Episode Details

Welcome back to our verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. Last lesson we focused on how Jesus is eternal. In this lesson, we are going to focus on hearing and obeying God.

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life.

Let’s focus on:

…which we have heard…

John and the disciples were able to hear Jesus because they were with Jesus in person. The disciples spent significant time with Jesus. They are a great example of what it takes to have a deeper relationship with Jesus. 

They could have chosen to do anything else, but they chose to be with Jesus and hear Him.

Jesus, the eternal God, wants to communicate directly with you. He wants you to hear Him and obey Him. Even though you are not with Jesus in person, you can still hear Him.

To hear the words Jesus spoke while He was physically on the earth, go to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible. Many Bible versions put the words of Jesus in red, so they are easy to find.

Read the words of Jesus slowly and read them out loud. Listen closely to what Jesus is saying. Hear Him. Listen carefully and do what He is asking you to do.

There are many benefits to hearing and obeying God. Let’s go through some of them together.

* You will be blessed.

Proverbs 8:32-36 Now therefore, my children, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. 34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. 36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”

Luke 11:28 But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.

* God will show you the way.

Isaiah 30:21 And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

* When you hear the word and understand it you will have a fruitful life. In the parable of the sower, Jesus let us know that when the seed is sown on good soil it will produce a crop that is a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.

Matthew 13:18-23 Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

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