Candlestick Christianity! Mark 4:21-23

Text: “And He, (Christ Jesus) said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed?  And not to be set on a candlestick?”

Mark 4:21.

Good morning, candlestick Christian!  Yes, you and I are called to be ‘candlestick Christians’ for Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour, for He alone has called us effectively, to be “…the Light of the world…”  Praise and all glory to His Holy and wonderful Name!

“Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16)

If the Lord God has saved us by His power of Spiritual regeneration, and Sovereign grace – it is that we should serve Him, not secretly, but as outward witnesses; the observable truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, and Him Crucified for the sins of “His people”.  Hallelujah!

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of Eternal life.”  (Titus 3:5-7)

“And you hath He quickened (made alive!), who were dead in trespasses and sins…But God Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)  (Ephesians 2:1-6)

Can you and I imagine trying to HIDE the miracle of Christ, evidenced by so many, in the raising of Lazarus from the dead?  Never!  It just could not be done.  (John 11:1-45) 

However, we might, perhaps, be surprised to see so many professing Christians today, in this increasingly apostate 21^st Century, professing to have been given Spiritual life by Christ, yet seeking desperately to hide their profession of faith from the eyes of those they meet day by day!  It is as though they are quite ashamed of the Christ Who has saved them, and most reluctant to reveal what He has done for them on that cruel Cross at Calvary!

Heed the clear warning of Scripture, fellow professing Christian, take heed today!

“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him/her will I confess also before My Father which is in Heaven.  But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him/her will I also deny before My Father which is in Heaven.”  (Matthew 10:32-33)

“For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man/woman hath ears to hear, let him/her hear.” (V.23)

“It is no secret what God can do; what He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.”  (It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) is a Southern Gospel song composed by Stuart Hamblen in the 1950s. It's been recorded by famous artists such as Billy Kenny of the Ink Spots, Elvis Presley, Jo Stafford and Jim Reeves, to name a few.” (YouTube online)

‘Candlestick Christians’ are always seeking to shine the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Eternal Salvation He alone can impart, by His grace, through God-given faith.  We SEE Christ living within and in the lives of such outwardly witnessing Christians, learn that there is such an Eternal Salvation to be obtained from God, and if we be “His people”, He will begin to draw us with faith to Himself.  This is the power of ‘Candlestick Christianity’.  Praise God for His matchless grace!  (Ephesians 2:8-10) (Matthew 11:28-30)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“We learn from these verses, that we ought not only to receive knowledge, but to impart it to others.

“A candle is not lighted in order to be hidden and concealed, but to be set on a candlestick and used. Re­ligious light is not given to a man for himself alone, but for the benefit of others. We are to try to spread and diffuse our knowledge. We are to display to others the precious treasure that we have found, and persuade them to seek it for themselves. We are to tell them of the good news that we have heard, and endeavour to make them believe it and value it themselves.

“We shall all have to give account of our use of know­ledge one day. The books of God in the day of judg­ment will show what we have done. If we have buried our talent in the earth, —if we have been content with a lazy, idle, do-nothing Christianity, and cared nothing what happened to others, so long as we went to heaven ourselves, —there will be a fearful exposure at last: “There is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested.”

“It becomes all Christians to lay these things to heart. It is high time that the old tradition, that the clergy alone ought to teach and spread religious knowledge, should be exploded and cast aside for ever. To do good and diffuse light is a duty for which all members of Christ’s Church are responsible, whether ministers or laymen.  Neighbours ought to tell neighbours, if they have found an unfailing remedy in time of plague.

“Christians ought to tell others that they have found medicine for their souls, if they see them ignorant, and dying for want of it. What saith the apostle Peter? “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another.” (1 Peter 4:10) They will be happy days for the Church when that text is obeyed.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

Thought:  If you and I have found Eternal forgiveness of sins, and Eternal life in Christ and through the shedding of His sinless and precious Blood – we must seek to be ‘Candlestick Christians’ and spread Christ’s Light to all the nations still in Spiritual darkness and fear.

