THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

Mark 4:21–25 ESV

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Point

The Good News that Jesus brought us is not to be kept to ourselves, but to be shared with others.

The Sea of Gallilee is a beautiful fresh water lake that is fed from rain runoff from the mountains of Gallilee and the Golan Heights. It is 695 feet below sea level and is five miles wide and thirteen miles long. The lake is only 150 feet deep at the deepest point and is really a lake more than a sea. However, it is the main water source for all of Israel. It is filled by the Jordan River, which has it’s beginnings on Mt. Hermon, an often snow capped peak at the north end of the land of Israel. The Jordan then flows out of the Sea of Gallilee, down to Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea is much larger than it’s northern counterpart. It is forty eight miles long and eleven miles wide and reaches a depth of over 1000 feet. It is the lowest place on the face of the earth at 1300 feet below sea level. The Dead Sea is dead because it is so salty. Twenty five percent of the water’s contents are salts. The water is clean and beautiful looking, yet it is bitter and nauseuous to the taste. The salts in the Dead Sea are worth billions of dollars and are as valuable as any oil field.

1. Both lakes have the same source, but only the Sea of Galilee has an outlet.

The Dead Sea is so salty because it has no outlet. The reason the Sea of Gallilee is so sweet, is that it has both an inflow and an outflow. It both receives and gives. The Dead Sea, however, only receives and never gives. It is full of riches but there is no life in it.

2. In other words, it passes on what it has received...the Dead Sea does not!

What are you this morning? The Sea of Galilee, receiving and giving or the Dead Sea receiving and stagnant.

. That is the challenge of this passage, the message that Jesus has brought is not to be kept to ourselves but it is to be passed on to others. C. Slide#8 (21) Explain lamp/oil/wick. 1. Its purpose is to illuminate the whole room. D. (22) He who has been enlightened must in turn enlighten others. 1. The message of His Kingdom/His Coming should be shared as widely as possible. E. Slide#9a (24) Hear it & use it 1. Only as the disciples share the light they have received will they be able to receive more light from their Lord. a) Maybe this is the reason for the ignorance of the church. b) Sounds like Jesus is saying, “I’m not giving you anymore till you share what I just shared with you to others,...no matter how many studies you go to.” c) You weren't made to be reservoirs but conduits! [Conduits for Christ] (1) Share what you have so far! F. Slide#9b (25) Use it or lose it

PARTICULARS

Light is not VIABLE if it is not VISIBLE.

Matthew 5:14–15 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.

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.

MATTHEW 5:14-15

Our Lord dramatizes the function of light by giving two examples—a city perched on a hill and a light set in a home. First, believers are to function like a city set on a hill. Jesus says,

Matthew 5:14 ESV

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

There is no way to obscure a city on the crest of a hill. Cities on hills cannot be hidden. Believers are like this. They are visible. There is no such thing as an invisible believer. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones said, “If we find in ourselves a tendency to put the light under a bushel, we must begin to examine ourselves and make sure that it really is ‘light.’ ”

That is good, gracious advice! Do we hide our light? And if so, are we really light? Christians are visible, and this visibility makes them like the beckoning lights of a city on a hill. Inside there is light and what goes with it—warmth and safety.

In addition to being like a hilltop city, Christians are like an ancient household lamp. Jesus goes on to say,

Matthew 5:15 ESV

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.

MATHEW 5:15

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (v. 15).

The point is unmistakable: The principal function of a household lamp, and of a believer, is to provide illumination to all around. This simple metaphor tells us so much. Light reveals things as they really are. All of us have at some time walked into an unfamiliar room and have felt our way to the lamp and turned the light on, discovering a room far different from what we imagined. Light also promotes life. Even broken bones mend faster if we can soak up some sunlight. Light is persistent. It constantly assaults the surface of the earth and will penetrate the slightest crack. The darkest place is not safe from it if the tiniest opening appears.

How beautiful this all is! God has made us visible like a city on a hill. God has enabled us to illumine life like a lamp in a dark room. God has placed us where he wants us to shine to best advantage. Our presence is meant to reveal life, sin, and goodness as they are—to provide a light that draws others to it like a summer lamp. How beautiful it is when this happens. Some time ago a young man spent a week with my family. He had lived across the street from us a number of years earlier. He had been just a boy then but was a strapping 6’4” when he came to stay with us, visiting one of my sons. During that time he committed his life to Christ because of the light he had seen over the years. How wonderful it is when we see this occur.

