Yesterday during our worship we studied Jesus’ parables on the lamp and the measurements. We observed three ways that Jesus would have us apply these parables today.

1. Shine! Jesus calls us to shine the light of the Gospel in our lives! Just as no one buys a lamp to hide it and just as no one sows seed to have it die (vv1-20), Jesus does not save us without any design for fruit (v20) or for light (v21)! As Jesus said in Matt 5:16, “Let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
2. Listen to me! Notice that Jesus is constantly telling those how have ears to hear, to hear! In other words, disciples who have had their ears opened to the truth, can close their ears from time to time, especially when we don’t particularly like or agree with what we are hearing! Remember how you would cover your ears with your hands as a child when you didn’t want to listen. We do that sometimes to God when His Word speaks things we would rather not hear. Jesus tells us again and again, “Don’t cover your ears! I have glorious, rich secrets to tell you!” (v11)
3. You can’t out-give God! We serve God by the teaspoon of good works, He replies to our teaspoons with bucket loads of joy and grace! Just as Jesus told his disciples that they would receive a hundredfold in this life and in the age to come eternal life! As James puts it, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (4:8).

"Shine!" "Listen to me!" "Live big for my glory!"