Hearing

II Corinthians 12:3-4, And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

How often we select a church based on sight and looks.  A digital sign.  A striking building.

A snazzy sanctuary.  Lasers and smoke!  Cute people in trendy clothing.  A young, tall, sharp pastor.

Far too often American Christians are a sight-bound people.

While sight is important – especially for driving – hearing is much more critical.  The verse at the top is very telling.  How many think that it was the sights of Heaven that impacted Paul?  Wrong!   It was words – what he heard!

For most of us, our report on Heaven would have been first about God or the sights and then maybe the words.  I don’t think many of us would have come back with the report that Paul brought back.  But, obviously what was heard was a WOW!

While heaven is surely a sight to behold (read Rev. 4), the grabber was what was heard.

Such should mark a good church.  The force, the power, the critical mass are the words, NOT the visuals.  And I’m not talking about oratory or illustrations or cute snippets – I’m talking about God’s Words!  I’m talking about the Bible – the truth!

Consider what Peter reports in II Peter 1:16-19, For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place.

And consider this:

Romans 10:14, How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? … 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

10:8b, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach). 10:10b, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

[Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him]

10:15, As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Words heard!  Pleasing God flows from faith which flows from what is heard!

AND I Peter 1:12-13, … to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you… rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

1:23, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

If we want God’s blessings we have got to hear His words!  If we want people saved – it is what is heard that is critical!  May people be moved by what they hear – not gossip, slander or lies – but God’s mighty Word!

What is heard is much more important than what is seen.