In what ways can we ensure our hearts remain open to Jesus' teachings? Verse Focus: Matthew 21:45 “When the chief priests and Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew He was speaking about them.” What Closed Their Hearts - Pride in position: they valued status over surrender (John 12:42-43). - Fear of losing control: “If we let Him keep on like this, everyone will believe in Him” (John 11:48). - Selective hearing: they grasped the meaning but refused the message (Matthew 23:37). Warning Signs of a Hardened Heart - Justifying sin instead of confessing it (1 John 1:8-9). - Resisting conviction and calling it “someone else’s issue” (Acts 7:51). - Growing impatience with God’s Word or people (Hebrews 3:12-13). Practices That Keep Our Hearts Soft - Consistent Scripture intake • Approach the Word as living seed, not academic data (Luke 8:15). • Read aloud; faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). - Immediate obedience • “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). Small steps keep consciences tender. - Honest confession • “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23-24). • Keep short accounts; unconfessed sin layers calluses. - Humble worship • Bowing physically reminds the soul who is Lord (Psalm 95:6-8). - Christ-centered fellowship • “Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). • Invite accountability; isolation breeds stubbornness. Guardrails for Everyday Life - Guard the gates: monitor what reaches the heart through eyes and ears (Proverbs 4:23). - Slow the schedule: margin makes room for meditation (Joshua 1:8). - Serve the least: compassion tills hard soil (Matthew 25:40). Encouragement from the Epistles - Receive the Word “with meekness” (James 1:21). - Let peace rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15-16) — the indwelling Word and Spirit partner to keep hearts pliable. Living It Out Together - Read a Gospel passage daily with a friend and share one obedience point. - Keep gratitude lists; thanksgiving softens attitudes (1 Thessalonians 5:18). - Sing truth often; melody carries doctrine deeper (Ephesians 5:19). The priests and Pharisees recognized Jesus was talking to them and still shut Him out. We stay open by humbly recognizing He is always talking to us—and by doing whatever it takes to keep the soil of our hearts ready for His seed. |
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