Hear the Words
Notes
Transcript
Handout
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
We have been looking at this verse in Revelation the last few weeks.
This is where our theme for the year comes from: For the Time Is at Hand.
It tells us how we can be blessed.
The word blessed, we learned last week, means possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God.
Does that sound like a place that you want to be in your life?
How many of you want to possess the favor of God, how many of you want to be marked by the fulness of God…to have His blessings?
The Bible says, in this verse before us that, you will be blessed if you Reads the Word of God.
We looked at that last week...when we read the Word of God we can expect to learn all about God’s promises - Oh aren’t you glad for the promises of God?
But we will also learn of God’s Expectations - He expects some things from us....
But we will also learn of God’s Grace - He never expects anything from us that His Grace can not enable us to do.
The Second requirement of this blessed person is not just to read it…but to hear the words of this prophecy.
Again I want to make clear that this verse is specifically speaking of the prophecy contained with in the Book of Revelation.
However, I believe we will be able to see today that all throughout Scripture there are many promises of blessings for those who Hear the Word of God.
Today, I want to take three passages that deal with hearing the Word of God... and from those three passages see three principles we need to lean.
You are already here at 2 Timothy 4:1–5.
let’s read it again!
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
The first principle that we see about Hearing the Word of God is that ...
I. God’s Command Is to Preach
I. God’s Command Is to Preach
There are a lot of churches out there that have all kinds of things in their church:
45 minutes of music and 10 minutes of preaching
The Music so loud you can’t even hear yourself singing
Dance teams dancing on the stage
Flag twirling teams coming across
Lights and lasers moving like a rock concert
fog machines so that the lights can be better seen
Pastors who have style coaches to tell them what to wear
One church (loosely so called) in my old town had a chalk drawing going on at one part of the stage, dancers on another, a praise band playing on another part, and people in the audience talking to each other.
It was the very essence of confusion in the church.
The same church has had feathers coming down from the ceiling being told they are angels feathers and gold glitter being pumped into the audience calling it the glory cloud like it is the glory of God coming down on them.
My friend we are told to preach the truth!
That is why overwhelmingly the preaching in this church is the focus of our services.
Not because you have a great preacher
But despite the preacher you have, you have a great God and a great Bible!
And because of that God Commands preaching of His Word.
The Bible tells us as pastors, first of all to...
A. Stand by the Truth
A. Stand by the Truth
Be instant - Be ready - stand by
I have to preach the truth whether this world agrees, or likes what I preach.
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
I Must be instant - be ready - stand by the truth!
Preach the Word!
Charles Wesley said, "Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen: such alone will shake the gates of hell, and set up the Kingdom on Heaven upon earth."
Secondly I must do this whether it is...
B. Convenient or Not
B. Convenient or Not
in season, out of season - literally opportunely, conveniently
just as fruit is in season, it is convenient to obtain.
Whether it is convenient or not, I must preach the Word!
Hugh Lattimer once preached before King Henry VIII. Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Lattimer to preach again on the following Sunday and apologize for the offence he had given.
As he began his sermon he said, “Latimer! Latimer! Do you remember that you are speaking before the high and mighty King Henry VIII; who has power to command you to be sent to prison, and who can have your head cut off, if it please him? Will you not take care to say nothing that will offend royal ears?”
He then paused and continued, “Latimer! Latimer! Do you not remember that you are speaking before the King of kings and Lord of lords; before Him, at whose throne Henry VIII will stand; before Him, to whom one day you will have to give account yourself? Latimer! Latimer! Be faithful to your Master, and declare all of God’s Word.”
He then preached the same sermon he had preached the prior Sunday--and with considerably more energy.
Years later Hugh Latimer was burned at the stake during the reign of Queen Mary for denying the false teachings of transubstantiation of the Catholic Church.
As they were going to be burned he said to his fellow martyr, Nicholas Ridley, “Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”
What faith!
Whether convenient or not, we must preach the truth!
Not only that But I must...
