The Gospel Demands and Deserves Attention
W. Jay. Mark 4:23-24 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.… I. HERE IS IMPLIED THE AUTHORITY OF THE SPEAKER. 1. He had all the authority which is derived from knowledge. Religion was the subject He came to teach. He knew the whole perfectly. 2. He had the authority which is derived from unimpeachable rectitude. 3. He had the authority flowing from "miracles, as wonders and signs." 4. Consider His incalculable dominion. There is no place where His voice does not reach. 5. Consider the dignity of His character — "Where the word of a king is there is power." 6. And does He not stand in relations the most intimate and affecting? Shall such an authority be despised? II. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT. Jesus Christ is not afraid to awaken attention; He knows that He can more than repay it. His instructions are important. But in order to this, they must be true. How pleasing is truth. Whether we consider the gospel with regard to man in his individual or social existence, it demands attention. III. IT IS AN APPEAL TO IMPARTIAL CONSIDERATION. The demand supposes the subject to be accessible. In heathenism there were many mysteries from a knowledge of which the common people were excluded. Error needs disguise. Trash glories in exposure. Be sure that it is the gospel you are conveying, and not any corruptions which have blended with it. Nothing is more adverse to this demand than dissipation. Attention is necessary. But it is of little use to apply a mind already biassed. Impatience disqualifies us from religious investigation. So does pride. Examine the character given by the sacred writers of God. IV. HE DEMANDS A PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT OF HIS WORD. 1. The danger of delusion. 2. The precarious tenure of the privileges. 3. The happiness of those who receive the gospel in power. 4. These means unimproved will be found injurious. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. WEB: If any man has ears to hear, let him hear."