#61 Lu. 8:16-18 THE PARABLE OF THE CANDLE Introduction: This is not the first time that Jesus preached the Parable of the Candle. The first time was in the Sermon On The Mount. This the second time recorded that He preached it. A third time is recorded in Luke 11:33. The word, candle, in Scripture does not refer to a wax candle, but to a bowl of olive oil with a wick in it. I. The parable and its interpretation, V. 16 Jesus used this parable to illustrate some spiritual lessons. Remember that a parable is an illustration portraying truth without telling what truths it illustrates. One has to figure out the interpretation unless the Lord, Himself, gives the interpretation. V. 16, "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light." This parable is very simple. No man lights a candle and then puts it under something which will hide its light. Rather he puts it on a stand so that its light will shine out to all in the room or to all in the area. The darkness of the room represents spiritual darkness in this world. Satan is the cause of all spiritual darkness. He caused Adam and Eve to sin and through that one act he caused all the world to sin. Through sin he turn, causes a great deal of misery in this world and will cause far greater misery in the next world. The light of the candle represents several things. First, it represents Jesus Christ Who is the Light of the world. God sent Jesus as the Light to bring salvation to the people of the world, (John 1:4-5). God the Father did not send Jesus to some obscure corner of the world for virtually nobody to see, but He sent Him into the mainstream of activity in Israel and made His name known to all the nation. He has now made Him known to all the world. In a sense, every Christian is a light. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven," (Matt. 5:16). The Christian has no light of his own. The light of Jesus shines through him. Yet even though the Christian has a light, his light can be hidden by ungodly living on his part. On the other hand, his light can shine brightly by living a godly life. His light shines its greatest if he puts his light on a candlestick. That is, his light can shine to its greatest if he is an active member of a New Testament church. Also, in the parable, light represents the word of God, the Bible. The word of God informs men of their need of salvation. It tells them how to be saved. It tells them how to live after they are saved. It promises security to those who are saved. It promises the better resurrection for the saved. It promises glory throughout all eternity to those who are saved. Therefore the word of God is not to be hidden. It is to be proclaimed for all men to hear. II. A partial interpretation given by Jesus Jesus did not give the primary interpretation because it is so obvious that in interpretation by Him was not needed. He does give a partial interpretation. He interprets a part of the parable that otherwise might be overlooked. V. 17, "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad." Everything that was hidden by darkness is revealed by the light that is brought into the room. Even so everything that is hidden now will be brought to light in due time. Jesus will return to this world and all will be judged by Him. All of men's works will be brought to light. This is true of both the saved and the unsaved. They will not be judged in the same judgment, but when they are judged all will be revealed. Even the inward thoughts and motives will be brought to light and they will be judged accordingly. In that day, not only will the deeds of individuals be brought to light, but that which is presented as truth will be brought to light. Today there is all manner of heresey that is being preached. It is presented as though it were the truth. It is being palmed off on the people of the world as truth. But when the Lord returns to this world, it will be revealed what is truth and what is a lie. The Devil's lies will no longer be tolerated in that day, but they will all be exposed. The gospel which the people of God will be verified in that day. Today the truth of God is being ridiculed by the world. There is a major campaign being waged in this world to defeat the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who preach the truth and those who hold to the truth are all being ridiculed and criticized. Worse than that, they are being outright persecuted by the enemies of the cross. But when Jesus Christ returns to this world, it will be obvious then who is right and who is wrong. Those who have contended for the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ will be vindicated and the truth which they espoused will be verified as the very truth of God. III. A warning given by Jesus, V. 18 In view of all this Jesus gives a warning. V. 18, "Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have." The warning is: Take heed how you hear the word of God. Take heed that you do not challenge the word of God and claim that it is not true. Take heed that you do not claim God's word not to be inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Take heed that you act in obedience to is commands. Take heed, especially that you repent of your sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Take heed after you are saved hat you get into a New Testament church and live in obedience to the teachings of God's word. Jesus further warns that more shall be given to one who receives the word properly and that even that which one has will be taken from one who does not receive the word properly. For instance: If an unsaved person does not receive the word with the proper attitude toward it, the Devil will steal it out of his mind so that it will not get his attention. If a saved person does not continually study the word of God, he will forget even the things that he already knows about God's truths. But on the other hand, if one will continue to study and rightly divide the word of God, He will add more and more to his knowledge. Conclusion: It may not mean much that I tell you that you can avoid hell and go to heaven. But it ought to mean a great deal that God says that you can stay out of the fires of hell and that you can, indeed, go to heaven. You ought to jump for joy that this is so. You ought not let another minute pass by before you call on the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to save your soul. Then, when the invitation is given, you should come forward to profess Jesus before men and seek baptism at the hands of the church. If there is any saved person present who wishes to unite with this church and serve the Lord Jesus Christ, then step right out and come forward.