It DISPELS DARKNESS.

Ephesians 5:11 ESV

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ( ESV)

Men don’t know that they are living in darkness until they are exposed to the light. They don’t call it darkness but their need for enlightenment. This has been man’s quest for centuries. As stated in previous sermons; enlightenment does not come through outward corrections such as education or environment.

Men don’t know that they are living in darkness until they are exposed to the light. They don’t call it darkness but their need for enlightenment. This has been man’s quest for centuries. As stated in previous sermons; enlightenment does not come through outward corrections such as education or environment. Listen to Paul’s words in ; They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Ephesians 4:18 ESV

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

We live in a world of darkness filled with because 2/3’s of our world, and this conservative estimate, have yet to come to the Light. Men perpetuate darkness because they have dark hearts. Man has head knowledge of what plaques him. However, he lacks sufficient power to change. Change is not wrought in our minds but in our hearts. Man does not need more knowledge but a new heart that can obey what he knows.

We live in a world of darkness filled with because 2/3’s of our world, and this conservative estimate, have yet to come to the Light. Men perpetuate darkness because they have dark hearts. Man has head knowledge of what plaques him. However, he lacks sufficient power to change. Change is not wrought in our minds but in our hearts. Man does not need more knowledge but a new heart that can obey what he knows.

It gives DIRECTION.

3 Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Sermon on the Mount, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, n.d.), p. 174.

Acts 26:24–29 ESV

And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

Let me remind us all that people are not saved by our lives. However, our lives can either bring clarity or confusion. Is your life bringing clarity or confusion to the Gospel?

Let me remind us all that people are not saved by our lives. However, our lives can either bring clarity or confusion. Is your life bringing clarity or confusion to the Gospel?

Let me remind us all that people are not saved by our lives. However, our lives can either bring clarity or confusion. Is your life bringing clarity or confusion to the Gospel?

It DECLARES God’s glory.

Matthew 5:16 ESV

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.

Our light shines brightest and most clearly through illicit living. Illicit not meaning illegal but a behavior that is unacceptable by prevailing social standards. Our standard of living as declared by the Beatitudes is clearly unaccepted by today’s prevailing social standards. It is this type of living that brings clarity to our message.

Our light shines brightest and most clearly through illicit living. Illicit not meaning illegal but a behavior that is unacceptable by prevailing social standards. Our standard of living as declared by the Beatitudes is clearly unaccepted by today’s prevailing social standards. It is this type of living that brings clarity to our message.

PRINCIPLES

You have been saved to shine.

Colossians 1:13–14 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians You have been enlightened to enlighten others.

1. Its purpose is to illuminate the whole room.

Resist the bushel

Philippians 2:14–16 ESV

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Philippians 2:

D. (22) He who has been enlightened must in turn enlighten others.

Make your bright as possible.

Mark 4:24–25 ESV

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Mark 4:25 ESV

For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

1. The message of His Kingdom/His Coming should be shared as widely as possible.

How wide do you want your light to be? How far do you want your light to shine?

How wide do you want your light to be? How far do you want your light to shine?

How wide do you want your light to be? How far do you want your light to shine?

The depth and breadth of your light is determined by what you do with the light you currently possess. Only as you share the light will you receive more light from the Lord.

1. Only as the disciples share the light they have received will they be able to receive more light from their Lord.

Jesus is saying, “NO MORE WILL YOU GET YOU MUST GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED.”

Not merely in the words you say,

Not only in your deeds confessed.

But in the most unconscious way

b) Sounds like Jesus is saying, “I’m not giving you anymore till you share what I just shared with you to others,...no matter how many studies you go to.”

Is Christ expressed.

Is it a radiant smile?

A holy light upon your brow?

Oh no! I felt His presence

When you laughed just now.

To me, ’twas not the truth you taught,

To you so clear, to me still dim.

But when you came you brought

A sense of Him.

And from your eyes He beckons me,

And from your heart His love is shed,

Till I lose sight of you and see

The Christ instead.

