WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:08.019 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:11.820 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:15.960 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:16.039 --> 00:00:21.100 We are glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.160 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:31.640 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, they don't need God's grace, 00:00:31.980 --> 00:00:38.579 and no one so bad, they can't have it, which is why we return week after week, Sunday after Sunday, 00:00:38.579 --> 00:00:42.260 to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:43.079 --> 00:00:48.700 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark, and you'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:52.659 in His life, in His death, and His resurrection. 00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:55.619 And this week, we are continuing in Mark chapter 4. 00:00:55.739 --> 00:01:01.599 We're going to be picking up in verse 21, continuing the theme of what we saw from last week. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:05.219 You'll remember we looked at the importance of hearing. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:10.099 Jesus told us about the four different types of soil that the seed fell on. 00:01:10.679 --> 00:01:17.239 This week, we're looking not at the importance of hearing, perhaps a subset of it, the urgency of hearing. 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:24.739 Not just why you listen, although we will talk about that, but why do we listen now? 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:28.539 And we're going to see two reasons as we come to this passage. 00:01:28.679 --> 00:01:31.479 First, that there's a secret that is being revealed. 00:01:31.879 --> 00:01:35.799 And second, we listen because listening is fruitful. 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:42.000 We listen because there's a secret to be revealed, and also because listening is fruitful. 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:44.759 And so with that, I invite you to turn with me to God's Word. 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:46.840 You can turn in your Bible. 00:01:47.179 --> 00:01:48.319 You can turn on your phone. 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:50.799 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:54.060 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:59.179 And God tells us that His Word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:03.640 And it is sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:09.219 And so that's why we read now together Mark 4, starting at verse 21. 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:12.000 And He said to them, 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:18.980 Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed and not on a stand? 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:23.240 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest, 00:02:23.920 --> 00:02:27.080 nor is anything secret except to come to light. 00:02:27.080 --> 00:02:30.600 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:02:31.440 --> 00:02:32.260 Verse 24. 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:34.140 And He said to them, 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:36.520 Pay attention to what you hear. 00:02:37.160 --> 00:02:39.939 With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, 00:02:40.320 --> 00:02:42.480 and still more will be added to you. 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:45.860 For to the one who has, more will be given. 00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:51.320 And from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 00:02:52.380 --> 00:02:56.060 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:02:57.080 --> 00:03:04.780 Our Father in Heaven, we come again asking you two simple things. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:07.240 We thank you. 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:10.740 First, that you've given us your Word. 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:15.420 And we come admitting, second, that we need your help. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:21.280 Unless your Spirit helps us this morning, we are dead on arrival. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:29.080 And so we ask simply for that, that you would use your Word in a powerful way among us this morning. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.139 That you would pour out your Holy Spirit. 00:03:31.819 --> 00:03:33.400 You would use it to challenge us. 00:03:33.979 --> 00:03:35.420 You'd use it to encourage us. 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:41.159 And you'd use it most of all to show us your Son and our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:45.659 We thank you that we have confidence as we ask these things. 00:03:46.279 --> 00:03:52.199 We know that you'll help because we ask them in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:52.899 Amen. 00:03:52.899 --> 00:03:53.039 Amen. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:53.099 Amen. 00:03:56.179 --> 00:04:01.680 So both of my mom's parents have been dead for a long time. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:06.979 But when they were alive and my grandmother was getting frustrated with my grandfather, 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:09.919 she would tell him, I'm not going to talk to you anymore. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:15.180 And my grandfather, in classic form every time, would respond with this, 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:19.980 is that a threat or is it a promise? 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:25.800 Now, I don't recommend saying that to your spouse. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:33.040 And the category of threat versus promise is not just a one-liner from my grandfather. 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:39.120 It is also a helpful category for us as we understand secrets. 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:43.120 In other words, there are two kinds of secrets in this world. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:46.579 There are secrets that are threats, and there are secrets that are promises. 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:48.519 There are secrets that shame. 00:04:48.819 --> 00:04:50.420 There are some that excite. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:53.500 There are secrets that you threaten people with. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:57.120 There are secrets that you promise to people. 00:04:57.420 --> 00:05:00.180 There are secrets you use to blackmail someone. 00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:03.680 There are secrets that you use to draw them in. 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:10.019 It's important for us to understand those two types of secrets as we come to this passage. 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:12.399 First of all, we have exciting secrets. 00:05:12.399 --> 00:05:17.199 These are secrets that are hidden with the purpose, the intent of being revealed. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:23.179 So I assume last month, you prepared some secrets for some people in your life. 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:27.599 You bought them a Christmas gift, and you wrapped it so that it would be hidden. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:32.039 But it was meant as a secret to excite, right? 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:37.379 There was a set time and day and hour when that secret was meant to be revealed. 00:05:37.799 --> 00:05:41.939 Same thing is true with the plots of new movies or TV shows or books. 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.719 They are kept secret, right? 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:49.360 Often by binding legal contracts so that they can be revealed on opening day. