Ninth Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 12 (2026)

WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANS DIFFERENT?

Part 4: “Lord, Give Me a Listening Heart”

1 Kings 3:5-12 Matthew 13:44-52 1 Timothy 6:17-21

GOAL

That hearers treasure Christ and His kingdom above every earthly possession by continually asking God for a listening heart that gladly receives His Word.

MALADY

Our sinful hearts naturally treasure the wrong things. We chase security, comfort, wealth, health, reputation, revenge, and control because we believe these things will satisfy us. Even our prayers often reveal hearts that listen more carefully to the world than to God.

MEANS

Jesus Christ is the greater Solomon whose perfectly listening heart delighted in His Father’s will. Through His obedient life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection, He gives us forgiveness, a new heart that hears His voice, and the everlasting riches of His kingdom through His Word and Sacraments. 

Theme Sentence

Christians are different because God gives them a listening heart that treasures Christ above everything else.

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Introduction – “If God Asked You…”

Suppose tonight, while you were sleeping, the Lord appeared to you and asked one simple question:

“Ask, what I shall give you?”

Anything.

No restrictions. No fine print. One request.

What would you ask for?

Better health? Financial security? Peace in your family? Relief from pain?

It is a searching question because it exposes the heart God sees.

It reveals what we truly treasure and what we believe will finally make life complete.

That is exactly what happened to Solomon.

He was a young king. The weight of leading God’s chosen people rested squarely on his shoulders. Then God appeared to him in a dream and said:

1 Kings 3:5 NKJV

“Ask! What shall I give you?”

It almost sounds like a blank check. But it isn’t.

God isn’t looking for information. He already knows Solomon’s heart.

The question isn’t for God’s benefit. It’s for Solomon’s. And it’s for ours.

Because the answer reveals what we believe is life’s greatest treasure.

In our Gospel reading today from Matthew 13, Jesus tells two short parables about a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price.

He shows us a person who discovers something so valuable that everything else suddenly looks small by comparison.

That is the spiritual wealth the Christian is to seek after.

But how does one come to value Christ and His kingdom above everything else?

That’s what this Sunday is about: Christians are different because God gives them a listening heart that treasures Christ above everything else.

I. Our Heart Treasures the Wrong Things

Listen to how God responds after Solomon makes his request. The Lord says:

1 Kings 3:11 NIV84

“Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies…”

Why does God mention those things? Because our fallen hearts naturally desire:

Long life.

Wealth.

Power.

Security.

Control.

Nothing has changed over the years.

Our sinful flesh and culture is still preaching another gospel:

“Happiness can be purchased.”

The old Burger King jingle says, “Have it your way.”

But that slogan is deadly when it becomes the posture of our heart before God.

Our worries also reveal what we treasure:

retirement, investments, health, reputation, and the future.

Those concerns aren’t sinful in themselves. God calls us to care for our families. He blesses honest work. He also provides daily bread.

But good gifts become dangerous when they become the goal.

Our Epistle reading from 1 Timothy 6, St. Paul warns those who are rich not to be arrogant, nor to place their hope in “uncertain riches,” but in the living God, who richly provides us with everything we need.

Notice: Paul does not condemn wealth. He condemns trusting wealth.

Luther once said that whatever you fear, love, and trust above all things—that is your god.

You see, idolatry happens whenever something other than Christ becomes the thing we believe we cannot live without.

For some, it is money. For others, comfort, health, reputation, control, or even our own opinions.

Our sinful hearts are truly treasure hunters.

Our problem is that we keep digging in the wrong field.

And that even affects our prayers.

If someone recorded your prayers this past week, what would they conclude you treasure most?

Would they hear only requests for earthly relief, or would they hear a longing for God’s kingdom, righteousness, and Word?

That question should humble us.

If it stings, it’s because the Holy Spirit is kindly showing us where we’ve fallen short and settled for lesser treasures.

Because the truth is, our prayers often reveal that we listen more to the world’s priorities than to God’s.

Our ears tune in to the voices around us.

Yet God invites us to ask for something infinitely greater.

Not merely better circumstances.

But a different heart.

A heart that listens.

And that is exactly what Solomon requested:

“Lord, give me a listening heart.”

That is a prayer every Christian should learn to pray.

II. Solomon Asks for a Listening Heart

When Solomon finally answers the Lord, his request is surprising.

He doesn’t simply say, “Give me wisdom,” although that’s how many English translations summarize it. However, the expression in the Hebrew grammar is richer. He asks for:

“A listening heart.”

Not an intelligent mind or a brilliant intellect. Not political skill or clever strategy.

No, he asks for a heart that first listens.

That is beautiful.

