The Sermon: Pastor Bayo Ajala
Title: Hearing & listening.
Text: John 3:1-6

Listening is the first communication skill of a child, but it is the most under developed skill. Speaking & listening are of course inter-related. As parents we teach our children to speak but not to listen. We should also note that listening & hearing is not the same. The dictionary defines listening as hearing with thoughtful attention and being alert to catch a sound, listening on the other hand, requires a conscious efforts that goes beyond the national process and requires your consent to assimilate the message being passed across to you.

Hearing = Perceive or apprehend by the ear
Listening = To pay attention to sound, hear with thoughtful attention, give consideration.

Hearing involves 3 inter-connective stages.

• Reception sound
• Perception in the brain
• Interpretation

Hearing is a prerequisite to listening. Hearing ability has nothing to do with listening skills. Consider this, even deaf people can still listen. You can tune out boring or discomforting noise. Does the words of God cause you discomfort?

God expects us to be tuned into Him permanently. Hearing requires no effort, e.g. Traffic on the road, you pay no attention unless crossing. Hearing is a passive occurrence. Open your ears & listen to God. Tune in always! Listening goes far beyond hearing but with intention of understanding what is being said.

Hearing occurs without consent but listening requires consent. Do you understand the language of God? Are you connected? Is there a link? The process of growth is dependent on what we choose to learn & how much we take in. Listening is the ability to receive constructive meaning from what is heard.

It is not possible to shut down ones auditory perception but we have a choice in what we listen to. Even subtle things like the music we hear can impact what we take in spiritual and whose voice we hear.

Why we do not listen?

• Unbelieve
• Low self esteem, not sure they we are God’s child or why He would like to speak to us but remember we are children of God. He wants to speak to us.
• Perhaps we are too busy
• Anger at God
• Anxiety & stress
• Rebellious spirit. Is 30:1-5
•  Don’t know how to listen.

Listening & Hearing can affect your character & what you choose to do. John 3:19-21. Be careful to what you listen to, as that is what is on your mind. Make a concious effort. It will be difficult to learn if you don’t listen.

What you hear & listen to affects your character.
Pro 18:13 – listen before you answer
Pro 23:26
Listen to take full benefits of Gods promises, to be obedient, to follow his directions, to fulfi Gods call, to have life & health.

Why hear & listen?

• Pro 23:26 The Lord urges us to listen to Him
• Focus & concentrate on God. Be still in His presence. Learn to be secluded, periods of retreat, Jesus did this.
• Be humble & submissive.
• Be willing to be obedient.
• You can only be intimate with Him when you submit your all to him.

There are 3 types of listeners;

• Non listener
• Passive listener
• Active listener, complete focus & understands

How? 4 stages

• Sensing
• interpreting
• evaluating
• response

Date Sunday 29th January 2012