Use it or lose it

F. Slide#9b (25) Use it or lose it

Our physical muscles must be used else we lose them (atrophy) In banking the more you have in the bank the more you will earn. If you have nothing in savings, in the end, they’ll even take your account away.

1. Those who have spiritual truth will receive more; but the one who has failed to listen & profit by what he hears, will soon be deprived of what little he possesses! 2. Other examples? Our physical muscles must be used else we lose them (atrophy) In banking the more you have in the bank the more you will earn. If you have nothing in savings, in the end, they’ll even take your account away. G. Slide#9c In order for a lamp to give light: 1. The lamp had to “use itself up” (i.e. the oil). 2. Be refreshed often with more oil (H.S.) a) You can’t give out until you take in. 3. If it was covered, the flame would be extinguished, & it would be no good to those around it. H. Slide#9d Hide it under a bushel...NO! - *Share what you learned! 1. Why are we often tempted to hide our light, rather than let it shine? Why is this? I. So, how will people respond to their/our message? 1. As we learned last week from the Parable of the Soils there will be many indifferent or hostile to this message. 2. So Jesus gives them two more Parables to encourage them/us, that the going will be rough at times but there will be an exiting harvest.

2. Other examples? Our physical muscles must be used else we lose them (atrophy) In banking the more you have in the bank the more you will earn. If you have nothing in savings, in the end, they’ll even take your account away.

In order for a lamp to give light:

The lamp had to “use itself up”

Mark 9:23–24 ESV

And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Luke 9:23–24 ESV

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Be refreshed often with more oil (H.S.) a) You can’t give out until you take in.

Be refreshed often with more oil

2. Be refreshed often with more oil (H.S.) a) You can’t give out until you take in.

Ephesians 5:18 ESV

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Why should you let your light shine?

It’s God’s purpose for the church.

Ephesians 5

Isaiah 49:6 ESV

he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

It’s God’s purpose for Christian’s.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

It proves that your are a Christian.

1. Why are we often tempted to hide our light, rather than let it shine? Why is this?

I. So, how will people respond to their/our message?

1. As we learned last week from the Parable of the Soils there will be many indifferent or hostile to this message.

2. So Jesus gives them two more Parables to encourage them/us, that the going will be rough at times but there will be an exiting harvest.

POINT

We learn a number of things about the growth of God’s word in people’s lives.

B. This parable picks up where the Parable of the Soils left off.

1. He is drawing parallels between the way things are in nature & how they are in the kingdom of God!

Not only in your deeds confessed.

C. This is Mark’s only unique parable.

D. This is an important parable for those who sow the Word of God.

E. Note: Sowing (26) Growing (27,28) & Harvesting (29).

F. We learn 3 other things from this also:2

But in the most unconscious way

1. Slide#11 It has Mysterious Growth – Sharing the gospel is never a matter of formulas & techniques. There is always another dimension…the mysterious working of God!

Is Christ expressed.

Is it a radiant smile?

2. Slide#12 It has Gradual Growth – The Sower needs patience. You can’t plant today & pick tomorrow! The seed needs to germinate & grow.

A holy light upon your brow?

a) , Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

b) When you sow…give it time to grow.

(1) Never expect a full crop of Christian graces immediately from them.

(a) But, you can water it with your tears & prayers!

Oh no! I felt His presence

i) Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.

c) It germinates, sprouts, grows & he did not know how nor could he explain it.

(1) Meaning it was w/o human intervention. It’s “Miracle Grow!” [God Grow]

3. Slide#13 It has Certain Growth – The seed’s growth is inherent in the seed. a) Note by itself in (vs.28). Try to guess the Greek meaning αὐτόµατος.

(1) Used 1 other time in NT, in Acts12:10 when the prison gate opened by itself automatically. b) When the word of God is faithfully sown it will grow…there will be a harvest!

(1) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. ) “The world has more winnable people than ever before...but it is possible to come out of a ripe field empty-handed.”

V. Slide#14 TREE EXPANDING (30-32)

When you laughed just now.

A. Big Idea: This last parable underlines what he just said about a certain & successful harvest!

1. From the tiny mustard seed a large plant grows!

2. From insignificant beginnings a great movement develops!

3. Remember the manger in Bethlehem a helpless infant now known all over the globe

a) Slide#15 For who has despised the day of small things?