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:56.220 If you follow Disney+, you know that we were told Boba Fett is coming on December 29th. 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:58.279 The secret is kept now. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:05:59.939 Things are concealed and wrapped up. 00:05:59.939 --> 00:06:03.740 You can only guess what is to come and it will be revealed. 00:06:04.540 --> 00:06:10.139 If you have ever written a will, you probably have not shown that to many people. 00:06:11.100 --> 00:06:20.680 And you know one day we will know who it is that you have blessed with your goods and who it's been withheld from. 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:24.079 There's a time that is set for the secret to be revealed. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:27.639 So we have secrets that are exciting. 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:31.079 We also have shameful secrets. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:34.060 Secrets that are meant to be hidden forever. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:38.220 These are the sort of secrets that you blackmail someone with. 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:41.780 I'm probably going to butcher the pronunciation on this, 00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:44.939 but it's what's called the term from the Russian's Compromat. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:49.079 You gather this dirt on someone who's a politician or a businessman. 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:53.439 You know you have the folder that's necessary to blackmail them 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:57.019 and to get them to do what you want to do. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:02.139 It's just these two types of secrets in mind that we begin to understand 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:05.180 what Jesus is telling us this morning here in this passage. 00:07:05.339 --> 00:07:08.120 Verse 21, he asks this rhetorical question. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:13.819 Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed and not on a stand? 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:15.259 The answer is what? 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:17.159 Of course not. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:20.459 That defeats the purpose of the lamp. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:24.300 The whole reason the lamp exists is to bring light. 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:26.980 And then he brings it home for us in verse 22. 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:30.300 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest, 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:35.019 nor is anything secret except to come to light. 00:07:36.039 --> 00:07:37.939 And so you can track with Jesus' logic here. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:40.399 The purpose of the lamp is to bring light. 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:45.179 But the purpose of the secret is to be revealed. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:48.679 This is not a shameful secret. 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:50.279 It is an exciting secret. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:55.179 It's a secret that was set at one time to be revealed one day 00:07:55.179 --> 00:07:58.379 when the day and the hour and the time was set. 00:07:59.659 --> 00:08:01.560 And so the point is this. 00:08:01.679 --> 00:08:07.219 Jesus is telling them that he has come finally to bring new information and new revelation. 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:11.820 Jesus is revealing here what has previously been hidden. 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:14.560 The secret that he's bringing is not trivia. 00:08:15.140 --> 00:08:15.880 It is treasure. 00:08:16.020 --> 00:08:20.360 The secret that he is bringing is not a shameful secret, but an exciting one. 00:08:20.960 --> 00:08:24.860 In other words, Jesus, as he's teaching here, is saying this. 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:29.760 I have come to finally unwrap the Christmas present. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:35.860 I have finally come to turn on the lights in the room. 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:38.759 Will you show up for it? 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:42.159 Will you pay attention? 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:46.659 Will you be there when I take the wrapping paper off? 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:53.559 Will you come when you know that I'm going to turn on the lights? 00:08:53.559 --> 00:09:02.039 The secret is being revealed, and it's going to be the greatest secret that has ever been made known. 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:07.099 I'm going to invite you for a second to look with me on page five of your worship guide, 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:09.359 the same page that you have your sermon text on. 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:13.079 We have a famous quote from a theologian named B.B. Warfield. 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:16.339 I won't read the whole quote for you, but he says this. 00:09:16.340 --> 00:09:22.660 The Old Testament may be likened to a chamber richly furnished but dimly lighted. 00:09:23.780 --> 00:09:27.120 There is this room that has wonderful things in it. 00:09:27.160 --> 00:09:31.940 The problem is the light is so low you can't actually see what you're dealing with. 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:38.460 Jesus here is telling them that he has come in his ministry to finally take the dimmer switch 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:40.900 and push it all the way to the top. 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:45.080 The things that were unclear in the Old Testament are now going to be clear. 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:50.480 The questions that were unanswered in the Old Testament are now going to be answered. 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:55.780 The things that were confusing are now going to be clarified and cleared up. 00:09:56.780 --> 00:10:00.860 People in the Old Testament, and you might think even of Jesus' original audience here, 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:05.300 are like folks who are waiting for the new season of a TV show. 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:08.080 They know everything that's come before. 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:11.120 They know there are these two people who are interested in each other 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:13.080 and may or may not end up together. 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:15.920 They know there's a rivalry between two other characters, 00:10:16.040 --> 00:10:17.900 but they're not sure how it's going to resolve. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:24.300 And so they have all kinds of theories and hypotheses about how the show and the story is going to continue. 00:10:25.660 --> 00:10:28.420 And yet it's not until the secret is revealed, 00:10:28.520 --> 00:10:30.879 it's not until the new season drops, 00:10:31.040 --> 00:10:33.780 that they have all their questions answered. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:38.679 Except it's even worse than that. 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:45.419 We are used to waiting maybe a year, maybe a few years to know what's going to happen in our favorite stories. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:49.620 The people in the Old Testament have been enduring 400 years of silence. 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:56.220 It has been 400 years since God's last revelation in the Old Testament until Jesus comes in the New Testament. