Spreading Spiritual Knowledge (Part A)

What goes into making a PowerPoint how much ion war is necessary is to steal what about the aggregate in the sand and the cement to make the concrete in the gasoline to get the trucks there. The tires are brought out all these things there is resources being spent to give life that is the case with us were going to give light to those in darkness that were going to bring spiritual knowledge of Christ to others is going to cost us something we going to have to spend ourselves. Most gladly is it for me to be spent for you. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston.

Ricky is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Mark, please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching, but for now let's join Pastor Rick in Mark chapter 4 as he begins his message spreading spiritual knowledge. We are in the gospel according to Mark chapter 4 verses 21 through 34.

Also, he said to them, is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed.

Is it not to be set on a lampstand, for there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed more. Has anything been kept secret, but that it should come to light.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Then he said to them, take heed what you hear with the same measure you use it, it will be measured to you and to you who hear, more will be given for whoever has, to him more will be given, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him and he said the kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground and should sleep by night and rise by day and the seed should sprout and grow himself does not know how the earth yields crops by itself.

First the blade, then the head after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come, then he said, what shall we liken the kingdom of God over with what parable shall we picture it is like a mustard seed, which when it is sown on the ground is smaller than all seeds of the earth. But when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade and with many such parables, he spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it, but without a parable he did not speak to them and when they were alone. He explained all things to his disciples, the desire to pause and comment.

The desire to write notes while I'm reading is sometimes over overpowering spreading spiritual knowledge. That's the title of this morning's consideration and will go right to verse 21. Also he said to them, is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed is not to be set on a lampstand spiritual light. Of course, and he's giving us some do's and don'ts concerning shining the light of knowledge about God.

That's what our consideration is so he begins his lesson with a question and it is soon over and old you put light bulbs in just so you can hide them is that make any sense. Of course of the audience would be in total agreement with where this is going in a lamp that actually really it's remarkable when you when you think about it. Remarkable tool for overcoming darkness.

It does not do it without cost to itself in other words, it does cost something like to give light resources are spent. It gives of itself.

In this case he speaking of a lamp that would be one of those say a clay pot. For example, the oil and twisted flax wick on top and liquid that oil would be spent in the wake would be spent in gives of itself to produce light candle is consumed.

To this day, power plants, exists, spending resources, what goes into making a PowerPoint how much ion order is necessary to produce the steal. What about the aggregate in the sand and the cement to make the concrete in the gasoline to get the trucks there.

The tires are brought out all these things there is resources being spent to give life that is the case with us were going to give light to those in darkness if we going to bring spiritual knowledge of Christ to others is going to cost us something we going to have to spend ourselves posted on most gladly is it for me to be spent for you.

I need to pause here and say only reaching your family with the gospel really is not good enough. There are so many souls in darkness that can benefit from the light of Jesus Christ in an individual life, and hell knows it. And hell will do anything it can do to snuff out the dam to block that light there be people beyond these walls in need of the gospel in need of some times they already have the gospel, but it is askew and they need us to tap into place. Maybe by just a friendship and a smile. No kindness to them.

Created life. Of course, on the on the other hand, uncreated light of the spoke about created light now uncreated light that's a different story that is divine light.

That light is not consumed comes from God.

Revelation 21 verse 23.

Speaking of that place where we are going, we who love the Lord Jesus Christ. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it for the glory of God illuminated. Then he says the Lamb is its light is pretty powerful. The Lamb is Jesus Christ. How do you stop believing that he or how do you not believe that he is God the son with what the Scripture has to say about him. That's why those who deny him as being divine will stand an answer for that denial regardless of how many other parts of Scripture. They cherish if they deny who he clearly has expressed himself to be. I wouldn't want to be them. Revelation 22 verse five. There shall be no light there. Of course with the Lord.

After this life and the spiritual realm they need no lamp nor light of the sun for the Lord gives them light and they shall reign forever and ever. So there's a contrast between created light that spends its resources uses its energy spends itself to bring light into dark places and then there is of course that uncreated light that Harry mentions is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed. They speak of our possessions. The basket does the bed hour comforts our possessions in our conference can snuff out the light. Our light, our individual ability to share Christ. The distribution of the light of the Lord that he gives us that supposed to be put on a lampstand, not under our possessions and not snuffed out because of our comforts pulses this to the Romans he speaking about this distribution of light in his giving of the gospel, which he spent himself on as I said in mighty signs and wonders by the power of the spirit of God so that from Jerusalem and roundabout to elect William. I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. So I have made it my aim to preach the gospel now in Christ was named Les.

