How to Listen to the Lord (Mark 4:21-34)

In Mark 4:21-34, Jesus continues to teach about the nature of true discipleship and the Kingdom of God, using a series of parables that build on the parable of the soils. The central theme is the immense privilege and responsibility of receiving divine revelation—the Word of God. This revelation is not merely for personal enrichment but is meant to be embraced, obeyed, and shared. True believers are marked by their responsiveness to God’s truth: they hear, understand, love, and obey it. This is not a superficial or emotional response, but a deep, ongoing receptivity that distinguishes the children of God from the world.

Jesus emphasizes that having “ears to hear” is a gift from God, a spiritual awakening that enables us to understand and hunger for His Word. With this privilege comes a solemn obligation: just as a lamp is meant to shine and not be hidden, so the truth we receive must be proclaimed. The call is not to hide the light or store the seed, but to let it shine and sow it widely, trusting that God will use it for His purposes.

Yet, Jesus also addresses the discouragement that can come when the message is rejected or seems to bear little fruit. He reminds us that the work of salvation is ultimately God’s, not ours. Like a farmer who sows seed and then waits, unable to control the mysterious process of growth, we are called to faithful proclamation, not manipulation or anxiety over results. The power of the gospel is divinely automatic; God alone gives the increase, and what He begins, He completes.

Finally, Jesus assures us of the inevitable, triumphant outcome of the Kingdom. Though it may begin small and seem insignificant—like a mustard seed—it will grow into something vast and glorious, encompassing people from every nation. Our confidence is not in our own efforts, but in the certainty of God’s plan and promise.

Therefore, the call is to be listeners who are obedient, appreciative, dependent, and confident. We are to steward the privilege of divine truth with humility and boldness, knowing that God will multiply our faithfulness far beyond what we can imagine.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Privilege and Responsibility of Divine Revelation Receiving God’s truth is the greatest grace, but it is never meant to be hoarded. The Word is a lamp to be set on a stand, illuminating the darkness around us. With the privilege of understanding comes the responsibility to proclaim, to let the light shine, and to sow the seed generously. This is not optional; it is inherent in the very nature of the gift we have received. [16:47]
• 2. Fruitfulness Flows from Receptive, Obedient Hearts True believers are marked not by past religious acts, but by an ongoing, eager responsiveness to God’s Word. The measure of our fruitfulness—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold—depends on how deeply we receive, love, and obey the truth. God promises to multiply what we invest, both in this life and eternally, but only as we listen and act with genuine faith. [31:18]
• 3. The Mystery and Assurance of God’s Work We are called to sow the seed and shine the light, but the growth and transformation are God’s alone. The process of salvation is mysterious and divinely automatic; we cannot manufacture spiritual life. Our role is to be faithful, humble, and patient, trusting that God will bring the harvest in His time and way. [40:36]
• 4. Confidence in the Kingdom’s Ultimate Triumph Though the beginnings of God’s Kingdom may seem small and fragile, its end is certain and glorious. The mustard seed will become a great tree, sheltering people from every nation. Our confidence is not in visible results or human strategies, but in the unstoppable, expansive work of God through His Word. [44:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:39] - Review of the Parable of the Soils
• [02:12] - The Gift and Power of Divine Revelation
• [03:41] - The Mark of True Believers
• [06:03] - Fruitfulness and Evangelistic Impact
• [07:39] - Spiritual Ears and the Call to Listen
• [10:04] - How to Listen: Four Characteristics
• [12:31] - Listening Obediently: Letting the Light Shine
• [16:47] - The Pre-Great Commission Commission
• [19:48] - Divine Judgment and Withholding Light
• [23:16] - The Timing of Proclamation
• [27:33] - Listening Appreciatively: Promise of Reward
• [34:05] - Listening Dependently: God’s Role in Growth
• [40:36] - The Divine Mystery of Salvation
• [42:52] - Listening Confidently: The Mustard Seed Parable
• [46:14] - The Kingdom’s Global Expansion
• [47:38] - The Privilege of Knowing the Truth
• [49:16] - Prayer and Commitment

Bible Reading

Mark 4:21-34 (ESV) —
> 21 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? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 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. 25 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.”
>
> 26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
>
> 30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 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.”
>
> 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Observation Questions

1. In verses 21-22, what does Jesus say about the purpose of a lamp, and how does this relate to the truth He gives His followers? ([13:22])
2. According to verse 24, what does Jesus mean by “with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you”? ([28:15])
3. In the parable of the growing seed (verses 26-29), what is the farmer’s role, and what is God’s role in the process of growth? ([36:19])
4. What is the significance of the mustard seed in verses 30-32, and what does it teach about the Kingdom of God? ([44:14])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus emphasize that true believers are those who “have ears to hear”? What does this say about the difference between a genuine disciple and someone who only appears religious? ([02:54])
2. What does it mean that receiving God’s truth is both a privilege and a responsibility? How does the image of the lamp help us understand this? ([16:47])
3. How should believers respond when their efforts to share the gospel seem to have little visible effect? What comfort does Jesus give in the parable of the growing seed? ([40:36])
4. Why might Jesus use the image of a tiny mustard seed to describe the Kingdom’s beginnings? What hope does this give to believers who feel their impact is small? ([44:54])

Application Questions

1. Jesus says that the Word of God is a lamp meant to shine, not to be hidden. Are there ways you have been hiding the light of God’s truth in your life—at work, with friends, or in your family? What is one specific way you can let your light shine this week? ([16:47])
2. The sermon said that true believers are marked by an ongoing, eager responsiveness to God’s Word. How would you describe your current attitude toward reading, hearing, and obeying Scripture? Is there a step you can take to become more receptive? ([02:54])
3. Jesus promises that “with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added.” In what areas of your life are you sowing generously, and where might you be holding back? What would it look like to invest more deeply in God’s Kingdom? ([31:18])
4. The parable of the growing seed teaches that God alone gives the increase, and that spiritual growth is “divinely automatic.” How does this truth affect your approach to sharing your faith or serving in ministry? Does it relieve pressure, or do you still feel responsible for the results? ([40:36])
5. The sermon mentioned that discouragement can come when the message is rejected or seems to bear little fruit. Can you share a time when you felt discouraged in your witness or ministry? How might trusting God’s mysterious work change your perspective? ([37:50])
6. The mustard seed parable shows that God’s Kingdom starts small but grows into something vast. Are there “small beginnings” in your life or church that you have underestimated? How can you be more confident in God’s ability to multiply your faithfulness? ([44:54])
7. The sermon called us to be listeners who are obedient, appreciative, dependent, and confident. Which of these four qualities do you find most challenging, and what is one practical step you can take to grow in that area this month? ([11:43])