You are the Lamp!

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

According to Mark

The Parable of the Lamp

Mark 4:21-25 

This parable picks up where the Parable of the Soils ends. The soil is the human heart. The seed is God’s Word - the Seed is the Gospel. 

The Bible says it is obvious who is saved and who is not. And we were saved to serve God and do good works.

Malachi 3:18, Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:14

• The Parable (v. 21)

Truth is objective. What is true - is true. It’s not whether or not it’s “true to me” or “true for you....”

Truth doesn’t depend on my acceptance of it to be true. 

As disciples of Jesus Christ - the truth is essential to us. Disciples are learners. 

And if we are learners, what are we learning?

• We’re learning the truth. The Word of God. 

Truth is determined by God. The One who does not change. The only One where Truth is ultimately found. 

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. 

We would not know truth if it weren’t for the Word of God, The Bible (John MacArthur).

• The greatest measure of your spiritual life is this: what is your relationship to God’s Word?

This parable is really an amplification and explanation of verse 20 – those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” 

• This is the beginning of the Great Commission (a sort of “Pre-Great Commission)

So Jesus asks a question - is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? Getting a lamp going wasn’t quite as easy as flipping a light switch, but without it, your home was dark. It was necessary. The lamp had a very specific purpose.

There’s a lot of work that goes into getting this light going. 

Nobody is going to go to all that work and then hide it. 

Putting it under the basket is counter productive. It is, in fact, the opposite of what you’re supposed to do. 

• The purpose of the lamp is to give light to the room. 

You are the lamp. I am the lamp. The lamp is every true disciple of Jesus Christ.

We have the light in us. The light of the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The truth of the Gospel. 

This is the light. The Word. The Truth. The Gospel. 

The purpose of a lamp is to give light to the room. As believers we are to glorify God and proclaim His Truth to the whole world. To broadcast His truth. To shine His truth. 

No one in their right mind is going to light a lamp and hide it. How ridiculous is that? And it’s not just “don’t hide it” - but “put it in the best spot” In fact, it wouldn’t even occur to you to hide it. That defeats the whole point. 

• Because of Christ we’re not under God’s Wrath

We have been forgiven

We have been adopted

We have been made His children. 

We have been chosen as disciples. 

What we do is give light. Up on a lampstand for all to see. To give light to as much as possible.

It just doesn’t make sense, it’s not logical, it doesn’t calculate, it doesn’t compute:

...That a believer isn’t sharing the Gospel. Isn’t shining forth the light of the Gospel. 

Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ 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. 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 who is in heaven. 

Our responsibility, our privilege, our joy is to shine as much light. To shine the Gospel. To sow seed. As far and wide as we possibly can.

• The Point (v. 22)

• The Gospel is not meant to be hidden.

Your responsibility is to shine the light and get the word out. 

God will bring the growth.

We understand hide now - reveal later. My wife got me a birthday present recently (a coffee bean roaster and what a great gift it was - but that’s a story for another time) - she went to great lengths to conceal it from me until the right time. And she was excited to bring it out on my birthday. 

The Gospel was at one time hidden. Now it is to be revealed and shared with as many people as possible. 

• Hear and Obey (v. 23)

Jesus says “if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” quite a few times. Over a dozen times. 

He’s saying: “Are you listening. Are you paying attention? Did you hear what I just said to you? I want to make sure you weren’t distracted. I want to make sure you didn’t zone out for a minute and miss this.”

• If you hear and don’t obey - you didn’t really hear
Steve Lawson says this: If you leave here and don’t step out into the dark world and let your light shine in every imaginable way, then you did not hear what Jesus just said

• What and How (v. 24)

“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.

There are two issues here

1. What you listen to

You need to be careful what and who you listen to. Be careful who’s teaching you listen to.

Be careful what books/magazines/blogs/etc. you read. Be careful what music you listen to. 

Are you placing yourself under the teaching of sound doctrine? Then there is more oil being poured into your lamp. Are you placing yourself under false teaching? (such as Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, TBN & other “prosperity gospel” teachers? Click here for a great post on False Teachers) If so, it’s taking oil out of your lamp.

It really does matter where you go to church and whose teaching you listen to.

2. How you listen

The degree to which you listen to and pursue the truth - opening your ears and heart – engaging in learning... to that same degree you will benefit from it. 

• Are you really engaged? 

Are you someone who doesn’t want to come... I’m here, but only because I was “dragged” here by ____.

Or The person who just can’t get enough... “I just have to get more. Can’t intake it fast enough.”

At the beginning of our worship services we put on the screen:

• “Prepare your heart for worship”

How are you preparing your heart for worship?

Let’s get real practical for a minute. 

