Isaiah 50:4
To be mighty in prayer, we must know God well and be trained to hear His voice, which comes through the Bible.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of listening in prayer, asserting that prayer should not be a one-sided conversation but a dialogue with God. He illustrates that the mightiest men of prayer, such as Moses, Samuel, and Elijah, were those who took the time to listen and know God deeply. Smith encourages believers to study the Bible not just for knowledge but to truly understand and connect with God, suggesting practical ways to engage with Scripture thoughtfully and prayerfully. He highlights that faith comes from hearing God's word, which requires a receptive heart and mind.
Text
"THE LISTENING SIDE OF PRAYER"
I. PRAYER NOT A MONOLOGUE.
A. From the ear comes the use of the tongue.
1. Hear a word before you speak it.
2. So many do not have taught tongues because they do not
have listening ears.
II. MEN MIGHTIEST IN PRAYER HAVE KNOWN GOD WELL.
A. Three Old Testament mentioned might in prayer. Jer. 15:1 Though Samuel and
Moses stood before James illustrated Elijah as example of prayer.
B. These three listeners:
1. Moses 40 years in wilderness quiet.
a. Man invited by artist friend to see painting.
2. Samuel as a child trained to hear God's voice.
3. The word of the Lord came to Elijah, I will send rain.
a. He had the word, he stood on what he heard.
III. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH THE WORD.
A. Study the Bible for the purpose of knowing God.
1. You can know the Bible without knowing God.
2. One of David's mighty men.
IV. SUGGESTION FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE.
A. Time.
1. One half hour when mind is fresh. Tired mind does not readily absorb.
B. Time given to Bible itself.
1. If commentaries are used or helps, do it afterwards, let God speak first.
C. Read prayerfully.
1. The same Spirit that inspired will illumine it.
a. Sought meaning from scholar. Some simple saint.
D. Read thoughtfully.
1. Thoughtfulness lost art. Bright but not thoughtful.
2. Meditate, ruminate. It will stand a lot.
E. Three types of reading.
1. Textual.
2. TopicaI.
3. Wide reading.
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Sermon Outline
- I. Prayer Not a Monologue
- A. The importance of listening before speaking
- B. The need for taught tongues through listening ears
- II. Men Mightiest in Prayer Have Known God Well
- A. Examples of men who were mighty in prayer (Moses, Samuel, Elijah)
- B. Characteristics of these men (quiet, trained to hear God's voice)
- III. God Speaks to Us Through the Word
- A. The purpose of studying the Bible (to know God)
- IV. Suggestion for Studying the Bible
- A. Time (one half hour when the mind is fresh)
- B. Time given to the Bible itself (before commentaries or helps)
- C. Read prayerfully (with the same Spirit that inspired the Bible)
- D. Read thoughtfully (with meditation and rumination)
Key Quotes
“Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” — Chuck Smith
“Hear a word before you speak it.” — Chuck Smith
“The same Spirit that inspired will illumine it.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Set aside dedicated time to study the Bible and listen to God's voice.
- Approach Bible study with prayerfulness and thoughtfulness.
- Meditate on the text and seek to understand God's word.