And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 4:9)
Quote from the sermon:
"Before we hear we must have ears."
*Services marking the 245th Anniversary of the formation of the Church in 1780 and the 238th Anniversary of the move to the Chapel in 1787.*
Hymn sheet in pdf below.
**Sermon Summary:**
The sermon centers on the urgent call to truly hear God's Word, emphasizing that genuine hearing is marked not by passive reception but by transformative fruitfulness in life.
Drawing from Mark 4's parable of the sower, it distinguishes between those who lack ears to hear—whose hearts are hardened by Satan, distracted by worldly cares, or choked by riches and lust—and those whose hearts are open, fertile ground where the Word takes root and bears fruit.
The preacher emphasises that spiritual growth requires constant self-examination, prayerful preparation, and the deliberate removal of spiritual weeds such as anxiety, unresolved conflict, and pride.
True hearing is not merely intellectual assent but a response that leads to repentance, sanctification, and obedience, with the ultimate aim of exalting Jesus Christ.
The sermon concludes with a heartfelt exhortation to seek God's grace for open ears, to pray for others' spiritual hearing, and to desire not personal gain but the glory of God through a life transformed by the Word.