Matthew 13:13-17 – God is Speaking; Are You Listening? audio

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Text: Matthew 13:13-17 KJV (Reading by Andy Anderson)

Introduction

Illustration: An elderly couple was just getting up to start their day. “What would you like for breakfast?” the woman asked her husband. Receiving no answer, she proceeded to the kitchen to look for some ideas on what to cook. Her husband came in shortly thereafter, and she asked him again. “Did you decide on what you wanted for breakfast?” Still not receiving an answer, she began to clear off the table. When her husband had been seated, she walked over and asked him the third time: “WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR BREAKFAST?” He replied, “For the third time, I want bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, and orange juice!”

Sometimes people simply do not wish to listen. They hear what they only want to hear, or are too busy thinking about what they will say next to really pay attention to what is being said.

Body

I. God is speaking to us.

A. God has given mankind a very important message since the very beginning.

B. He spoke directly, through the Law, through the prophets, through His Son, and through His Inspired Word (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16).

C. Everybody has a chance to hear Him speak!

II. Many are pleading for us to hear the Word of God!

A. Jesus pleads for us to listen.

1) He tells the seven churches in Asia: “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).”

2) He said, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand… (Mark 7:14)”

B. Peter preached, “…heed my words (Acts 2:14).”

C. Steven pleaded with many to listen to his words as he preached Christ (Acts 7:2).

D. The Jerusalem Council listened to Paul and Barnabas tell of all good things God did for the Gentiles, and then James pleaded for all to listen as he taught the agreement of the prophets (Acts 15:12ff.). James later commands his readers to listen to what God has done for the poor (James 2:5).

E. The author of Hebrews commands us to pay close attention to God’s Word (Hebrews 2:1-3).

III. Sadly, some do not listen to God’s words.

A. Many throughout the Old Testament did not listen to God (Nadab & Abihu, Jonah, et al.).

B. Jesus said that Isaiah’s prophecy has been fulfilled in that day regarding those that do not hear (Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:13-17).

C. The Hebrew writer said his audience became “dull of hearing (Hebrews 5:11).”

IV. Blessed are those that hear the Word of God!

A. The Bereans set a good example of hearing the word; they received it with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).

B. Faith comes from hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17), and we cannot be saved without it (Hebrews 11:6).

C. If we hear the words of Jesus and believe in God, we may have everlasting life (John 5:24).

D. We are of God if we hear His words (John 8:47).

E. If we hear the voice of Jesus, we are of the truth (John 18:37).

F. True hearers of the word will hear it, understand it, and bear fruit (Matthew 13:23).

G. We must not only hear the word; we must do it (James 1:21-25).

H. Jesus likened hearers and doers to wise men; those that did not hear/do to foolish men (Matthew 7:24-27).

Conclusion

Through the word of God, we learn how to receive salvation. We must truly listen to Him and do what He says! If we do, we may receive everlasting life.