C. Preach It All
C. Preach It All
he gives three things that preaching ought to do:
1. Reprove
1. Reprove
It means - to tell the fault
It’s biblical to do...
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
There are times when preaching steps on your feet - Well...Move your feet!
There are times when your cat’s fur is being rubbed the wrong way - Well...Turn your cat around!
Reproving is never fun, but it is necessary.
But it is the only way to get true understanding.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: But he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
And it’s a dangerous thing to reject reproof!
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: And he that hateth reproof shall die.
Even though it is not fun ...for it to be true preaching it must involve reproof, and true preaching should also ...
2. Rebuke
2. Rebuke
to admonish strongly, with urgency
There are a couple of examples of rebuke in scripture one being when Jesus rebuked demons.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
There were times when Peter rebuked Jesus, but Jesus set him straight:
32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Rebuke is an important aspect of reconciliation!
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
The word can also be translated as Charge - like to command
21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
But rebuke is an important part of preaching
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
In Revelation Jesus is speaking to the seven churches, and to the church of the Laodiceans he says:
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Jesus says those He loves He rebukes!
Reproof is a part of preaching
Rebuke is a part of preaching
But it shouldn’t all be negative preaching should also...
3. Exhort
3. Exhort
Exhort means to help, comfort, come along side - build up
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Exhortation is important for growth
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
So preaching is vital - in fact it is God’s plan for the church to help us grow more like Christ.
Preaching is to contain Reproof, Rebuke and Exhortation.
Now Let’s turn to Romans 10:13-17 to see the second principle about hearing God’s Word.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The Second principle I want to look at today is:
II. Hearing Brings Faith
II. Hearing Brings Faith
The Bible says here that all who call upon the Lord shall be saved - they have heard and now they are calling upon Him.
Because Hearing Brings Faith.
First let’s notice...
A. The Pattern
A. The Pattern
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
The Pattern is Preach, Hear, Believe, Call
It is stated in a walk back fashion...
We know we need to Call upon the name of the Lord
But how do we do that…well we must first Believe that we need to call.
The proof of the belief is that you are willing to Call upon God for Salvation.
But how do we Believe? … well we must first hear the truth.
You cannot believe something you have never heard.
People all around us need to hear the truth of Salvation.
How can they believe if they have never heard!
OK, but how do we hear the truth - there must be a preacher.
By the way this is not an occupation, but an action.
It is a telling forth of truth - this is every Christian…anytime they are telling forth truth.
But this is true about more than just salvation it is a principle that is being explained...
B. The Principle
B. The Principle
What is the principle?
The more we hear the Word of God, The more Faith we will have.
If you are struggling with your faith you need to hear more of God’s Word being preached!
Are you facing difficult times in your life?
You need to have more faith!
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The Preaching of God’s Word is what will build faith in your heart!
You need to surround yourself and your life with the preaching of God’s Word!
But be careful who you get that preaching from…make sure they are speaking the truth!
Don’t fill yourself with the world - Fill yourself with God and His Word!
God loves His people!
Because He knows what they need... he sends a preacher, and He commands him to preach God’s Word.
He knows that the hearing of His Word will bring faith to His people.
It is a sobering realization to stand here in this pulpit sharing what God has laid on my heart.
It is the Word of God that makes the difference… It is the hearing of the Word of God that builds faith.
However, the sad truth is that:
III. Not All Will Obey
III. Not All Will Obey
An atheistic barber, walking through the city slums with a minister, remarked, "This is why I can't believe in a God of love. If He is as kind as they say, why does He permit all this poverty, disease, and squalor? How can He allow these poor people to be addicted to dope and other character-destroying habits?"
The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkempt and filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck, and he had half an inch of stubble on his face. The preacher was ready with his response: "You can't be a very good barber or you wouldn't permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut and a shave."
Indignantly the atheist answered, "Why blame me for that man's condition? I can't help it if he's like that. He has never given me a chance! If he would only come to my shop, I could fix him up and make him look like a gentleman!"
