Sadly, many times in the pulpit I look out at those in attendance and I see anything from finger nail trimming, to note writing, and even an occasional dosing off.  Of course, these stick out in my mind more than those who are turning in their Bibles, taking notes, and paying close attention to every detail being taught.  The reason those who are seemingly filling pews stick out in my mind is because those are the ones who need taught the most.  Typically, those who take notes, and pay close attention to the sermon are those who also study for themselves and grow on their own as well; as all saints should be doing (John 5:39, II Timothy 2:15, and I Peter 3:15).  Why is it, that there are people who come to worship God, and when it is time to be taught from the word of God the try to divert their attention to something else?

When you communicate with someone and they pay no attention; that is a good sign that they are not interested in communicating with you.  When our children do not pay attention we discipline them, because we recognize the reason they are not paying attention is that they do not want to hear what we are saying.   Sort of like those who turn a deaf ear to the Gospel (John 8:42-47, Matthew 13:14-15, Acts 28:25-27, and Ephesians 4:17-18).   They know that if they listen to the message that the word of God will expose their life as one that is not pleasing to God (Hebrews 4:12-13).   So, one will not pay attention to something they have no desire to know.  One does not want to know that they are going to Hell, that is not the “good news” they want.  They want the puffed up, sugared down, version of the Gospel that is a perversion of the truth (Galatians 1:6ff.)  What does the Bible say about those who do not want to learn and be corrected?

(Proverbs 12:1) “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish [brutish means stupid – B.A.Y.].”   Why is someone “stupid” if they do not want taught and corrected?  Well, being taught and corrected from the Bible makes us aware of what we need to do to go to Heaven.  Those that hate being taught and corrected are those who have made the choice of eternity in Hell.  On an intelligence scale one, who would choose to burn (Revelation 21:8) opposed to life eternal (Revelation 21:3-7 and Matthew 25:46) truly does have some logical reasoning problems.

The only way to get to Heaven is to do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21 and I John 2:17).  The only way to know the will of the Father is to look to the Bible (II Peter 1:3, II Timothy 3:16-17, Psalms 119:105, and John 6:63).  It is through preaching that God has His word known to man (Titus 1:2-3 and Romans 10:14-17).  When a person chooses to close their ears to the teaching of the word of God, they reject the Lord (John 12:48).  We must have a desire to look into the perfect law of liberty and continue therein by doing those things we find God commands us to do (James 1:21-25).  How can you learn if you do not want to be taught?
 

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Anne Holt, Joan Croyle, Goldie Buterbaugh & family, Gracie Cook, and John & Olive Anderson.

Remember Our Gospel Meeting:
August 11th – 15th with David Hurst who is an elder and the local preacher for the church in Somerset, KY.

Traveling:
Ann Holt and the Lockwoods are traveling this week.