"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him."
"And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. And it was reported to Him, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You." But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."
Good Morning my beloved,
We welcome you to worship today in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It's a tremendous privilege to have you here with us today this Lord's Day, reminding me of both the blessing and importance of community and the shared faith that unites us all.
Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing high levels of persecution, these individuals are often risking their lives for their faith. I humbly ask that you would also pray for our ministry, for the effectiveness of our evangelistic out reach ministry, so that we may continue to lead many around the world to Christ.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Unsure as to how to respond, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I’m sure she had it coming."
From a human standpoint, the act of listening is incredibly important, it plays a crucial role in shaping both our personal and professional relationships with others. Have you ever wondered if anyone is really paying attention to what you're saying? You might be surprised just how many people aren't fully paying attention to what we're really saying, hearing only a portion of what's being said! The lack of attentiveness can be quite disheartening, especially when what we have to say is important. Jesus consistently urges us to prioritize listening attentively, saying "He who has ears to hear, let him hear," to ensure we truly understand and comprehend the messages God is conveying to us, having ears that hear requires our full attention and an open heart. Statistics have been said to show that the average person only remembers about 25% to 50% of what they hear, however, these statistics are frequently manipulated to meet the need of the deceiver, but they are a powerful reminder of the gap that often exists between what is being communicated and what is actually heard, which highlights the importance of improving our listening skills, as well as improving our communication skills to optimize retention. Far more important, however, than how we listen to others is how we listen to the Lord.
How sad is it, that the critical skill of listening well, which should be foundational to spiritual growth, is often overlooked in the lives of many believers, and is even frequently neglected within the church. Over time, the Holy Spirit's influence has either been significantly diminished or quenched because God's people aren't fully engaged in hearing what God is saying. Listening is not just about merely hearing words but involves understanding and internalizing the messages that are being communicated. Listening poorly can lead to misunderstandings and errors, as a result, in fact, several church denominations have split due to differing interpretations over what God's Word says. This fragmentation is further exacerbated by petty disagreements over worship styles and practices, which have become a distraction for the body of Christ, leaving many churchgoers feeling that the spiritual needs of the congregation are being unmet, partly due to these internal conflicts. I've often wondered how many actually ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate His Word, revealing what He wants to say to us in a particular passage, before we begin to read the Bible. Despite the pastor's best efforts to convey a very important message through well-prepared sermons, many church attendees leave having heard only a fraction of the intended message. How we choose to listen can significantly influence what we hear, impacting our ability to truly understand and connect with the message. I believe the more open and receptive we are to the teachings in God's Word, the more spiritual fruit we will ultimately see in our lives, which can manifest in various ways, including, but not limited to increased patience and kindness, building stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of peace, purpose and direction in our lives! The way a person hears the Word of God will tell you their spiritual condition. What kind of listener are you?
Let's pray together
Heavenly Father,
Father, we come before You today, thankful for Your Word, with hearts that are deeply grateful that You have chosen to communicate the Truth to us in such a clear and comprehensible manner, ensuring that those who are truly listening, seeking to understand need not misconstrue Your message. It is truly a remarkable testament to Your boundless love and unwavering care for Your children. May we listen well to the profound Truths that You have so graciously imparted to us today, divine wisdom and guidance that can transform both our hearts and minds, helping us to navigate the complexities of daily life and strengthen our faith, preparing us for the challenges which are yet to come. Father, I earnestly pray that these divine teachings will not only resonate within our hearts but also penetrate the hearts of those who have yet to fully commit their lives to Christ, surrendering to His Authority. We ask and pray in Christ's Name for Your glory.
Amen.
Today's Message: The Power of Listening: What Kind of Listener Are You?
If you would open your Bibles with me, and turn them to the Gospel of Luke chapter 8, Luke 8:16-21. I'd like to encourage you to follow along with me as I read, so that we can set the text in our minds, and allow it to settle deeply within our hearts, creating an opportunity for us to discern what the Holy Spirit has to personally say to each of us today through the Word and allow it to transform our lives.
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him."
"And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. And it was reported to Him, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You." But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."