What are you doing to be prepared for our corporate worship gathering?

How are you preparing your heart?

Preparing for Sunday morning starts Saturday night. Are you constantly staying up late? Are you so exhausted that you can’t focus?

When you’re here, are you here. Is your Bible ready? Note sheet and pen?

Are you reading the passage that will be preached on Sunday?

“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.

When you’re engaged, striving to grow spiritually, you will grow.

Three words that are very helpful in this area

• Discipline – we all need to be more disciplined. Show up early, etc.

• Effort – it’s not just going to happen. You’ll have to put forth effort

• Intentionality – discipline and effort must be done for a specific purpose.

Be intentional about what you’re doing. Aim for sanctification. 

1 Peter 1:13-16 – Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵ but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

• The goal is sanctification. 

I fully agree with John Piper when he says “Sanctification is a group project.” It’s something we do together.

Our church’s purpose statement is: Worshiping Jesus, Following Jesus, Sharing Jesus...TOGETHER!

• A Promise, a Warning (v. 25)

This is the underlying principle. 

• You’re either moving forward or backward in the Christian life. 

There is no standing still. 

For the one who has (The one who has Christ.)

more will be given (If you are in Christ - you will go to heaven. More will be given.)

And that is a wonderful, glorious truth. 

and from the one who has not (The one who is not in Christ, who has not repented)

even what he has will be taken away

This is the truth. 

Acts 17:30-31 – The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness

The one who has - who has Christ. He or she will get heaven. 

The one who has not - what you have now - what you have here on this earth will be taken away and you will be forever lost in hell eternally. There will be wrath and judgement and punishment. 

The wonderful, glorious message of salvation has been given to us to shine forth for everyone to see.

It just doesn’t make any sense that we wouldn’t do this. That we’d hide it under a basket instead of telling everyone we possibly can. 

Reflection & Application Questions:

• Are you sharing the Gospel?

If you know enough about the Gospel to be saved, you know enough to start sharing the Gospel. You do need to strive to know more, but you can start right now. If you don’t know enough about the Gospel to share with others, you probably don’t know enough to be saved. 

Why aren’t you sharing the Gospel? It really doesn’t make sense.

• What are you hearing?

You’re filling your mind and heart with things every day. What are you filling it with? God’s Word? Gospel-saturated music? Solid, biblical teaching? Because when you’re listening to the right things, still more will be added to you. That’s exciting! (If you’re wondering about someone you listen to, ask)

• Do you have ears? Will you hear?

We have so much access to the truth. Most of us have more access to the truth than almost all of history and more than so many in the world today. We must be intentional to hear truth and respond. What is your response to God’s Word?

There really should be only two possible responses

1. Take it - be obedient - go out and shine the light. Share the Gospel.

2. Repent and turn to Christ - repent and believe in the Gospel.

or:

3. Continue in unbelief. 

My hope and prayer is that your response would be one of the first two. 

What is The Unforgivable Sin?

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

According to Mark

The Unforgivable Sin

Mark 3:20-35 (28-30) 

(To view the entire message on Fellowship's Vimeo page, click here.)

This section of Mark is described by many commentators as a “Markan Sandwich.” Mark sometimes sandwiches a specific teaching or truth inside another story or context. That’s what he’s done in this passage. Here, verses 20-21 form one side and verses 31-35 form the other. Verses 22-30 form the center of the sandwich and this week’s sermon focused on verses 28-30, the central truth of this passage. 

Remember: One of the themes in Mark is what it looks like to be a disciple.

Discipleship depends on: 

• Being with Jesus

and 

• Doing His will

• A Serious Statement

²⁸ “Truly, I say to you,

Here in Mark - this is the first time we see it.

• It always introduces something very important.

This is an AMEN! Truth.

Typically, this would come after a statement of importance, much like when a preacher says something you like and you say “AMEN!” in response. Here, Jesus turns it around and introduces what He’s about to say this way. This happens 75 times in the Gospel. 13 in Mark. It’s only found in the Gospels, it’s only seen on the lips of Jesus, and this is the first time we see this in the Gospel of Mark.

He’s going to tell them two things. And that’s the core of this passage. These two things.

The second thing, while it’s certainly the primary point of this passage, shouldn’t eclipse the first point.

The first point is simply that God forgives. 

This is not universal salvation - 

That God is willing to forgive us at all is truly amazing.

• What is Forgiveness?

all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter

The root word is “to send away” - it’s intensified here the way it’s used.

• Forgiveness is the complete cancellation of the punishment that you rightfully deserve from a holy God whom you have sinned against. 

This is the heart of the gospel. Don’t miss this.

