WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.460 --> 00:00:13.099 Amen. 00:00:13.820 --> 00:00:15.780 Beautiful, beautiful song. 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:20.019 We're going to talk about that if you turn to Luke 20. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:25.140 The end of Luke 20 here. 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:33.020 In the chapter 21, we're going to talk about that familiar passage that I talked with the kids about a few minutes ago. 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:43.120 But before we do, I want to remind you of something that we all know, but I think we often forget. 00:00:43.760 --> 00:00:44.500 That's this. 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:49.560 God sees our hearts completely. 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:57.340 You know, man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. 00:00:58.040 --> 00:00:59.200 1 Samuel 16. 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:04.879 And the Bible also says, you, God, know the hearts of all mankind. 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:08.159 1 Kings 8, Acts 1. 00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:12.960 In fact, God knows the secrets of our hearts. 00:01:13.320 --> 00:01:14.400 Psalm 44. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:16.980 And He weighs our motives. 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:19.400 Proverbs 16. 00:01:19.820 --> 00:01:28.300 So that, in the end of the day, no one hides from God, but all are exposed before Him so He can see it all. 00:01:28.380 --> 00:01:29.580 That's Hebrews chapter 4. 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:35.960 Probably not new information to you, but that's a little bit frightening, isn't it? 00:01:35.959 --> 00:01:43.319 It's frightening to me because I spend a lot of time concerned about what I look like. 00:01:44.179 --> 00:01:45.659 My appearance. 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:49.919 Managing what others see about me. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:52.979 Hiding in some ways. 00:01:53.339 --> 00:01:54.599 Working on appearances. 00:01:55.819 --> 00:01:59.919 And this morning, Jesus looks at our hearts. 00:02:00.979 --> 00:02:04.379 He sees our hearts, the hearts of others in this passage. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:09.219 He's concerned with what and whom we love. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:13.539 You probably expect this is a passage about giving. 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:15.019 That's true. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:20.000 But the truth is, it's about loving before it's about giving. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:26.979 Let's pray that our hearts would be open to His work in them this morning. 00:02:27.079 --> 00:02:27.620 Pray with me. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:34.400 Father, we often would like to keep our hearts hidden. 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:37.659 And not even consider them. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:43.120 And yet, Your Word tells us that it divides joints and marrow. 00:02:44.099 --> 00:02:45.900 Soul and spirit. 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:50.580 That it judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:54.440 And so as we open it up, we know You will do that. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:57.700 And Holy Spirit, we ask You to give us tender hearts. 00:02:58.700 --> 00:03:02.320 That we might be willing to have You show us what You see there. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:09.920 That we might be eager even to have our hearts changed by You because You love us. 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:13.239 Do that work, we pray. 00:03:13.239 --> 00:03:16.139 Teach us of Jesus. 00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:19.299 Change our hearts, we ask for His sake. 00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:20.799 Amen. 00:03:25.119 --> 00:03:29.859 Jesus has been debating the religious leaders here in the temple. 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:38.320 And then He turns to His disciples in this passage and He issues a strong warning about these leaders. 00:03:38.540 --> 00:03:40.940 Luke 20 at verse 45. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:45.420 And in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:52.440 Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and love greetings in the marketplaces 00:03:52.440 --> 00:03:56.840 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:04:01.700 Who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. 00:04:02.860 --> 00:04:06.860 They will receive the greater condemnation. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:17.160 Beware, Jesus says, of these religious leaders who are supposed to be models of virtue, religious piety, 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:21.899 but they care only about external spirituality. 00:04:21.899 --> 00:04:29.000 Because they care only about themselves, ultimately. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:32.399 That's classic hypocrisy. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:41.339 In modern language, Jesus says there's a special place in hell for those who pretend to love God, 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:45.459 but really love only themselves. 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:55.500 Dante and Milton, many others through history have picked up on the seriousness and evil of hypocrisy. 00:04:56.339 --> 00:05:00.919 And perhaps for some of you, this is what you hate most about Christians. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:07.539 That many of those Christians you know seem to you to be all about appearances. 00:05:08.539 --> 00:05:12.219 Care only about themselves and what they look like. 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:14.479 It's all about the external show. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:15.900 So it seems. 00:05:17.259 --> 00:05:21.680 Let's look at what Jesus sees when He gazes into the hearts of the scribes 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:25.160 and see where we too may need to repent. 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:32.000 There are many ways in this passage to know Jesus is talking about the heart and what they love. 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:38.500 One is that Jesus here talks about what they desire, like, what they love. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:40.280 Those are the verbs used. 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:42.779 So we know that's what He's concerned about. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:50.859 But another one is that the actions themselves that Jesus is critiquing are things like being friendly. 