Why Won’t They Listen?

ILLUST: Things we tell children over and over

Having kids has taught me that their ears are for decoration only

My kids call it yelling when I raise my voice; I call it “motivational speaking” for people who don’t want to listen

I was told I only have two faults…I don’t listen, and …something else…

I think Jesus can relate……

“Listen” = hear and act on

Proverbs 19:20 NASB95

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

Luke 11:28 NASB95

But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Reasons People Do Not Listen to the Gospel

READ John 8:21-30

This big passage in John 8:

3X - “You will die in your sins”

3X - “I am” (v. 24, 28, then 58)

4X - Sent by the Father (the YHWH they worship)

The One sent with the Father’s message, the Father’s will, God Himself, says to trust Him, or die in their sin

God repeats the basics, over and over

Why? We are not great listeners, slow learners - sheep

So, why is this the case? Why don’t people listen?

1) It’s Not Important

Not urgent - got plenty of time

Satan’s biggest lie?

Not - It’s not true (though he implies that)

Not - God is not real, though he will try to get people to doubt

BUT……”You have plenty of time.”

And Satan loves “religion”

Then something happens - 9/11 for instance

People prayed in Congress, for three weeks

Then God went back to being unimportant

Think of relationships, Jesus says

Love God, then others (incl., self)

Priority

When people don’t listen to God, His Word, it’s because self is more important than God

2) They Don’t Believe the Warning

People hear all kinds of warnings today, and take no action to prepare

Weather, financial, political

People hear spiritual warnings

Ignore the signs, forget the past promises kept by God

REM - Satan has blinded the people of this world to the truth

Jesus tells them…He will be “lifted up” (as in 3:14) - on the cross, from the grave, to Heaven

John 12:32 also, as an aside

Here’s the thing, this is not like a storm where you get to learn your lesson for the next time

Jesus is coming back ONE MORE TIME, literally, and this life is the ONLY chance people get to trust and follow Him

Listen…NOW

3) Testimony of the Messenger

Jesus was perfect example

His utter devotion produced a life of complete holiness

Holy - set apart

Living counter to the world’s ways

Humble enough to repent - saved

Humble enough to repent - clean

Best testimony we can have

This is where you expect me to tell you how to live, with specifics…nope

Humility

Know the Word, how to use it, and actually use it

Walk the walk, personally

You know if you are surrendered

It will show

Yeah, people will say Christians are hypocrites

Let them talk. They are lost. They do NOT understand forgiveness!

You let God work on you.

4) They Haven’t Been Told

This one is tough

There are people I have missed telling, bothers me

Romans 10:14 (NASB95)

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard…?

God has given YOU the people to tell

Have you?

There are people God wants YOU to talk to about Jesus

Pay attention to the feeling, get over the fear

Don’t rely on YOU, rely on Him

We need to speak louder, more often, clearer, truth

Every day, we will seem more radical

Same message today: The One sent with the Father’s message, the Father’s will, God Himself, says to trust Him, or die in their sin

SO LET’S SING LOUDER, PREACH STRONGER, BE MORE VISIBLE

SAD TRUTH: People would rather have “easy” now, die and go to hell than admit their sin and ask forgiveness. They refuse to listen. An active choice to do so

The argument is not with us, it’s with God, His Word

CLOSING THOUGHTS

End of Sermon on the Mount, all hear the Word, some build on sand, some on rock

(Commend those who DO listen - end of this passage in John 8 many are getting saved.)

Some here do have a great respect for God’s Word - saved, living for Jesus

I am blessed to have a front row seat to watch God at work, when people listen to God

I’ve seen people get saved

I’ve baptized people

You know, the “good stuff”

I’ve also seen people refuse to listen to God’s Word, turn their backs on Him, directly ignore what God’s Word says

THEN…

I’ve gotten to watch as God works to soften hearts, correct where correction was needed, to see people hit their knees in response to the POWER of listening to God’s Word

TOP FIVE EVENTS TO SEE/PLACES

4th day creation, Moses and Red Sea, Elijah and Baal prophets, Elisha and chariots of fire, and angels declaring the Savior’s birth

I need to add one, (TOP SIX now) one that I get to see here and now

Praying with people who are starting to “get it”

Also, being in the very presence of God with other believers who are actively leaning on Him when they feel broken, repentant, forgiven.

Just watching God work in hearts - AMAZING

So why doesn’t everyone listen?

I wish I knew

Matthew 11:15 NASB95

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

So what about you?

Have you listened (heard and acted on) to God and asked Him to forgive you, gotten saved?

Is God speaking to you, something you need to correct, something needing changing to bring transformation to His will?

What area of your life needs correction in line with God’s Word?

Are you willing to listen?

So what about you?

Is there someone you know who is not listening to God’s Word? Unsaved or living rebelliously?

Have you told them?

Have you told them again, and again?

Have you tried louder?

Granted, Romans 1:20-21 tells us all are without excuse

But God gives you unique opportunities to tell, and tell

Ever feel like giving up?

Jesus did not. Neither should we.

Why won’t they listen?

I don’t know, let’s give that to God. Pray for Him to work in those hearts.

And let’s pray that He starts in our own hearts.