Because before a king can lead God’s people, he must first be led by God’s Word.

Before he can speak, he must learn to listen.

Before he can judge, he must first be judged by the Word of God.

A listening heart is one that hears God’s Word, obeys it, and wisely discerns between good and evil.

A listening heart is one formed by God’s Word before it ever seeks to lead others.

This matters for pastors, parents, church leaders, teachers, voters in a congregation, and every Christian.

Before we speak, decide, lead, correct, or act,

Do we listen first to God’s Word?

—Notice how Solomon begins his prayer.

—He doesn’t boast about becoming king.

—He doesn’t congratulate himself.

He says:

1 Kings 3:7 NIV84

“I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.”

What remarkable humility.

He knows the office. He knows the responsibility. He knows he is not sufficient for it. And so he throws himself on the mercy of God.

Before we admire Solomon too quickly, we should ask whether that is how we begin:

“Lord, give me a listening heart.”

Now, our sinful flesh would have us fall back on

Our experience. Opinions. Emotions. Preferred methods. Our own common sense.

How often we speak before listening?

How often we decide before hearing?

How often we assume we already know the answer before God has even spoken?

You see, the old Adam—that is, our sinful flesh—does not like to listen.

-Our flesh prefers to lecture God. -Our flesh would rather tell God what ought to happen instead of quietly receiving what He says.

That’s why Scripture says:

Romans 10:17 NKJV

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

And this is why the devil works so hard to drown out God’s voice.

He is constantly filling our days with noise:

News. Social media. Endless commentary. Constant opinions and accusations.

Too often, God’s Word does not rule the day.

And this is dangerous because when these things speak louder than Scripture they end up shaping our thinking.

They become the voices we trust most.

If this describes any part of our life, then we must REPENT.

No wonder Solomon prayed:

“Lord, give me a listening heart.”

Perhaps that ought to become part of our daily prayers.

And here is the beautiful surprise.

God was pleased. He delighted in Solomon’s request.

Not because Solomon had discovered a secret formula, but because his request reflected God’s own heart.

God delights to give what His children truly need.

In fact, before Solomon had even finished asking, God had already determined to answer:

“I have done according to your words.”

The gift was already his.

The listening heart had already been given.

You see, our heavenly Father delights to give spiritual gifts even more than earthly ones. Spiritual gifts like: -Forgiveness. -Faith. -Wisdom. -The Holy Spirit. -A listening heart.

And then, as only a gracious Father can, He often adds blessings we never thought to request.

But as beautiful as Solomon’s prayer is, there is a problem.

Solomon’s listening heart did not remain perfectly listening.

His riches became a snare.

His wives turned his heart.

The very treasures God had graciously given became temptations.

The man who once prayed, “Lord, give me a listening heart,” eventually started listening to other voices.

That, too, should humble us, because Solomon’s story is also ours.

How often do we leave worship determined to live by God’s Word, only to listen to different voices by Monday morning.

Solomon teaches us that even the wisest king still needed a greater King.

And that greater King is Jesus Christ.

III. Jesus is the Greater Solomon

In Matthew 13 Jesus asks His disciples,

Matthew 13:51 NIV84

“Have you understood all these things?”

Earlier in that chapter He describes the good soil as the one who hears the Word and understands it.

That is a truly listening heart.

Jesus is the King who has that heart perfectly.

When the Father declared at His Baptism,

“This is My beloved Son,” Jesus listened.

When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness with bread, power, and glory, Jesus listened to His Father’s Word instead.

When Peter urged Him to avoid the cross, Jesus listened to His Father’s will.

In Gethsemane, while His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow, Jesus prayed: “Not My will, but Yours be done.”

Even when obedience meant suffering…

Even when obedience meant rejection…

Even when obedience meant the cross…

Jesus never stopped listening.

He perfectly fulfilled what Solomon only foreshadowed. Christ Jesus is the King with the perfectly listening heart.

And He did all of that for you.

For every time your heart has listened to fear instead of faith.

For every time your ears preferred the world’s wisdom to God’s wisdom.

For every time your heart treasured something more than Christ.

For every time you followed your own agenda in place of God’s Word.

Jesus remained faithful.

His perfect obedience became your righteousness.

His listening heart covers your wandering heart.

His faithfulness forgives your unfaithfulness.

That is the Gospel.

Christianity is not ultimately about us becoming better listeners.

Christianity is about belonging to the One who listened perfectly in our place.

But it does not end there.

Think about what He has done for you.

In Holy Baptism He claimed you as His own child. There He gave you a new heart. A heart that can hear His voice.

Through Holy Absolution He speaks words your old Adam never tires of hearing: “I forgive you all your sins.”