Let's look at verse 16, "Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light." Jesus begins by giving us an axiom to illustrate His point, an axiom is self-evident truth that is simple and straightforward; no one lights a lamp to cover it up. The intention behind lighting a lamp to illuminate your surroundings so that you can see. By putting a lamp on a lampstand, it ensures that its light reaches far and wide, benefiting everyone who enters the space. We could compare this to a scientist who discovers the groundbreaking cure for cancer or HIV, it would be counterproductive for them to keep this knowledge to themselves, as millions of people continue to die. As a pastor, it is terribly disheartening to observe so many churches that are failing to shine a light, illuminating the darkness of the culture with godliness. True Christians will understand that Jesus is evangelistically emphasizing the importance and value of spreading light, both literally and figuratively, for the benefit of all. When churches neglect to fulfill this very crucial role of spreading the gospel, bearing witness to the Truth and the transformative power of the gospel message, they miss the opportunity to positively influence their communities, leading the way toward societal transformation, in a world overshadowed by sin and moral corruption. Statistics have shown that areas where churches are actively involved in ensuring their light shines brightly, through church-led mentorship programs for at-risk youth reducing juvenile delinquency, there is often a noticeable decline in crime rates, cultivating a heightened sense of hope and renewal, which can significantly impact overall community safety and increased optimism for the future.
Verse 17, "For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light." There are certainly no shortage of commentators who are happy to offer their opinion as to precisely what the Lord intended to say by this verse, but I believe it's pretty clear He's obviously talking about personal authenticity and hypocrisy. If we shine our lights brightly enough, the deeds of darkness are going to be exposed, regardless of whose they are, right? Look at John 3:20, "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." And, in John 15:22, He says "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin." In 1 John 2:9, John reminds us that "The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now." I believe what Jesus is saying is you can't hide what's really going on in the heart by the way you conduct yourself on the outside, eventually, it's going to be seen when the gospel shines it light on it. It's essentially the same thing He's saying in Matthew 23:27, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness." Nothing escapes God scrutiny, no matter how secretive it is. He possesses the ability to perceive even the intentions of our hearts and will ultimately judge every act, whether it's good or evil, even those that are concealed. This should inspire us as Christians to act with integrity, knowing that everything is accountable before God, regardless of whether it is a virtuous act of benevolence or a malicious thought harbored deep within our hearts. So, whatever we do, as one who professes Christ, should be done with genuine intentions. Is the Christian that people think you are on Sunday's at church the same person you are on Monday morning when somebody cuts you off in traffic? Proverbs 15:3 should be a powerful motivator for any true Christian to maintain moral integrity and avoid hypocrisy. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good."
Alright, let's move on to verse 18, "So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him." The essence of this verse couldn't be more clear, it's obvious that He's talking about the Christian life and particularly emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth and fruitfulness. This verse sheds light on the common misconception held by some believers who think that believing in Jesus is all that's required of Christian, that's merely the beginning point, true salvation should evidenced in a life of a believer by a tangible transformation in character, a genuine love for others, and a deep-seated desire to follow Christ's teachings.
It doesn't matter what you profess, if there's no fruit, no desire to obey His commands, you better take a good long look at yourself, examine your heart, evaluate the authenticity of your faith, lest you be self-deceived. Whoever genuinely has salvation, will hear what Jesus is saying evangelistically and authentically, the one who has eternal life, his life will produce much fruit. We find the same principal being applied in Matthew 25:14-30, in the Parable of the Talents, that we find here, "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away." Those who are genuinely saved, will actively develop their spiritual gifts, will be rewarded with even greater blessings and opportunities in which to utilize their gifts, whereas those who fail to utilize their gifts will face loss and serious consequences.
A genuine commitment to follow Christ extends beyond mere verbal acknowledgment, it requires a continuous effort and a heartfelt intention to adhere to His commandments. He says in John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." How do you know if someone is a genuine Christian, examine their life. In Ephesians 1:7-9, Paul writes, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him." Jesus clearly tells us in Matthew 7:16, "You will know them by their fruits." Therefore, I beseech you to examine your life to make sure your life is not merely filled with empty declarations of faith, but be rich in fruitfulness. Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." God always has more grace for you to experience in Christ! That's grace upon grace upon grace upon grace. The fruit in your life which reflect God's character will be multiplied abundantly, serving as a testament to the transformative and life-changing power of the Holy Spirit actively working within your life. What do you see when you look at your life?
Verse 19, "And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd." Everywhere Jesus went there were massive crowds that gathered Him, at one point they drove Him away from the shore, forcing Him to move toward the edge of the water, until He had literally nowhere else to go but into a small boat, using it as a makeshift pulpit from which to address the multitudes. So, when His mother and brothers who had been looking for Him showed up, they were confronted by the throng of people surrounding Him was so large and tightly packed that it created a barrier, preventing His family from getting close. In Mark chapter 3, he records the crowds had grown so large that even eating a meal became nearly impossible. Keep in mind, they weren't just stopping by for a visit, they were concerned and feared for His safety, rumors had begun to spread He was getting overly zealous with all of this, to the point of provoking the religious leaders, who were wary of His growing influence and perceived His actions as a potential threat to their established order. His family wanted to intervene by seizing Him because He was attracting too much attention and potentially endangering Himself, they thought He may have lost His sense of reality and their intentions were rooted in love and concern, wanting to ensure that He remained safe.
