Sermon Tone Analysis

Focus on listening to Jesus.

A common medical malady among little children is ear infections.

As a result of the infection, the ear canal becomes impacted and the child suffers from temporary hearing loss.

Because this often occurs at the same time a child is learning how to talk, it can affect their speech so that they are not as precise in their communication as they would be otherwise.

Another problem is that there is physical discomfort because of the infection.

Our oldest son was affected the most by ear infections and if did impact his speech and his ability to hear.

So we consulted with a pediatrician to have this corrected with a minor surgery in which tubes are placed in the ear drums.

As we discussed this with him I asked, “Will my son be able to listen after the surgery.”

“Oh, yes!” was his reply.

He will have markedly improved hearing.

PAUSE

But that is not what I meant.

I meant if he would improve in his listening.

Would he do what his mother and father told him to do or would he stubbornly refuse and do his own thing?

There is a difference between hearing and listening.

Hearing receives the information, but listening involves acting on what is heard in the realms of believing and doing.

St. Paul compares the different responses to the Gospel by the Jews and the Gentiles.

The Jews would hear what God had to say but they would not act.

The Gentiles would hear what God had to say but they would act.

The English translation interprets this by translating the same word first as “Hear” in regard to not acting and then as “Listen” in regard to acting.

An old English word would be “Heed”.

James explains it in this way: James 1:22–25 (NIV84)

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 a man 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 the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

The point is that we are to demonstrate that we believe in God and what his word says by having the Word speak to us (read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest [take it to heart] and believe and do what it says.

Specific sin: We don’t always hear the Word.

Although we now have more access to the Word of God than at any other time in history, how much time do we spend reading, meditating, and studying the Bible?

Most people spend a considerable amount of time in front of a screen (TV, phone, tablet).

Perhaps more than ever before.

And even though those devices can and do transmit the word of God, how much of our hearing and viewing of it access that powerful message.

And to be in person in a worship service has somehow become “optional” for many Christians based on low attendances in in person worship and Bible study.

We don’t always believe and do what it says.

But even when we do hear God’s Word, are we always attentive to putting it into practice?

We must all confess that we struggle with this because of our own sinful nature.

We listen to other conflicting voices.

Another issue we have is that when we do listen to others, we sometimes received conflicting message.

This is not only true in the sphere of religious teaching.

For the past several years we have heard markedly different messages about who would best be in leadership of our country and how we should deal with the COVID situation.

It seems as though there is no truth that can be relied on 100%.

This also may seem to be the case with what the Word of God says.

Recall when Jesus told Pontius Pilate that whoever is on the side of truth listens to him?

What did Pilate respond?

“What is truth?”

It is almost impossible to avoid completely what others are telling us.

Attempts such as censorship and undermining other ideas.

We cringe when we hear about attempts to censor certain books like the Dr. Seuss fiasco last year or wonder about whether or not Raymond Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 will ever come true.

We may not be aware that in the early centuries of the Christian Church, church leaders banned certain religious books which disagreed with the books of the Bible we now have.

Even WELS pastors at times teach a form of censorship.

(Illustration with Pearl Jam song --- Last Kiss.

‘She’s gone to heaven so I’ve got to be good, so I can see my baby when I leave this world.)

How can we be sure Jesus is telling the truth?

Confirmation of the Father

One example takes place during the well known even of the transfiguration of Jesus.

When did it occur?

Jesus' statements about his upcoming betrayal and death (Matthew 17:22 - 23, Luke 9:43 - 44) places the transfiguration in 29 A.D., the year before his crucifixion.

John's gospel also reveals this year's Feast of Tabernacles, celebrated in October, was fast approaching (John 7:2).

This explains why Peter wanted to build booths on the mountain (Leviticus 23:39 - 43, Matthew 17:4).

One aspect of this event is the proclamation of God that was heard concerning Jesus.

He confirms that Jesus is his Son and that he has chosen him to be the Savior.

Later, Jesus’ enemies would mock this truth.

God also commanded the disciples to listen to Jesus.

This is emphasized by Jesus as well.

We are to listen to Jesus not only because he is chosen by God, but because God sent him to speak to us for him.

Hebrews 1:1–3 (NIV84)

1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

And we are to listen to those whom Jesus has sent — Christians sharing the Word of God in its truth and purity.

How can we be sure this is true?

(Recall all of the conflicting messages that are present)

Did the disciples listen to Jesus?

Matthew tells us Matthew 17:9 (NIV)

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Luke tells us Luke 9:36 (NIV84)

36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone.

The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

It may seem like a minor point but they showed that they listened to Jesus on a seemingly small instruction.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven he gave his final command to go and make disciples . . .

The book of Acts and history shows that these disciples did just that.

Those who had been instructed by Jesus listened to him and have been sharing the Good News ever since.

And so, we today have all of these opportunities to read, mark, learn and take to heart the truths of the Bible as we listen to those who listen to Jesus.

We fail at times and don’t always listen as we should.

But because Jesus listened to his Father and gave his life on the cross, we can be sure that our sins are forgiven and that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to listen to Jesus even better in the future.

Amen.