Ears to Hear and an Encounter with the Risen King
February 4, 2024 · 1:27:21 · Watch on YouTube ↗
These notes - summary, key points, and highlighted thoughts - were generated by AI from the recording and are not the preacher’s exact words.
Summary
The service opened with the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13. Crowds followed Jesus everywhere because He spoke with authority, and He taught in parables so ordinary people could grasp the truth about the Father. The word is the seed; our task is to receive it with an open heart and bear fruit. Jesus gave no one an excuse - whoever has ears should listen and understand.
Brother Dennis then preached on walking in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not merely the gift of tongues but a Person, our Advocate, who reminds us of Jesus, testifies about Christ, convicts of sin, raised Jesus from the dead, gives spiritual gifts, and assures us we are God's children. To be led by the Spirit is to surrender to God's will and live it out three ways: being sensitive enough to listen, being obedient to His yes, no, or wait, and treating Him with reverence rather than walking after the flesh.
Brother David brought the main message: Jesus is coming, and what we need most is a real encounter with Him. From Matthew 28, the women who sought the crucified Jesus found the empty tomb, met the risen Lord, worshiped at His feet, and were sent to tell others. Sharing his own testimony of deliverance, David urged everyone to come hungry, meet Christ at the cross, and then go proclaim that the King is risen and returning, for every knee will bow before Him.
Key Points
- Jesus spoke with authority and in parables so that everyone could understand and receive God's word
- The seed is the word of God; an open, listening heart bears fruit, for whoever has ears should hear
- The Holy Spirit is a Person, our Advocate, who points us to Jesus, convicts of sin, and assures us we belong to God
- Being led by the Spirit means surrender: listening sensitively, obeying His yes, no, or wait, and living in reverence instead of the flesh
- We need a genuine, personal encounter with the risen Christ, not merely religion or routine
- Like the women at the tomb, after meeting Jesus we worship at His feet and are sent to tell others
- Jesus is coming; our calling is to proclaim to every nation that the King is risen and returning
Devotional
Take a moment to ask whether you are truly listening. The same Spirit who raised Jesus lives in you, longing to remind you of Christ and lead you into the Father's will, yet His voice is easily drowned out by the noise of work and worry. Sit quietly and let Him show you where you have been walking after the flesh instead of the Spirit. Then come hungry to the cross, not for religion but for a real encounter with the risen King. The one forgiven much loves much, and the one who has met Jesus cannot help but go and tell others.
Whoever has ears to hear should listen and understand.
The Holy Spirit will never testify about Himself; His joy is to remind you of Jesus.
We all need a fresh encounter with the King every single day.
