Mark 4:23-24 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.… In these days we have many instructions as to preaching; but our Lord principally gave directions as to hearing. The art of attention is quite as difficult as that of homiletics. The text may be viewed as a note of discrimination. Hear the truth, and the truth only. Be not indifferent as to your spiritual meat, but use discernment, We shall use it as a note of arousing. When you do hear the truth, give it such attention as it deserves. Give good heed to it. I. HEAR IS A PRECEPT: "Take heed what ye hear." 1. Hear with discrimination, shunning false doctrine (John 10:5). 2. Hear with attention; really and earnestly hearing (Matthew 13:23). 3. Hear for yourself, with personal application (1 Samuel 3:9). 4. Hear retentively, endeavouring to remember the truth. 5. Hear desiringly, praying that the Word may be blessed to you. 6. Hear practically, obeying the exhortation which has come to you.Note — this hearing is to be given, not to a favourite set of doctrines, but to the whole of the Word of God (Psalm 119:128). II. HERE IS A PROVERB: "with what measure," etc. In proportion as you give yourself to hearing, you shall gain by hearing. 1. Those who have no interest in the Word find it uninteresting. 2. Those who desire to find fault, find faults enough. 3. Those who seek solid truth, learn it from any faithful ministry. 4. Those who hunger find food. 5. Those who bring faith, receive assurance. 6. Those who come joyfully are made glad.But no man finds blessing by hearing error; nor by careless, forgetful, cavilling hearing of the truth. III. HERE IS A PROMISE: "Unto you that hear," etc. You that hear shall have — 1. More desire to hear. 2. More understanding of what ye hear. 3. More convincement of its truth. 4. More personal possession of the blessings of which you hear. 5. More delight in hearing. 6. More practical benefit from it. God gives more to those who value what they have. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. |
    |