As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven… 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. 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.” Mark 4:10-12; 21-25
Our study this morning revolves around the two themes. One is the mystery of the kingdom of God, and two is the importance of really hearing what Jesus said. Now when the subject of the kingdom of God is mentioned in Scripture, it is referring to the reign or rulership of God. This mystery of the kingdom of God was brought into light in the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Light of the world and the King of the kingdom. All that Jesus taught and all the miracles that Jesus performed where manifestations of the kingdom of God on earth, as it is in heaven. However, this kingdom is only partially manifested today. It will be fully manifested in the new heavens and new earth. This once secret or hidden gospel of the kingdom is now to be openly proclaimed to every creature.
According to Mark, Jesus said take heed what you hear. According to Luke, Jesus said take heed how you hear. Have you ever heard the expression, “If you don’t use it, you lose it?” Well beloved, that expression was “stolen” from Jesus. Jesus said, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. This heeding what we hear has to deal with the principles of sowing and reaping as well as the importance of wisely stewarding what God gives unto us. How well we listen will be determined by what we sow into other peoples lives and by how wisely we steward what God has given unto us. Are you listening?