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:11:04.440 And so there's been all sorts of guesses and predictions about how it is that the promises of the Old Testament are going to be fulfilled. 00:11:05.420 --> 00:11:10.759 Jesus then comes to finally and fully give the ultimate reveal. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:16.740 He comes to finally clarify what has been wondered at for centuries. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:19.539 We had all these questions in the Old Testament, 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:24.700 like how are we going to answer the question of both God's holiness and his love at the same time? 00:11:24.919 --> 00:11:27.440 How are we going to resolve the paradox of the temple, 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:30.659 that God is both incredibly holy and can't be approached, 00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:33.399 and at the same time this temple, this tabernacle, 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:37.759 exists within the center of his people, representing his presence with them? 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:41.759 If you think back to our series on Advent, those same questions appear. 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:44.899 How is it that the head of the serpent is going to be crushed? 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:49.220 How is it that shame is actually going to come to an end once and for all? 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:55.620 And how are we actually going to see a king who will rule over all the nations with a righteous rule? 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:04.360 And Jesus finally comes to answer all of those things. 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:11.199 And this season doesn't play out the way they expected. 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:18.240 He comes as the Son of God and a king who's also going to suffer and die. 00:12:18.520 --> 00:12:21.600 He comes as a king who's going to be born in a manger and ride in, 00:12:21.660 --> 00:12:23.200 not on a war horse but on a donkey. 00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:27.080 He's going to come and bring this kingdom that is upside down and unexpected. 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:31.080 It is less than we want and more than we imagined. 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:33.980 It's a kingdom that comes not in strength but in weakness. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:36.320 It comes in victory that happens through death. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:41.540 It is what some refer to as an instrument of torture that's used as an instrument of redemption. 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:45.660 It's a kingdom in which the last are first and the first are last. 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:49.260 It's a kingdom in which God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:53.420 It's a kingdom in which he reveals to the simple what he hides from the wise. 00:12:53.780 --> 00:12:56.860 He comes to those who are outcasts on the margins of society 00:12:56.860 --> 00:13:00.900 and he brings them in as those who are close to him. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:07.439 And so as we come to this topic of listening, the point is this. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:16.459 Jesus is now revealing the greatest secrets in the world and the universe. 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:23.139 He is answering the most important questions ever asked. 00:13:23.439 --> 00:13:29.679 He is finally unwrapping what has been concealed and hidden for centuries. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:35.399 He is going to finally teach us and show us what it looks like to have this kind of king 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:38.139 and how we live in his kingdom. 00:13:40.219 --> 00:13:46.639 And so we respond coming to the words of God with great joy and anticipation and diligence 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:48.939 because we know what is most important. 00:13:49.079 --> 00:13:52.539 The greatest secrets and the wisdom of the universe are being revealed. 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:57.139 That a child wiser than the wisest of men in an ultimate sense 00:13:57.139 --> 00:14:03.159 can be wiser than anyone else if they understand the secrets that God is revealing in his kingdom. 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:07.899 It is what the apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1. 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:11.860 These are things into which angels long to look. 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:20.759 Unlike the people in the Old Testament, unlike Jesus' audience here, 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:23.840 we have the last season. 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:26.779 We have the finale. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:31.100 We know how the story ends. 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:37.659 And so how much more clarity, motivation, excitement, momentum 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:41.840 do we and should we have as we come to God's word? 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:50.460 He is telling us and giving us the most important information possible. 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:56.220 We listen because he is revealing the secret. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:03.220 He is showing us what is most important and true and real. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:07.600 He has given us what has been hidden and is now revealed. 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:15.680 It is with that background that we come to verse 23, 00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:20.639 which is a repetition of what we saw last week in verse 9. 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:25.060 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:29.560 Now this is certainly not less than a repetition, 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:31.420 but it is more than that 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:36.300 because it expands the question here of why we listen. 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:40.420 Last week we saw the importance of listening. 00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:44.300 We saw the dangers to us that would pull us away from the path. 00:15:45.040 --> 00:15:49.639 Here we're told why it is that we would want to listen so carefully. 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:52.019 And the first reason is what we've just seen. 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.800 The secret has been revealed. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:58.980 What do you do when the most important information is coming? 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:04.700 What do you do when the new season of your favorite show has dropped? 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:09.940 What do you do when your favorite author is releasing a new book? 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.120 You buy the tickets early. 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:14.080 You show up for the midnight showing. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:17.500 You dress up in the characters that you love so much. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:19.180 You pre-order the book on Amazon 00:16:19.180 --> 00:16:22.259 so that you can be the first person to have a hard copy. 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:24.300 You host a watch party. 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:28.500 You quote your favorite lines and you watch it over and over. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:33.539 Brothers and sisters, the same is true for us. 