Northside Foursquare Church
The Law of Reciprocity
Sunday Sermon: July 16,2017
Locations & Times
Dwelling Place Church
1460 Lansdowne Dr, Coquitlam, BC V3E 2N9, Canada
Sunday 5:00 PM
Introduction. Mark, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, provides a quick summary of some of Jesus' most memorable teachings. In only five verses, he quickly flies over five life principles. Each of the five are expanded in parallel passages elsewhere in Scripture. Mark 4:21-25
1. As Christians we are each lights that were created to shine in our circles of influence.
“Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?"
2. Our secret lives bear consequences. All secrets will be revealed one day. "For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light"
3. There is power in Listening. We have been created with two ears and one mouth for a reason
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4. The Law of Reciprocity. We inevitably reap what we sow. “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."
5. The Law of Use. Use it or lose it. "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.”
1. As Christians we are each lights that were created to shine in our circles of influence.
“Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?"
2. Our secret lives bear consequences. All secrets will be revealed one day. "For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light"
3. There is power in Listening. We have been created with two ears and one mouth for a reason
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4. The Law of Reciprocity. We inevitably reap what we sow. “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."
5. The Law of Use. Use it or lose it. "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.”
Big Idea. The Law of reciprocity is summarized in the Scripture, "What we sow we will reap"
Parallel Scriptures: 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. Mark 4:24 ESV
And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:8 ESV
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, Proverbs 22:8a ESV
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalms 126:5-6a ESV
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12 ESV
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you". Matthew 7:1-2 ESV
For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ John 4:37 ESV
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Galatians 6:7 ESV
And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:8 ESV
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, Proverbs 22:8a ESV
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalms 126:5-6a ESV
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12 ESV
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you". Matthew 7:1-2 ESV
For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ John 4:37 ESV
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Galatians 6:7 ESV
What does the Law of Reciprocity mean?
The Law of Reciprocity allows us to receive in proportion to what we give or do. Scripture makes it clear we might receive the same thing we give, such as mercy (Mt 5:7). Or we might not receive in kind, such as receiving what we need from God in exchange for making his kingdom our top priority (Mt 6:33). If we sow more seed, we get a larger harvest (2 Co 9:6); or we’ll receive from others in proportion to our generosity (Lk 6:38).
Here’s the beauty of this law: If we give or serve selflessly, simply trusting God to take care of us as he thinks is appropriate, then he is free to increase what the Law of Reciprocity would normally return to us. That is, if we prove ourselves faithful by using whatever resources we have to serve in a manner that honors God, he can entrust us with more and will increase our return (see Mt 25:21, 23; Lk 6:38).
When we give, or serve, we set spiritual forces in motion and we’ll experience the results, whether we receive in kind or not. Selfishness and greed are inappropriate, so they will limit the results we receive. On the other hand, as we develop godly character and learn to serve God and people in humility, he is free to bless us with far more than we need, to excel in every good work and increase our resources, so we can be generous on every occasion (2 Co 9:8, 11).
The Law of Reciprocity allows us to receive in proportion to what we give or do. Scripture makes it clear we might receive the same thing we give, such as mercy (Mt 5:7). Or we might not receive in kind, such as receiving what we need from God in exchange for making his kingdom our top priority (Mt 6:33). If we sow more seed, we get a larger harvest (2 Co 9:6); or we’ll receive from others in proportion to our generosity (Lk 6:38).
Here’s the beauty of this law: If we give or serve selflessly, simply trusting God to take care of us as he thinks is appropriate, then he is free to increase what the Law of Reciprocity would normally return to us. That is, if we prove ourselves faithful by using whatever resources we have to serve in a manner that honors God, he can entrust us with more and will increase our return (see Mt 25:21, 23; Lk 6:38).
When we give, or serve, we set spiritual forces in motion and we’ll experience the results, whether we receive in kind or not. Selfishness and greed are inappropriate, so they will limit the results we receive. On the other hand, as we develop godly character and learn to serve God and people in humility, he is free to bless us with far more than we need, to excel in every good work and increase our resources, so we can be generous on every occasion (2 Co 9:8, 11).
Who set the Law in place?
We must understand that the source of a law determines the strength of the Law. A company can make a guarantee of a product or service, but the guarantee is only as secure as the person who made it. For example, the owners of the Titanic claimed their ship was unsinkable. The $10,000 first class ticket guaranteed a safe passage from England to America and back again. The difference with the Law, or Guarantee, of Reciprocity is that it comes from God's Word, which is eternally true.
We must understand that the source of a law determines the strength of the Law. A company can make a guarantee of a product or service, but the guarantee is only as secure as the person who made it. For example, the owners of the Titanic claimed their ship was unsinkable. The $10,000 first class ticket guaranteed a safe passage from England to America and back again. The difference with the Law, or Guarantee, of Reciprocity is that it comes from God's Word, which is eternally true.
How does Mark's Gospel apply the Law of Reciprocity?
Although we normally apply this Law to our gardens, our resources and our behaviour, this passage applies the Law of Reciprocity to how we listen to God and those to whom we relate.
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 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."
Mark 4:23-24 ESV
The Holy Spirit applies the Law to our hearing. When we give our attention to really hear God or another person, then God promises we will have healthier relationships. The clarity with which we hear, (think God's Word, our spouse, our children, our friendships) will determine how God responds to us and others relate to us.
Although we normally apply this Law to our gardens, our resources and our behaviour, this passage applies the Law of Reciprocity to how we listen to God and those to whom we relate.
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 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."
Mark 4:23-24 ESV
The Holy Spirit applies the Law to our hearing. When we give our attention to really hear God or another person, then God promises we will have healthier relationships. The clarity with which we hear, (think God's Word, our spouse, our children, our friendships) will determine how God responds to us and others relate to us.