernt disposition toward God Himself. 3. 2 Cor. 8:1-5 – need to give ourselves to God in genuine respect. B. Samuel…speak Lord…your servant is listening… 1. what we need is the respect that is due our Master. 2. This = kind of respect that will produce humble submissiveness in ALL parts of our lives! C. Look at the attitude of the good/faithful servant…Mt. 25:21 II. Responsiveness to Divine Truth. A. We are often unresponsive to outside communication – even when God speaks to us through the Scriptures. 1. Js. 3:17-18….how much are we willing to yield? Easily persuaded…ready to be convinced… 2. when it comes to divine truth….are we…. a) tender; accessible; open; teachable; receptive; responsive? B. unresponsive heart demonstrated by Pharoah. Ex. 5:2; 10:3 1. Jehoiakim – Jer. 36:22-25; 2 Chron. 24:19; 36:15-16 C. Responsive heart = illustrated by Josiah – 2 Kings 22:19 1. Cornelius – Acts 10:33 2. David – Psa. 51:17 D. Does God’s word strike a responsive cord in us? Is our mind attuned to God’s mind? E. What is our readiness to hear come down to? 1. eager for Bible study ourselves? 2. honestly look forward to hearing preaching & teaching from the Bible? 3. How do we respond to those who come to us w/something we need to hear? a) Gal. 4:16 b) 2 Chron. 16:10; Heb. 13:17 F. Warning of Jesus – Lk. 8:18 – take heed how you hear. III. Readiness to obey God. A. How eager are we to obey God? 1. Are we at God’s “beck & call?” Read and willing to do His bidding? 2. How many times does God ask us to do His will? a) Moses Ex. 4:13-14 b) Or…Isaiah – Isa. 6:8 B. our degree of readiness to obey the Lord is indicated by whether we concentrate more on what we have to do or what we want to do. 1. I need to be looking to “know how” to live more obedient to Him. 2. Genuine eagerness to do God’s will includes a willingness … a) to do whatever God commands b) to do it with my full strength c) to do it without delay. C. Psa 119:60 Conclusion: A. I will Hasten to Him…Hasten glad and free… B. We can be motivated through example of Paul 1. Acts 9:6 2. Rom. 1:15 C. We, you can be those who…Lk. 8:15 D. I N V I T A T I O N