00:05:52.719 --> 00:05:53.979 Attending church. 00:05:55.899 --> 00:05:56.459 Praying. 00:05:56.459 --> 00:06:00.219 Good things, right? 00:06:00.219 --> 00:06:04.060 Things He commends and commands elsewhere. 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:09.219 It's the self-focused heart that Jesus is attacking, right? 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:10.579 You tracking on that? 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:11.959 He's concerned about the heart. 00:06:12.359 --> 00:06:17.279 And this heart for self feels image is everything. 00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:22.519 They like to walk around in long robes. 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:25.000 Nothing wrong with wearing robes. 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:30.819 In fact, some temple priests were required to wear amazingly beautiful garments. 00:06:31.299 --> 00:06:36.659 But the priest's clothes were supposed to point to God and His glory. 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:39.279 Not the glory of the priest himself. 00:06:40.179 --> 00:06:42.579 They were actually to cover Him. 00:06:42.579 --> 00:06:45.699 So God's glory would be clear. 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:55.079 But when we indulge our heart for self, we want to be seen and have the appearance of success, of piety, of importance. 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:03.120 And that's largely because in our hearts our value comes from others. 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:07.680 Greeting someone in the marketplace is not sinful. 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:11.339 Sitting at the head table is not sinful. 00:07:11.339 --> 00:07:16.339 Sitting up front at church is not a sin, although you'd think it was. 00:07:18.799 --> 00:07:22.159 But loving these things is. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:27.859 The words used for these are all about being first. 00:07:28.919 --> 00:07:29.799 Being recognized. 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:31.439 Being praised by men. 00:07:31.559 --> 00:07:34.899 Being somebody because other people think you are. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:37.099 That's where these scribes got value. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:41.260 That's why it's so dangerous in the church. 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:43.879 So easy for this to happen. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:50.040 Because you see, to feel valuable in the church, you don't have to love God. 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:53.340 You just have to make others think you do. 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:56.760 And maybe preach really well about it. 00:07:57.900 --> 00:08:00.100 You don't have to love God's Word. 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:03.500 You just have to make sure others think you do. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:05.960 And maybe say some really profound things about it. 00:08:07.640 --> 00:08:10.600 You don't really have to love God's people. 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:12.980 You just have to make others think you do. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:14.960 And maybe write a book about it. 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:19.460 And you can be valued in the church. 00:08:20.280 --> 00:08:20.740 Praised. 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:21.640 Adored. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:25.579 And your heart can be empty. 00:08:26.919 --> 00:08:27.539 Dead. 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:31.680 It's pretty scary for a pastor. 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:38.899 As a people pleaser who has longed my whole life for the approval of others. 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:41.360 This is always a challenge for me. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:45.279 Finding my value from what others think of me. 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:51.279 It was especially hard when I moved into this new role three years ago. 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:56.100 More people saw more of my responsibilities. 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:57.340 The things that I did. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:00.379 More people listened when I talked. 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:06.919 And my immediate struggle and temptation has been to try to look the part. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:09.860 To prove myself capable. 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:14.460 To have people honor me publicly and say nice things about me. 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:17.159 And man, it is hard not to love that. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.360 Some of that is being an extrovert. 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:23.860 Loving being with people. 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:27.059 But a lot of it is being a sinner. 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:33.240 I'm in the process of learning to repent of that idolatry. 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:34.379 That's what it is. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:39.439 All last year I tried to remind my heart of God's approval. 00:09:39.439 --> 00:09:44.480 To focus more on important things that no one else sees. 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:47.379 Like private study. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:49.799 Private prayer. 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:52.559 Investing in people no one else notices. 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:56.120 Please pray for my heart. 00:09:56.120 --> 00:10:01.799 But this is not a hard issue for pastors only. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:04.500 Jesus is critiquing the religious leaders. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:08.379 But he's doing it for the sake of all of his disciples, isn't it? 00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:11.460 It's his disciples he's speaking to and he wants everyone to hear. 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:17.860 It's a warning for all of them about this hypocrisy. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:21.860 Other people can't see your heart, can they? 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:31.320 So if your value comes from others and they can't see your heart, all you have to worry about is how you look. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:34.639 Whether you appear spiritual. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:38.299 Whether you appear important. 