Giving the barber a penetrating look, the minister said, "Then don't blame God for allowing these people to continue in their evil ways when He longs to speak to them and give them directions for salvaging their lives. They are slaves to sin and evil habits because they refuse to heed God's word and accept the One who died to save and deliver them."
Turn with me to Luke 8:12–15.
Here Jesus is giving the Parable of the Sower.
In verse 12-15 Jesus is explaining what the parable meant.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
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.
A. Some Hear But Are Hardened
A. Some Hear But Are Hardened
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
People are sometimes hardened by hurts
Sometimes they are hardened by the world’s influence
So focused on themselves that they do not hear what is really being said.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt got tired of smiling that big smile and saying the usual things at all those White House receptions. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was paying attention to what he was saying. As each person came up to him with extended hand, he flashed that big smile and said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." People would automatically respond with comments such as "How lovely!" or "Just continue with your great work!" Nobody listened to what he was saying, except one foreign diplomat. When the president said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning," The diplomat responded softly, "I'm sure she had it coming to her."
Many people went through the reception never actually hearing.
Their focus most likely on themselves and the fact that they were meeting the president.
So many when they hear a sermon are focused upon themselves, their own hurts, their own desires and lusts of the flesh...that they miss the message.
Then the Bible says that...
B. Some Hear But Are Shallow
B. Some Hear But Are Shallow
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
They receive the truth with Joy
But they were not established in doctrine, no root.
The seed finds a little soil on top of the stone, but it is not enough to take root and so the growth is only for a little while.
They believed but they may not have been true believers.
How many people who call themselves Christians only shallowly follow the Lord.
They come to church, but once they set their Bibles down they are not picked back up until they go to church again.
How many put on the mask of piety when they enter the church on Sunday, but live like the devil Monday through Saturday.
Many come to church so they can feel better about their life, but are not willing to truly get involved.
There is no room for growth because they have the rock hard self-focused bedrock just below the surface.
If you find yourself in this category, or maybe you think you might be …You need to do like Hosea 10.12 says
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground: For it is time to seek the Lord, Till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Don’t live a shallow Christian life!
Break up the fallow ground by staying under preaching and let the Word of God Grow in your heart!
The third group we find here shows us that...
C. Some Hear But Are Distracted
C. Some Hear But Are Distracted
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Distracted by cares of this world
Distracted by riches
Distracted by pleasures
So distracted that any fruit that does come never grows to perfection - to maturity.
They bear fruit, but it never matures - it is useless
In fact growth is soon choked out - doesn’t necessarily mean killed - but rather the idea is to overpower.
Their usefulness has been overpowered by their desires for the cares, riches and pleasures of this world.
But then the Bible tells us that...
D. Some Hear and Keep It
D. Some Hear and Keep It
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
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.
The Bible says that some fell on good ground.
They Heard v.15 having heard the Word
They kept it - v.15
They grew - v. 8 tells us that the seed sprang up into a plant
They produced fruit -
v. 8 tells us that they bare fruit an hundred fold
v. 15 - bring forth fruit with patience. - perseverance - they keep bringing forth fruit.
Conclusion
Conclusion
My job is to preach the Word of God
God commands me to preach the Word.
To stand by the truth of His Word!
Whether it is convenient or Not…just preach the truth.
And to preach it all…Reproof…rebuke and exhortation.
It is your job to hear and let your faith grow!
But it is solely up to you whether you will grow and produce fruit!
Are you going to be the ground that is hardened by the world?
Are you going to be the ground that is shallow…no real depth for growth.
Are you going to be the thorny ground that allows the distractions of this world pull you away from the truth?
Or are you going to be the good ground…the kind that hear and keep the Word of God close to their hearts.
Next week we are going to look at this third requirement of this blessing that we can receive.
But for now just know ...It is not good enough just to hear the preaching of God’s Word…you must obey it!
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Will you obey God’s Word today?