Today if one listens, he/she can hear almost anything and everything.  This is even true in the religious world.  Sadly, it is becoming true even among those who call themselves members of the New Testament church.  What do we need to hear?  A simple but a complete answer to that question is, we need to hear “The Word.” You would think that everyone would agree with that, and most will in “word.”  But many who say they agree we need to hear the word, want to hear everything but the word.  They want to hear that which “tickles” their ears.  They want to hear humor, yarns, tradition (if tradition is different from the Word).  They want to hear philosophy, opinion, and whatever entertains them and makes them feel good about themselves in whatever spiritual condition they may be in. They need to hear “The Word.”

When I speak of hearing the Word, I am speaking of hearing the will of God recorded in the scriptures (cf. Mark 4:4, John 17:17, Acts 11:1, 13:44, 15:7, Rom. 10:17, Eph. 6:17, Col. 1:5, 1 Thess, 2:13, Heb. 4:12, James 1:21-23, 1 Pet. 1:23,25, 1 John 2:5). Whatever the spiritual condition of a person he/she needs to hear the “Word.”

One who is not in Christ needs to hear the word.  They need to hear that outside of Christ they are lost, still in ruin of their sins.  They need to hear that they must believe in Christ as the Son of God (John 8:24, 20:30-31).  They need to hear they must repent, turn from their self-will and rebellious ways and yield their will and live to Christ and his will (Acts 3:19, 17:30-31).  They need to hear from the word that they cannot be ashamed of their faith in Christ, but be willing to confess it with the mouth before men (Rom. 10:9-10).  They need to hear from the word that they must be baptized into Christ for their remission of sins (Mk. 16:16, Acts 2:38, 22:16, Rom. 6:3-6).  Someone says so-in-so told me I did not have to do any thing to be saved, just accept Christ by faith.  Whoever he is he told you WRONG. He did not tell you the word of God, but the doctrine of men!

One who has been baptized into Christ needs to hear the “Word.”  They need to hear “all commanded them” of Christ (Matt. 28:20) They need to hear from the word that Christ commands them to be faithful (1 Cor. 15:58, Rev. 2:10).  They need to hear from the word they are to grow spiritually (Heb. 5:12-14, 2 Pet. 3:18, 1 Pet. 2:2).

Those who have labored in the faith and have become discouraged need to hear the word.  They need to hear their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).  They need to hear from the word that Christ understands their struggles and trials (Heb. 4:13-16). Before continuing let me emphasize a point about the use of the word “hear.”  Many will say, “I’ve heard this many times.”  But, they haven’t heard in a Biblical sense.  They need to “hear” what the word means by “hearing.”  When the word speaks of hearing it speaks not only of “hearing” in a physical sense with the ear, but it speaks of hearing in the sense of hearing and doing - making application of things they hear from the word to their lives. Hearing in a Bible sense means living daily what they “hear” from the word.

Those in the Lord’s body who are suffering and hurting, whether from physical pain and illness or for loss of loved ones, physical possessions from natural or man-made disasters God knows and He cares. He/she needs to hear from the word we can turn to Him for strength and guidance (2 Cor. 1: 3-6, Psalms 23, Phil, 4:6-7, 1 Pet. 3:6-7, Heb. 4:16).

Those living faithful lives need to hear from the word that God’s promises are sure.  They need to hear there is a better home awaiting them beyond the grave (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-58, 2 Tim. 4:6-8).  They need to hear that they need to continue to be watchful that they not fall short (Heb. 3:12-4:11, 1 Cor. 10:12-13).  They need to hear they must be sharing the good news of the word with others (2 Tim. 2:2, Matt. 29:19-20).  They need to hear from the word that they are examples - role models - for those young in the faith (Matt. 5:16, 1 Cor. 11:1).

We all need to hear the word.  It all applies in some form to all of us.  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:15-17).    It is no wonder Paul told Timothy, “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2).

                                                                                                                                    gb