Cultivating the Soil of Grace through Awareness-Listening
Matt. 13:1-23
[19] When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it,
[21] É When trouble or persecution comes
[22] Ébut the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
1. Genuine life transformation happens when we apply the soil of grace to every area of our lives
Matthew 13:9 (NLT)
Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
2. Grace is that which we receive and how do we receive more grace? By awareness-listening
To listen with understanding is to find agreement with the depth of our spirit
Mark 4:23 (NIV)
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
Matthew 13:9 (Msg)
"Are you listening to this? "Really listening?"
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
3. What awareness-listening leads to:
Awareness-listening leads to wisdom
1 Kings 3:9-14 (Msg)
"Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon's response. And God said to him, "Because you have asked for this and haven't grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well, I'll give you what you've asked forÑI'm giving you a wise and mature heart. There's never been one like you before; and there'll be no one after. As a bonus, I'm giving you both the wealth and glory you didn't ask forÑthere's not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark. And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I'll also give you a long life."
We cannot really love someone that we have not learned to understand with awareness-listening
Awareness-listening leads to greater faith that makes it easier to change and overcome difficulties
Romans 10:17 (NLT)
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.