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:37.679 We are here for the most important information that we could receive. 00:16:37.859 --> 00:16:42.219 Jesus has already given us the secret that beats every other secret. 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:47.059 How much more do we show up and listen carefully? 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:54.379 Because there is nothing more important that we can hear. 00:16:56.739 --> 00:16:59.799 Nor is anything secret except to come to light. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:03.119 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:10.519 Jesus doesn't just give us one reason, though he gives us two. 00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:16.319 It's not just that this is a treasure, a secret that's been revealed. 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:19.519 It also is something that is incredibly profitable. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:26.659 We move on to the world of investing here in verses 24 and 25. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:29.859 Jesus tells us that the greater our investment, 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:34.179 the greater our dividends and our growth. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.500 Look with me in verse 24. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.500 And he said to them, 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:39.079 Pay attention to what you hear. 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:42.700 With the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:45.939 And still more will be added to you. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:50.720 In other words, the more you listen, the more you'll grow. 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.839 And even more. 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.679 And still will be more added to you, 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:59.319 meaning there's going to be profits that are beyond your initial investment. 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:01.019 There's going to be interest added. 00:18:01.139 --> 00:18:03.500 You're going to get more than you put in. 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:08.539 And the opposite is true. 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:14.619 The less you listen, the faster you deteriorate. 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:16.200 Verse 25. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.279 For to the one who has more, more will be given. 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:25.579 And from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:30.299 And so the concept here is very simple. 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:33.240 If you're familiar at all with money and investing, 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:36.639 there is compound interest to your listening. 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:41.980 And it moves in both directions. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:46.420 There is compound interest to your listening. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:48.900 And it moves in both directions. 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:52.440 Now I'm going to butcher this because it's a Japanese word. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:54.039 But there's this idea called kaizen, 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:57.259 which is the Japanese term for continuous improvement. 00:18:57.420 --> 00:19:01.360 They talk about the importance of getting 1% better every day. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:05.659 And so one person summarizes it in this way. 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:07.859 If you get 1% better each day, 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.740 compounded is 38,000 better each year. 00:19:11.699 --> 00:19:14.599 38,000 better each year. 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:17.039 1% worse each day, 00:19:17.199 --> 00:19:23.279 compounded means you lose 97% of your value each year. 00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:26.519 In other words, you're going to make it big 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:28.919 or you're going to go bankrupt. 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:38.139 Investing in money in this world is of some value. 00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:42.240 In fact, in many ways, it's wise. 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:47.379 Investing in God and His word 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:51.659 is of even greater and more infinite value. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:55.240 It provides even greater and better returns. 00:19:55.719 --> 00:19:59.319 It is more important than knowing 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:01.219 which stocks to buy now to get rich. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:03.559 It is more important than knowing the right people. 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:06.299 It is more important than balancing your portfolio 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.480 at the right time. 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:10.160 There is nothing more important 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:12.180 than coming and listening to the words 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.460 that God has to say, 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:16.000 and He promises a great return. 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:21.839 He promises a better reward than anyone else. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:26.339 There's a spiritual law here that Jesus is teaching us 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:29.619 that we are either becoming stronger or weaker. 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:32.839 It is difficult, if not impossible, 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:35.879 to simply maintain our lives spiritually. 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:38.159 We are either moving towards God 00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:39.899 or moving away from Him. 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:42.099 We are either getting stronger or weaker. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:45.059 There is a compound effect to all of this. 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:46.859 And so this passage is telling us 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:50.240 what is most important and urgent in this life. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:52.220 There is, brothers and sisters, 00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.899 no neutral ground. 00:20:54.659 --> 00:20:57.539 You are either growing closer to God 00:20:57.539 --> 00:21:00.299 or you are drifting farther away from Him. 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:02.519 Last week, I asked you the question, 00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:04.399 why are you here? 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:07.720 This week, my question for you is this, 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.340 where are you? 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:15.220 Are you growing closer to God 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.700 as you listen to His word 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:19.540 or are you drifting farther away? 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:23.700 How are you listening? 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:30.180 Jesus could have finished with our passage last week, 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:32.580 but He continues to drive this point home 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:36.379 because it is so critical for us to understand. 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:41.259 We understand it in our physical lives. 