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:43.860 Then perhaps the pinnacle of hypocrisy here. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.460 Verse 47. 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:51.620 They devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:54.679 They will receive the greater condemnation. 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:58.080 They pray to God, but not to God. 00:10:58.279 --> 00:11:00.519 They pray only to be heard by others. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.700 They don't really mean it. 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:04.200 And they devour widows' houses. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:08.519 They depend on self to provide. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:13.819 Taking advantage of the social and religious system that they live in. 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:19.519 They play a role of helping the poor widows while they get rich off them. 00:11:21.199 --> 00:11:25.360 There is systematic injustice going on. 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:27.960 And Jesus hates it. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:32.960 They will receive the greater condemnation. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:39.220 You see, it's actually this whole temple system that Jesus is frustrated about. 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:46.000 God has set up this temple system in the first place to be about a love relationship with God, right? 00:11:46.540 --> 00:11:47.600 That's what it's about. 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:50.780 Remember, the temple is where God dwells with His people. 00:11:50.779 --> 00:11:57.319 It's where they bring sacrifices to deal with their sins so they can be in relationship with Him. 00:11:58.319 --> 00:12:07.759 It's where they bring their offerings, their prayers, their songs of praise to praise the glory of His name and to own their own need for Him. 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:14.600 The temple is where the poor and marginalized are cared for by this community. 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:17.279 But what's happened? 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:26.519 Instead of loving God, the caretakers of this temple system love themselves. 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:35.639 And under cover of doing the work of God, they line their own pockets and neglect relationship with God and the people He loves. 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:39.699 So God's left out and there are widows with almost nothing left to live on. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:39.980 Where? 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:43.659 Right there in the temple among them. 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:49.639 Jesus sees their hearts and He won't stand for it. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.799 He won't stand quietly by. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:55.559 It's why He's just overturned the money changers in this very temple, right? 00:12:56.639 --> 00:13:00.819 Because this was to be a house of prayer and you've turned it back to focus on yourselves. 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:04.920 It's to be about loving God, but you only love yourselves. 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:09.280 And when you love yourself, you're a taker. 00:13:10.660 --> 00:13:13.480 You use other people. 00:13:14.260 --> 00:13:17.900 Taking affirmation from them to boost your self-image. 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:22.379 Taking their places to feel self-important. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:27.060 Taking their livelihood to support your lifestyle. 00:13:27.660 --> 00:13:29.900 It's wicked hypocrisy. 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:41.740 The reality is that heart that Jesus sees in the temple in Jerusalem is not all that unfamiliar to us, is it? 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:47.480 That heart for self is by nature what we all have now from birth. 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:53.600 We are naturally takers who will use others. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:58.740 We'll do anything to make ourselves look and feel better. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:03.100 You ever spent time polishing up your Facebook image? 00:14:04.459 --> 00:14:08.139 Ever dropped a comment into a conversation to seem more important? 00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:16.860 You ever damaged a relationship because you unintentionally pressured the other person to affirm your value? 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:23.220 You ever done something at church because you knew it would look spiritual? 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:38.019 Isn't it hard to imagine going through a day, even one day, without thinking what other people are thinking about you and the evaluation they're having of your appearance? 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:40.220 Isn't it hard to imagine even doing? 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:43.980 Isn't that naturally what our minds think about and what we often dwell on? 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:48.799 Managing that and those appearances well before dealing with our hearts? 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:52.100 Isn't that a lot harder and less normal for us? 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:56.379 Taking, taking, taking. 00:14:56.379 --> 00:15:01.019 That's the heart we're born with. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.939 And we can't change our own hearts. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:09.720 How does God work to change our hearts? 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:15.419 What makes us able to love God more than we love ourselves? 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:22.940 How does the good news of Jesus make takers into givers? 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:26.080 Let me give you a picture. 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:31.940 I love seeing my girls get old enough to buy presents for their mom. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:37.160 They have an awesome mom and they love her so much. 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:41.480 And we all love to give to people we love. 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:42.900 So what happens? 00:15:43.040 --> 00:15:50.020 At Christmas time, they go out with me knowing how much they love their mom and they see something that they know she would love and they say, 00:15:50.020 --> 00:15:51.400 Oh, I want to get that for mommy. 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.980 And they burst with excitement. