Mark 4:21-34

22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Mark 4: “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you–and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; who- ever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Mark 4:21-34

28 All by itself the soil produces grain–first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Mark 4:21-34

32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Mark 4: With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

What You See_ Is What You Get Mark 4:21-34 Larry Cline – Hardin Valley Church of Christ – 10/26/2014

 By Jesus’ own admission:  Some will understand  Some will NOT understand 1 The L ORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The L ORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. 2 Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. (Psalms 93:1-2 )

Is He Your King?

How do you describe things to people who cannot see?

The Intent (21-23)  So is the purpose of a parable to conceal? 21 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? 22 For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has [anything] been secret, but that it would come to light." ( Mark 4:21-22)

The Intent (21-23)  So is the purpose of a parable to conceal? 21 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? 22 For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has [anything] been secret, but that it would come to light." ( Mark 4:21-22)

With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it. (Mark 4:33 )

 The Issue (24-25) -  Word “hear” used 12 times in 1-34  “Lamp” represents hearing and understanding of spiritual truths. Light has to shine in before it can shine out.  Different hearts hear & receive the word in different ways.

19 "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. " (John 3:19-20 )

Why did He use illustrations of the Kingdom Of God?  They had their own agenda.  HARD! So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6 )

Reasons the KOG (Kingdom Of God) is so hard to understand.

1.Location is a mystery. When you think “Kingdom” you think place. 20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here [it is]!' or, 'There [it is]!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20-21 )

2.Hard to get a handle on it’s size. 3.Coming of the Kingdom is a mystery.  Already arrived? But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28 ) From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. (Matthew 11:12 )

Coming of the Kingdom is imminent. And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” ( Mark 9:1) For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. ( Colossians 1:13 )

 Kingdom is to come. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” (Matthew 25:34 )

Paul said:  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals. (I Corinthians 6:9)  Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (I Corinthians 15:50)

HOW? How can the KOG be something that has already come and something we will inherit on Judgment Day?

What are some implications of the Kingdom?  The growing seed (v )  The harvest of the Kingdom is inevitable!  The mustard seed (v )  The potential of the Kingdom is incredible.  How big?  Get ready to get startled.

Mark wrote this to beg you to catch a glimpse of the majesty of Jesus! Implications for me: 1.A true hearer will see HIS royalty. 2.A true hearer will sense HIS sovereignty.

The day is coming when only 1 Kingdom will be left! Be patient. Being prepared for the harvest… depends on your vision.

Now what should you be looking for?  Jesus answered…  “Seek first the KOG…”  What you SEE_ is what you get.

Now what should you be looking for?  Jesus answered…  “Seek first the KOG…”  What you SEEK is what you get.