Can You Hear Me Now?

The following scene is totally fictional, and in no way represents a scenario that has ever happened in the Higgins’ household. Only the names have been left the same to reveal the guilty.

“Honey, before you go to bed, make sure and lock the front door.” “Okay,” mumbles the hearer (not to be named – CHAD) as he continues to watch Iron Chef on the Food Network, only to have the unlocked door discovered the next morning by the communicator (my wife) – much to her chagrin.

The human mind is as fascinating as it is complex. When it functions properly, the height of what can be achieved runs well out beyond what science has been able to explain. Yet, when parts of the brain malfunction, strange things occur – such as blurred vision, forgetfulness, and a loss of motor skills. One such result of a failed part of the brain is for one to develop a listening problem. On a well respected medical web site, the following questionnaire is provided as a self test to see if someone has symptoms that point to a listening problem. Let’s follow along.

Do you have a short attention span?

Are you easily distracted?

Are you sensitive or confused by multiple, simultaneous sounds?

When asked, do you misinterpret questions?

Do you find yourself frequently having to have things repeated?

Do you suffer from an inability to follow through on verbal commitments?

How did you do? The doctors who put forth this survey include that if you were able to positively identify two of the six items, you might be suffering from an identified listening problem. To be sure, there is a condition in which some people’s brains do not make the synaptic connections necessary to follow through on the above items. At the same time, there exists a huge majority of us who suffer from a “self-induced” listening problem that results in our inability to listen to the proper tones of communication.

Throughout the Bible, God uses the faculty of hearing to communicate to his people. Certainly, there were means for those lacking this faculty to participate, but when something important needed to be communicated from the heart of God to his people, he used the word, “listen.” “Hear, O Israel…” “Men of Israel, listen to this…” “He who has ears, let him hear…”Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God is shouting out his plan for his chosen people – in a clarion tone that could not be mistaken. Yet, time and time again, the people of God ignored or at best misunderstood God’s instruction because of their listening problem.

In the end, a non-clinical listening problem is simply a person’s lack of will to focus on the proper communicator – and we have so many to choose from! The media makes its attempts to gain our ear. The government, our friends and coworkers, even our churches are vying for a spot in our consciousness – and if we’re not careful, we’ll miss hearing the Voice of Truth.

Let’s take this quiz once again:

When God speaks, do you have a short attention span?

Are you easily distracted when reading the Bible or praying?

Do you listen to multiple, simultaneous voices, rather than the lone voice of God?

When God asks something of you, do you misinterpret his questions?

Do you find yourself frequently having to have things God wants you to do, repeated?

When you make a promise to God, do you suffer from an inability to follow through on your verbal commitment?

Depressing, isn’t it. Let’s face it – you have a listening problem. But there’s hope, because you find yourself in the company of some of the greatest men and women of God! The goal of our worship this week is to identify Jesus as the solo voice of truth in our lives. For Peter and the apostles, a listening problem would have resulted in the death a movement; yet, when they were able to keep Christ as their source for information and strength, they were able to stand firm. In essence, they took their hands off the steering wheel, and allowed God to drive the car of the Gospel. Likewise, when we focus our eyes on him, hearing becomes much easier, and we are more apt to follow his leading.

Resounding Themes:
Jesus as Supreme – both Lord and Christ
Listening to the Lord
Finding Identity and Belonging in God
God’s full knowledge of us

Ready, Set, READ

Acts 5:12-42

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

- How do the people react to Peter and the apostles? How do Peter and the apostles react to the people? How does the Sanhedrin react?

- In what ways can you be sure from this story that the apostles don’t have a listening problem? If they had, how might this scene have been different?

- How are the apostles rewarded for listening to God alone? How do they receive this punishment? Is your obedience to God contingent on a blessing? Are you willing to listen to God, at all costs?

Ready, Set, PRAY

Patient Father, my ears have been stuffed with the voices of this world – so much so, that your clear voice is but a muffled expression. My eyes have not been fixed on You, making listening all the more difficult. I long to hear from You – hear Your voice – but noise is my constant companion, distraction my ever present foe. Lord God, in Your power, unstop the ears of heart that I might once again hear You. Mighty Father, swab away that wax that has deadened my senses so I can return to listening to Your will for my life. My prayer is that of an old, beautiful song:

Open my ears, that I may hear

Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;

And while the wavenotes fall on my ear,

Ev'rything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see:

Open my ears, illumine me, Savior divine!

Illumine me, O God – and give me ears to listen to You! In Christ AMEN.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!