The Parables of Christ no. 10

Take Heed What you Hear

December 7, 2003

Rev. Brian Kocourek

This morning I will l speak to you on 2 parables and therefore 2 sermons, since Wednesday night I will be finalizing my getting ready to leave for Hungary and Romania the next day on Thursday. I would appreciate your coming together for prayer on Wednesday night for the overseas meetings and our safe journey in those countries and return. I will leave the services in the hands of Br. Billy while I am gone.

Now, my intent today was to speak to you today about the Seed that Grows secretly until the harvest which we find in Mark Chapter 4 from verses 26 through 29. But in order to understand what this parable is speaking of and the condition of the Kingdom of God at the time of the harvest we need to read also the previous two verses, 24 and 25, because these two verses give us the needed background to understand this parable.

Therefore, let’s begin with Mark 4:24-29. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear (1): with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you (2): and unto you that hear (3) shall more be given. 25 For he that hath (4), to him shall be given (5): and he that hath not(6), from him shall be taken even that which he hath (7).

Now, notice that Jesus is telling us to take heed what we hear. In other words he is telling us to be careful what we hear. Now the word that was translated “what” was a Greek word “tis” and it actually means in “what way” you are hearing. We are commanded to be careful in “what way” we are hearing. And it also means, “Who” and therefore could be read, or, be careful of whom you are listening too. Now, why would it matter whom you listen too? Well, look what happened to the whole world because Eve listened to the wrong person.

Because we are warned by the Apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

This same Apostle was afraid the church at Corinth had been listening to false brethren who had crept in unawares, and so he warned them that in opening themselves up to such, they were being seduced away from Christ.

II CORINTHIANS 11:1 ¶ Would to God ye could bear with me a little in [my] folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety (that’s his cunning use of false wisdom), so your minds should be corrupted (that means to become polluted) from the simplicity (which means the single focus) that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus (that word another is the Greek word allos which means a different one altogether), whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit (and this word another is the Greek word heteros which means of another nature), which ye have not received, or another gospel (and this word another also means one of a different nature), which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him (or you seem to put up with it so easily).

Paul was shocked by the lax attitude of the believers at Corinth because he could hardly believe that these people would be so naive that they would listen to these false ministers who were preaching a totally different Jesus than what He had been preaching. And the reason they were preaching a different Jesus is because the Gospel they were preaching was of a deviated nature, and thus the people were receiving a different Spirit than the one promised by God. Now, look, if Jesus told us that His Words were Spirit and they were life, then to receive another Gospel, one with a twist, can not possibly bring the same Life, Eternal Life of God.

Notice he calls these men evil and he also calls them seducers. Now seduction is not clubbing you over the head and beating you to a pulp. But seduction is done by using flattering language. Language to lure you into their scheme. And notice Paul said, 2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Now, teaching is the essential ministry of the Holy Spirit, and it is God’s way of instructing His Children. Without the Teaching of the Holy Spirit through his chosen vessel, you can not in any way understand the Kingdom of God, nor could you possibly “see it”, which means to understand it, or to recognize it when it is presented to you. And teaching is doctrine. That is what the word doctrine means, is teaching.

And in the Book of JOHN 6:45 we are told, It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Therefore unless you have been taught and have learned you can not even come to God, because what God are you going to come to? Now, those are Jesus’ own words. And so the Ministry of the Holy Spirit has always been one of instruction. That is why doctrine is so important, because doctrine is teaching.

Notice how important teaching was to Jesus. We are told in the Gospels that Jesus taught the people daily. LUKE 19:47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

MARK 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

MATTHEW 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.

Now, there is one thing you should know for sure, that if God sends a man and backs up that man with His presence and His power, then that man will not be there with a message that is the same old teaching the people have been believing all along. For why would God send a message if you already know what it. God does not do anything in vein, and neither does he waste His time , nor does he waste your time. What would be the reason for sending a messenger with a message if that message is not new, or at least a clearer understanding than you had before.

From the message, THE TOKEN 64-0308 73 brother Branham said, Now, when you see signs going on, and no message behind it, just the same old school of theology and on down, that wasn't from God. But where there's a sign showed, a Message follows it.

The reason God performs the signs and wonders is then to attract the attention of the people to the teaching, which is the message. And yet just because God’s main purpose is to teach you, does not mean the people always get it.

WHY IT HAD TO BE SHEPHERDS 64-1221 147 All as we know, Israel did not receive the prophet shepherd's Word, all of Israel didn't receive it. Now, notice, they was complaining. "Oh," when he was performing the miracles, "he was a great fellow," but when it come to His Message, "that was different." All great signs follows a new message coming. We know that. In the wilderness they complained, in the wilderness, and died by the thousands. Frankly, there was only two of them that ever went through that was saved out of a two and a half million, two out of two and a half million.

So we see then the main emphasis that God places on His personal presence is to teach man, and yet man most often doesn’t get it. They want the fishes and loaves, but they do not want to be taught. And yet, unless they are not only taught but learn they can not even come to God, for how are you going to come to God if you do not even know what God to come to?

And the teaching cannot be just the thoughts of the man, or he can not be a messenger from God. For if he is a True Messenger He will say what has been told Him to say by God. And what good would it be if God sent a man to be his messenger if that man did not say what God told Him to say. He certainly would not be a true witness. He would be a deceiver.

In JOHN 8:28 Jesus said, Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. Even the Son of God could not teach contrary to what He had been taught by God Himself.