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:43.159 It's just challenging to understand it 00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.339 in our spiritual lives. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.599 You know, especially as you age, 00:21:46.679 --> 00:21:50.039 that physical movement is a use it or lose it proposition. 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:52.379 In other words, as is often said, 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.839 movement is life. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.839 One estimate says this, 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:59.319 up to 65% of older adults 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:01.980 who are independent in their ability to walk 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:04.500 will lose their ability to walk 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:06.000 during a hospital stay. 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:10.779 Loss of walking independence happens quickly. 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:13.660 The less you move, 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:15.579 the harder movement gets. 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.960 The more you move, 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.259 the easier it gets. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:20.099 It's amazing what the body loses 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.360 and how quickly it loses. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.400 We could say, 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.620 he who has a body, 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:24.900 let him move. 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:27.160 How much more important 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.519 to hear Jesus' words, 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:30.220 he who has ears to hear, 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.980 let him hear. 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:37.319 There's an urgency to what Jesus is telling us. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:40.680 We don't get to sit back from a neutral position 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:42.120 and decide what we're going to do. 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:46.360 Our ship is already moving in one direction or the other. 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:48.779 And so the time for us to listen 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:53.100 to what God has to say to us in his word is now. 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:58.539 The time for us to hear God's words is right now. 00:22:58.639 --> 00:22:59.119 Don't say, 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.819 I don't have time to listen now, 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.759 I'll listen later. 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:06.259 That's the thorny soil that we talked about last week. 00:23:06.459 --> 00:23:08.659 Don't wait until there's a good time 00:23:08.659 --> 00:23:11.039 because you're either shrinking or growing. 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:14.019 This goes back to what we've talked about last week. 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:18.139 This is not a priority that we juggle among many others. 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.699 This is the priority, 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:22.559 the keystone that takes precedent over anything. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:24.019 and everything else. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:27.859 Last week, we saw the importance of listening. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.440 Here, Jesus reminds us, 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:32.099 not just listen, but listen now. 00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:37.259 Listen before it is too late. 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:41.980 Indeed, no one knows the day 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:45.079 or the hour of the end of their own life. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:49.359 We are far too optimistic 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:53.639 when we think we can at some time listen later. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.960 And not only are we optimistic, 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:58.099 but we are incredibly overconfident 00:23:58.099 --> 00:24:00.119 in who we are and our abilities. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:03.539 We are having this great confidence in our future self 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:05.559 that somehow if we wait till later, 00:24:05.679 --> 00:24:07.419 we will still have the ability 00:24:07.419 --> 00:24:08.559 and the softness of heart 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:10.919 to listen to what God has to say. 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:13.860 And yet, just as our bodies harden 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:16.259 and shrink faster than we realize, 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:19.220 so we overestimate or underestimate 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:22.759 how quickly the human heart hardens. 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:28.140 We listen before it is too late. 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:32.220 We listen while our hearts are soft, 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:36.800 knowing human weakness and feebleness and frailty. 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:41.579 Movement is life. 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:46.680 Listening spiritually is life. 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:49.899 And so we do whatever we can 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:51.519 to keep moving and listening. 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.359 We get a group, we find a team, 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:55.000 we create a pattern and a habit. 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:56.740 We make it a priority to be here 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:58.819 with God's people in worship. 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:01.000 We know that this knowledge of the kingdom 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.859 is meant to be distributed and known. 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.759 We want to be the person last week 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:06.220 that we saw who stayed after 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:08.039 to talk with Jesus and ask questions. 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.339 We want to be the student 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:11.079 who shows up to office hours 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.620 knowing they're confused 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:14.860 but wanting to clarify and grow. 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.339 Brothers and sisters, 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:21.920 when the elders of this church 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:23.819 call you to worship, 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:26.299 echoing the call of our Lord and Savior, 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.120 Jesus Christ, 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:29.700 they do so because they want you 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:32.140 to have great profit. 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:36.120 They want you to flourish spiritually. 