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:56.079 And I say, $17? 00:15:56.959 --> 00:15:58.879 Do you have $17? 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.259 She checks her wallet. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:06.399 All of her birthday money from that year. 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:10.639 All of the tooth fairy money she's been saving. 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:13.539 Yes, daddy, I have 18. 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:15.039 I can get it for her. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:19.360 And everything in me sees that as so beautiful. 00:16:19.579 --> 00:16:23.579 But just knowing that it's from love, I just want to pay for it for her, right? 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:25.679 Oh, just let me cover it. 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:29.379 And then I, darling, that's all you have. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.179 There's nothing left to get me something. 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:44.859 But then I realize, what's it to her that it's everything in her wallet? 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:53.500 She hasn't spent that money all year because we provide everything that she needs. 00:16:53.700 --> 00:17:00.300 If she needs something tomorrow, she's not going to pull out her wallet and go looking to see if she's got enough. 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:03.639 She trusts me for that. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:11.539 See, what changes the heart of a taker, like we're born and grow up living like, into a giver, 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:16.460 is the love of a God who provides all that she needs. 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:24.379 The good news of the gospel is that Jesus has come and he has lived and died for you. 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:28.660 To give you value in his righteousness. 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:36.760 Restored relationship with your heavenly father who treasures you. 00:17:37.060 --> 00:17:40.780 That's what happens when Jesus comes for you. 00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:45.660 He brings you back into that love relationship with God and says, guess what? 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:49.620 Before you even love him, God loves you. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:51.740 He treasures you. 00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:53.640 He values you. 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:57.300 So you don't have to chase value in the praise of men. 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:01.920 You don't have to pretend or put on a show for them. 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:04.800 You don't have to fend for yourself. 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:10.340 You have all you need in Christ. 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:23.360 You are so valuable to the creator of the universe that the son of God lived and died for you. 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:42.980 And as that hits home, as your heart begins to believe that that really is true, it begins to love him way more than you feel the need to worry about loving yourself. 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:49.700 As you realize how valuable you are to him and what Jesus has done for you. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:56.700 Your heart actually starts loving him and not having to worry about providing for and loving myself. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:19:05.120 What's it to you to give all you have when he promises to provide all that you need, right? 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:10.119 Take her becomes a giver. 00:19:10.199 --> 00:19:20.479 When that heart change happens, as God does that in our hearts, what does that new heart for God look like? 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:28.480 When Jesus sits in the temple and he's looking around for someone who really loves God. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.960 He's there in this story, right? 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.339 And that's what he's looking for. 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:33.059 And he looks around. 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:35.940 Who do his eyes stop on? 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:45.700 His soul-searching eyes, seeing into their hearts, don't stop on the religious leaders or the rich tithers. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:53.519 If he were here this morning in our sanctuary, he wouldn't stop on the pastor with the snazzy suit up front looking really good. 00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:58.220 Or the person who just put the biggest check in the offering plate. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:08.660 When he's looking for someone who really loves God, his eyes settle on a poor widow. 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:14.799 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:23.079 And he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:31.659 And he said, truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 00:20:32.199 --> 00:20:34.939 For they all contributed out of their abundance. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:43.240 But she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:51.500 In the temple treasury, there were 13 large brass treasure chests. 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:56.000 They were trumpet-shaped with these wide mouths at the top. 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:57.119 And they're made of metal, right? 00:20:57.259 --> 00:21:03.420 So in the midst of a bustling Passover crowd, if you came in with lots of metal money, 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:07.339 you could make quite a display with putting rich money. 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:12.279 It would be loud and visible to everybody how much you were putting in. 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:19.960 Or you could have only two lepta. 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:23.259 That's the word for the coin. 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:24.960 Two lepta. 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.000 Two lepta. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:32.519 So thin that you probably could barely hear the plink when she put them in. 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:44.039 So worthless that together, they're less than a penny that you'll walk by on the ground this afternoon 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:47.079 and not even stop to pick up. 00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:53.519 And that's apparently the case for the widow that Jesus sees. 