INCREASE- The parable of the measure w/RON OHST

Increase – The Parable of the Measure

 

Mark 4:24-25

 

24 "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued."With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. 25Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will betaken from him."

 

·       There is nothing greater in life than to experience the revelation ofGod

 

John 17:3 (The Message)

3 And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The oneand only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.

 

·       “Consider carefully what you hear”-

 

God has made His Word – therevelation of Himself – available to us

 

Hebrews 1:1-3

1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at manytimes and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by hisSon, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made theuniverse. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representationof his being

 

·       “with the measure you use,it will be measured to you – and even more.”

 

God has given us authorityand responsibility to determine the measure of revelation we will receive

 

How to listen for maximum increase

 

o  Prioritize the place ofGod’s Word in your life

 

Acts 2:42-43

42 They devoted themselves tothe apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of breadand to prayer.

 

Note – The “apostles’teaching” is written down for us; it is the New Testament

 

o  Approach the Word withexpectant faith –

 

Hebrews 11:6 (The Message)

6 It'simpossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants toapproach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough torespond to those who seek him.

 

Proverbs 8:17

17 I lovethose who love me, and those who seek me find me.

 

Jeremiah 29:13-14

13 You willseek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found byyou," declares the Lord

 

o  Let the Word judge youinstead of you judging the Word

 

Hebrews 4:12-13

12 For theword of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, itpenetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges thethoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden fromGod's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him towhom we must give account.

 

o  Put the Word into practice

 

Informationwithout application leads to deformation

Butinformation with application leads to transformation

 

James 1:22-25 New LivingTranslation

22 But don'tjust listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are onlyfooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is likeglancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forgetwhat you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that setsyou free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then Godwill bless you for doing it.

 

The ”Law” of Increase

 

“Whoever has will be givenmore; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."

 

·       This principle is true with natural strength – the more we exercise thestrength we have, the stronger we become. If we don’t use the strength we have, we become weaker, and we lose thestrength we once had.

 

·       This principle is true with knowledge – the more knowledge we have, themore we can acquire.   But when we stoplearning, even the knowledge we once had begins to be forgotten.

 

·       This principle is true of any skill

 

·       This principle is true of shouldering responsibility.  When we are faithful with what God entruststo us, He entrusts more to us.

 

Matthew 25:21

21 "His master replied,'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a fewthings; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master'shappiness!'

 

Jesus came to reveal the Father, and He has entrusted to His Church thecontinuation of revealing God to our entire world.  Let us be those who choose a large measurefor receiving the revelation of God, that we may in turn reveal Him to ourworld by who we are, what we say, and what we do.

 

Isaiah 60:1-3

1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of theLord rises upon you.

2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over thepeoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.  3 Nations will come to your light, and kingsto the brightness of your dawn.