Those Who Have Ears to Hear - Pastor Dennis Chi | Third Service

Devotional

Day 1: The Call to Listen and Respond to God's Word

The world is full of noise and distractions, making it easy to develop selective hearing, especially towards the things of God. Yet, the Lord consistently calls His people to a different kind of listening—one that is active and receptive. This hearing is not merely about sound entering the ear but about the heart being prepared to receive and obey. It is an invitation to move from passive absorption to active engagement with the truth. How we listen determines the impact of God's word in our lives. [05:41]

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the 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.” (Mark 4:24-25 ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you find yourself most often being a "selective hearer" of God's truth, and what is one practical step you can take this week to become a more attentive and responsive listener?

Day 2: Christ the Light is Meant to be Revealed

The nature of light is to shine and illuminate, and Christ has come as the true light into the world. He was not sent to be concealed or hidden away but to be fully revealed for all to see. His light pierces the darkness of sin and death, bringing clarity, hope, and eternal life. As His followers, we are called to reflect this brilliant light, not to cover it. Our lives are to be a clear display of His glory and grace to a world in need of His order and peace. [16:00]

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

Reflection: Where in your daily routine or relationships might you be intentionally or unintentionally concealing the light of Christ, and how can you reposition yourself this week to let it shine more openly?

Day 3: Receiving the Word with Humility and Treasure

The power of God's word is not found in merely understanding it intellectually, but in receiving it with a humble and willing heart. This humility is a posture that says, "Your ways are above my ways," and it opens the door for the word to save our souls. We are also called to treasure Scripture, to store it up in our hearts as our most valuable possession. This treasuring transforms it from information into a weapon against sin and a source of life. [32:15]

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21 ESV)

Reflection: What is one "filter" of pride, self-reliance, or distraction that often prevents you from receiving God's word with meekness, and what would it look like to lay that aside today?

Day 4: God Causes the Growth of His Word

A remarkable truth of the kingdom is that spiritual growth is God's work. When the seed of His word is planted in a heart, it sprouts and grows in a way that is mysterious and automatic. Our role is to faithfully plant and water the seed through obedience and testimony, but we do not control the results. This truth frees us from the pressure of outcomes and places our trust in the faithful One who alone causes the increase. Our calling is to abide in Him and His word. [34:33]

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7 ESV)

Reflection: Where are you currently tempted to rely on your own effort to manufacture spiritual growth, either in your life or someone else's, and how can you actively entrust that growth to God this week?

Day 5: Small Obedience Leads to Great Kingdom Impact

The kingdom of God often starts in seemingly small ways—a single seed, a simple act of obedience. Yet, its potential for expansion is beyond our wildest expectations. God specializes in taking our small, faithful steps and multiplying them for His grand purposes. What may appear insignificant in the moment can become a source of shelter and life for many. This reality invites us to be faithful in the small things, trusting that God is at work in and through them. [39:59]

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade. (Mark 4:31-32 ESV)

Reflection: What is one "mustard seed" of obedience—a small, simple act of faithfulness—that God is inviting you to sow this week, and how can you do it with faith in His power to multiply it?

Sermon Summary

Mark 4 centers on hearing as active reception that provokes response. The Greek term akou implies not merely listening but receiving and obeying; hearing becomes the hinge that opens the kingdom into daily life. Jesus proclaims the kingdom verbally and confirms it with signs and wonders, announcing a reign that brings order into chaos much like God’s creative work in Genesis. The kingdom arrives to rule over sin, fear, and death, offering peace when Christ’s authority takes root.

Parables function as practical windows into kingdom reality: the lamp image insists that Christ has come to be revealed, not concealed, and believers exist to reflect that light. The eclipse analogy warns that worldly influences can block reflection; moving the world aside restores full radiance. The sower and seed passages teach that spiritual fruit grows by God’s power once the word is planted; human planting and watering matter, but growth remains God’s work. The mustard seed parable underlines that kingdom beginnings often look small yet expand beyond expectation, forming sheltering branches that bless many.

Responsiveness shapes spiritual trajectory. The measure given to God’s word—how it is treasured, obeyed, and prioritized—determines future spiritual fruit. Treating scripture as mere information will stunt growth; receiving it in humility and treasuring it in the heart equips for fight against temptation and aligns life under God’s rule. Simple acts of obedience produce outsized kingdom impact, while refusal to receive risks even the little appetite for God being diminished. The passage closes with a clear call: receive and treasure the word so the kingdom, though it may start small, will spread and mature according to God’s timing and power.

