Mark 4:21-25

Shine the Light Of Christ

Mark 4:21 NASB95

And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?

Truth Must Be Revealed

Deception seems to be epidemic in today’s world. Our influences come from worldly sources like FaceBook, Instagram, TickTock, News Media, Local gossip and a myriad of other deceptive information centers. WSFA News Headlines Today:

Womn killed in double shooting near downtown Montgomery identified

Man drowns in Logan Martin Lake Monday night

Former McAdory Middle School assistant principal back in Georgia to face charges in triple homicide case

Mountain Brook woman killed when tree fell on apartment identified

Montgomery ice cream shop employees speak out after 2nd robbery in 2 months

Shooting, robbery, stabbing reported within hours in Montgomery

When we are filling our minds with these news stories we will come away with an idea that the US is the most dangerous place in the world

Social Media Platforms picture people that appear to have perfect lives with great vacations, fancy cars, and beautiful homes. They don’t show the debt they have to sustain that fake life.

1 Thessalonians 4:11–14 (NASB95)

and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

This is truth! live a quiet life that is kind towards others with the expectation and anticipation that heaven is our home!

Martin Luther

The Gospel of Mark The Light Which Must Be Seen (Mark 4:21)

When Martin Luther decided to take up his stand against the Roman Catholic Church, he decided first of all to attack indulgences. Indulgences were to all intents and purposes remissions of sins which could be bought from a priest at a price. He drew up ninety-five theses against these indulgences. And what did he do with his ninety-five theses? There was a church in Wittenberg called the Church of All Saints. It was closely connected with the university; on its door university notices were posted, and the subject of academic debates displayed. There was no more public noticeboard in the town. To that door Luther affixed his theses. When did he do it? The day when the largest congregation came to the church was All Saints’ Day, 1st November. It happened to be the anniversary of the founding of that church, and many services were held and crowds came. It was on All Saints’ Day that Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door. If he had been a prudent man, he would not have drawn up his ninety-five theses at all. If he had been a man with an eye on safety, he would never have nailed them to the church door. And, if he must nail them to the door, with any thought of personal safety he would never have chosen All Saints’ Day to make his declaration. But Luther felt that he had discovered the truth; and his one thought was to display the truth and to align his life with it.

Our Christianity Is to Be Displayed

We are not to be ashamed or keep our faith a secret. We are to boldly proclaim that we follow Jesus Christ and His teachings. We must also stand against those that go contrary to His teachings. This will not always be popular but we must be willing to let our voices be heard and our actions be seen.

In Rome many Christians lost their lives because they refused to acknowledge Caesar as a god. They could have easily practiced Christianity and kept their lives if they would just offer a sacrifice to Caesar. They would have received a certificate for doing so and been able to practice Christianity.

This would be a violation of their belief and what Jesus said in Matt. 4:9-10

Matthew 4:9–10 NASB95

and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ”

We must not compromise the teachings of Christ to appease the world. We must hold fast to His teachings!

Nothing is Secret

Mark 4:22–23 (NASB95)

“For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Our natural tendency is to hide when we do something wrong. However the scripture shares that all things done are seen by the Lord. We see this in the book of Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned against God. Gen 3:6-13

Genesis 3:6–13 NASB95

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

When we sin our natural tendency is to hide as well. Those we may not try to physically hide from God, we may try to get away from Him by stop reading His word, stop praying, stop going to church, and refrain from anything that would put us in contact with the Lord.

Reaping and Sowing

Mark 4:24 NASB95

And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.

Jesus teaches that you get what give. This holds true in many areas of our life. Lets look at a few:

Work

When we work hard we will receive compensation for the work we do. Whether you work with your hands or your mind or both. When a person is willing to work hard they will be rewarded for their hard work with both compensation and satisfaction. On the other hand if a person is lazy then they will not be rewarded. 2Thes. 3:10

2 Thessalonians 3:10 NASB95

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.

Bible Study

A person that consistently and diligently studies the Bible will be closer to the Lord because the Lord reveals Himself in His word. The level of intimacy with Christ is directly correlated to the effort a person puts in the study of God’s word. John 8:31-32

John 8:31–32 (NASB95)

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Those that study the word know how to follow Jesus. Those that follow Jesus experience Him in their lives. Those that experience Jesus build intimacy with Him!

Relationships

In relationships their are givers and takers. You must have a balance of both in the relationship. If you are a taker only then the relationship will not last. You must also contribute to the health of the relationship.

Invest in the Kingdom

Mark 4:25 NASB95

“For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

Matthew 25:14–30 NASB95

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. “Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Explain the Parable!