To me, ’twas not the truth you taught,

B. (31) Actually, the mustard seed is not the smallest seed known to botanist.

1. Evidently it was the smallest in common use among the Jews. It was proverbial.

C. Some see this as the growth of the church during this age.

1. Our Lord started with 12; grew to 70; at Pentecost 3000; then 5000; it was carried to other nations(Africa, Asia, Europe)...it will go to ALL nations! And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

2. Don’t be put off by the outward appearance of things or apparent lack of response.

a) There is no doubt in Jesus’ mind that when the seed is sown a process begins that will bear fruit in God’s time.

D. Slide#16 Birds?

For who has despised the day of small things? B. (31) Actually, the mustard seed is not the smallest seed known to botanist. 1. Evidently it was the smallest in common use among the Jews. It was proverbial. C. Some see this as the growth of the church during this age. 1. Our Lord started with 12; grew to 70; at Pentecost 3000; then 5000; it was carried to other nations(Africa, Asia, Europe)...it will go to ALL nations! And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 2. Don’t be put off by the outward appearance of things or apparent lack of response. a) There is no doubt in Jesus’ mind that when the seed is sown a process begins that will bear fruit in God’s time.

! 2. From insignificant beginnings a great movement develops! 3. Remember the manger in Bethlehem a helpless infant now known all over the globe a) Slide#15 For who has despised the day of small things? B. (31) Actually, the mustard seed is not the smallest seed known to botanist. 1. Evidently it was the smallest in common use among the Jews. It was proverbial. C. Some see this as the growth of the church during this age. 1. Our Lord started with 12; grew to 70; at Pentecost 3000; then 5000; it was carried to other nations(Africa, Asia, Europe)...it will go to ALL nations! And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 2. Don’t be put off by the outward appearance of things or apparent lack of response. a) There is no doubt in Jesus’ mind that when the seed is sown a process begins that will bear fruit in God’s time.

1. May indicate just the surprising size of the result.

2. Represent the Gentiles incorporated into God’s kingdom program.

a) Slide#17 On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they (Gentiles) will dwell.

To you so clear, to me still dim.

3. Perhaps they represent evil forces(vs.4).

a) Jesus just used it that way(vs.4), same day, same teaching time!

b) Small beginnings, large growth, & not without it attacks!

(1) Already in the 12, a Judas bird flew. In the Jerusalem church, Ananias & Sapphira roosted. Simon Magus was perched in the church in Samaria.

c) The bigger the net, the greater the possibility of catching both good & bad fish!

VI. Slide#18 USE OF PARABLES (33,34) [mote: cutest lil girl in Jesus lap in pic]

A. He explains the principle that He operated by. 1. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

2. Jesus was fully aware of the capacity of His listeners.

3. He reserved detailed explanations for the disciples.

But when you came you brought

4. Parables gave the crowd time to think & prevented them coming to premature & probably mistaken conclusions about who He was & what He had come to do.

B. Mark’s selection of Parables is followed by a series of Miracles.

C. What Jesus said (His parables/words) was authenticated by what he did (miracles/works).

D. Slide#19 3 Take aways:

1. Share what you’ve learned

2. Don’t be discouraged, growth is mysterious/gradual/but certain

3. God uses Humble beginnings then grows them into something great

A sense of Him.

E. Slide#20blank

F. Starting Spiritual Conversations:

1. Don’t dump the gospel on someone, because no one likes to get dumped on.

2. They should not feel like someone’s project, but a person that is loved.

a) Develop authentic relationships.

And from your eyes He beckons me,

b) Does my life reflect only religious activity or does it bear the mark of profound love?

3. Evangelism is a way of life not a program.

4. Evangelism training is simply calling believers to live as true Christians. When we live as we are called to be, evangelism can’t help but happen.

And from your heart His love is shed,

5. Our message is not that we have it all together, but that we know One who does! Our message is not behave, then believe, then you can belong! 6. Penetrate their mask. We all wear one. 7. See anyone’s sin(even most vile) as them simply trying to fill their God-shaped vacuum.

Till I lose sight of you and see

The Christ instead.