I should build another man's foundation is all about taking the knowledge of Christ that he is been given and putting it on a lampstand, wherever he is, because the world without that has no light, no spiritual light not from heaven. He says here in verse 21 is it not to be set on a lampstand is very simple question. It is to be place where people can see it. That's the purpose can to hoard the gospel is to not have the gospel Harry hindsight, a preacher from lowering almost 78 years ago he was Harry hindsight, it said one of the marks of being born again paraphrasing is the seal to spread the gospel question my semi-say what you got this desire to share Jesus Christ because you care about the other person. I think that is evidence that the Holy Spirit is there also in you inside of you regardless of what little mistakes you make of God as it would send you commit you again you did. Satan will magnify your sin in front of you to keep you from serving all I like to serve in the children's ministry.

I like to be a not sure I like the servant but you know I'm just struggling here.

We are always going to be struggling here part of the curse in this life.

Of course there are certain sins that are over the top and they have to be dealt with but on average we all struggle with something I struggle with being so handsome all the time. Such a curse and a blessing. Such a goofy world we live in.

What would we do without humor we all be like Mr. Spock 20 years and all but I well back to this, many people they hate and they resent the light of Jesus Christ in this world they live in no wise softens other women know why sometimes they do sometimes they don't.

However, there are others that will be drawn to this light and those are the ones that we will spend ourselves on most of the ones that the Lord will bring to us. So let's not help those who want to put the light of Christ out.

Let us do this. God would want us to do remaining in Christ means sharing the light light itself is a miracle you really cannot explain it. You cannot make light dirty. It is something that we as lamp bearers, except and are eager to be distributors of spiritual darkness is a tragedy.

It should not be in darkness needs no help. Does it not Satan will contribute to it to protect it. Second Corinthians 4.

Speaking of that bad breath devil whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe this, the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ was in the image of God, should shine on it, the light off me. I don't want a people who come the force to come. The church maybe for whatever reason they want to hear what I can't wait to get out conviction of the spirit upon them, the righteous are drinking it. NCS is true the 10 Commandments are true or not is true I can do it, but so is the mercy of God, so is the kindness of God, so is this insistence of God to love me to hold me and to use me to spend me. We admire when generals win wars having since so many young men to their deaths about when Christ is our general sends us off to be spent in death spending oneself to give others like John chapter 9 Jesus said as long as I am in the world I am the light of the world. Then he said Matthew 514 you are the light of the world city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden unless they take those lights and cover them with their possessions and their comfort stamp baskets in their beds I think was Alexander McLaren another St. when I say these guys from 78 years by me. That's when he died.

Old guys on McLaren in the days of wailings, tall ships. He said if you put a basket or abet on the light. It's adding a put that light out or set that thing on fire and that's what the martyrs have done they put baskets and lights on them to snuff them out and they set things ablaze and we admire them for that.

Verse 22.

Now, for there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret, but that it should come to light in on the law of the leper 10 times in Leviticus 13 we hear the phrase deeper than the skin. While this verse is deeper than the surface of superficial meaning. This is going deeper, not me. All things come to light panel there certain areas you don't want to come to life is what we were close is why you know the doors on bathrooms but did not everything in that sense, but in the deeper sense in the spiritual sense. In verse 23 will he says if you have an ear to hear. You understand what I'm saying that he's teasing makes that statement men without Christ tend to love darkness in this world and this life in some form they want to bypass accountability to a sovereign God regardless of how holy and loving. He may be a want to bypass that judgment. We on the other hand, will stand at the bema seat of Christ, saying, go ahead.

Lord land on me because we know him we know is kindness. We know he's got this thing for mercy and grace. At the same time and it is abundant beyond beyond being able to count Jesus said in John 319. This is the condemnation, this is the thing that messes you up.

He says that the light is come into the world. Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil up to no good looking to get around God to get what they want and Jesus is saying this stuff's going to be brought out the time will come, where it will come to the surface. I know we say Lord have out today. Right now God doesn't ignore us just doesn't do what we say this very simple and so Romans chapter 2 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel says Paul, Christ is the judge is the righteous judge I charge you Timothy to preach the word and he says of the coming of the righteous judge. Jesus Christ is sure to happen. Hebrews 413. There is no creature hidden from the site, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. He also says there that God is in Christ, a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. So this no is no hiding and for those who believe that just makes Jesus even sweeter because he's not, you know, again, David was contrast, Solomon and David take Solomon first Solomon just never really caught it that God was more than King David did. David understood the mercy of the Lord is by your affliction you reflected me and I've gotten stronger, and I thank you for these things I needed that so that hundred 19 song just read through it and you hear the voice of one who understands not not only understands God, but can't wait to love on God. With each verse Solomon just never arrived at that understanding. He's again he saw the sovereignty of God.

Not much more than that. Where is David saw the sovereignty of God, but he saw the mercy and kindness and so God is taking David's life and he says look at this guy look at this almost the sweet psalmist of Israel, look what he did wrong. How dare you, says the preacher, then think that somehow your wrongs are going to disqualify you. They will if you if you do not avail yourself of his mercy. But if you come to his throne you to condense before the ark with all your mind. Verse 23. If anyone has ears to hear, let him here so there's a challenge and warning. Pay attention. That's what he is saying he again is a repeat what we said last session when he makes these statements, he sang, I think you're smart enough to get it. Would you like me to say I think you're too stupid to understand it crisis. I will not say that I think you do get that's one of the judgments on those who reject him because they got it and they rejected him. Nonetheless, as with the problem with the Pharisees.

