He Who Has Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear

1. Read: Matthew 11:15

2. About the Text:

1) This is a familiar saying: Matt.13:9, Mark 4:9, Luke 8:8, 14:35, Rev.2:7.

2) What is Jesus talking about?

3) Not just letting things go in one ear and out the other.

4) If we want faith, we must hear well (Romans 10:17).

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. We all have prejudices.

1) We interpret the world through our own personal experiences.

2) We contextualize familiar stories to our own memories.

3) We use this to help us learn and that is a good thing.

2. However, prejudices can skew our ability to hear the truth.

1) Matt.15:7-9 – Prejudiced by the doctrines of men.

2) Acts 10:34-35 – Prejudiced by gentile ostracism.

3. Sometimes prejudices can be intentional.

1) 2 Peter 3:5 – they were willfully ignorant.

2) 2 Thess.2:10 – refused to love the truth.

4. Immorality prejudices us against the truth also.

1) John 3:19-20 – did not appreciate the light because loved darkness.

2) Ephesians 4:18 – their understanding was darkened

5. The culture prejudices us against the truth.

1) John 5:44 – receive honor of one another instead of God.

2) John 12:43 – loved the praise of men more than God.

6. There is the prejudice of self-protection and exaltation.

1) Jeremiah 17:9-10 – the heart is deceitful above all things.

2) Matthew 16:24-26 – must lose life to find life.

7. We must strip all prejudices from our mind and let God speak!

1) Romans 3:4 – Let God be true!

2) 1 Peter 4:11 – Speak as the oracles of God.

1. Our hearing must be done seeking to obey what God has said.

2. When we do not obey, we do not really believe.

1) Hebrews 3:18-19, 4:1-2 – disobedience equals disbelief.

2) John 3:36 ASV – “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

3. Many will hear, and even respond to a degree, but will not obey fully.

1) Matthew 7:21-29 – “Lord, Lord.” and The wise man vs. Foolish man.

2) Romans 2:13 – not the hearers, but doers who are justified.

4. We must hear to obey.

1) 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – accept it as truth, the word of God, not the word of men.

2) Acts 10:33 – Cornelius wanted to hear all things that God commanded.

3) Luke 11:28 – blessed are those who keep the word of God.

1. We need to hear with a view toward self, first.

2. We must use God’s word like a mirror looking at self.

1) James 1:23-25 – we must correct and not neglect what we see wrong.

2) 2 Corinthians 3:18 – we are transformed when we obey.

3. Must not use others to measure ourselves, but the word of God.

1) Luke 18:11 – remember the prayer of the pharisee.

2) 2 Corinthians 10:12 – they compared themselves with themselves.

4. We must hear to practice self-discipline/self-control.

1) 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – buffet our bodies

2) 2 Corinthians 10:5 – bring every thought into captivity.

1. When our lives are ordered, we may take the gospel to others (Matthew 7:1-5).

2. Take what we learn and share with others in general ways.

1) Matthew 28:18-20

2) Mark 16:15-16

3. When others ask about our faith.

1) 1 Peter 3:15 – Ready to give an answer.

2) Colossians 4:6 – know how to answer every man.

4. Correct misrepresentations of others.

1) 2 Timothy 2:25 – instructing those that oppose themselves.

2) Titus 1:9 – holding fast the faithful word to exhort and convict.

1. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

1) Without Prejudice

2) With a View Toward Obedience

3) For Self-Correction

4) To Evangelize Others

2. Invitation