Oh, let the Son of God enfold you with His spirit and his love.

Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.

Oh, let him have the things that hold you,

and his spirit like a dove will descend upon your life and make you home.

Welcome to the Word for today,

featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor Chuck Smith, founder of the Calvary Chapel Movement.

This radio program is a verse by verse study through the entire Bible.

And on today's edition of the Word for today, Pastor Chuck continues with a reason for parables as we pick up in Mark, chapter 4, verse 1.

And now with today's message, here's Pastor Chuck.

Shall we turn now in our Bibles to the gospel according to Mark?

Chapter 4.

Beginning in chapter 4, we have the beginning of the ministry of Christ in parables.

There is oftentimes a mistaken opinion as to the reason why Jesus went to parables.

The purpose of a parable is really not to veil the truth,

but to illustrate the truth.

And many times when people become dull of hearing, where they will not receive just

straight teaching, when you've lost the attention of your students, a method by which attention can be drawn back again to the subject

is by illustration.

Tell a story.

We are all of us very interested in life

and in things of life.

And when you start to tell a story, suddenly people are paying attention again.

...