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.940 They want you to have wonderful 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.980 and amazing dividends. 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:42.120 They want you to be rich. 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:46.920 Come here and be with us. 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:52.600 Don't make our elders chase you down. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.880 Don't make them try to figure out 00:25:57.880 --> 00:26:00.319 where you are and where you've gone. 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.319 They want you to be rich. 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:02.039 They want you to be rich. 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:08.480 They want you to be incredibly wealthy. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.779 Now you might be wondering, 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:17.220 where's the grace in all of this? 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:20.120 I have given you this morning 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:22.440 many serious warnings. 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.120 To understand the grace, 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.559 I want you to go back to 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:30.799 the secrets of Christmas 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.539 that are to be revealed. 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:37.039 I would hope that all of you 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:39.079 in some way bought a gift for someone 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:41.599 and I hope that all of you received a gift. 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:46.680 You did not earn your Christmas presents 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.119 in any way, 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.480 at least I hope not. 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:57.759 And you still had to show up 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.880 to receive them. 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:02.319 Our obedience to God, 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:05.099 our listening does not earn anything 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:07.180 from God in any way. 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:10.000 and it is the way 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.420 that we show up 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:14.580 to receive His gifts to us. 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.299 Put another way, 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:19.620 the fewer Christmases you come to, 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:22.720 the less gifts you're going to have. 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:30.080 That's the measure given in proportion. 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.940 And so in this world, 00:27:33.080 --> 00:27:36.120 we know that we must pay to play, right? 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:39.500 In God's economy, 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:41.320 there is no pay to play. 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:43.900 You do not buy or purchase anything. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.779 It is purely a gift. 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:47.400 That is part of the upside down 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.480 nature of the kingdom. 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:50.320 The word of God, 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.060 in other words, 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:53.060 the seed that is full of power 00:27:53.060 --> 00:27:54.480 is so powerful 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.120 that all you have to do 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:57.880 is be in its presence 00:27:57.880 --> 00:28:00.380 and listen for it to be at work 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.820 in your life. 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:03.820 That is how rich 00:28:03.820 --> 00:28:04.940 and generous 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:07.380 and good God is. 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:10.420 He provides profits 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.340 and interest 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:12.100 and earnings 00:28:12.100 --> 00:28:13.500 simply to those 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.820 who show up. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.420 I can guarantee you 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.299 that T. Rowe Price 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.880 and Vanguard 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:19.160 and TD Ameritrade 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:20.620 have never offered 00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:21.700 that kind of deal 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:24.039 and they never will. 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.779 And brothers and sisters, 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:28.700 our God does. 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.700 We come together 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.720 on Sunday morning, 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:33.220 not out of ritual or duty, 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:35.140 but because we love God 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:36.579 and long to know more of Him. 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:38.160 We trust that the power 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.720 of the word 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.839 is so great 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:41.120 as He is at work 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.819 among us 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.839 by His Spirit 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:44.420 that when we show up, 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.940 He is going to provide us 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:47.799 with rich and great returns. 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.620 He is going to bless us 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.200 with more 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.660 than we could ever think 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.460 or hope 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.319 or imagine. 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.799 And so we know 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.400 the words that God has for us 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.440 in Isaiah 55, 00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:01.000 come everyone who thirsts, 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:02.420 come to the waters 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:04.279 and He who has no money 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:06.000 come buy and eat. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:08.259 Come buy wine and milk 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:08.960 without money 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.980 and without price. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:12.519 Why do you spend your money 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:14.059 for that which is not bread 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:15.559 and your labor 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:17.500 for that which does not satisfy? 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:21.880 Listen diligently to me 00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:22.839 and eat what is good. 