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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON MARK - MARK 4:21-25
  by J.C. Ryle
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These verses seem intended to enforce the parable of the sower on the
attention of those who heard it. They are remarkable for the succession
of short, pithy, proverbial sayings which they contain. Such sayings are
eminently calculated to arrest an ignorant hearer. They often strike,
and stick in the memory, when the main subject of the sermon is
forgotten.

We learn, from these verses, that we ought not only to receive
knowledge, but to impart it to others.

A candle is not lighted in order to be hidden and concealed, but to be
set on a candlestick and used. Religious light is not given to a man for
himself alone, but for the benefit of others. We are to try to spread
and diffuse our knowledge. We are to display to others the precious
treasure that we have found; and persuade them to seek it for
themselves. We are to tell them of the good news that we have heard, and
endeavor to make them believe and value it themselves.

We shall all have to give account of our use of knowledge one day. The
books of God in the day of judgment will show what we have done. If we
have buried our talent in the earth--if we have been content with a
lazy, idle, do-nothing Christianity, and cared nothing what happened to
others, so long as we went to heaven ourselves--there will be a fearful
exposure at last--"There is nothing hidden, which shall not be
manifested."

It becomes all Christians to lay these things to heart. It is high time
that the old tradition, that the clergy alone ought to teach and spread
religious knowledge, should be exploded and cast aside forever. To do
good and diffuse light is a duty for which all members of Christ\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-mark-mark-421-25/
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