1. A L AMP ON A L AMP S TAND Mark 4:21-25

2. A L AMP ON A L AMP S TAND V.2 “He taught them many things by parables” What is a parable? “Cast along side” A story teaches a truth along side something familiar A picture becomes a mirror; a reflection of a truth

3. A L AMP ON A L AMP S TAND Mark 4:21-25 (NIV) (Luke 8:16-18) 21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 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.” 24 “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; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

4. A L AMP ON A L AMP S TAND I. The Parable: The Picture of the Truth II. The Mirror: The Reflection of the Truth III. The “ME” in the Mirror: The Application

5. T HE P ARABLE : T HE P ICTURE Parable One vv.21-23 Parable of the Lamp 21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 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.”

6. T HE P ARABLE : T HE P ICTURE What does this Lamp represent? 1. Jesus: “I am the light of the world” “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world” John 1:9 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed; naturally he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 8:16 (parallel passage)

7. T HE P ARABLE : T HE P ICTURE What does this Lamp represent? 1. Jesus: Light of the world 2. Christians: Light Bearers “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

8. T HE P ARABLE : T HE P ICTURE Parable two vv.24-25 Parable of the Measures (Proverbs) 24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he (Jesus) continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

9. T HE M IRROR : T HE R EFLECTION 1. Light Bearers or Reflectors Cannot “give out” without first “take in” Oil: Symbol of Holy Spirit 2. A Warning and Promise “Consider carefully what you hear…with the measure you use, it will be measured to you….even what he has will be taken…” “Use it or loose it”

10. THE MIRROR: THE REFLECTION 1. Light Bearers or Reflectors 2. A Warning and Promise 3. It is God’s will to reveal His Kingdom truth “For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.” Mark 4:22

11. T HE “ME” IN THE M IRROR : T HE APPLICATION Scriptural Truths must be Applied Personally “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shines before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:14-15