The Impact of Listening

Introduction:

We experience many problems today because of lack of wisdom & poor communication skills. Poor communication has its consequences. It is often at the center of most of our problems. Effective communication in our culture is hard to achieve. How many of us really know how to pay attention? The art of paying attention has become a lost art. We need to slow down & listen to others…pay attention. Christians need to develop good listening habits. Do we really know how to listen to others?

I. Among people Jesus addressed, many Heard…Few Listened.

A.    During His ministry…Jesus often spoke of His death.

1.     Midpoint in ministry – Mt. 16:21.

2.     Mt. 17:22-23; Mk. 9:30-32; Lk. 9:43-45

3.     Mt. 20:17-19; Mk. 10:32-34; Lk. 18:31-34

4.     His disciples heard the words Jesus spoke, but did not grasp the meaning.

B.    Chief priests & religious leaders heard the teaching of Jesus.

1.     Viewed Him as a threat and sought to kill Him. John 7:1; Mt. 26:1-5.

C.   John 12:2-8 – Focus on Mary. Sister of Martha & Lazarus.

1.     Parallel account: Mk. 14:1-10. Focus on John 12:7; Mk. 12:6-8

2.     What do these verses teach us?

3.     Mary was the ONLY believer who understood Jesus was going to die.

II. What made Mary different?

A.    She found and made time to listen.  See Lk. 10:38-42

1.     What do we learn about Mary?

a)     An eager listener. (10:39)

b)    Self motivated.

c)     The spiritual was a matter of priority (10:42).

2.     How good are we at taking/making time to listen to others? To God?

3.     How good are we at making time to listen to family?

4.     How good are we at making time to listen to brethren?

B.    Mary refrained from selective listening.

1.     Attending to only the message parts that interest you.

2.     Tuning out things you do not want to hear or things that do not interest you.

3.     Back to Mk. 9:30-32; Lk. 9:44-45 - Why did they not understand?

4.     The disciples were limited by their own preconceived ideas.

5.     But not Mary. Any preconceived notions were unlearned.

6.     We can be blind to truth right in front of us. Must slow down. Open our ears. He that has ears…let him hear. Mt. 11:15; 13:9; 13:42; Mk. 4:9; Lk. 8:8

III. Choices for Effective Listening.

A.    Understand your own strengths & weaknesses.

B.    Prepare to listen.

C.   Practice active listening.

Conclusion:

A.    Mark. 14:6, 8b. Consider Mary’s ultimate act of worship because she listened.

B.    People who listen can worship more deeply and be used more by God.

C.   Are you listening? God is calling you to salvation.