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:55.660 That's all she's got. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.359 And Jesus sees what? 00:21:57.359 --> 00:22:00.479 Her heart. 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:03.259 He sees her heart. 00:22:05.199 --> 00:22:06.619 Remember, he's looking for what? 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.459 For love. 00:22:07.919 --> 00:22:08.839 For God. 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:11.819 And her treasure is very small. 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:15.819 But it's all going to God. 00:22:15.939 --> 00:22:20.220 Where her treasure is, there her heart is also. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:29.220 That's the internal, eternal economy of God that values the heart way more than the amount. 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:34.519 See, for the widow, God is everything, isn't he? 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:39.599 It's certainly not the external, her image to others. 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:44.039 Apparently, from this passage, it was obvious that some people were rich. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:48.339 And it was very obvious that she was a poor widow. 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:55.079 But there she was in that busy crowd coming to church, as it were, 00:22:55.519 --> 00:23:00.460 dressed just like that in those rags coming into the presence of God. 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.639 Just like that. 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:07.720 And she can overlook the people looking down their noses at her 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:13.720 because her value comes not from their opinions of her importance, 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:16.160 but from God. 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.620 Jesus says, 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.660 Truly, I tell you, 00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:25.680 this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:27.480 More than all of them. 00:23:27.520 --> 00:23:28.940 That's fuzzy math, Jesus. 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:33.900 Jesus says it's God's math. 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:38.360 God has all the money He needs. 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:45.059 And He values hearts that respond to Him in love. 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:50.279 God has the ability to multiply our gifts however He chooses. 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:57.079 Those two worthless coins have taught countless followers of Jesus through the centuries 00:23:57.079 --> 00:24:00.839 about loving and giving to God. 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:07.220 God multiplies our very small gifts in great ways for His kingdom. 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:11.660 Jesus pronounces it's more than. 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:15.220 He values her, doesn't He? 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:20.039 Don't you love here again Jesus' heart for widows? 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:23.860 It happens over and over again in this story. 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:31.259 Once again, Jesus values someone who is insignificant to others. 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:38.619 Those who are the least, the loneliest, the most left out in His society. 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:46.740 Jesus sees and He treasures the widow that no one else values. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:52.879 There are quite a few of you in this room this morning. 00:24:52.880 --> 00:25:00.120 I hope you hear your Savior's voice when He speaks these words. 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:02.680 Of what He values. 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:06.460 Of what He sees when He looks at you. 00:25:06.540 --> 00:25:09.860 Even when you feel like you can barely get here 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:14.000 and bring your two pennies worth of energy, 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.020 strength, 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.760 and joy. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:23.460 Jesus sees those whom others view as insignificant 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:29.460 and says you're more than all the others. 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:32.480 Hear His heart for you. 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:37.480 He sees your heart through your grief, 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:41.240 your loneliness, dear widow, 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:45.099 and values you. 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:51.639 He sees your heart through the walker 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:56.500 that you're frustrated or ashamed that you need. 00:25:57.279 --> 00:26:01.879 He sees your heart through the feeble prayer you offer. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:06.839 And He multiplies it for His kingdom 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:11.659 because you are big to Him. 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:14.259 Because He values you. 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:17.039 Because He loves you. 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:22.279 And what He cares about is love in relationship with your God. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:26.539 And you haven't lost a step in walking with Him. 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.919 He loves you. 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:31.980 He values you. 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:35.079 Even when you don't feel it. 00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:39.000 If some of the most precious gifts each morning 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:43.099 are the coins dropped in the plate by our kids, 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:48.699 some of the most precious gifts of service to God in this whole church 00:26:48.699 --> 00:26:55.279 are the prayers and notes and shared tears of our widows. 00:26:55.279 --> 00:27:00.879 God gives you your value. 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:07.700 And finally, because that's true, 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:13.160 the heart for God depends on God to provide. 