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The Pilgrim Path (5-13-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---Mark's Gospel 4: 21-25 (5--13--20)

And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with what measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

---v.21---Seen---"This little light of mine"---well, we hope its gotten larger over time. As we live, we want to be a light for the Lord Jesus Christ. We will be godly souls in our endeavors---but eventually---we will have to attach the Word of God to our witness. It need not be some lengthy sermon. Just clear representation of the truth. The Holy Spirit is the One who actually applies the truth to the hearts of hearers---but we do need to speak it. Our life that we "live" merely provides the platform for the Word to be spoken in love. From A. E. Denning: "The youngest disciple is to shine for the guidance of others. The rays of one little lamp, piercing through miles of gloom, have saved noble ships from destruction, with all their precious living freight." This "light of God's Word," is to have full authority in our lives---guiding our affections, keeping us in afflictions, and pointing us to Glory.

---v. 22---Secrets will be secrets--- no more. From William Hendriksen: "Men may try to cover up things, but in this they will always be unsuccessful, for God brings everything out into the open. One day whatever is now concealed will be revealed---Eccl. 12:14; Matt. 12:36; 16:27; Luke 8:17; 12: 2; Rom. 2:6; Col. 3:3; Rev. 2:23." The Lord Jesus Christ will take care of the secret "things" that belong to His people---this is grand---this is grace.

---v. 23---So Listen Up---the Lord Jesus Christ is telling the truth about the most sobering and practical matters...

---v. 24---Shouldn't you be judicious in your hearing? Measuring people wrongly is a terrible thing---be careful "how" you hear: gossip / prone to condemn too easily / to judge too severely ---"Whatever it be, the measure he gives will be the measure he gets." Hendriksen

Spurgeon on "hearing" Spiritual Truth:

---hear with discrimination---shunning false doctrine

---hear with attention / earnestly (Matt. 13:23)

---hear for yourself---with personal application

---hear to remember the truth

---hear desiring the Word will be blessed by prayer

---hear practically---obeying the Word

---v. 25---Spiritual Matters: As Ole Hendriksen says, "standing still is impossible...A person either gains or loses; he advances or declines." We take the Lord Jesus at His word---and we advance. We make proper use of our time, talents, and material resources---and live for the glory of God----even in Pandemic times.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Helen Howarth Lemmel (1864-1961)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our LORD, Pastor Jason