Pastor Alan McGrath of Hutto, Texas shares a message about listening and what can happen with we really listen. Hutto Discovery UMC, 11am service, August 30, 2015.
Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
· Acts 7 – Stoning of Stephen
o Jerusalem Council and High Priests
o They “covered their ears”
§ from Steve Harper – Methodist pastor
o Once covered – no more conversation, no more learning, no further perspective, Stephen was dead when they covered their ears.
· What will seem like the next 15 years, we will be in Election Season (like Christmas, earlier and earlier). Candidates are rewarded for covering their ears.
o Bring their answer to a problem – no room for compromise and you will be attacked if you listen, consider, and change your mind.
§ “flip flopping” – negative. You can’t think this because in 1993 you said the opposite.
§ Instead, what about the power of listening? The courage it takes to review scripture, give deep consideration to a topic, and then to change your mind.
· Process of Holy Spirit leading us to new understandings and compassions and convictions in our life. God’s grace which realigns us with God’s desire.
o Instead, “Slow to listen, Fast to speak” is affirmed and gets the attention.
· Today – what does it mean to LISTEN.
§ Research says we speak 125 word per minute and listen 400 words per minute.
· Math – Have room in our brain for 275 words per minute – space where we can get lost and stop listening or we can focus on being a better listener.
· Listening builds connection:
o Consider the great distance between two minds. Thoughts, desires, questions, fears, preferences – listening begins to bridge this great divide.
§ These different people are called together to be the Body of Christ.
o “First duty of love is to listen.” Paul Tillich
· Listening shows cooperation – not competition.
o “Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves.” Phil 2:3
o If we listen to win, we aren’t listening.
§ Use the 275 words to think of the next dagger we are going to throw, next way we will win the conversation.
· Listening claims the power of healing (restoration).
o When we cover our ears, we are cutting off our avenue to healing.
o Sitting and listening is believing in God’s power of healing.
o Those who listened to Jesus were healed.
§ Those who couldn’t listen were not.
§ Young Rich Man (Matt 19) – eternal life – “If you want to be complete, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor.” Man walked away because he had many possessions.
o Walking away from others, giving up, getting up from the table – these are all signs that we have given up on God’s healing. (patience)
o A.L. Hayter – Would sit and listen. Bible Study – room was waiting for him to open his mouth.
· Consider the places where you have covered your ears.
o Instead – build connection, show cooperation, and claim again the healing power of Jesus in your life.