The Parable of the Sower Mark 4:1-20

Text: “And He spake many things unto them in parables (earthly stories, with Heavenly meanings), saying, Behold, a Sower went forth to sow…”                                                          Matthew 13:3.                                                                                                                

Good morning, attentive Christian!  Because your very heart (entire essence of being) has been quickened by God the Spirit - to receive Spiritual life and know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord – you have learned the value of attentive listening and reading of Christ’s teachings, as revealed in the Spirit-inspired Word of the Living Lord God Jehovah.

The King James Version Bible (1611) has become oh so precious to you and to me, that we just cannot get enough of what is contained within each Eternally priceless page of this great book of books.  Not a day passes, when you and I can’t be found humbled before God’s throne of grace, praying His revealed Word into our all too feeble human hearts.  Such a privilege we have in owning an open Bible! 

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path…Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”       (Psalm 119:105-112)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“The chapter in which these verses begin is remarkable for the number of parables which it contains. Seven striking illustrations of spiritual truth are here drawn by the great Head of the Church from the book of nature. By so doing He shows us that religious teaching may draw helps from everything in creation. Those that would “find out acceptable words,” should not forget this. (Ecclesiastes 12:10)” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

“The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from ONE SHEPHERD.”  (Ecclesiastes 12:10-11)

The Parable of the Sower:  Christ’s Heavenly teaching in this parable is unique, in that the reality of the lessons taught, can be clearly seen by every preacher/Bible Teacher or Christian Evangelist today, in this increasingly apostate 21^st Century.  Check out Christ’s wisdom:

Seeds ‘by the wayside’: The first seeds sown in Christ’s parable are seeds that “…fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.”   (V.4)  

Using our sanctified imagination, we can deduce the reason that these seeds did not flourish, grow, and become fruitful to the greater glory of the great Sower, Christ Jesus.  Jesus teaches us that He is “…the WAY, the truth and the life…” (John 14:6); these seeds had a fatal fall, they heard the same Gospel message as the all the other seeds, yet, “…fell by the wayside…”, instead of becoming firmly planted in “…the Way…’, Jesus Christ. 

They prospered not, because the Lord God never gave them His gracious gift of FAITH to not only receive the Seed of the Word, but to fully believe (trust) in Christ Jesus’s Atonement Sacrifice at the Cross, and be forever saved.  This seed was doomed to failure, reprobate of God’s free grace and Divine election to Salvation.  Hell opens its mouth to “…devour them up…”

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that (faith) not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Seeds on ‘Stony’ Ground:  The second type of seeds Christ speaks of, are those which, “…fell on stony ground.” (V.5)

There is nothing as pathetic today as a professing Christian, like the seed falling upon stony places; without any real depth or grounding in the Bible faith which they outwardly profess to believe. 

In this 21^st Century ‘church’ worldwide and international today – there is a much too high percentage of professing members, that have no real grounding in Bible knowledge, Spiritual regeneration; and militant service to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Their hearts remain hard as stone, and the seed of God’s Word and the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ never penetrates their hardened hearts.  When the heat of daily pressures come to such ‘professors’, it clearly reveals the absence of deep-rooted faith in Christ, and they are, “…scorched…” and quickly “…wither away…” (V.6)

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come…Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”  (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Seeds Among Thorns:  The ‘thorns’ that this seed encountered are a type of the cares of the world; the ‘politically-correct’ standards of this world; the pleasures, privileges, and riches of this world.  If the seed of God’s Word falls down into this selfish worldly environment and standards – it has no chance of taking root, for there is no place left in the heart for God’s Word to grow!   Such may indeed seek to “…spring up…” mingled with the world’s ‘thorns’ – but are very soon exposed to be what they are, bad seed, counterfeit wheat, that is quickly ‘choked’ by the evil desires of their own reprobate hearts. (V.7)

Good Ground Seeds:  Good ground seeds are seeds from God’s Word that are sown by God the Spirit, in the hearts of those souls that the Lord God has preordained will both receive it and believe it – to the saving of their never-dying souls, and Eternal life with Christ Jesus. (V.8) (Romans 10:17)

“All that the Father giveth Me (in Eternity) shall come to Me; and him/her that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”  (John 6:37)

Thought:  All such good seeds are Eternally cleansed by “…the washing of water by the Word…”; grow in grace and in knowledge of Christ Jesus; and are forever secured in service to the risen Lamb.  (Ephesians 5:25-26)  Hallelujah!

