Take Heed How You Hear
Alan Martin teaches that believers must attentively hear and receive the Spirit’s revelation to fully experience the abundant grace and life given in Christ.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of receiving and utilizing the grace that God has freely given us in Christ to be complete and perfect in our roles as parents, spouses, and individuals. It highlights the need to carefully listen to the Spirit's guidance to fully experience the divine grace available to us on a daily basis. The message stresses the significance of valuing and seizing God's word to receive abundance and avoid losing what we have been given.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Fullness of Grace in Christ
- God’s fullness dwells bodily in Christ
- Grace is given freely for every role in life
- Believers are made complete through Christ
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II. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Revealing Grace
- The Spirit speaks only what He hears from the Father
- The Spirit declares Christ’s grace to believers
- Hearing the Spirit is essential to receiving grace
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III. The Parable of the Sower and Hearing
- Four types of hearing produce different fruit
- Hearing with understanding is a gift given to believers
- Those who have will receive more; those who don’t will lose what they think they have
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IV. Responding to God’s Word with Childlike Faith
- Be careful how you hear and receive the Word
- Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed
- Conversion and humility enable true understanding
Key Quotes
“God wanted God saw your need of it before you were even aware of it. And he has fully invested. It is given and available to it.” — Alan Martin
“Let him who has ears to hear, hear what the spirit says to the churches, because the spirit is declaring the glory of God in Christ.” — Alan Martin
“For whoever has shall be given more, and he will have an abundance. But whoever does not, even what he thinks he has shall be taken from him.” — Alan Martin
Application Points
- Listen attentively to the Holy Spirit daily to receive and apply God’s grace in your life.
- Approach God’s word with humility and openness, like a child, to truly understand and bear fruit.
- Be aware that how you hear God’s word affects your spiritual growth and the abundance of grace you experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'take heed how you hear'?
It means to listen attentively and humbly to the Spirit’s revelation so that the grace of God can be fully received and applied in life.
Why does Jesus speak in parables according to the sermon?
Jesus uses parables because not everyone is granted the understanding of the kingdom; parables reveal truths to those open to hear and conceal them from those who are not.
How does the Holy Spirit help believers understand God’s grace?
The Holy Spirit declares and makes known the fullness of Christ’s grace to believers, guiding them into all truth.
What happens if someone does not truly hear or understand God’s word?
They will miss out on the grace available to them, and even what they think they have may be taken away.
How can believers ensure they receive God’s grace daily?
By cultivating ears to hear the Spirit, embracing childlike faith, and learning continually from Jesus.