THE CARELESS HEARER
Matthew 13:1-23
The focus in this parable is not about the sower. Instead, it is the soil.[1] To be more specific, this parable is about four different soil types, which represent the four types of listeners of God’s word. As I already mentioned, the main subject here is about hearing the word because the verb to hear is the primary verb that is repeated fifteen times just in this passage alone.
So, what are the four different types of hearers? According to Jesus, the four types of hearers are 1) the careless hearer, 2) the superficial hearer, 3) the worldly hearer, and 4) the receptive hearer. This morning we will focus on the first hearer: the careless hearer.
The Careless Hearer (v. 19)
The problem with this person is not that he/she hears does not hear the word but hears it without understanding. There’s a difference between a person who hears a sermon and a person who really listens with understanding.
Keep in mind that everyone reacts to sermons, but how one reacts is the point. According to this parable, Jesus points out that there are four different ways to react, and we’re looking at one of them, namely the careless hearing.
There are those who come to church and hear the word but do not perceive the spiritual truth the message conveys. This is true of every church, no matter how strong the pulpit ministry is. There are some who simply do not and would not get the message.
How do I know that? In the past, I would ask the people about the message they just heard. And when they say things that are off-the-wall, unrelated, misapplications, or things that are contrary to what they were just taught, then I know that they didn’t get the message. For example, on one Lord’s Day in South Dakota, I labored the points as to why Christians assemble together on the Lord’s Day to worship. Afterward, the two of the visitors said to me that it’s OK for Christians not to go to church on Sunday. I was like what? Did you hear the same message that I just preached? Clearly, you missed the main point of the message. I realized then that people hear what they want to hear.
The reason why careless hearers do not understand the word is not that there is any deficiency in the message or part of the messenger. Instead, the problem lies at the heart of the listener. In the OT, these people are known as the “stiff-necked” people.
What is troubling and sad about careless hearers is that they simply don’t care, and they are careless. Careless hearers are passive listeners and passive learners. They lack passion and priority for listening and learning. They are proactive about many things but not about the things of God, the knowledge, and the truth of God. They are indifferent to anything biblical and theological, and deep thinking. Talking to them is like talking to a wall.
Because careless hearers are indifferent and careless, they are indifferent and careless about repentance and do not have any sense of guilt and shame. Because they are not teachable, they hate corrections and do not welcome instructions. According to Proverbs 1:7, a fool hates wisdom and instruction. The careless hearers think they are self-sufficient, self-satisfied, and often self-righteous. That is why they are perfect targets for the evil one (v. 19).
Jesus said that the evil one is proactive in snatching the word away from such people that I just described. In fact, the verb for “snatches away” in Greek implies continual and ongoing snatchings. Jesus compares Satan’s activity to birds because, in Jewish literature, birds are often identified with the demonic forces. And here, Satan is compared to a bird that swoops down and takes the word that is sown, out of the hardened hearts of those who reject Christ and his teachings.[2]
Let me ask you a personal question: do those descriptions describe you? You hear, but you’re not really listening. You are indifferent and careless in hearing sound truths. Perhaps you listen, but that’s far as it goes. There is no self-examination and reflection, admission of fault, confession, and contrition that lead to reconciliation, sanctification, and transformation. If those things are descriptions of you, then you are a perfect target for the evil one to snatch the word of God from you – even at this very hour. It is no wonder that God’s precious seed of truth hasn’t stuck to your soul. It hasn’t germinated and grown.
Turn your Bible to 1 Peter 5:6-9a (pay attention to its logical order).
And that someone maybe just you.
To fight against careless hearing, you need to cultivate in ways you can hear carefully. I would strongly encourage you to seek some practical ways to develop this spiritual discipline of hearing God’s word carefully. This is where you need to pray for wisdom and seek some practical help.
One source that I would recommend is a small booklet titled Listen Up! A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons by Christopher Ash. Another one is Expository Listening by Ken Ramey. And another reading is Joel Beeke’s booklet The Family at Church: Listening to Sermons. All those reading provide some excellent help. Let me provide one practical thing that you can do after the service. Dr. Beeke writes:
Do not engage in frivolous, worldly conversation after a sermon. Shallow talk about politics, people, sports, or news events is Satan’s way of sending his vultures to pluck away the good seed of the Word. Instead, talk about the Bible, Christ, the soul, and the eternal world as it applies to the sermon. And when you talk about the sermon, avoid a critical spirit. Do not judge the sermon harshly. Such a spirit dampens spiritual life. Do not talk about what was missing but concentrate on what was said. Listen with a loving spirit, turning any disappointments about preaching into petitions rather than criticism.[3]
Here’s another helpful reminder why we need to listen carefully. In the booklet Listen Up, Christopher Ash writes:
The Bible is not designed to give me a series of instant fixes. It is God’s instrument to shape and mold my mind and my character into the likeness of Christ. And that takes time. I need to listen to the Bible passage being preached today, and to turn my heart to God in submission and trust today, not only because I may need that passage today, but because I may need that passage tomorrow. And tomorrow may be too late to learn in. I need to start learning it today, so that it can begin to sink in and change me. And this takes repetition, and reminder.[4]
According to Westminster’s Larger Catechism, it wonderfully states:
It is required of those that hear the Word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by the scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives (#160).
As your pastor, let me offer one of my own practical tips. Instead of asking, how was the service or whether you like the sermon, which begs the minimal answer in “yes” or “no” format, instead, ask questions that would force some thoughtful response, as in, what two things did you learn from the sermon or how did the Lord encourage you today from his word, to stimulate Christ-focused and Bible-saturated discussions.
CONCLUSION
Luke 8:18a, “So take care how you listen.”
To watch this sermon, you may click here.
[1]Grant R. Osborne, Matthew, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 498.
[2]Ibid., 513.
[3]Joel R. Beeke, The Family at Church: Listening to Sermons and Attending Prayer Meetings (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2004), 15-16.
[4]Christopher Ash, Listen Up! A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons (N.p.: The Good Book Company, 2013), 16.
Pastor's Perspective 