Christ Speaks of His True ‘Relations’ Mark 3:31-35

Text: “And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.”

Mark 3:34-35.

Good morning, true relation of Christ Jesus!  Our Bible passage this morning from Mark’s Gospel account reveals a profound insight into exactly who Jesus deemed would be His true close relations.

If we are Bible-believing, Spiritually regenerate Christians; if we are faithfully seeking to obey God’s command to “Study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” – then you and I are deemed to be close relations of the Living Lord Jesus Christ Himself!  Wow!  What a great honour!

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  (Romans 8:16-18)

As we learn from our Bible studies in Mark’s Gospel, Christ Jesus was contending vehemently with the ever-present scribes and Pharisees, and easily refuting their malicious allegations that He was, in fact, casting out demons, because He was in some way in league with, “…Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils…” (Mark 3:22)

While the Lord Jesus was thus engaged, surrounded by a multitude, so much that His disciples and Himself, “…could not so much as eat bread.” (V.20) – along came His “…friends…”, seeking to “…lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself.” (V.21) 

His sworn enemies levelled malicious allegations at Him while He did good by healing and casting out demons from the gathered multitude – and His human family, and “…friends…” accused Him of being off His head, “…beside Himself…”!  What a formidable, two-pronged, attack on our Holy Lord and Saviour!

He quickly vanquished His, now usual, enemies with the Divine wisdom and logic of His argument, “How can Satan cast out Satan? …No man can enter into a strong man’s house (Satan’s prison-house of souls), and spoil his goods (deliver the imprisoned souls), except He will first bind the strong man; and then He will spoil his house.”  (Mark 4:23-27)

But no sooner had the Lord Jesus subdued His traditional enemies – scribes and Pharisees – when those of His human family and family friends began to pressure Him into ceasing His earthly ministry!

“There came then His brethren and His mother, and, standing without, sent unto Him, calling Him.” (V.31)

The gathered crowd, of course, said unto Him, “Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee.” (V.32)

At this point in the proceedings the Lord Jesus made a most profound Divine revelation.  He first asked the question, so as no one would be in any doubt as to what He was actually declaring, “Who is my mother, or My brethren?”  Then, looking around about on them which sat about listening intently to Him, answered His own rhetorical question: “Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.”  (Vs.34-35)

True family relations of the Lord Jesus Christ, are those, redeemed by Him, that seek, diligently, to obediently do the will of Almighty God, as revealed in His written and fully inspired Word.  Christ came down to do the will of our Father in Heaven at all times.

“For I came down from Heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.  And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  (John 6:38-40)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“It is interesting to remark the quiet, firm perseverance of our Lord, in the face of all discouragements. None of these things moved Him. The slanderous suggestions of enemies, and the well-meant remonstrances of ignorant friends, were alike powerless to turn Him from His course. He had set His face as a flint towards the cross and the crown. He knew the work He had come into the world to do. He had a baptism to be baptized, and was straitened till it was accomplished. (Luke 12:50)

“So, let it be with all true servants of Christ. Let nothing turn them for a moment out of the narrow way, or make them stop and look back. Let them not heed the ill-natured remarks of enemies. Let them not give way to the well-intentioned but mistaken entreaties of unconverted relations and friends. Let them reply in the words of Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” (Nehemiah 6:3) Let them say, “I have taken up the cross, and I will not cast it away.”

“We learn from these verses one mighty lesson. We learn, who they are that are reckoned the relations of Jesus Christ. They are they who are His disciples, and “do the will of God.” Of such the great Head of the Church says, “the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

Thought: Jesus said: “My mother and My brethren are these which hear the Word of God and do it.”  (Luke 8:21) God’s true family relations all seek to do God’s will!