Sermon Tone Analysis

The Lamp

(insert picture saved as oil lamp on computer)

A lamp in the parable, used to prepare the apostles what was coming and what they were going to be responsible for.

They were being instructed to make sure they keep their lamp full.

The lamp was a clay dish filled with oil and a wick dipped in the oil and lite.

It was put in a place to illuminate the room, but the oil needed to be replenished and the wick trimmed to keep doing it’s job.

The apostles were like the lamp, there were called to shed God’s light and to reveal God’s truth.

But they had to be full first, they needed to be replenished before they could go out and accomplish the task set before them.

We can know from scripture that the lamp is the word of God (Psm119:105)

We can know that a lamp is for all (Mt5:15)

(Expand and lead to the next one)

We can know that we are to be a light (lamp) (Mt5:16)

Use the word of God to shine for all to see!

Speaking of the Word of God we have the opportunity to hear, to see, to read the word of God and that is what we will be judged, held accountable too.

The blessings that we receive are proportional to what we hear and what we do with what we hear.

(below for handout only; not to be said)

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Jesus taught in:

Public in parable (Mk4:1-2)

Private explained (Mk4:10-12)

Used parable of sower, soils about reception of word (Mk4:1-9)

As you look, study this passage today see if you see the admonition that Jesus gives and if that applies to us today, if so why?

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In public Jesus taught in parables (Mk4:1-2)

In private to the apostles He would illuminate and explain (Mk4:10-12)

Not all receive the word the same way or respond to it (Mk4:1-9)

Mk4:1-9 is too long, but look how He ended the passage

After Jesus had explained the parable He exhorts the apostles to take heed to what they hear in our passage today.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

Take Heed: The charge

When someone says to you “take heed” what do they want you to do? Listen, then apply, right?

Jesus has already explained the parable, now comes to application (the charge)

That which is hidden is to be made known!

From a rhetorical question (Mk4:21)

I was a rhetorical question, but spiritually what is He speaking about?

(THE WORD GIVEN; explained to them previously)

To a revelation that would come to light (Mk4:22)

That which was hidden (the gospel) was coming to light.

They mystery was being revealed.

Jesus speaking in public and teaching in private was for revelation that was to be proclaimed one day and the disciples were going to be responsible for it, so what He had previously said (the explanation) was important, as was what He is saying now.

Pay close attention!

(Mk4:23; also see Mt10:27)

Mt

See the apostles were going to proclaim, they were going to be responsible

One day they would be Jesus tool, these private teachings were in preparation for that.

so we need to

Take heed to what you hear

Jesus charged them to take heed (Mk4:24)

By the standard, the measure, what is your measuring stick?

by that you will be measured

Jesus stressed the importance of hearing and heeding (Mk4:24-25)

Notice the elements noted in (Mk4:24-25)

Same measure used; same measure judged by

to you who hear, more will be given (word leads to more word; and responsibility of the Word)

Whoever has, to him more will be given

Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

(expand on this final point, Israel had everything, yet they did not have faith; and what they had, the way, the means, was going to be taken away from them)

Can see other illustration of responsibility (Mt25:15-29)

In parable of the talents, talents are given in accordance to each persons ability (Mt25:15)

Those who used them, were given more (Mt25:20-23)

To the one with one; who did not utilize, did not use, even the one was taken away (Mt25:24-28)

Jesus is telling his disciples, and us, through the Word that we are responsible for the light or knowledge we have received.

Also, the word “hear” used in this passage carries the meaning of “to act upon” Jesus was telling them, and us to pay attention to what we hear and beware how we act upon it.

The measure

(insert illustration of butcher and baker) the baker felt he was being cheated for the measure was less then the pound he gave to the butcher, but the butcher had no scale only a measure and balanced the meat and the bread along side each other and gave according to the measure given.

The religious leaders, what were they measuring by?

They were using the law, and by the law they were going to be judged, but the law really pointed to Jesus didn’t it?

In stead of seeing and inviting people to come to Jesus, to the truth they were detouring people from Him and trying to destroy Him.

What they had, was going to be taken away.

Take Heed

Jesus words were to prepare and to motivate His disciples for their future service after Pentecost.

For us we can reflect back, we can learn and apply today.

What was hidden has now been made known

Things that were hidden (spoken in private) were made known after resurrection.

Though not until Pentecost did the disciples understand, they would come to understand that the mystery was the church and they were going to be God’s instrument, God’s gift to the church.

The Spirit was given to reveal all truth and to lead apostles (Jn16:12-13)

To proclaim the gospel, to reveal the mystery, Jesus and the Church they were going to need to remember everything esus taught them.

They were going to need to be guided.

They were commission to proclaim the gospel (Mt28:19-20; MK16:15)

The commission was given, but not executed until they were released after being equipped with the Spirit.

We know that they, the disciples, including Paul were faithful to the charge, to the commission given.

They were faithful to their charge (Act20:27)

Or in other version it says

The whole purpose, the whole counsel, that which was previously hidden was revealed.

That what was hidden, the mystery, was revealed (Rom16:25-26; also can see Eph3:3-5; Eph3:8-9)

As we hold the N.T. in our hands that is revelation of the things taught in the O.T. that which was hidden has fully been made known, or can be known by all.

So, Take heed to what you hear

The same thing in the O.T. as in the N.T. as to us, still holds true, apply what you know!

So be careful to what you are listening too.

Importance of listening, and listening carefully

To be blessed (Mt13:16-17)

To have faith (Rom1:16-17)

To bear fruit (Lk8:15)

How do you bear fruit?

By perseverance, so what is that?

APPLICATION

To prevent apostasy (Heb2:1-3)

To avoid condemnation (Mt10:14-15)

Mt10:14-15

For those who are willing to give careful heed to the Word of god will be richly blessed!