Every time the Scriptures are read, Christ Himself is speaking.

Every faithful sermon is Christ calling His sheep by name.

Every time you come to this altar, the Good Shepherd places into your hands and mouth His very body and blood, strengthening the faith He Himself created.

The Lord who once asked Solomon, “Ask, what I shall give you?” is still giving.

—Forgiveness. —Life. —Salvation. —Wisdom. —The Holy Spirit. —A listening heart.

He doesn’t merely tell you where the treasure is.

He places the treasure into your hands.

Conclusion – The Treasure, the Pearl, and the Net

Now the parables of Jesus begin to make sense. The man who finds treasure and the merchant who finds the pearl are not obsessed with what they lose. Their eyes are fixed on what they have found.

That is what makes Christians different. We thank God for homes, family, work, health, and daily bread.

But none of these is our greatest treasure.

Christ is.

If Christ is ours, forgiveness is ours. Eternal life is ours. The resurrection is ours. Even death cannot steal our riches.

So if the Lord were to ask, “What shall I give you?” may the Holy Spirit teach us to answer: “Lord, give me a listening heart.”

This week, that may mean opening your Bible before your phone, praying before a hard conversation, and trusting Christ’s Word when life hurts and does not make sense. For the One who speaks to you is the One who died and rose for you.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Heavenly Father, You appeared to Solomon and invited him to ask for what he needed. Give Your Church a listening heart, that we may hear Your Word, treasure Christ above all things, and gladly follow where You lead. Guard us from trusting in wealth, comfort, human wisdom, or our own understanding. Fix our hearts upon the eternal riches You have given us in Your Son. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord, bless all pastors, missionaries, teachers, and servants of Your Church. Give them wisdom, courage, humility, and faithfulness. Keep their ears attentive to Your Word, their preaching centered upon Christ crucified and risen, and their service devoted to the salvation and care of Your people. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful God, look with favor upon the Pastoral Call Committee of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. Grant each member wisdom, patience, unity, discernment, and a listening heart. Keep them from being guided merely by personal preference or human calculation. Lead them through Your Word and Holy Spirit, and give them confidence that You will provide according to Your gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of the harvest, we pray for the pastor whom You are preparing to serve this congregation in the future. Strengthen him in faith, preserve him in sound doctrine, deepen his love for Christ and His people, and prepare him for the work to which You will call him. In Your appointed time, bring pastor and congregation together, and make their ministry among us a blessing through the faithful preaching of Your Word and administration of Your Sacraments. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, grant wisdom to our president, governor, Congress, courts, and all who hold public office. Give them listening hearts that seek justice, protect life, defend the weak, punish wrongdoing, and preserve peace and good order. Bless those who serve in our armed forces, law enforcement, emergency services, and all who place themselves in danger for the protection of others. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Compassionate Father, we commend Wally Schmidt into Your gracious care as he receives hospice support. Be near to him in every moment. Relieve his pain, calm every fear, and grant him the peace that surpasses all understanding. Strengthen his faith in Christ, who has conquered death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Surround Wally and his loved ones with compassionate caregivers, sustaining grace, and the sure hope of the resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We also commend Amy Jorgensen into Your loving hands. Sustain her amid weakness and uncertainty. Grant her strength for each day, peace in every trial, and the assurance that nothing can separate her from Your love in Christ Jesus. Bless those who care for her, and supply all that she needs according to Your good and gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Continue to uphold Pastor Greg as he lives with chronic kidney disease and heart failure. Bless his dialysis treatments and all medical care he receives. Grant him healing according to Your will, renewed strength, restful sleep, patience in weakness, and peace in Christ. Sustain Tanya also, and give them both confidence that Your grace is sufficient and Your mercy is new every morning. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving Father, bless our homes and families. Strengthen husbands and wives in faithfulness and love. Give parents wisdom and patience, children obedience and joy, the lonely companionship, the grieving comfort, and all who are troubled the peace that only Christ can give. Teach us to use every earthly blessing with gratitude while placing our hope in You alone. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the greater Solomon and the priceless treasure of Your kingdom. You listened perfectly to Your Father’s will and became obedient unto death, even death upon the cross. Forgive us for listening to the voices of fear, pride, greed, resentment, and unbelief. By Your Holy Spirit, create in us clean hearts and renew within us a steadfast spirit, that we may hear Your voice, trust Your promises, and walk faithfully in our vocations. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Finally, we give You thanks for all the saints who heard the voice of their Good Shepherd and now rest from their labors. Keep us steadfast in the true faith, that when our earthly life is ended, we may receive the inheritance that cannot perish, spoil, or fade and join them in the everlasting joy of Your kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.