Sermon Reflections from But Listen, Ready, Obey | Alex Hardt | January 11, 2026
I love all the verses that Pastor Alex chose for explaining to us how we can be assured that we can Listen to God and Read His Word which will result in our following through for Him. Reading scripture can be difficult at times because all scripture is true but not all scripture is equally clear.
As we grow in our faith the Holy Spirit reveals more to us each time we dive into God’s Word. I have heard it said that you cannot plumb the depths of God’s Word, and I can see that as we have finite minds and it was created by our infinite God. But, what it means for us is that we can expect to learn something new or have it clarified each time we open His Word.
I must admit that I’m not always turned on and turned in when I read the Bible. My fault, not God’s for sure but that does not mean it is not valuable. There is power in God’s Word and we can absorb things and have ideas impressed upon our spirit. I marvel at the fact that I can study passages over and over and each time get something new. Why is that? I think it is because I’m in a different place with different experiences and needs than I was the last time I read the passage. New meanings will arise each time. A former pastor at Crossroads led us in a study of the book of Jonah. It is a small book with only 4 chapters. He asked us to read it each week (for 4 weeks) all the way through. I was amazed at the depth of truths I gleaned from the reading and found many lessons to apply to my life. Just reading it once was not enough, I had to repeatedly go over it.
Pastor Alex chose John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” He broke it down into parts, brilliantly, and helped us see that Jesus is our shepherd, speaks to us and expects us to follow Him! Here are a few more: Psalm 34:11 “Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Listening to God and for God will teach us awe and wonder, fear and respect for the Lord Almighty. Psalm 81:13 “Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!” God desires that we listen to Him and follow His ways.
Hebrews 4:12 is a great verse with so many truths packed into one it. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The questions Pastor Alex directed us to ask could be used for whole passages not just for a single verse. Here are some others about the truth and power of God’s Word: Ephesians 6:17 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Paul reminded us that the Words of God have power and are our defense against the schemes of the devil. Jesus rebuked Satan in the wilderness with God’s Words alone. (Matthew 4) We can do likewise according to Psalm 18:30 “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” God’s word provides a shield and refuge for each believer! This is a great reason to memorize verses, to have your sword ready when you need it most.
Lastly, Pastor Alex pointed us to James 1:22. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We are to take the Bible and apply it to our lives otherwise we are living a life of deceit saying we believe but refuse to use it in our lives. I love the admonition Paul gives the Colossians in Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” God’s Word is to dwell within us! It is to become part of us causing us to live joy-filled lives teaching one another and having thankful hearts.
In writing my first book, Fearless Living, I claimed Isaiah 55:11 “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Pastor Alex chose John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” He broke it down into parts, brilliantly, and helped us see that Jesus is our shepherd, speaks to us and expects us to follow Him! Here are a few more: Psalm 34:11 “Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Listening to God and for God will teach us awe and wonder, fear and respect for the Lord Almighty. Psalm 81:13 “Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!” God desires that we listen to Him and follow His ways.
Hebrews 4:12 is a great verse with so many truths packed into one it. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The questions Pastor Alex directed us to ask could be used for whole passages not just for a single verse. Here are some others about the truth and power of God’s Word: Ephesians 6:17 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Paul reminded us that the Words of God have power and are our defense against the schemes of the devil. Jesus rebuked Satan in the wilderness with God’s Words alone. (Matthew 4) We can do likewise according to Psalm 18:30 “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” God’s word provides a shield and refuge for each believer! This is a great reason to memorize verses, to have your sword ready when you need it most.
Lastly, Pastor Alex pointed us to James 1:22. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We are to take the Bible and apply it to our lives otherwise we are living a life of deceit saying we believe but refuse to use it in our lives. I love the admonition Paul gives the Colossians in Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” God’s Word is to dwell within us! It is to become part of us causing us to live joy-filled lives teaching one another and having thankful hearts.
In writing my first book, Fearless Living, I claimed Isaiah 55:11 “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
This is true of any scripture we read or take into our minds and hearts. It will accomplish God’s purpose and it will not be without gain. It always gives to us because it is from our loving heavenly Father.
Linda
Are you ready for the great reading challenge? To Read the Whole Bible in a year. Don’t take it up lightly but with prayer and thanksgiving present it to God and ask His help. He is faithful and will help you accomplish it!!
Linda
Are you ready for the great reading challenge? To Read the Whole Bible in a year. Don’t take it up lightly but with prayer and thanksgiving present it to God and ask His help. He is faithful and will help you accomplish it!!
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