Having heard the Word

Service Notes

review of weekends activities / Blameless, AWANA, FCA lunch, Indian Night

Review of last week - 4 soils. Now we focus on the postive. The fruit producing soil that should be found in our lives.

SLIDE: Major Promise:

Keeping God’s Word will produce fruit in our lives and shape all of our relationships.

Keeping God’s Word (v.15) will produce (v.17) fruit in our lives (v18) and shape all of our relationships. (v19-21)

Luke 8:15–21 (KJV 1900)

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Introduction

Challenging his wife with a riddle, the man began, “You’re the engineer of a train. There are 36 people on board. At the first stop, 10 get off and 2 get on. At the next stop, no one gets off, but 5 get on. At the third stop, 4 get off and 2 get on. Now for the question: What is the name of the engineer?”

“How should I know?” snapped the wife.

“See, you never listen! Right at the start I said, ‘You are the engineer of a train.’”

In this passage we are told to v.18 Take heed therefore how ye hear:

How do you know if someone is listening?

If your husband listened as you asked him to pick up the milk?

If your kids heard you tell them to clean their room?

If the pastor heard you ask him to end on time?

Keeping God’s Word

Luke 8:15 (KJV 1900)

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

He will bring the fruit, we need to listen and apply.

Elijay Apple Picking. Genius. If you pick yourself it costs more. Really?

How do you prepare your heart to keep it?

Pray that God would give you the good and honest heart described in verse 15

Luke 8:15 (KJV 1900)

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Every heard Sunday morning is a Saturday night decision. Well, hearing from God and keeping His Word is a daily decision. Just like time is put into a song service you should prepare your heart to Hear God’s Word

Ezra 7:10 (KJV 1900)

10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Good prayer this morning and every morning

Psalm 119:18 (KJV 1900)

18 Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Homework: Quote this verse everyday this week before reading the Bible.

Prepare your mind by turning away from worldly entertainment and discussions

James 1:21 (KJV 1900)

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Good prayer is Psalm 119:37

Psalm 119:37 (KJV 1900)

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; And quicken thou me in thy way.

You become what you behold! Behold EMPTINESS and you will feel EMPTY

Worldliness is the enemy of humility

Come in a spirit of meek teachability James 1:21

James 1:21 (KJV 1900)

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

We all have a diet. Some of our diets just include many foods. Couldn’t get enough food from one so I tried them all.

Trust and apply truth that you already have

Luke 8:18 (KJV 1900)

18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

“Busyness is not the greatest threat to daily Bible reading. Self-confidence is.”

Consider all the wonderful decisions you have to make to prioritize time in God’s Word

Think about all the things you have time for even while busy.

More will be given: More what? More desire to hear. More understanding of what you hear.

Maicon teaches a Zoom meeting for some people in a nursing home. I told him to take every preaching opportunity he has and make the most of it before asking God for more. We should do the same with what we hear.

The Word will produce forth fruit with patience

Jeremiah 17:7–8 (KJV 1900)

7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Relationship with one another effects our ability to hear.

Psalm 106:25 (KJV 1900)

25 But murmured in their tents, And hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.

Desire the truth of God's Word more than you desire riches or food

Psalm 19:10–11 (KJV 1900)

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.

Jesus gives an object lesson in Matthew

Matthew 21:18–19 (KJV 1900)

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

Ever hear a story and it makes you think of a song.

Song of the Vineyard

Isaiah 5:1–4 (KJV 1900)

1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, And planted it with the choicest vine, And built a tower in the midst of it, And also made a winepress therein: And he looked that it should bring forth grapes, And it brought forth wild grapes.

3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, Judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, That I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, Brought it forth wild grapes?

So much has been provided for us. We should be a fruitful people because we have been so well watered and cared for by the Vineyard keeper.

You have been given much. Do you keep it?

Proverbs 23:23 (KJV 1900)

23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; Also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Will I be able to pick this lesson and the lesson you heard in LifeGroups or read on Wednesday morning at Goodwill this week?

Keeping God’s Word will produce fruit in our lives and shape all of our relationships.

The point is not that isn’t that it shouldn’t be hidden but that it cannot be hidden

Luke 8:16 (KJV 1900)

16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Luke 8:17 (KJV 1900)

17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

We aren’t to be speaking in parables but living in a full demonstration of the power of the Gospel to change lives.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV 1900)

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

You listen well so others can hear.

Luke 8:18 (KJV 1900)

18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Those who receive the word are responsible to expose and publish the truth – that is, the word of God.

Jesus concealed the mystery for a season from some, but that is not our business.

When your lamp is lit by the Word of God, and your life becomes a light of faith and joy and good deeds, don't hide it!

You take what I give you and make it known far and wide

Matthew 10:27 (KJV 1900)

27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

Shining requires proclamation.

Seeing a group near the Great Wall. They told of the story of being in China a month and at the end someone asked them if they were a Christian! If someone is around you a month they should not need to be asking you that question. If they do, don’t brag about it!