And in the Book of GALATIANS 1:11 we hear the apostle Paul tell us the same thing. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Now the fact of it is, is that we are told by the apostle John that the Holy Spirit is our teacher, and yet we know that God has placed in the church a 5 fold ministry to do just that, to teach. And Why is that? Because we know that God has always used men to teach His word.

In the Book of Acts they taught from house to house and from church to church and from temple to temple. Wherever they could gather together anyone that would listen they scattered forth the Seed which is the Word of God.

And you are commande3d to give back the word which you are taught back to the one teaching so that he might know where you are standing. Because if the one teaching does not have any feed back, he then will not know how to instruct you further. In GALATIANS 6:6 Paul said, Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

And in the Book of TITUS 1:9 we read, Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Now, we know the purpose behind God teaching us is to draw us to Him, and not to some other object of worship. And believe me there are plenty of deceivers out there who would try to influence you after there own persuasion.

I JOHN 2:26 These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

John also let’s us know that the evidence that we are of God is that we will hear those that are of God. I JOHN 4:5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

And that is why I believe that those who will not hear the true five fold ministry and shut themselves off from the ones that God is using are not even born again.

Now, the Apostle Paul makes it very clear in the Book of Romans why we need to hear only those that God has sent.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher (Even though they say they hear, thy boast in vain, unless they hear true preachers; for to hear false prophets means as much as not to hear. They hear and they do not hear; They have ears, but do not hear, nor do they preach the Word of God. ? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! ? This is directed against all conceited teachers and arrogant instructors .

If you will notice in verse 14-15 there are four statements that Paul makes that of which follow together in such a way that one leads to the other, but so that the last forms the foundation on which the others rest. Thus we see from what Paul said, that it is impossible that those preach who are not sent, It then is impossible for those to hear who are without a preacher, and it is impossible for them to believe who do not hear, and thus it would be impossible for them to call upon the name of the Lord who do not believe. And thus it would be impossible for them who do not call upon the name of the Lord to be saved.

So then, the entire source and origin of salvation rests on this, that God sends out someone, Now, would just anyone do? Not according to God’s Word. God will send out a true minister of the Word.

Because if God does not send out any, then they who preach, preach falsely, and their preaching is not really preaching at all. In fact, it would be better for them not to preach, because what they are preaching is not what God wants the people to hear, and therefore is false.

Then also they who would hear such an one would hear error, and it would be better for them not to hear.

Then also they who believe based on hearing this error, would believe based on false doctrine, and it would be better for them not to believe.

Then also they who call upon Him would call falsely (upon a false Lord), and it would be better for them not to call.

1 For such preachers do not preach,

2 such hearers do not hear;

3 such believers do not believe;

4 such callers do not call;

5 they will be damned because they would be saved by falsehood.

Then we can see what Proverbs 1:28 means when it says, “Then shall they call upon me, But I ill not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.”

And so we hear Paul conclude in verse 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The true, revealed, and vindicated Word of God.

Then can you see the importance this morning of receiving a vindicated Ministry? Because if it is not vindicated, then how do you know what you are hearing is not error? And if it is error, then you would be believing error, and if you believe error, then you would be calling out to a wrong God, and if you call out to a wrong God, then how could you be saved?

Now, Jesus said, unto them, Take heed what ye hear (1) Now, we have already covered that. It means to take heed or be careful in what way or in what manner you are hearing. And then He goes on to tell us what he means. with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you (2) In other words, in other words, we could say that as, “with what measuring instrument you use to divide my word that is the measure you will get. If you use a righteous measuring instrument you will get a rightly divided word, but if you use some other means to divide my word, then you will get what you are looking for. If you examine the Word with a Baptist filter you will get a Baptist Bible. If you use a Catholic filter to divide the Word you will get a Catholic Bible. And if you use a Pentecostal experience to measure the Word you will get a Pentecostal Bible, and no more. But if you rightly divide the Word you will get right-eousness which is right-wise-ness.

And then he continued, and unto you that hear (3) Now, we know that not every one can hear or else he would not be saying unto you that can hear. In Matthew 13:10-17 and Mark 4: 10-12 Jesus said, that not everyone is ordained to understand. He said they have ears but can not hear and eyes but cannot see. MATTHEW 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

And then Jesus continued saying, and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given (4) Now, we have covered this before, but that word hath is the Greek word echo and an echo is being able to repeat back the same words with the same expression so that it is clear that you do understand. For I can use the same words with different expressions and mean completely opposite meanings. I could say with assurance “William Branham is a prophet!” and you will know by my statement that I am sure of what I am saying. And I stand firm behind that statement. But I could say those same words, and instead of an exclamation mark, I could use a question mark, and it would give a totally different meaning, “William Branham is a prophet?”

Therefore, just being able to repeat the Word is not being able to echo the Word. A parrot can repeat, but it takes a certain gift from God to be able to echo it back, because in doing so, you are expressing the same spirit as the composer.

Now, let’s continue, and he that hath not (5) That means to those who are not made in such a way as to understand and therefore echo or give back to God what He has given to you. And that is what true worship and sacrifice is all about. God does not require just any old sacrifice. What He requires is what He gives to us and we give it back to Him showing we know from whence it came in the first place. True sacrifice is giving back to God what He has revealed to you. And did you know that you become your sacrifice? Abel offered up to God a bleeding dying lamb and he became that bleeding dying lamb. Jesus was the Lamb of God and that is what He offered back to God. Therefore, and he that hath not from him shall be taken even that which he hath (6) And the literal meaning of that is from him shall be taken even that which he thinks that he hath. Then there is no way for them to rightly offer back to God anything because they don’t even have it to begin with.