Verse 20, "And it was reported to Him, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You." While His family was standing outside that house where He was teaching, it was reported to Him "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You."
By the way, without becoming sidetracked, I am compelled to mention this makes it very clear that Mary was not a perpetual virgin, as the Catholic Church purports, that lie can be traced to the second century A.D. There's absolutely no indication in the New Testament that Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus. Mark records in chapter 6 that Jesus' brothers were James, Joses, Judas, Simon and His sisters were there, too. John writes in John chapter 7, "For not even His brothers were believing in Him." Acts 1 tells us that they eventually came to believe in Him but that didn't happen until after the resurrection. Yet, the Catholic Church maintains Mary was sinless, but Mary herself didn't believe that lie, she knew from the beginning that Jesus came to save His people from their sins. You remember her Magnificat in Luke chapter 1, right? "And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. "And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him." In Romans 3:11-12, Paul writes, "There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one." Another lie of the Catholic Church is that she is co-redemptrix, Mary can't hear anyone's prayers, and she cannot intercede on anybody's behalf. Listen, I'm not looking to provoke an argument with the Catholic Church, but I am not going to debate the clear picture of Mary's role that Scripture unmistakably teaches, and what Mary says about herself, she is a self-described "slave of the Lord." (c.f. Luke 1:38) indicating her humble submission and service to God's will. Furthermore, she expresses joy in God her Savior, acknowledging her own need for salvation, "my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has looked upon the humble state of His slave, For behold, from this time on, all generations will count me blessed." (c.f. Luke 1:47-48) In conclusion, all I'm going to say is that Mary clearly recognized her role as a servant to the Lord in the divine narrative, and the Catholic Church would do well to do the same.
That brings us to verse 21, "But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it." Jesus is not being dismissive, or showing disregard for His earthly family, He is merely contrasting the traditional biological familial concepts of family relationships, redefining the family by shifting the focus away from blood relationships to a spiritual perspective, based on shared values of righteousness and the collective commitment to actively engage in following the will of God over human wants and desires. By doing so, He is opening the doors to a broader community of faith, underscoring that anyone can become part of God's divine family by obediently hearing the Gospel message, embracing and practicing His teachings, regardless of their lineage or past mistakes, emphasizing the importance of not only hearing God's Word, but putting it into practice in our daily lives.
Jesus was emphasizing a very important, critical point, by illustrating that once we become a Christian, coming to Christ, embracing Christian values, our relationship are no longer defined in human terms, on the contrary, our relationships are defined by hearing the Word of God and doing it. Loving, heartfelt obedience to God's Word is what separates the wheat from the tares. This passage highlights the folly of empty words, the futility of superficial professions and the tragedy of empty hearts, devoid of true saving faith. This sentiment is echoed in 1 John 3:18, which encourages Christian love to be demonstrated not just through words or speech but through deeds and truth. A genuine Christian's life is marked by the evidence of their faith, demonstrated through their actions.
It reminds me of a famous inscription in the Lübeck Cathedral, a cathedral started in 1173 by Henry the Lion as a cathedral for the Bishop of Lübeck, to serve the Diocese of Lübeck, after the transfer in 1160 of the bishop's seat from Oldenburg in Holstein under the stewardship of Bishop Gerold. A calculated move that served as part of a broader strategic realignment within the church, aiming to consolidate and reinforce the church's ecclesiastical power and influence in the burgeoning city of Lübeck, which was rapidly emerging as a key commercial and cultural hub in the region.
However, its grandeur did not shield it from being partly destroyed in the intense 1942 bombing raid of World War II, aimed at crippling Germany's infrastructure and industrial capabilities. The famous inscription attributed to Geoffrey O’Hara underscores the importance of aligning one's actions and lifestyle with the core convictions and principles they claim to uphold:
"Ye call Me Master and obey me not, Ye call Me Light and see Me not, Ye call Me Way and walk not, Ye call Me Life and desire Me not, Ye call Me wise and follow Me not, Ye call Me fair and love Me not, Ye call Me rich and ask Me not, Ye call Me eternal and seek Me not, Ye call Me gracious and trust Me not, Ye call Me noble and serve Me not, Ye call Me mighty and honour Me not, Ye call Me just and fear Me not, If I condemn you, blame me not." I believe this the same sentiment Jesus is expressing to all of us in Luke 6:46 when He says "Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?", urging His followers to not only acknowledge Him with their words but also to demonstrate their faith through actions. True belief is reflected in the actions of an obedient heart, not just the superficial words of an empty heart.
These profound words should encourage each and every one of us to take a personal inventory of our own hearts.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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