Listen for the the sake of the Glory of God

Matthew 5:16 (KJV 1900)

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The puzzle is why so many people live so badly. Not so wickedly, but so insanely. Not so cruelly, but so stupidly. There's little to admire and less to imitate in the people who are prominent in our culture. We have celebrities, but not saints. Famous entertainers amuse a nation of bored insomniacs. Infamous criminals act out the aggressions of timid conformists. Petulant and spoiled athletes play games vicariously for lazy and apathetic spectators. People aimless and bored amuse themselves with trivia and trash. Neither the adventure of goodness nor the pursuit of righteousness get headlines. // not headlines but not unnoticed - Run With the Horses

I think the primary meaning is slightly different here in this story.

This illustration also provides clarity to v. 10

Luke 8:10 (KJV 1900)

10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

God provides light to us from His Word. God’s Word provides understanding.

Many people, especially young people, want to know the will of God for their lives.

Whom shall I marry?

What should I do with my life?

What should we eat for lunch?

God’s word is a lamp unto our path

God’s Word reveals principles on each of these crucial questions so that you don’t whack your shins on the wrong ways of the world.

God’s will is that you should marry only a spiritually minded, God-centered Christian, because the Word commands us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

His will is that we should spend our lives serving the Lord Jesus Christ, whatever we do to earn a living, because we are to seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

It is Sunday. So we won’t have Chick-Fi-La. It is God’s Will. You do not even need to pray about it. It is written… on the sign.

You may wonder, why wouldn’t everyone want God’s light to illumine their lives so that they can see how to avoid the holes and dangers of the dark?

John 3:19–20 (KJV 1900)

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

“Take every word as spoken to yourselves. When the word thunders against sin, think thus: ‘God means my sins;’ when it presses any duty, ‘God intends me in this.’ Many put off Scripture from themselves, as if it only concerned those who lived in the time when it was written; but if you intend to profit by the word, bring it home to yourselves: a medicine will do no good, unless it be applied”

Careful listening means obedient listening

Keeping God’s Word will produce fruit in our lives and affect our relationships!

Hearing and obeying the Word should define our lives and relationships.

Luke 8:19–21 (KJV 1900)

19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

The brothers of Jesus never seemed to be supportive of His ministry before His death and resurrection

Mark 3:21 (KJV 1900)

21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

Thatcher: Why does Carsen do that? Me: It is just what little brothers do.

Keeping God’s Word will produce fruit in our lives and shape all of our relationships.

Do not underestimate the power of God’s Word to shape our relationships. Let me remind you that it was from His Word that we came to know Christ.

What is Jesus referring to by the phrase “the word of God”?

Luke 8:21 (KJV 1900)

21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Other times He would refer to it as my word.

John 8:31 (KJV 1900)

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Knowing Jesus Through His Word

God revealed Himself through His Word

1 Samuel 3:21 (KJV 1900)

21 And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

John 17:3 (KJV 1900)

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

To know Him is to love Him, to love Him is to obey Him

John 14:23–24 (KJV 1900)

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

Our love and obedience to the Word is so connected to our love for God that those who love the Word as we do is called family.

Sign in kitchen. “Love makes a family.” May take a sharpie and add “Love (for the Word) makes a family.”

In this story Jesus states “A relationship to Me is defined as hearing the Word of God which I give and doing it, an obedient hearing.“

John 14:22–23 (KJV 1900)

22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

What does it mean to love Jesus?

Keeping his commandments John 14:15

Has the commandments and keeps them. John 14:21

Keep His Word John 14:23

Those who do not love Him do not keep His Word John 14:25

Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him and told Him how to demonstrate it.

John 21:17 (KJV 1900)

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

When we speak about the Word of God I pray you think about a real, relationship and not a rule book!

As we gather closely around God’s Word and obey it we begin to recognize those around this book are people that love the Lord as well. They are people who want their lives shaped by God’s Word. We realize these people are our brothers and sisters.

Is this just true for Jesus?

In 1 Timothy 5 Paul also teaches that we should treat

older men in the church like fathers

younger men like brothers

older women like mothers

and younger women like sisters

The Bible teaches that we are to care for our family and friends.

We still have relationships with our parents, along with a duty to help care for them as they age (1 Timothy 5:4).

1 Timothy 5:4 (KJV 1900)

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

We still make place in our lives for friends, as even Jesus did (John 15:15; John 11:3, 5; John 21:20, 24).

Not looking for you to kick grandma to the curb but to recognize your love for Jesus and His Word is going to be the greatest of influence upon your earthly relationships!

Keeping God’s Word will produce fruit in our lives and shape all of our relationships.

End with a picture of Burkina Faso. We met under a tree and now a church exists.

In that place the Word landed in good soil and produced much fruit with patience!!

That is their story. I pray that is our story. as well.