Hearing With Heed

Mark 4:21-25 

            I think most of you would agree that there are times when it is important to be careful.  Growing up on a dairy farm I quickly learned to be careful around certain animals.  Our herd bull was a huge Holstein called Jonnie.  Jonnie weighed just over 2,300 pounds and did just as he liked.  He was really good-natured most of the time and could be trusted but if he ever started staring and rumbling down deep in his chest something bad was about to happen.  Mr. Hazelwood didn’t know Jonnie so well and paid the price one afternoon when he crossed the cattle lot to enter the barn.  It was a bit like Ralph Cramden and Alice, “To the moon!”

            Jesus encouraged His listeners to be just as careful with the information allowed into their minds.  We must closely examine every message we hear to determine its worthiness.  I received an email this week from a friend of mine in West Tennessee.  With the email was a short video explaining a new religious movement in America.  On March 8, 2008, Oprah Winfrey welcomed 300,000 people to open their hearts and minds to the teachings of a fellow named Eckhart Tolle.  The movement is called Our Eyes Are Open Ministries and teaches that there are as many ways to eternal peace as there are human beings.  The Apostle John warned us to “try the spirits to see if they are of God.”  A message may be appealing and even have the ring of truth about it and still smell like smoke from out the pits of Hell!  Every truth should be held to the light of God’s Word to determine its legitimacy!

            False religious movements are so successful because the overwhelming majority of people are too trusting and too lazy to think for themselves.  Should we be surprised at this fact when we consider that the majority of Christians don’t really want to hear the truth either?  Look at the numbers of church members that either chooses not to attend worship services or find venues that entertain and do not challenge.  I believe successful worship necessitates a significant amount of determination and preparation.

It is true that even a poor farmer may expect to get a little harvest if he does nothing more than cast his seeds upon the ground.  But if he is wise, he will till the soil and use every means to increase his yield.

I.                    A Precept, “Hear With Heed”

A.    Advanced preparation – before sermon.  Moses was told to remove his shoes before meeting God at Sinai.  Should we not shake the dust of life from our feet before entering His presence?

1.      Present in mind and body

2.      Sins confessed and attention undivided

B.     During sermon – truth must be welcomed aboard

1.      Be discriminating – there is always something useful to grab on to

2.      Filter and sift the ore to find silver and gold.  How many have walked right past precious stones and metals either because they were inattentive or untrained?

3.      Listen with appetite and the intent to act

C.    After sermon

1.      Hear retentively – take it home with you

2.      Let the last word be a starting point for more searching

II.                 A Proverb, “With What Measure You Mete….”

A.    Your return will always be commensurate with your investment

1.      If you are not interested, the message will be uninteresting

2.      If you look for fault you will find it

3.      Hearing is a matter of perspective.  A hickory tree is just a large leafy plant to me, but to a squirrel it is his home, his livelihood, and a place of recreation

4.      Remember, the blind get little inspiration from even the most masterful painting

B.     You rarely get more than you want

III.               A Promise, “Unto You That Hear Will More Be Given”

A.    More desire to hear – hunger and thirst after truth

B.     Better understanding

C. A greater love for the Word and its truth