Sermon: “Listening and Hearing”
Theme: God calls us to open our ears, and to be open to listening, but to be thoughtful about what we choose to hear, and how we choose to support the body of Christ by listening for God’s presence.
Purpose: The congregation will understand that listening is a discipline and will begin to work to practice listening so as to build up the body of Christ.
Scriptures: Mark 7:31-37 Jesus opens the ears of the deaf mute.
1 John 4:1-6 Listening to what confesses God and not encouraging that which furthers hostility or animosity.
Questions:
What happens to the body of Christ when we choose to listen to gossip and hostility? Is it kind to encourage people to continue to complain and pour out their hostility or is it encouraging them to dwell in their unforgiveness? What can we do to actively listen and in that way build up others? What can we do to encourage through listening that people seek to grow in their relationship with God and seek healing? In what ways is our listening going to either encourage growth in wisdom and knowledge of God or deepening of resentments and hostility?
Click HERE to listen to the message.