• There is no record in Scripture of anyone asking forgiveness and being denied it.

• The Unforgivable Sin

but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— ³⁰ for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

• It is the Spirit’s task to convict men of sin and reveal to them the gospel. To reveal Christ

In the midst of this beautiful forgiveness - there is an exception.

There’s an irony here that it was those who were so focused on defining what sin is - and who debated what sins are forgivable and which are not - they themselves were the ones guilty of the unpardonable sin. 

The scribes were rejecting God.

1.What the Unforgivable Sin Is Not

• It’s not just a “Time of Jesus” thing

If the forgiveness of Verse 28 broadly applies across time, then Verse 29 does too. 

• It’s not generic unbelief.

In this day, there was much unbelief. This addresses some within the crowd who have had a full disclosure of gospel truths and rejected it in a specific way. This is a specific sin.

• It’s not committed by a true Believer

Hebrews 6:4-6 is about someone not truly saved. A true Believer will not lose His salvation and will not “fall away.”

• It’s not a specific “huge” sin

We see many “huge” sins in Scripture (murder, adultery, etc.) - and they’re forgiven.

• It’s not denying you know Him

Peter did this and he was forgiven

• It’s not casual or unknowing

Blasphemy by its definition isn’t casual. Blasphemy is intentional. You’ll know you’re doing it.

2. What the Unforgivable Sin is

• It’s intentional rejection

Hebrews 6:4-8 – Turn to this passage and read it.

This is just a quick overview (Thanks to Steve Lawson for this helpful overview)

1. Enlightened

The HS brings clear understanding. The details are clear. You understand what the Gospel is.

2. Tasted (the gift and the Word)

There’s a huge difference between tasting and swallowing. 

3. Shared (in the Holy Spirit)

It’s not “in dwelt.” Just that you’ve come under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

God’s Word is living and active and powerful and convicting.

You’ve shared in this, but His Spirit hasn’t in dwelt you. You’re not a Christian.

4. Fallen Away

You heard it clearly. It was proclaimed faithfully. 

Gospel Truth was shared with power and clarity. 

Yet - it was not swallowed. It was not believed as described in Romans 10:9-10

5. Crucified Again?

Your conclusion - Jesus should have been crucified. They were right to do this.

In your heart - right now you would - “crucify Him” all over again

6. Land

A reference to the heart

7. Rain

God’s Word (see Isaiah 55:10-11)

8. Thorns and Thistles

Close to being cursed - a step away from hell. It will end up being burned

This is someone who has heard the Gospel.

They have  been there. They know it’s true.

But they don’t want it.

It’s a serious thing to hear the truth of the Word of God.

Even more serious to hear it then reject it.

• It’s a Reversal of the Truth

It looks back to the charge in v. 22

They called the work of the Spirit of God a work of Satan This is a serious thing.

His Word isn’t to be taken lightly. It’s a serious thing.  We should take it seriously. 

This Unforgivable Sin is a serious thing. In fact - all sin is serious.

• It’s a pattern

It’s not a single act, a single statement, or a single thought.

Their hearts were being hardened.

Those who knew the Scriptures the best. Those who should have been the first to get it.
 They didn't get it at all. Those who should have been least likely to respond, came to Jesus for forgiveness. 

The Scribes had hardening hearts

The Sinners sought forgiveness

You’ve may have heard this:

• The same sun that melts the snow hardens the clay...

J.C. Ryle calls it:

• The sin of deliberately rejecting God’s truth with the heart while that truth is clearly known in the head.

It’s putting yourself far above God. It’s blatant, ongoing, all encompassing idolatry of self.

3. The Results

See: John 12:37-40, Romans 11:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, Romans 9:17-18, Romans 18:1-218

Again - J.C. Ryle says: Let us pray that we may be delivered from this.

Here are my Questions for You:

• Do you understand the seriousness of God’s Word?

Read Hebrews 4:12 

When God speaks - it’s serious. It should never be taken lightly.

Think twice before you say God “told you” to do something other than what you read in Scripture.

When you read God’s Word - you will find what He has told you to do. Now do it!

• Do you “Get” forgiveness?
Do you really understand what it means to be forgiven? Believers should study this. 

• Are you comforted, or afflicted?

John MacArthur says that this passage should “Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.”

Those that are the most entrenched in the “church” culture are the ones that should look at their lives the most closely. 

Every true believer in Christ will say “Jesus is Lord”

And they will say it not only their lips, but with their whole lives.

If you are worried that you have committed the Unforgivable Sin, you probably haven’t.

Remember: Mark wants us to see what it looks like to be a true believer.

The Bottom line of being a disciple is this:

• Be with Christ

• Obey Christ