“Are you listening?” was the trademark of brother V. E. Howard, one of the great radio-evangelists of the church in the last half of the twentieth century. When brother Howard made a point that he wanted his listeners to pay particular attention to, he would drive that point home with this question: “Are you listening?”
Most preachers who stand before the church week after week expounding upon the words of life often wonder if their audiences are listening. It is obvious that some (many) are not listening as is evidenced by some who are clipping fingernails, others who are asleep, and still others who make frequent trips to the restroom at critical times in the lesson.
Faithful elders of the church who are charged with overseeing the flock of God (Acts 20:28), as Paul by the Spirit instructs them to do, no doubt often wonder if the flock is listening. It is obvious to them, too, that many in the flock are not listening because they do not heed the call to faithful attendance (Heb. 10:25), nor do they heed the call to godly living (Titus 2:11-12). In spite of the pleas to flee worldliness, many continue in sin (2Cor. 6:17; I Cor. 6:9-11).
Listening, simply defined, is the mentally processing of what one is hearing--as he is hearing it. It is a most important process because “…faith cometh by hearing….” (Rom. 10:17). Jesus said to his disciples, “If any man hath an ear to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:23). He further warned them to “…take heed what you hear” (Mark 4:24)
It is significant that God gave this imperative to his people in the Old Testament numerous times “…Hear the word of the Lord.”
To each of the seven churches of Asia, Jesus gave this imperative: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches” (Rev. 2 - 3).
GOD IS SPEAKING! FRIEND, ARE YOU LISTENING?
- A. C. Quinn preaches for the West Main Church of Christ in Wolfe City, Texas. He may be contacted at acuen30@netzero.net
No comments:
Post a Comment