The Core Concept of Christianity #
Mark 4:21-
Introduction
Within Mark chapter 4, the phrase “kingdom of God” used three times. It is prominent in this chapter. It is used before this in Mark 1:14-15
Mark 1:14 ¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
I believe the kingdom of God to be two things. 1. It is clearly a spiritual kingdom that is established through the preaching of salvation. 2. It is a physical kingdom that will be established in the future.
Last time in the beginning of Mark 4, we looked at the seed being sown, the Sower, the Soil, and the Saboteur. Jesus moves on in these next verse, and really addresses the Core Concept of Christianity! Salvation is not merely being saved from hell! There is much more to our salvation than being a fire escape. It is a life that we are to embrace and live. Jesus clearly shares that with us in these verses.
I. The Purpose (21-23) #
A. Purpose of a candle, or lamp? #
1. No electric, lights, were by oil lamps, or candles. #
2. Provision of light #
B. Light was not meant to be hidden! #
1. It is a waste of lamp oil, or candle to light it on fire, and then to hide it. #
2. Under a bushel, under a bed? NO – obviously! #
C. Light is intended to help you see! #
1. Your purpose for being saved is not just to go to heaven, your purpose in being saved, is to shine the light of the glorious gospel for others to see clearly the way of salvation! #
Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
D. We don’t need undercover Christians! (22) #
E. Be a doer of the Word! (23) #
- Too many people hear the preaching of the word of God, but don’t practice!
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
II. The Proportion (24-25) #
A. Hear (24) #
B. Heed! (24) “take heed” #
C. Have (25a) #
D. Have nots (25b) #
III. The Produce (26-29, 30-32) #
A. Individual growth (26-29) #
1. Seeds sprout #
2. Leaves form (28) #
1Pet. 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3. Fruit forms (28) #
4. Harvest time (29) #
B. Institutional growth (30-32) #
1. Small size of mustard seed #
2. Growth of mustard tree #
3. Fowls rest #
IV. Personal Instruction (33-34) #
A. Jesus takes time to teach #
B. We have the Holy Spirit who will help us! #
1Cor. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.