Brian Houston - The Contagious Nature of Receptivity


How often do we miss out because we aren’t receptive enough?

As rare as the usage of the word ‘receptive’ might be, the attitude of receptivity might not be practiced as much in this modern day society. Since there is nothing new under the sun, we live in a world where it is very hard to be surprised. Week in and week out we pace ourselves into our church building with knowing what’s gonna happen every single week.

3 or 4 songs.
3 minutes announcement & offering
Church News
30 minutes of sermon
Altar Call
Closing prayer and song

Since we know so much about what’s going to happen, sometimes we pass on every week without being receptive enough to give full attention to what God is trying to tell us through the service.

Attention -> Retention -> Intention -> Invention

That is the power of receptivity. Without the attitude of receptivity, you lose attention to the messages (verbal or non-verbal) in church that will take away opportunities for inventions.

Mark 4:23-24 (NIV)
“If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you-and even more.

It is clearly stated from that bible verse that we need to LISTEN ATTENTIVELY and BE CAREFUL OF WHAT WE HEAR.

How often do you unconsciously choose the messages that you hear according to your own selfish desires?

Receptivity is a desire to be stimulated and to be responsive. Receptivity also talks about the attitude of a student. A child who is receptive to learn how to walk will learn it quicker than they’re supposed to. It is such a shame that as we grow older, our attitude of receptivity disappears and we stop learning.

In short, how often do we let our past experiences hold us back from learning new things through the attitude of receptivity?

Receptivity is a choice that shapes perspectives and even situations. Zacchaeus is a great example of how receptivity can change a life. Zacchaeus was desperately receptive towards Jesus that he climbed up a tree to see him. We know what happens next when Jesus reached out to him, ate at his house and change his life.

If receptivity lets Jesus in Zacchaeus’ house, would you be receptive enough to let Jesus speak to your heart?

Just like faith, receptivity opens doors.

Nehemiah 8:5 - 6
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

How receptive were the people in that bible verse towards the word of God? When Ezra opened the bible, people stood up and shouted loud in praise and awe of God.

The ability to change our life depends on how receptive we are. This gives us more reasons to take responsibility of our life and the situations we face everyday. Be receptive up to the point it changes the atmosphere of the back rows of your church!

Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Just because Ezra devoted himself to being receptive, he began to seek the law earnestly, practiced it and taught it the Israelites. He was able to do all these because he was receptive.

Be careful of these enemies of receptivity:
1. Familiarity - Matthew 13:57-58
Since Jesus was a familiar face in his hometown, people failed to see miracles. Familiarity locks God out of His own home. Our challenge in ministry is to avoid locking God out of His church.

2. Bitterness
Hurt and pain locks you out from being receptive. Once you avoid forgiveness and let bitterness take over, you lose receptiveness and the ability to listen to what God wants to say in your life.

Many people back in the days missed on experiencing the messiah because they were expecting a king on a white horse instead of a son of a carpenter. As it happened in the older days, it could happen to us as we limit God through our receptivity. How often do we find ourselves being less receptive because we find ourselves in a small church? Or singing an old song that is not up to our taste? Don’t limit God and start being receptive anywhere and anytime.

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