TOPIC: HE WHO HAS EARS (III)
Read Luke 14:34-35
34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
MEMORISE:
Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Luke 14:34-35)
EXPOSITION
It is the third time this statement comes to you: ‘He who has ears, let him hear’. Jesus’ method of teaching is to ensure that His audience understands the fundamental principles of life. What is paramount is that, people practice what they learn.
In Luke chapter 14, the people that were invited to dine at the house of a Pharisee, where Jesus was seated, were taught:
1) the value of God’s compassion over the sick than the strict adherence to the law of no-work on the Sabbath (vv. 1-6);
2) the case of humble conduct in public seating (vv. 7-11);
3) the blessedness of being kind-hearted to the less privileged (vv. 12-24), and afterwards, and
4) while great multitudes followed Him, He taught the cost of true discipleship (vv. 26-35).
The beauty of this chapter is seen in its conclusion, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear’ (v. 35).
The development of good listening skills is important to all parts of our lives: academics, workplace, families, etc., but our skills in listening to the Word of God are of greatest importance. Going by how Jesus concluded His teachings in Luke 14 with a call to the hearing ears, 5 principles of effective listening to the WORD are of noted:
1) Take the teaching of God’s Word seriously;
2) Pay attention by taking notes where necessary, or buy or download the materials for your deep reflections, afterwards;
3) Do not be distracted in your minds, having other thoughts,
4) Resist the urge to start evaluating the sermon and the speaker. Have a hearing ear to hear what God is saying to you, and not to someone else who isn’t present or attentive; and finally;
5) Always pray your convictions earnestly to God that they become your commitments, lest you are just a mere audience or speaker of the Word.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I shall not lose my savour in God, in Jesus’ name.
2. My worth in life, through Jesus Christ, shall never diminish or fade away, in Jesus’ name.
3. Pray for Christian music ministers to be more concerned with their relationships with Christ than their ministries to people.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Job 32:4 – 34:11; Acts 26:30 – 27:19
Author: CAC WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!