(Begin with 5 ½ minute video)

Becoming a Stronger Disciple

HOW A DISCIPLE SHINES

All strong disciples shine.

(Mark 4:21-25) He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Consider carefully what you hear,” He continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

1. By HEARING It

(23) “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

A. All my communications problems with God are my fault.

B. Jesus is talking about spiritual understanding.

C. I need to ask God to help me really understand His teachings.

(Psalm 119:125) “I am Your servant, give me discernment that I may understand Your statutes.”

2. By USING It

A. I am to put what God teaches me to use in my life.

(24) “Consider carefully what you hear,” He continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more.”

James 2:21-24) “Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”

B. God’s blessings in my life are related to how effectively I use what He teaches me.

(24b) With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more.”

3. By SHOWING It

(21-22) He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead don’t you put it on it stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.”

A. Jesus is the light.

(John 8:12) When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follow Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

B. We are the light.

(Matthew 5:14) “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”