Demonstrating the Difference: Living with Open Ears, Eyes, Heart, and Hands

It’s easy to miss what’s right in front of us—whether it’s our glasses on our head, our phone in our hand, or the opportunities God places in our path every day. We live in a world that is searching for answers, and as followers of Jesus, we are called to live our lives “on display,” demonstrating the difference Christ makes. The early church in Acts didn’t just talk about their faith; they lived it out in ways that made people stop and take notice. Their lives were marked by open ears, open eyes, open hearts, and open hands.

Open ears mean tuning in to the right voices. In a world full of noise, the voice we listen to most shapes our lives. We must be attentive to God’s voice, which often comes through Scripture and the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit. Like Peter and John, who heard the cry of the beggar, we are called to listen deeply—not just to the loudest voices, but to the needs and whispers around us.

Open eyes are about truly seeing the people and needs around us. It’s easy to be so busy or distracted that we miss the opportunities God places in our path. Sometimes, the most significant moments happen “on the way,” not in the places we expect. Jesus often performed miracles while He was simply going somewhere, because He was present and attentive to those around Him.

Open hearts are marked by compassion. True compassion is not just a feeling; it’s a gut-wrenching response that moves us to action. It’s easy to become hardened by life’s challenges, but we are called to have thick skin and soft hearts—willing to be moved by the needs of others, even at the risk of being hurt. Compassion means recognizing that everyone has a story and choosing to treat others as we would want to be treated.

Open hands are about action—using what we have to lift others up. Peter and John didn’t have silver or gold, but they gave what they had: the power and love of Jesus. Living on display means being willing to step out, to help, to serve, and to be a gift to the world around us. It’s not about having all the answers or being perfect; it’s about being available and willing.

Ultimately, the challenge is to live in such a way that our lives speak louder than our words. The world is watching, and the greatest testimony we can offer is a life that reflects Jesus—full of listening, seeing, compassion, and action.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Tune Your Ears to God’s Voice The voices we listen to shape our lives. In a world filled with noise and distraction, it’s vital to intentionally tune our ears to God’s voice through Scripture and prayer. When we do, we become sensitive to the needs and opportunities He places before us, often hidden in plain sight. [06:52]
• 2. See the Needs Around You Busyness and distraction can blind us to the people God wants us to notice. True spiritual sight means slowing down, looking up, and being present in the moment. When we open our eyes, we discover divine appointments and opportunities to bring hope and kindness, even in the most ordinary places. [11:03]
• 3. Let Compassion Move You to Action Compassion is more than a feeling; it’s a deep, gut-level response that compels us to act. It means having a soft heart, even when life tempts us to harden it. When we allow ourselves to be moved by the pain and stories of others, we reflect the heart of Jesus and become agents of His love in a hurting world. [15:02]
• 4. Live with Open Hands, Not Closed Fists Faith is not just about what we receive, but what we give. Open hands are willing to serve, help, and lift others up, even when we feel we have little to offer. When we live generously and selflessly, we become living testimonies of God’s grace, making our faith visible and tangible to those around us. [20:12]
• 5. Let Your Life Speak Louder Than Your Words It’s possible to attend church faithfully yet remain invisible as a follower of Jesus in daily life. The true test is whether our lives reflect Christ in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and relationships. When our actions align with our faith, our lives become a compelling invitation for others to encounter Jesus. [25:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Christmas Decorations and Series Introduction
• [00:38] - Gen Z and the Quiet Revival
• [01:22] - The World is Looking for Answers
• [01:39] - Living Lives on Display
• [02:09] - Demonstrating the Difference
• [03:05] - Acts 3: The Lame Man at the Gate
• [04:39] - Hidden in Plain Sight
• [06:07] - Missing God’s Opportunities
• [06:31] - Open Ears: Listening to God
• [10:33] - Open Eyes: Seeing the Need
• [14:05] - Open Heart: Compassion in Action
• [18:36] - The Urgency of Eternity
• [20:12] - Open Hands: Faith in Action
• [23:25] - When Our Lives Close Our Lips
• [27:36] - Living on Display for Jesus
• [29:54] - Four Keys to Living on Display
• [30:16] - Closing and Call to Revival

Bible Reading

Acts 3:1-10 (ESV) — Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 1 John 3:17 (ESV) But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

Observation Questions

1. In Acts 3, what did Peter and John do when the lame man asked them for money? What was their response, and what did they offer instead? [03:29]
2. According to Matthew 5:14-16, what does Jesus say about how we should live our lives in front of others?
3. In the sermon, what are the four things the early church was marked by, according to the pastor? [06:07]
4. What does 1 John 3:17 say about how we should respond when we see someone in need?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter and John chose to give what they had (the name and power of Jesus) instead of money to the lame man? What does this say about what is truly valuable? [03:29]
2. The pastor said, “Your life is determined by the voice you listen to the most.” What are some voices that compete for our attention, and why is it important to tune our ears to God’s voice? [06:52]
3. The sermon talks about having “open eyes” to see needs around us. What are some reasons people might miss the opportunities God puts in their path? [11:03]
4. The pastor described compassion as a “gut-wrenching” response that moves us to action. Why is it sometimes hard to keep a soft heart, and what risks come with it? [15:02]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared how easy it is to miss what’s right in front of us, like our glasses on our head or our phone in our hand. Can you think of a recent time when you missed an opportunity to help or encourage someone because you were distracted or busy? What could you do differently next time? [06:07]
2. “Your life is determined by the voice you listen to the most.” What are some practical ways you can tune your ears to God’s voice this week? Is there a specific time or place you could set aside for Scripture or prayer? [06:52]
3. The sermon mentioned that Jesus often performed miracles “on the way,” not just in planned moments. How can you be more present and attentive to the people and needs around you in your daily routines? [11:03]
4. Compassion is described as more than a feeling—it’s something that moves us to action. Is there someone in your life right now who needs compassion from you? What is one specific thing you could do for them this week? [15:02]
5. The pastor said, “Open hands are about action—using what we have to lift others up.” You may not have a lot of money or resources, but what is something you do have that you could offer to someone in need? (Time, encouragement, a skill, prayer, etc.) [20:12]
6. The story was told of a man who went to church every Sunday, but no one at his workplace knew he was a Christian. In your own life, are there places where your faith is “invisible”? What would it look like for your actions to speak louder than your words this week? [25:37]
7. The pastor challenged us to live with “thick skin and soft hearts.” What is one area where you need God’s help to keep your heart soft, even if it means risking being hurt? [17:52]