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.599 Verse 4, 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:17.559 Why is the gift so big? 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:19.279 It doesn't make sense, Jesus. 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:21.719 It's the heart again. 00:27:22.199 --> 00:27:24.719 For they all contributed out of their abundance, 00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:31.319 but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on. 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:35.119 She put in all she had to live on. 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:37.319 In other words, 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:43.659 she had to trust God completely for what was next, right? 00:27:44.239 --> 00:27:48.419 She didn't have anything else to trust in herself. 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:52.239 That's the beauty of giving out of poverty. 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:56.679 I saw this firsthand in India 00:27:56.680 --> 00:28:02.259 when nearly 2,000 mostly very poor pastors 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.480 and their families 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:06.019 sleeping on dirt floors, 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:08.460 gathering for church services 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:11.940 and buildings that have makeshift plastic roofs, 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:14.660 gathered together for a conference, 00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:17.600 and one of the families shared their struggle. 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:20.519 In particular, of one of their children 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:22.700 who had a medical treatment needed 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.940 they couldn't afford. 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:27.539 And their leader, Pastor Saji Lukos, 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:29.500 stood up with the family and said, 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.980 we're now going to take up an offering 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.019 for this family. 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.880 I need six people 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:38.019 to give 10,000 rupees each 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:40.059 to this family. 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.840 10,000 rupees, 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:44.019 not an extravagant amount. 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.019 Maybe for you, 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.660 just a little more than $100. 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:49.980 But more than many in the room 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:52.000 could claim to their name. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:56.180 While I sat uncomfortably 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:59.019 doing currency conversions in my head, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:03.680 first the guest from the big city stood. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.200 Okay. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:08.579 Then stood the professor 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:10.559 who had shared the day before 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:12.539 what God had taught him 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:15.359 through years of extreme poverty. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.539 I'll give. 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:18.460 Amazing. 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:18.640 Amazing. 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:23.340 And it took a few more moments. 00:29:24.560 --> 00:29:25.600 And I turned around 00:29:25.600 --> 00:29:26.780 from where I was in the front 00:29:26.780 --> 00:29:28.620 and four people 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:30.000 almost at the same time 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:31.800 stood much further back 00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:33.680 in the large auditorium. 00:29:34.560 --> 00:29:35.520 From what I guess 00:29:35.520 --> 00:29:36.280 and what I witnessed, 00:29:36.540 --> 00:29:38.180 I believe they had to ask 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.340 others around them 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:42.460 to help get that much 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.540 to even be able 00:29:43.540 --> 00:29:44.980 to stand up and say, 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:46.360 I'll give two. 00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:47.699 And in their poverty, 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:49.379 they then rejoiced. 00:29:49.899 --> 00:29:51.119 They gave cheerfully. 00:29:51.699 --> 00:29:53.459 And they praised God together. 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:55.079 They would give 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.379 and get to watch God 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:59.019 provide again the next day 00:29:59.019 --> 00:30:00.979 because they wouldn't have anything else. 00:30:01.939 --> 00:30:02.879 See, the heart 00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:05.479 is much more significant to God 00:30:05.479 --> 00:30:06.779 than the amount, isn't it? 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:09.099 If you're wondering about the amount, 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:11.179 it seems to be measured 00:30:11.179 --> 00:30:13.099 more by what you hold back 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:15.339 than by what you give. 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:18.480 The rich gave a lot 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:20.299 but held a lot back. 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:22.459 There's a lot of places 00:30:22.459 --> 00:30:23.939 we can hold things back. 00:30:24.459 --> 00:30:26.359 The widow gave little 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:30.259 but held nothing back. 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:32.179 As our hearts grow 00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:33.899 in love for God, 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.779 the idea is that 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:37.159 the proportion of our giving 00:30:37.159 --> 00:30:38.059 would grow 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:40.779 because we're trusting Him more. 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:42.859 the amount is incidental, 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.859 circumstantial, if you will, 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:46.779 as God blesses us. 