Faith Comes By Hearing

Sean Cavender

What Must I Do...? • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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This lesson will begin to answer the question "what must I do to be saved?" First off, we will consider the importance of having the right attitude that would help us be receptive to hearing God's word in the first place.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction

Many of us have heard lessons on God’s plan of salvation and we could recite it in an invitation. We could tell someone what they must do to become a Christian (hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized).

But would we be able to explain what role each of those things really means? What is involved in each of those steps? Are they like a check box, complete one and move on to the other — or is it more like a ripple effect where one goes right into the other?

Of the steps of salvation, we probably focus more on belief/faith, repentance, and baptism than the others. Especially as we try to teach someone the gospel.

The one we pay the least attention to is the concept of hearing. Perhaps we take it for granted since we hear so many sermons and Bible classes. However, hearing is the first thing on that list, which maybe indicates it is one of the most important since it is necessary to hear about faith, repentance, and baptism. And do not be mistaken, hearing is necessary in every stage along the way. It’s not that we simply “heard” one aspect of the truth and then we know what we must do. We may need to hear things about faith, then hear about repentance/confession, and finally we may need to hear about baptism or righteous living. Hearing does not stop when we reach the waters of baptism because we are to continue to learn.

Do not be mistaken, hearing is necessary in every stage along the way. It’s not that we simply “heard” one aspect of the truth and then we know what we must do. We may need to hear things about faith, then hear about repentance/confession, and finally we may need to hear about baptism or righteous living. Hearing does not stop when we reach the waters of baptism because we are to continue to learn.

As the apostle Paul explains that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, first the message of salvation must be communicated and heard -

We Hear What God Says

First, we must be sure that we are hearing the right message. That message must be the word of God -

Many people claim to be preaching the word of God, but they are preaching a message that is corrupted -

That is why we must open the Scriptures and examine the message that is taught and presented -

Some people may teach something false on purpose (like Peter warns about). But others might do so out of their own ignorance (like Apollos who needed to have some things explained to him).

Therefore, we must be careful that we are motivated by God’s word and not by those with smooth speech.

Many people today are deceived at what passes for “preaching” -

The best compliment you could ever give a preacher is that he preached the truth and that you will take what was presented and you will go home and obey the word of God.

There is nothing wrong with good delivery of a sermon, but that’s not what should impress us.

We don’t need to be motivated by stories, jokes, and motivational speeches.

We come to hear the word of God preached.

When God’s word is proclaimed, the seeds of faith are planted -

Everyone Is Obligated to Hear What God Says

Jesus expected people to listen and hear His words and instructions -

Everyone that is capable of hearing and understanding the instructions from the Lord are then obligated to do what He says.

Hearing the teachings of Christ and of God places those who are capable of understanding (by age and maturity — “age of accountability” — and mental capacity) under obligation to do what God says.

The reason many people do not understand the Scriptures and teachings of the Bible is because they refuse to hear - ,

Their attitude is wrong. They are unwilling to hear, examine themselves, and change their heart and mind.

But those who do hear and understand are blessed -

As we mentioned, hearing God’s word is not something that we must do once, just in order to become a Christian.

The “step of hearing” requires a life-long change and commitment to hearing the message of Christ.

Churches must listen to the word of God and even make changes in areas they have fallen short in -

We Hear So We May Obey

Jesus speaks in a sort of proverbial way in about our attitude towards hearing God’s word.

He had given the parable of the sower and told people to hear that parable and all of His teachings -

Then Jesus explained the parable -

Then Jesus speaks about the importance of being able to receive God’s truth and using it appropriately.

First, it is like a lamp that is intended to be seen and used -

Second, the light of God’s word is supposed to reveal what may not have been previously understood -

We are to reflect the light of God’s word in how we live our life, the example we set, and the influence we have on people -

Therefore, we must be careful in how we listen -

We obey what we hear.

That is why is is so important for us to be certain we are hearing the truth.

Some people hear, but they are not doers - Jms 1:22

Some people hear the word, they even confess faith in them, but they themselves are not faithful and trustworthy to do what they said they would do -

Some people hear the words of the Lord, but they only do what they want to do -

Some people will refuse to hear the Lord, therefore, they forsake the Lord -

Jesus says: Take heed how you hear! Examine your heart and your ears.

We Hear So We May Have Eternal Life

There are some difficult things that the Bible teaches us. Jesus taught some things that were hard to be understood -

It was that overwhelming sense of doubt and difficulty that many of Jesus’ would -be disciples ended up turning away from him -

Peter knew of no other places to turn though that would provide the way of eternal life -

Words communicate ideas and they are vehicles of thoughts.

Jesus has the words of eternal life.

Words are intended to be heard.

Hearing and understanding God’s word may be difficult at times. But it is not impossible. It does not require someone with special training and advanced education to understand it.

What is required to understand God’s word?

Ears that are ready to hear!

We hear God’s word so that we may believe -

Those who hear the gospel and commit to obeying it will be saved -

Conclusion

Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear is the refrain of God’s word.

God wants you to hear His word and the message of salvation.

Jesus has the words of eternal life.

Will you hear them? Will you obey them?

That is the first thing you must do if you are to be saved.

Will you be saved today?

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