Believers Church Of Sylvania

(John 10:3-5 NLT) . . . the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. . . . they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice."

(Luke 8:8 NLT) . . . "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

(Luke 8:5-8 NLT) "A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile (good) soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!" When he had said this, he called out, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

1. Chaotic Heart.

(Luke 8:11-12 MSG) “... The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won’t believe and be saved.

(James 1:21 NLT) So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

• Stop the chaos

2. Preoccupied heart

(Luke 8:13 MSG) '“...seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn’t go very deep. ||| It’s only another fad, and the moment there’s trouble it’s gone.'

(Luke 10:39-40 MSG) ... Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. ...

• Hearing God might mean you have turn down something else.

3. Neglected heart

(Luke 8:14 MSG) “And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.'

• Be willing to hear what you need not just what you want.

(1 Corinthians 3:2 NLT) I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren't ready for anything stronger. And you still aren't ready,...

4. Responsive heart.

(Luke 8:15 MSG) '“But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.'

(1 Samuel 3:7-10 NLT) Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before. So the LORD called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. "Here I am. Did you call me?" Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, "Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, 'Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went back to bed. And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

(Proverbs 8:34 MSG) Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day’s work.