The Word: Heard & Hidden

Luke 11:28 CSB

He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

INTRO—

“Hey! Did you hear that?” [What did you do just now? What do you typically do when someone says that to you?]

My first answer is typically—no, I didn’t.

“Can you hear me now?”

Is there anything more frustrating than bad cell service?

Hear, Hear!

Hear (Listen Closely)...

Luke 11.28 “He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.””

Romans 10.17 “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”

1 Timothy 4.13 “Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.” [also Rev 1.3]

Read

Mark 12.10 “Haven’t you read this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

Luke 4.16 “He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read.”

Revelation 1.3 “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near.” [also 1 Tim 4.13]

1 Thessalonians 2.13 “This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.”

Hidden.

Memorize

[WHY]

Brings Focus.

Psalm 119.11 “I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.”

Colossians 3.2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Psalm 119.24 “your decrees are my delight and my counselors.”

Ephesians 4.29 “No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.”

Strengthens Faith.

Proverbs 22.17-19 “Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge. For it is pleasing if you keep them within you and if they are constantly on your lips. I have instructed you today—even you— so that your confidence may be in the Lord.”

Psalm 119.105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”

Equips Witnessing & Encouraging.

Acts 2.14-21 “Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning. On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. I will even pour out my Spirit on my servants in those days, both men and women and they will prophesy. I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [& to verse 40]

Psalm 46.1 “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.”

Sparks Meditation.

Psalm 119.97 “How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long.” [That’s all we’ll say about this for now…saving this emphasis for next week.]

[HOW] (we will focus on more examples…& practice this Wednesday)

Rehearse

Rewrite

Draw

[These 3 make a good case for Journaling in some form.]

Sing

Re-listen

[Hearing…expanded & intensified]

Start Small…work toward larger sections (verse…verses…chapters…books)

With Others

Consistency (time & place…I believe this is also called making it a habit))

CONCL—

Psalm 119.16 “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Psalm 119:11 CSB

I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.