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:48.980 What Jesus commends here 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:51.359 is sacrificial giving 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:53.139 that helps our hearts 00:30:53.139 --> 00:30:56.220 depend fully on God. 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.839 C.S. Lewis said, 00:30:59.379 --> 00:31:01.079 I do not believe one can settle 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.660 how much we ought to give. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:05.639 I am afraid the only safe rule 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:07.879 is to give more than we can spare. 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:10.100 In other words, 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:11.620 if our expenditure on comfort, 00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:13.420 luxuries, amusements, etc. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:15.380 is up to the standard common 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.920 among those with the same income 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.640 as our own, 00:31:17.800 --> 00:31:19.520 we are probably giving away 00:31:19.520 --> 00:31:20.620 too little. 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:23.560 If our charities do not at all 00:31:23.560 --> 00:31:25.040 pinch or hamper us, 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:25.660 I should say, 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.520 they are too small. 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:28.020 There ought to be things 00:31:28.020 --> 00:31:29.160 we should like to do 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.060 and cannot do 00:31:30.060 --> 00:31:31.940 because our charitable expenditure 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:33.140 excludes them. 00:31:33.560 --> 00:31:34.300 Is that the problem 00:31:34.300 --> 00:31:35.020 you've been having? 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:38.160 There is a place to wrestle 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.079 with your own heart 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:40.160 before God, isn't it? 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:44.460 Giving from a heart for God 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:46.359 can look like so many things 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:48.000 in our context. 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.259 The homebound widow 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:52.759 who prays day after day. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.980 The quiet member 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:57.339 who pats the Bible 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:59.339 with your one-year-old 00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:03.160 and then slips out unnoticed. 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.339 You didn't even know 00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:04.779 they were there. 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.519 The cleanup crew 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:08.679 dragging bags to the dumpster 00:32:08.679 --> 00:32:09.740 after others are gone. 00:32:10.159 --> 00:32:11.500 The family who won't eat out 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.019 this year 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:15.899 because they're saving to adopt. 00:32:17.139 --> 00:32:18.059 The young couple 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.139 with a smaller home 00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:19.919 than their friends 00:32:19.919 --> 00:32:21.259 because they are committed 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.259 to giving first 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.759 and sacrificially. 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:26.839 I don't know what it will look like 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:27.699 for you, 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:30.740 but when our hearts 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:32.220 are changed 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:34.480 by the loving provision 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.819 of our Heavenly Father, 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.640 when we remember 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.920 and rejoice 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:41.160 that He's got us covered 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:43.299 and that He's worth 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:44.580 more than anything else 00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:45.740 we could purchase 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:47.319 with no matter how much money 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:48.700 we come up with, 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.620 then we will give 00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:52.160 out of a heart for God 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:53.799 that is beautiful 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:55.200 in His sight 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.380 because it's the heart 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:59.200 that He was looking for. 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:02.220 Last story 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.840 from another pastor. 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:07.460 You probably haven't heard 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:09.039 of Fanny Mulder, 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:12.319 but here are the entire contents 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.720 of her apartment, 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:15.019 all she owned 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.900 when she died 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:17.000 in 1987. 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:19.599 Some clothes, 00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:20.920 six robes, 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.319 two sweaters, 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:24.160 thirteen adult diapers, 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.839 nineteen hospital gowns, 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.559 one pair of slippers, 00:33:29.380 --> 00:33:31.039 and five pairs of socks, 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.819 plus two without a match. 