The Kingdom of God: Its Function and Its Effect

INTRO:

I am a curious person, and that is why I love documentaries. They allow me to discover how things work or how they are made. There is a TV program called How It’s Made on Discovery Max. When I watched one of the episodes, I found the answer to one of my questions, which honestly I should never have asked: “How are sausages made?”

In that program, I learned that sausages are made by grinding meat (pork, beef, chicken, or mixes) together with fat. But it is not only meat. They also use leftovers: skin, cartilage, nerves, and what is left after removing bones from animals that we eat every day. Basically, everything that most people would throw away. All of that is ground until it becomes a pink paste.

To that paste, they add spices, salt, preservatives, and sometimes water or ice to give it texture. Then it is filled into casings (in the past intestines, now often synthetic). After that, they cook or smoke them so they last longer. And that’s it: a compact cylinder of “meat” that looks nothing like it did before. Yes, I know… you will never get that picture out of your mind. But that’s how my mind works.

Another example is when my dad was teaching me how to drive. I remember being in the car while he told me “patiently, with kind words” (yes, I am being sarcastic) to press the clutch, change the gear, and then release the clutch slowly while pressing the gas. And in my mind I kept asking: “But why? What is happening in the engine that I have to do it like this?”

Of course, I later learned that when someone is losing patience because you can’t move the car, that is not the right time to ask technical questions. Soon after, I saw diagrams and even a video of how the transmission worked, and then I understood!

That is why I believe that when we know in detail how things work, or we understand why they are the way they are, and we are clear about what we can expect and what not, everything becomes easier and smoother. And I am not the only one who likes to understand how things work.

Have you been reading Ezekiel this week? How many details and measurements appear in the prophet’s vision about that temple, which some say will be the third temple! It is clear that God wanted to show how that place would be structured. And I believe that since we have this information in our hands, what we must do is understand it… and put it into practice.

The same thing happens with the kerygma we will study this morning: the parable of the lamp. But since each of these parables was given to help us understand and go deeper into the Kingdom of God, today we will not call it simply “the parable of the lamp,” but: “The Kingdom of God: Its Function and Its Effect.”

Let us read Mark 4:21–25:

Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (Mark 4:21–25)

I. The Function of the Kingdom of God

This passage begins with the word “Then …” (Mark 4:21). This shows us that there is continuity and connection with what Jesus had just taught. In His first parable, Jesus explained how to enter the Kingdom of God. He said that it happens when we receive the Word of God. The problem is not the seed, but the soil where the seed falls.

The psalmist said:

“Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.” (Psalm 24:3–4)

When a person receives the Word of God, they begin to live this truth.

Now, Jesus says something that seems different from what He said earlier. In Mark 1:44 He told the man healed from leprosy: “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But here He says:

“Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.” (Mark 4:21)

This is not a contradiction. It shows the progressive revelation of the gospel. In Mark 1:15, Jesus said: “The Kingdom of God is near!” Later, in Mark 4:1–20, He gave the first public teaching about the mystery of the Kingdom. And now, in the parable of the lamp, He explains its function.

The Kingdom is not only about miracles or physical healings. Those are temporary. The Kingdom of God is eternal.

“And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them.” (Ezekiel 34:23) “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16) “He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14)

So, we can see the order:

Mark 1:15 – The Kingdom is near.

Mark 4:1–20 – The Kingdom is revealed.

Mark 4:21–25 – The Kingdom’s function is to shine.

Jesus said:

“For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.” (Mark 4:22,)

The function of the Kingdom is to bring light into the world. Spiritually, the world is not full of light. It is dark.

John explains it like this:

“And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.” (John 3:19)

Before Christ, the world was like the bottom of the ocean: total darkness, and everything adapted to live without light. But when light shines, dangers and corruption are exposed.

“All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.” (John 3:20)

Jesus shows us that the gospel is not meant to stay hidden. The mystery of salvation is now revealed:

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” (Luke 10:23–24) “This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.” (Colossians 1:26) “God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.” (Ephesians 3:3)

But there is also something practical: confession of sins. When we hide sins, Satan uses them to accuse us. But when we confess, what was a weapon of shame becomes a testimony of grace.

Some Christians try to live as “secret service Christians.” They hide their faith out of fear or comfort. But that is impossible. A lamp is made to shine.

Jesus warned:

“Everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)

The Kingdom must shine publicly. Our lives must show that Christ is real.

II. The Effects of the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom not only shines in the darkness; it also transforms those who belong to it.

Jesus said:

“Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (Mark 4:24–25, NLT)

The way we listen and obey the Word determines how much more we will understand. If we are faithful with little, God will give us more. But if we ignore what we already know, even that will be lost.

Proverbs reminds us:

“Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.” (Proverbs 9:9, NLT)

The Kingdom multiplies wisdom. Its citizens are:

Humble – knowing they can always learn more.

Teachable – letting the Word confront them.

Brave – living as shining lamps.

Persevering – not giving up even in darkness.

Christ is our perfect model:

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5–8,)

True disciples are not those who pretend to be humble but those who allow the Word to change them. The Kingdom shines inside us first, then through us to others, producing eternal fruit.

CONCLUSION:

Holding a candle not only lights the space around you; it also lights you. The Kingdom of God shines in the world and also inside us.

Two calls:

1. If you have not believed in Christ: God is calling you today. The Word has been preached to you. Repent of your sins. The Bible promises:

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

“For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:14)

2. If you already believe in Christ: You are part of His Kingdom. Let His light shine through you. Do not block His Word with pride or fear. If you have been silent about your faith, repent and return to Him.

Again, the promise is:

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us.” (1 John 1:9)

Dear family, the light of Christ still shines today. His love is strong enough to save, forgive, and renew your life. Today is the day of salvation. Come to Him with a humble heart and let His light shine completely in you.

YOU ARE LOVED.