Fruit #2 (Organic Outreach 11)

Recap

Intro

Wife: Are you even listening to me?

Me: What a strange way to start a conversation!

Have you ever been there? When the words pass right through someone’s head?

How does it make you feel? If you’re the one who is not listened to it makes you feel angry/disappointed. If you are the one not listening it makes you feel guilty.

In many instances active listening can save you from harm: (Car Horn) “Look Out!”

Active listening is essential for developing quality relationships.

Scripture

James 1:19–27 NIV

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

It is a command: “BE”

It has the assumption of prepared or planned or thought out. I’m going to orient my life around the idea of listening.

Not hear… Listen

It means it is safe to talk to me because I am not listening to respond in anger or defense (of me or the gospel).

YOUR Anger doesn’t bring about the life God wants (in us or others).

We must listen to the point of a changed perspective and direct application.

If all our faith does is talk it is worthless (of no value or importance), there must be a direct application to the world next to us. To accurately and intentionally apply to word to others’ lives we must actively listen to those next to us.

Active listening

It requires time.

It is intentional.

It is impactful.

It is relational.

It is essential to the gospel.

Application

Who do you tend to hear and not listen to?

What group(s) of people do you have a strong desire to argue with first?

Do you feel the need to defend the gospel to everyone?

Who is one person you can prepare to listen to this week?

Think of 3 questions you can ask, and then be quiet.