They couldn't deny his miracle.

He could not deny his teachings and could not deny his morality, but they rather have the things of the world and him so they understood in Christ, the Christ reject is refused to Mark's gospel chapter 4 looking back a few verses so that seeing they may see and not perceive and hearing they may hear and not understand lest they should turn in their sins be forgiven them. Now who in their right spiritual mind would hear that and say all I don't want my sins forgiven. So I'm not turning no one's vestibule watching Christ do these things, you know I'm I'm on board. I'm with you. Peter tried he tried to signal God depart for me, for you are a holy man in Jesus once again happy to come and follow me. Still does these things because he is the same yesterday today and forever remember that for those of you who think that the culture changes Christ. If Christ does not change the culture that culture is doomed and the world they don't want to hear Jesus.

He uses the words of Isaiah to say sinful people want to be blind in the face of the evidences I give them because their deeds are evil. This is the condemnation, that is common to the world. Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. God's word is not caving to those in conflict with his demands. If you say well I really like stealing things from people because I can still tell you all let me change the law because the cultural wants the law change.

Everybody wants to steal if all the menaces of crows picture grotesque but it makes the point development wanted to start wearing lipstick.

Don't expect Christ to be on board with you, but the cultures doing it the head all dealt with this. He talks about the effeminate man in Corinthians that were watching around current dress like women. He said don't do that doesn't hate them for what he does.

Not caving to what they're doing, not for one moment culture dictates morality, then who needs God what is God then become look up to you what got you do. Like I say and stay out of my face.

That's what they do when they come along and say the Bible is no longer relevant. When the Bible condemns murder. It's for those people back then we today are more sophisticated.

We drink from Pacino's outside roundtables made of metal so culture tries to make God's morals obsolete. How convenient for Satan. Satan just asked him one casts yes. Tell them it's no longer a sin to do that because we figured out better things. Didn't God and if they don't like it, to get angry at the preacher. I never understood that. I never understood the value of killing the messenger. The message remains unique take is like the message still that the conviction still the guilt you're still guilty you still going to stand before him got to Galway.

Exodus 32 is an example of the culture telling the righteous that God's law no longer counts its obsolete. Exodus 3219. This is when Moses is up on the mountain with God and the people down in the valley.

They decide, as with as Moses we do not know how about you Aron, take this gold earrings and such and make for us something to worship that we can see so now they're creating God in the image that they want God created it. Moses comes down he sees this and so it was as soon as he came near the He saw the calf and the dancing Moses anger became hot and horny.

Moses got me kill the guy wants her just not listening to going to come on guys, don't fight in Gil's guy anyway is pretty mad because the people were just dancing away with their idea of God because God's revelation did not count. God is the same yesterday today and forever. Do you know why this is nothing wrong with him. There's nothing to change this, nothing to adjust and any any development that there is in our relationship to him is been mapped out in Scripture for us is a path we see the progression from what we call Old Testament law to New Testament grace because it's been mapped out for us and we work within the confines of that and it's good enough, and if you say is not good enough for you just remembers good enough for a lot of others. You have no excuse. So God's word was to change with mankind send and his commandments would be a joke in this is the thing about his commandments is light from benefit the frosts not for him. God's not going to wake up the sleeper, slumber, breathing awake us and I really feel good today for the doing what I want them to do a better God today that I was yesterday when they weren't doing doing it like it believe this is a marvelous God's going to be God no matter what people do is for us when he says don't steal.

Don't gossip, don't do these things is for us to have a better life so that we can have those from Pacino roundtables outside so the consequence Isaiah is is trying to reach his own people to similar donkeys know their master and you can you don't know your God, what, what's wrong with this.

So one point he says you know what you praying in the hell you just marching in the hell with the band.

Isaiah chapter 5 verse 14. Therefore, she old has enlarged itself and opened its mouth beyond measure.

The picture is a picture of a snake swallowing its prey releases their glory and their multitude and their pomp and he who is jubilant shall descend into happy going to help this the pages and is what is wrong with you people might yet this parade in you being devoured. Why do you hate God's word. What is so bad about what God has to say to you. Thanks for tuning in to cross reference radio for this study in the book of Mark cross reference radio is the teaching ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia to learn more information about this ministry. Visit our website cross reference radio.com once you're there you will find additional teachings from Pastor Rick. We encourage you to subscribe to our podcast. When you subscribe will be notified of each new edition of cross reference radio. You can search for cross reference radio on your favorite podcast app that's all we have time for today, but we hope you'll join us next time.

As Pastor Rick continues to teach through the book of Mark Rocky on cross reference radio