Luke 8:18. Hearing, Reading, God's Word...

. The Parable of the Sower. Following a note on Jesus’ proclamation of the Good News (v. 1),

this parable focuses on the different responses to the ministry of Jesus while demonstrating the particular nature and function of parables.

Instead of being simple illustrations, parables are effective in unmasking the behavior and beliefs of the audience.

8:16–18 A Lamp on a Stand. After the parable that describes what obstructs the word of God from growing,

Jesus emphasizes that this word will shine like a “lamp” (v. 16), and he demands a proper response (vv. 17–18).

“lamp” in v16 refers to God’s Word, which reveals what is hidden and actually judges those who are unfaithful to God (let’s read v18).

Carson, D. A. (2015). The Gospels and Acts. In D. A. Carson (Ed.), NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message (p. 2088). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” ()

I would have expected it to come right after the parable—right after verse 15.

But it comes in verse 18: “So [= therefore, the conclusion of the matter] take care how you listen [hear!]”

That’s the point of the text. And that’s my main point this morning.

Take care how you hear.

Preaching is one thing—and it is crucial.

But hearing is another thing—and it is just as crucial.

There is nothing in this text about the effectiveness of preaching.

It is all about the effectiveness of hearing.

The point is not, “Take heed how you preach.” But: “Take heed how you hear.”

Now notice the reason given in the rest of verse 18 for why you should be so vigilant over how you hear.

Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.

It says, “For [because] whoever has, more will be given to him and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Now what does that refer to?

Let’s start with the positive: “whoever has, more will be given to him”

The negative says, “whoever does not have, even what he has will be take away from him.”

Let’s take the positive first: “whoever has, more will be given to him”

This refers first back to verse 8, at the end of the parable of the soils.

Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Why? Because “whoever has, to him more shall be given.

If you have spiritual ears, then you will be given understanding.

It also refers to the fourth soil described in verse 15: But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, produce fruit.

Whoever has, to him more will be given. What they have already is “an honest and good heart.” And the more that will be given is fruit.

They “by enduring, produce fruit.”

So take heed how you hear! Hear with spiritual ears, not just the ears on your head.

And hear with an honest and good heart, not a deceptive and evil heart.

Whoever Does not Have

But now look at the negative half of verse 18: “…whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be take away from him.”

What does that refer to? It refers to the other three soils and the failure to hear with a good heart and with true spiritual ears.

In each of the first three soils (verses 12–14) there is a hearing of the Word of God.

But in each case what they think they have, is taken away from them.

Verse 12, the first soil: they think they have the Word, but the devil snatches it away.

Verse 13, the second soil: they think they have the Word and true spiritual faith and joy, but they have no root to sustain them in time of trial.

Their faith is a superficial enthusiasm that is real only for fair weather days. And so when the trial comes, what they think they have is taken away.

Their faith is a superficial enthusiasm that is real only for fair weather days.

And so when the trial comes, what they think they have is taken away.

Finally, in verse 14, the third soil: they think they have the Word of God,

but when the worries and riches and pleasures of life come,

what they think they have is taken away, and they fail to bear fruit.

So the point of verse 18 is to interpret what was happening in the four soils.

Three times it comes true: “whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

And one time—the fourth soil—the opposite comes true: “Whoever has, to him more shall be given.”

If you hear with an honest and good heart (v. 15) then more will be given to you.

So now the main point becomes very clear and very urgent! “take care how you listen.”

To the one who has more will be given.

Do you have ears to hear?

I really want the weight of this to land upon us.

Hearing is huge.

I believe with all my heart that God has called me to preach the Word of God.

Some are called to teach it in various settings.

But this text is about another great calling — the calling to hear the Word of God.

And it’s no small thing.

The stakes are very high.

There’s a hearing that barely gets started and the Word is gone before you get out the door.

There’s a hearing that lasts until there is a hard time in life, and then one turns from God to other messages.

Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.

There is a hearing that flourishes until the riches and pleasures of this life choke it off.

And there is a hearing that defeats the devil, endures trial, scorns riches and bears fruit unto eternal life.

That is the hearing we want. Let’s ask God for it.

Let’s read , You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; you open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.

Lord, You open my ears to listen.

So we pray, Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction. ()

Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.

Without the Lord’s intervention, we will miss the wonderful treasures in the word.

SO we pray, “open my ears, that I may hear the Word of God, with an honest and good heart and be saved () and bear fruit.