Important Distinctions Mere knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Applied knowledge is not putting a tomato in fruit salad. Philosophy is debating if ketchup is a smoothie.
Mark 4:21-25 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 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.”
The Context Various responses to Jesus Jesus began teaching in parables Parables were used to separate the soils
The Context Jesus is explaining the parabolic method to His followers
Secrets Hidden Not “a” lamp, “the” lamp The Lamp has come What was concealed is now revealed
Mysteries and Secrets Mysteries…truth discoverable by investigation Secrets…truth that must be revealed
Mysteries and Secrets The fullness of Jesus was concealed in the Old Testament He was revealed in His birth, life, and death The kingdom was revealed through teaching
Don’t Miss This! Truth about Christ is not merely good information Truth about Christ is personally determinative
Heeding and Having Not “what” we listen to but “how” we listen to it How we listen is based on how we evaluate The end is either profit or poverty
“This…is both a promise and a warning about understanding the parables “This…is both a promise and a warning about understanding the parables. Whoever acquires some understanding and wants more will receive more.
Proper understanding will lead to accepting Jesus and entering the kingdom and to more and more blessings from God.
Those who have no interest in parables and the kingdom about which they teach will soon find themselves further from it than before they ever heard about it.” (Brooks, pg. 84)
Don’t miss the MARK To not respond to knowledge is a rejection of that knowledge Truth not utilized will eventually be truth lost Jesus will once again be revealed