Mark 4:21-25

Mark 4:21–25 CSB

He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you. For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Don’t hide your light.

(CSB)

21 He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”

21 He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you. 25 For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

God has called us to display his glory to the world around us.

21 He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”

Illus: Big question: is your life lived with purpose? Do you live intentionally? Or, Do you live most of your days half hazzardly or lazily?

God has defined the purpose of our lives. He has made it clear, we are called to display the light of the glory of God to the world around us.

This is a question of intentionality every day in your life… no matter whether you are retired, working, a grandparent, or a teenager. How do you use every moment to display the love, grace and glory of God?

I don’t think our problem is purposely hiding the light, but I do think we struggle in not putting it on a lamp stand.

(CSB) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

God’s call is for more than not hiding the light. He calls us to display the light.

21 He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”

Illus: Imagine if a doctor figured out the cure for cancer today! Wouldn’t that be great news.

As this doctor realizes the wonder of his discovery, he doesn’t destroy the discovery. He doesn’t even purposly hide the news. He just does nothing with the news.

Can you imagine the public outrage. This doctor would be liable for malpractice in that he did not promote and magnify a cure that would help many many people.

We have already talked about how we don’t purposely hide the light of God in our lives, I don’t want you to miss how serious it is when we simply squander it by doing nothing.

(CSB) 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

Don’t waste your message.

24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you.

Let’s be clear about the message we have been given. God has given us the gospel.

24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you.

Illus: There are many false messages that well intentioned people have attempted to pass off as the light we are called to display.

Some say our greatest purpose is to care for the poor. We are called to care for the poor, but that is settling for good when God’s message and purpose are greater.

Some say our greatest purpose is political. Centainly we are called to be good citizens, but that is not our purpose.

Some say our greatest purpose is to promote morality. Yes, we are called to live out the holy standards of Christ, but these are empty without the gospel.

Our central aim, both in living for God and saving the world is the gospel. It should be the very center of all that we do.

(CSB)

3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time,, he also appeared to me.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, so we proclaim and so you have believed.

We will be “measured” by how much we have been given.

24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you.

Illus: Take a moment and catch all that God has given us.

we live in a country where we can worship and proclaim Christ freely.

We have a body of believers around us who care for us.

We have a beautiful church which is air conditioned.

We have more books and tools about following Christ than in the history of our faith.

Most of us own so many bibles that we have bibles collecting dust on book shelves.

With all that we have been given, whey do we live with such little intentionality in reaching vidalia and the world for Christ?

(CSB) 23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

Don’t squander your life.

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

Are you saddened by the lack of spiritual power in your life? Perhaps it is because you have not been faithful with the little God has entrusted you with.

Illus: If you read through scripture, you will learn that God uses those who are faithful with what he gives them.

When god gives you little and you are faithful with what he gives you, he will entrust you with more.

The same is true with churches.

When you squander the little God has given you, you will not be trusted with more.

(CSB) 6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.