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:35.920 Some personal items, 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:36.920 a purse, 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.440 a mirror, 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.740 an old thimble, 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:40.799 a toothbrush, 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:41.920 a comb, 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:43.000 some soap, 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.200 some powder bottles, 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:45.259 and a pair 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:46.460 of reading glasses. 00:33:47.120 --> 00:33:48.140 She used the glasses 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:49.740 to read her two copies 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.480 of the Bible 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.920 and her hymn book 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:54.160 to sing the Psalms. 00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:56.740 In addition to a broken radio, 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.799 the only other thing 00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:00.100 Fanny Mulder had 00:34:00.100 --> 00:34:00.840 in her possession 00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:02.400 was some money. 00:34:04.600 --> 00:34:06.100 Twelve cents, 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:07.980 a dime, 00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:09.820 and two pennies. 00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:12.579 But she had drawn up 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:14.619 a will in her old age 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.860 because she felt 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.619 so strongly 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:18.139 that she should invest 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:19.199 whatever she had 00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:20.599 in God's kingdom 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:22.039 as she'd done 00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:22.699 her whole life. 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:25.079 Westminster Seminary 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:26.079 in Philadelphia 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:27.960 was the beneficiary 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.900 of the dime 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:31.239 and the two pennies. 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:34.119 Now gratefully displayed 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:35.579 in a glass case 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:36.559 on campus 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:39.119 is the lasting testimony 00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:39.840 of a woman 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:41.059 who gave Jesus 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:42.840 everything she had. 00:34:44.299 --> 00:34:45.400 I want to die 00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:46.139 like that. 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:49.360 Problem is, 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.039 I just don't know 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:51.119 when that will happen 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.980 and it's more 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.699 of a struggle 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:55.579 to want to live 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:57.039 like that. 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:59.480 Sacrificial living 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.980 and giving 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.940 from someone 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:03.139 with a heart 00:35:03.139 --> 00:35:05.519 that loved God 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:07.380 multiplied 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:08.980 many times 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.980 by a God 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:11.480 who loved her 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.320 dearly 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.519 first. 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:15.119 Let's pray. 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.840 Father who 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.780 sees 00:35:22.780 --> 00:35:23.720 and knows 00:35:23.720 --> 00:35:24.500 our hearts, 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:29.480 show us 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:31.680 what we need 00:35:31.680 --> 00:35:32.079 to see 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.860 of ourselves. 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:35.660 Perhaps more 00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:36.219 importantly, 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:36.799 show us 00:35:36.799 --> 00:35:37.319 what we need 00:35:37.319 --> 00:35:37.699 to see 00:35:37.699 --> 00:35:38.539 of our Savior. 00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:41.759 Make us 00:35:41.759 --> 00:35:42.440 people so 00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:43.239 confident 00:35:43.239 --> 00:35:44.039 in your love 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:44.599 and provision 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:45.239 for us, 00:35:45.339 --> 00:35:47.319 so overjoyed 00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:48.219 in the goodness 00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:49.719 of our Savior 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:51.940 that we become 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.399 givers 00:35:52.399 --> 00:35:54.199 in every area 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:54.980 of our lives. 00:35:56.739 --> 00:35:57.719 Holy Spirit, 00:35:58.399 --> 00:35:59.480 work in our hearts 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:01.099 for the glory 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:01.619 of Jesus. 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.839 We ask in 00:36:03.839 --> 00:36:04.339 His name. 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:05.500 Amen. 00:36:09.180 --> 00:36:10.019 For more 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.539 information, 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.340 visit us 00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:12.240 online at 00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:13.140 southwood.org.