Listening
by Ken Ramey
Published by Kress Biblical Resources
PO Box 132228
The Woodlands, TX 77393
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible®. © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org). Scripture quotations marked (niv) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Italics in Scripture quotations reflect the author’s added emphasis.
ISBN 978-1-934952-09-2
Copyright © 2010 by Ken Ramey
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published in the United States by Kress Biblical Resources.
2010—First Edition
To my beloved flock at Lakeside Bible Church,
who attentively listen to me preach the Word week after week
and prefer to have their toes stepped on rather than their ears tickled.
by Lance Quinn
Introduction: Welcoming the Word
1 Biblical Audiology: A Theology of Listening
3 Harrowing Your Heart to Hear
Conclusion: Listening Like Your Life Depends on It
A Quick-Reference Guide for Listeners
Have you ever arrived at church on Sunday in a less-than-ready condition for worship? Maybe you were up too late the night before, argued with your spouse while getting ready, possibly snapped at the kids, or even kicked the dog on the way out the door. By the time you get to church, you’re not truly ready to listen to a sermon! But getting your mind and heart ready is exactly what expository listening requires.
Listening to a sermon, really listening—as in thinking, praying, following the argument, concentrating on the meaning and its application to your life—now that’s hard work! Merely hearing a sermon is easy; it requires a properly functioning auditory system, but it’s essentially a passive exercise. Actively listening to the preaching of God’s Word requires mental alertness, focused attention, and a spiritually receptive heart. That’s the kind of listening Solomon implored his own sons to do: “My son, if you will receive my words, and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:1–5). That describes an exercise that’s quite active, requiring energy and effort, and ...
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About Expository Listening“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”—James 1:22 In many people’s mind, if they don’t get anything out of the sermon, it’s the preacher’s fault. But that’s only half true. The Bible teaches that listeners must partner with the preacher so that the Word of God accomplishes its intended purpose of transforming their life. Expository Listening is your handbook on biblical listening. It is designed to equip you not only to understand what true, biblical preaching sounds like, but also how to receive it, and ultimately, what to do about it. You need to know how to look for the Word of God, to love the Word of God, and to live the Word of God. In this way, God and His Word will be honored and glorified through your life. |
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