Selective Hearing: Open Book Test - 9/15/24

Light Brings insight from ignorance.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
—John 1:5, NLT

We Have a Part to Play

“Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
—Mark 4:21-23, NLT

We’re Lost in the Dark

“…This is the darkness without God. We are so desperately in need of “A lamp (that) is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.”
—Mark 4:22, NLT

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.”
—John 8:12, NLT

Light has Come

We are now the Bearers of the Light

“Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed?””
—Mark 4:21, NLT

It’s not a new concept people.

We are to share the light with others

Jesus is the Light

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
—John 8:12, NLT

“Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
—Mark 4:24-25, NLT

Even the Simplest truths are hard to put into practice

Knowing does not equal doing.

He who has ears to hear → Puts these words into Action

“…even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
—Mark 4:25b, NLT

“And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.”
—John 3:19-20, NLT

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
—John 1:5, NLT

They know the truth and have rejected it already.

“You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’”
—Mark 4:11-12, NLT

“so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”
—Mark 4:12, NIV

“He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.”
—Matthew 13:54-57, NLT

“Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.”
—Matthew 13:54-57, NLT

The light cuts through Darkness, exposes the truth, and it leads us to righteousness

The light reveals to us the Truth.

“Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked.”
—John 18:37-38, NLT

“He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”
—John 1:10-13, NLT

“You may not know me, but I know everything about you.” — Psalm 139:1
“I know when you sit down and when you rise up.” — Psalm 139:2
“I am familiar with all your ways.” — Psalm 139:3
“Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.” — Matthew 10:29-31
“For you were made in my image.” — Genesis 1:27
“In me you live and move and have your being.” — Acts 17:28
“For you are my offspring.” — Acts 17:28
“I knew you even before you were conceived.” — Jeremiah 1:4-5
“I chose you when I planned creation.” — Ephesians 1:11-12
“You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.” — Psalm 139:15-16
“I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.” — Acts 17:26
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14
“I knit you together in your mother’s womb.” — Psalm 139:13
“And brought you forth on the day you were born.” — Psalm 71:6
“I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me.” — John 8:41-44
“I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.” — 1 John 4:16
“And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.” — 1 John 3:1
“Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.” — 1 John 3:1
“I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.” — Matthew 7:11
“For I am the perfect father.” — Matthew 5:48
“Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.” — James 1:17
“For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.” — Matthew 6:31-33
“My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11
“Because I love you with an everlasting love.” — Jeremiah 31:3
“My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.” — Psalm 139:17-18
“And I rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17
“I will never stop doing good to you.” — Jeremiah 32:40
“For you are my treasured possession.” — Exodus 19:5
“I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.” — Jeremiah 32:41
“And I want to show you great and marvelous things.” — Jeremiah 33:3
“If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.” — Deuteronomy 4:29
“Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4
“For it is I who gave you those desires.” — Philippians 2:13
“I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.” — Ephesians 3:20
“For I am your greatest encourager.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
“I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.” — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.” — Psalm 34:18
“As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.” — Isaiah 40:11
“One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.” — Revelation 21:3-4
“And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.” — Revelation 21:3-4
“I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.” — John 17:23
“For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.” — John 17:26
“He is the exact representation of my being.” — Hebrews 1:3
“He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.” — Romans 8:31
“And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.” — 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
“Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.” — 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
“His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.” — 1 John 4:10
“I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.” — Romans 8:31-32
“If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.” — 1 John 2:23
“And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.” — Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.” — Luke 15:7
“I have always been Father, and will always be Father.” — Ephesians 3:14-15
“My question is…Will you be my child?” — John 1:12-13