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.660 And then in verse 3 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.400 it says this, 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:27.120 incline your ear 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:29.120 and come to me 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:30.380 hear 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.880 that your soul 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:33.400 may live. 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.100 You know 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:41.140 if you play 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:42.240 blackjack 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:44.360 you have the option 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.420 of a double down. 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.180 And if you play 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:48.860 a double down 00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:50.019 you're going to double your bets 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.880 which means you're either 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:52.080 going to win big 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:54.240 or you are going 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.879 to lose big. 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:59.619 Jesus is telling us here 00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:00.480 our life 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.859 is a double down 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.679 spiritually. 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:05.199 We are going 00:30:05.199 --> 00:30:06.220 to get it all 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:08.019 or we are going 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:09.220 to lose it all. 00:30:10.899 --> 00:30:11.799 The difference 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.740 between blackjack 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.379 is this, 00:30:13.619 --> 00:30:14.259 the win 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.699 is guaranteed. 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:18.099 We are not 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:19.399 making a bet. 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:21.780 we know 00:30:21.780 --> 00:30:23.000 how 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.800 and when 00:30:23.800 --> 00:30:24.620 and where 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:25.480 to place 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.380 our cards. 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.880 The question is 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:30.400 will we do it? 00:30:32.060 --> 00:30:32.740 Will 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.280 we 00:30:33.280 --> 00:30:33.980 listen? 00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:36.900 Great things 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.980 are being revealed 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:39.140 and you have to 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:40.000 listen attentively. 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.100 Great gifts 00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:42.320 are being given 00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:43.519 and you have to 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.600 show up to receive 00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:44.860 them. 00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:45.620 Will 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.200 you 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.960 do it? 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:49.440 will 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.200 you 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.200 listen? 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.500 Mark chapter 4 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:56.480 verse 23 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.640 if anyone 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.779 has ears 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.460 to hear 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:01.220 let 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:02.220 him 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.120 hear. 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.360 Let's pray. 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.140 Our Father 00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:08.579 in heaven 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.079 we 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:10.259 thank you 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.579 and praise you 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:13.059 that all we have 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.920 to do is come 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.860 and listen 00:31:14.860 --> 00:31:16.100 and your word 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.680 is at work. 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.360 we pray for your 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:18.039 word this morning 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.740 that it would be 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.500 at work 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.120 in our lives 00:31:20.120 --> 00:31:21.060 stirring us up 00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:22.740 to greater love 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.180 for you 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.860 and service 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.640 to you. 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.000 We thank you 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.840 that you are 00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:27.920 a good 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:28.600 and generous 00:31:28.600 --> 00:31:28.960 Father 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.580 who gives 00:31:29.580 --> 00:31:30.680 your children 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:32.060 wonderful gifts 00:31:32.060 --> 00:31:33.259 just for showing up. 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.279 We ask these things 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.860 in the mighty name 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:37.640 of your Son 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.220 and our Savior 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.519 our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:39.960 Amen. 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.120 Amen. 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:40.180 Amen. 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.200 Amen. 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:40.220 Amen. 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.240 Amen. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.259 Amen. 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.740 Amen. 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:40.799 Amen. 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:40.860 Amen. 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.259 Amen. 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.180 Amen. 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.259 Amen. 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:42.799 Amen. 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.360 Amen. 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:44.220 Amen. 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:44.779 Amen. 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:44.860 Amen. 00:31:44.860 --> 00:31:45.299 Amen.