Mark 4:21-25 - Lights, shining in the darkness (Lux Lucet in Tenebris)

From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

Pray

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

Mark 4:21-25

Mark 4:21–25 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? “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.” 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. “For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

Introduction and Review:

Where we are in this gospel

Jesus began His ministry

A few months into it

Preaching the gospel/healing - gospel message

Has drawn a following

Is being attacked by religious leadership

Knows He is going to Jerusalem/the cross

Continues the mission: to preach and teach

These verses support what we learned last week, when Jesus taught the parable of the sower or the soils

Seed fell by the side of the field

Seed fell upon stony ground

Seed fell upon thorns/brambles

Seed fell on good soil

Today, we focus on what we are to do when that seed falls on the good soil of our hearts/souls.

Jesus intended these sayings to stick with us

Hearing and learning God’s word is not enough, we must share it with others

Mark 4:21-22

Mark 4:21–22 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? “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.

We aren’t given light to hide it, it is to help us, and others see in the darkness

Gospel light, like Jesus teachings, is given to help others

The knowledge of the Gospel benefits us, of course, but Jesus expects us to share it

Its like a treasure, something valuable, we want to show it to others

We have good news, now. It is the difference between eternal life and death - we need to help others with it.

One day, the Lord will want to know how we made use of His teachings

He will know what we have done

If we have kept the knowledge to ourselves, didn’t care about others so long as we went to heaven, we will be judged for that

“nothing is hidden, except to be revealed”

This teaching is for all Christians

Clergy alone are not expected to share the gospel

All members of the church should be lights in the darkness, reflecting the light of Christ

We need to share with our friends, co-workers, bosses, as we are able

Medicine for the soul - we need to share it

1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Not only should be hear and study the Gospel, we need to think about it

Mark 4:23-24

Mark 4:23–24 NASB95

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 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.

The Lord is telling His disciples to “pay attention”

parable of the soils emphasizes, as does this

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” - “take care what you listen to”

The world gets the Gospel truth by preaching - we are all expected to be preachers

Rom. 10:17

Romans 10:17 NASB95

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

1 Pet. 2:9

1 Peter 2:9 NASB95

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Eph. 1:13

Ephesians 1:13 NASB95

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Keep this in mind when you hear people mocking or criticizing preaching

Always plenty of people who want to criticize

Many who believe that other parts of worship are more important - music, Lord’s supper

Preaching, teaching, witnessing are awesome privileges and responsibilities God has given to man

Praise and worship are important, but preaching is God’s means of salvation

1 Thess 5:20

1 Thessalonians 5:20 NASB95

do not despise prophetic utterances.

2 Tim. 4:2

2 Timothy 4:2 NASB95

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

The importance of putting our faith to work

Mark 4:24-25

Mark 4:24–25 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. “For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

Mark 4:25 ““For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.””

All we have, and especially the gospel message, are precious gifts from above.

James 1:17

James 1:17 NASB95

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

It is important for us to be diligent!

Key word: Diligence: steady, earnest, and energetic effort : devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking

The more we dedicate ourselves to hearing and studying the bible, the more grace we will receive

Grace=repentance, faith, holiness

Direct relationship between our diligence (define) and our blessings

Diligence in what? living up to the light and knowledge we receive from the Lord, through His word

Bad for us: laziness (so says the bible)

Good for us: hearing, reading, prayer over God’s word

This is a conditional promise

This is the key to growing in faith - grasping this promise- spiritual prosperity

The more you study and learn, the more you will see growth in grace, knowledge, strength, usefulness - this is a diligent person

Diligent over bible study, prayer, hearing sermons, sharing in Lord’s table

reap what you sow

Regular attention to these things makes us stronger

Bringing it home

Do we want grace? stronger faith? clearer knowledge to what God wants of us?

These are goals of a true Christian

Let our faith shine brightly, and let us do everything to let that light shine brighter

By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 4:24). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The more we do for our souls, the more God does for us. And that’s a promise

Not yet a believer? None of this works unless you have given your life to Christ

Gospel message

Prayer

Discussion