It Pays To Listen Acts 13:16(NASV) I. Introduction. A. "Are you listening?" B. The art of listening is not easy. 1. Interferences block such. 2. Prejudice rejects such. 3. Indifference causes such. 4. A wandering mind can be a blockage. C. The word "hear" appears 550 times in 516 verses in the King James version. 1. "Hearken" appears 150 times in 153 verses(KJ). 2. In NKJV, Listen is used before many parables and in other passages. D. Listening involves more than physical hearing. E. It pays to listen if you would gain knowledge. 1. Can make life happy or miserable. 2. A proper listener must have a heart free of prejudice or anger or malice or any other sin that interferes. 3. Each listener must weigh what is heard in the light of God's word. II. Body. It pays to listen... A. In order to hear the truth: Acts 13:16. 1. The primary vehicle God uses(not the only). 2. From gospel teachers and preachers. 3. Saul told to "listen to the words of the Lord": I Samuel 15:1. a. Had spared the sheep and oxen. b. Lost his kingship for not listening! B. To understand the truth: Acts 15:13. 1. Giving heed(listening) to His word(and studying). 2. Godly qualified elders and teachers assist. C. To be familiar with the needs of others: James 2:5. 1. How can we be aware unless we learn about such. 1. There is also an obligation of others to inform. 2. Brethren are willing to help when they learn. 2. Avoiding partiality: v. 9. D. To parents: Proverbs 7:24; 15:7. 1. They offer sound and righteous advice! 2. Note: Genesis 49:2(Jacob to sons). E. To God: Psalm 81:13. 1. A continual plea.(Illustrate) 2. Elihu said: Stand and consider the wonders of God. a. Stand in the fields and hear the creation. b. Look into the heavens at night. c. Be still, and listen! F. Those who know the Lord and His way: Psalm 34:11. 1. Righteous leaders. 2. Godly people, sincere and honest in their faith. SOME DO NOT LISTEN! G. Consider those in the Lord's day: John 8:43. 1. False teachers do not listen. 2. Biased friends often will not listen. 3. Adam and Eve did not listen to the Lord! H. Israel refused to listen to Samuel: I Samuel 8:19. 1. "To be like all the nations"(v. 20). 2. Rehoboam listened to wrong advice: a. Listened to young instead of elders. b. Pays to listen to those who know something. c. When Rehoboam listened to the Lord: I Kings 12:24(Only the tribe of Judah followed "David.") SOME LISTEN TO THE WRONG ONES(AND THINGS)! I. Job's friends(?) wanted him to listen to them(remember what his wife said). J. Amnon listened to Jonadab: II Samuel 13:14, 16. 1. Did not listen to reasoning of Tamar. 2. After sin, refused to listen to her. 3. Some just do not listen. K. Do not listen to: 1. False teachers(false doctrines interfere with hearing the truth). 2. Erring brethren. 3. The advice of the world: it is not what God advises. III. Conclusion. A. Listen to the Lord. B. Listen to those who love the Lord. C. Are you listening?-jy