Are You Listening?

Proverbs 22:17-21

ListeningGod has spoken to us – Are you listening? Heb. 1:1-2

Our attention, effort, respect and desire to understand, Eccl. 5:1; Matt. 13:9, 13-18 (Samuel, 1 Sam. 3:10)Hear and do, Exo. 15:26; Deut. 4:1; Matt. 7:24-25

Are we really listening to God?!2

We must Listen to…

God by listening to His word, Luke 19:47-48

Read and learn BibleFor faith, Rom. 10:17To follow righteousness, Isa. 51:1, 4, 7We must be careful listeners

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We must Listen to…

The reproof of our sin, Prov. 15:31; 25:12 (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Lk. 17:3)

Narrow way, Prov. 10:17Avoid stupidity, Prov. 12:1To be wise (not stubborn), Prov. 17:10To avoid spiritual death, Prov. 15:10

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We must Listen to…

Wise counsel, Prov. 8:34-36 (2:1-2; 5:1)

Who counsels you? Prov. 18:15; 29:1Sources of wise counsel include the Bible, faithful Christians, parents and siblings – those who point us to God

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Things that Keep us from Listening (John 8:43)

Sin and disobedience, John 8:44-47

Causes us to “stop our ears” Acts 7:54-58Heart given over to sin will not listen to God’s truth, Rom. 8:7Must want to hear and do God’s word Ezek. 33:30-33

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Things that Keep us from Listening (John 8:43)

Pride, Prov. 4:5-8; 11:2; 18:12-13

Arrogant conceit refuses to admit any sin or error Prevents accepting sound teaching of God’s word and wise advise, Prov. 15:31-33

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Things that Keep us from Listening (John 8:43)

Hard, unrepentant heart, Matt. 13:14-16

Immediately obey, Heb. 3:7-8, 13 Prejudiced hearts reject truth without giving it a respectful hearing, Acts 22:21-23Day of wrath is coming, Rom. 2:5-6

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Things that Keep us from Listening (John 8:43)

Spiritual shallowness of self-interest, Matt. 13:19-22

Carelessness, indifference and lack of attention to spiritual thingsUse of time, resources and opportunities reflects our desire to listen to God, Matthew 6:33

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Things that Keep us from Listening (John 8:43)

Anger, James 1:19-20Are not able to listen when anger controls us, Prov. 12:15-16Cannot communicate with a temper tantrum!

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Listen and Do(James 1:21-25)

Be wise and listen to the word of Christ and obey Him to be saved, Matt. 7:24-25

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