Scripture Reading: James 1:19-25
Introduction
A. Most of us have been guilty at times of hearing someone speak to us without really listening to what they are saying.
B. Sadly there are many who allow this problem to reach beyond the social scene into the realm of faith.
Discussion
I. We should be swift to hear our God.
A. God’s word is the only source of everlasting life (1 John 1:1; John 5:24).
B. We should always be eager to hear God’s word (Acts 13:48), and we should respond appropriately to it (Acts 26:19).
C. The Bible speaker of some who are spiritually hard of hearing (Matthew 13:14-15).
II. We should be swift to hear our family.
A. Children should listen to their parents (Ephesians 6:1).
B. Husbands and wives should listen to one another, or else their home is sure to become divided and doomed to fall (Mark 3:25).
C. We should listen to our brethren and show genuine love for one another (John 13:35; Galatians 6:1).
D. We should listen to our elders (Hebrews 13:17).
Conclusion
A. We might not like to hear rebuke, but sometimes it is precisely what we need to hear (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
B. When it comes to spiritual matters, how is your hearing?