Key Takeaways

1. Hearing demands receiving and responding Hearing in Mark 4 does not stop at sound; akou carries intention to obey. True hearing reorients desires and yields measurable change in conduct and appetite for God. Resistance or selective attention neutralizes spiritual growth because hearing without response leaves the seed unfruitful. [07:07]
2. Kingdom brings order into chaos The kingdom functions as divine ordering where sin and fear once ruled. When Christ’s reign is welcomed, internal turmoil yields to steady purpose and moral reorientation. This ordering restores vocation and frees energy previously spent on self-preservation. [09:35]
3. Believers are to shine openly The lamp image insists the light has come to be displayed, not hidden. Reflecting Christ requires deliberate removal of worldly blockages that eclipse God’s radiance. A consistent, visible holiness serves as a living argument for the gospel in everyday contexts. [14:54]
4. Treasure God’s word; grow accordingly Spiritual growth tracks the measure given to scripture: humble reception, careful handling, and deliberate obedience. Planting and watering matter, but the increase comes from God; faithful stewardship prepares the soil for automatic growth. Neglect narrows appetite for God and risks losing even the small spark once held. [23:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:20] - Selective Hearing Illustrated
[05:20] - Hearing Defined in Mark 4
[07:43] - Proclaiming the Kingdom
[09:35] - Kingdom: Order from Chaos
[13:15] - Parables and the Lamp Image
[22:11] - Eclipse Analogy: Reflecting Light
[23:41] - Take Heed: Measure and Reward
[27:21] - Personal Encounter: Treasure the Word
[33:59] - Seed Growth: God Causes Increase
[38:16] - Mustard Seed: Kingdom’s Expansion
[41:06] - Call to Obedience and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Mark 4:21-25 (ESV)
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 the 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.”

Observation questions

According to Jesus in verse 21, what is the purpose of a lamp? What is it not meant for?
In verse 24, what specific instruction does Jesus give regarding what we hear?
What principle does Jesus state about how a "measure" is used and what the result will be?

Interpretation questions

The lamp is described as having "come" rather than being "brought." [14:54] What does this subtle difference suggest about the identity of the lamp and its purpose?
The principle "to the one who has, more will be given" seems counterintuitive. In the context of hearing and receiving God's word, what does it mean to "have" and what is the "more" that is given?
How can worldly influences act like an eclipse, blocking the reflection of God's light in a person's life? [22:48]

Application questions

Hearing God's word is meant to provoke a response and obedience, not just be received as information. [07:07] What is one area of your life where you find yourself being a "selective hearer" of God's word, and what would it look like to move from hearing to obeying this week?
The kingdom of God brings order into the chaos of our lives when Christ's authority takes root. [09:35] What specific area of chaos (e.g., fear, sin, anxiety, purpose) do you need to consciously submit to Christ's rule this week?
Believers are called to shine as lights, which requires the deliberate removal of worldly blockages. [14:54] What is one practical "basket" or "bed" you might be using to hide your light, and what is one step you can take to place it on a "stand" for others to see?
Spiritual growth is connected to how we treasure and handle the word of God. [29:48] On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your current appetite for God's word? What is one habit you could start or stop to better treasure it in your heart?
God causes the growth of his word in us, but our role is to plant and water the seed. [35:08] Who is one person in your life that you can "water" by sharing an encouragement from Scripture or praying for them this week?
Simple acts of obedience can have big kingdom impacts. [41:23] Looking back, what is one small act of obedience you've seen God use in a way that was bigger than you expected? How does that encourage you to be faithful in the small things now?

Sermon Clips

37s

#ShineAsGodsLight

“But if we move the world out of the way and we allow the sun, the s Owen to fully reign and rule over our lives, we shine as God's people. So not the eclipse, we don't want to be eclipse, we wanna be the full moon, amen? I know you guys kinda get that now? It took a while, I see your brains are working really hard right now to understand it, I'll package it better next time okay? But let us shine as God's light. Let's go to the next text here, in Mark chapter four verse 23 to 25 it says, if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

48s

#TreasureGodsWord

“I say this because God truly uses his word to change our lives, to shape our lives. That's why it's so important that when we don't receive and handle the word of God well, even what you what you have will be taken away. That's a sad reality and I wish that upon nobody in this room. But it says the principle is this, the measure you give it will be the same measure you get. Meaning spiritual growth is connected to how you receive and handle the word of God. The measure you treasure it because the reality is if you reject it, is what's gonna happen. Even what you have will be taken away and you're just gonna live a normal life, just like the rest of the world.”

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Those Who Have Ears to Hear - Pastor Dennis Chi | Third Service | Church of Southland