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The Absolute Necessity of Hearing God’s Word to be Saved

PROPOSITION: To teach the necessity of hearing God’s Word in order to salvation.

OBJECTIVE: That the hearer might understand that it is necessary to hear God’s Word for salvation.

INTRODUCTION: Read Romans 10:17 and Hebrews 11:6

1. Romans 10:17 stresses that faith comes through hearing God’s Word.

2. Hebrews 11:6 notes that faith is necessary in coming to God.

3. Proposition is settled right here.

4. Subject is important to counteract so-called “spirituality” today.

1) Direct operation

2) “Angel told me.”

3) “God spoke to me.”

4) “Felt led.”

5) “Felt God’s pleasure.”

6) “Can’t do anything good therefore God gave me faith.”

5. The Bible has much to say about hearing God’s word with regard to salvation.

6. STPO

[This hour we are going to study a very important aspect of salvation, that is, hearing God’s Word. I have titled the lesson “The Necessity of Hearing God’s Word.” I aim to set forth that it is absolutely necessary to hear God’s Word to be saved. I want you to leave this place understanding the importance of this matter.]

DISCUSSION: We can see the necessity of hearing God’s Word in salvation…

I.   BY NOTING WHAT IT MEANS TO HEAR.

1. We can exclude the type of hearing done before the stoning of Stephen. Acts 7:54

2. We can exclude the hearing of many Pharisees, John 12:36b-43. (note “report”) v. 38 implies hearing.

3. We can exclude the hearing of many disciples, John 6:66.

4. We can include the hearing commanded by God. Deuteronomy 6:3.”Hear and observe to do it.”

5. The kind of hearing that profits has the attitude “The Lord Speaks, I Obey.”

1) Samuel, 1 Samuel 3:9, 10.

2) Micaiah, 1 Kings 22:14.

3) Noah, Genesis 6:13-22; 7:5.

6. “Hearing” has become a figure for the reception of all kinds of communication. For ex. the written word. Romans 10:17; John 20:30, 31; 1 Corinthians 14:37

[We can see the necessity of hearing in salvation by noting what it means to hear. It means to receive the Lord’s instructions with the thought “The Lord speaks, I obey.”]

We can see the necessity of hearing in salvation…

II.  BY LEARNING THAT FAITH CANNOT BE GAINED WITHOUT IT.

1. Sin separates from God. Isaiah 59:1, 2; Romans 6:23.

2. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23.

3. Faith is a necessity. Hebrews 11:6; Mark 16:16.

4. God has ordained that hearing His Word is necessary to gain faith. Romans 10:17; Acts 15:7; Romans 1:16.

We can see the necessity of hearing God’s Word in salvation…

III. BY THE ROLE HEARING PLAYED IN THE CASES OF CONVERSION.

1. Acts 2:22, 37, Pentecost.

2. Acts 3:12; 4:4, Beautiful Gate.

3. Acts 8:5, 6, 12, Samaritans.

4. Acts 8:35, Ethiopian Nobleman. (v. 36, hearing implied)

5. Acts 9:42f, in Joppa.

6. Acts 10:5 (11:14), Cornelius.

7. Acts 13:7, 12, Proconsul on Cyprus.

8. Acts 16:14, 15, Lydia.

9. Acts 17:32, 34, Athenians.

CONCLUSION: We can see the necessity of hearing God’s Word in salvation…

1. By noting what it means to hear.

2. By learning that faith cannot be gained without it.

3. By the role hearing played in the cases of conversion.

4. Are you waiting for a direct operation…

1) to tell you what to do to be saved?

2) to tell you how to be forgiven?

3) to tell you how to handle problems in child rearing, marriage, employment, etc.?

5. Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:6.