WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.260 We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:04.459 --> 00:00:08.500 Well, as I mentioned, tonight we're going to be looking at the story of the widow's mite. 00:00:08.599 --> 00:00:10.779 That begins in Luke 21. 00:00:11.300 --> 00:00:17.559 But we're actually going to back up a few verses into chapter 20 and start in verse 45 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:22.179 and continue on through chapter 21 to verse 4. 00:00:22.900 --> 00:00:28.100 Now, I think I might have mentioned before that Rachel and I lived in China many years ago 00:00:28.100 --> 00:00:30.260 where we taught English at a university. 00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:36.579 And we actually lived on the university campus, and it was located on the outskirts of this city. 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:40.480 It was a city of 7 million, which by Chinese standards is not very large, 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:42.679 but certainly large by our standards. 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:47.420 And it was interesting where it was located because it was located right on the edge of the city 00:00:47.420 --> 00:00:51.480 where you'd have farmland on one side and urban development on the other. 00:00:52.020 --> 00:00:57.260 And so what we loved to do was walk around the area around our university 00:00:57.259 --> 00:01:00.099 and it was quite an impoverished area. 00:01:00.599 --> 00:01:03.559 You'd walk around and see rubbish just littering the streets. 00:01:03.699 --> 00:01:06.539 You'd see these little cinder block homes with tin roofs, 00:01:07.039 --> 00:01:10.719 no real insulation for these family dwellings, 00:01:11.319 --> 00:01:13.099 probably a lot of them no running water. 00:01:14.459 --> 00:01:20.239 It wasn't uncommon to see people selling fruit or vegetables off a cart that's being pulled by a donkey. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:28.079 But also you'd see this stark contrast because often you'd see these people driving by in their Mercedes 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:34.259 or their BMW going to their new luxury condos that have been built just a little bit down the road. 00:01:34.699 --> 00:01:40.679 And so that's always stuck out to me was this stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor, 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:43.879 between the haves and the have-nots. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:48.500 And so we're going to see in their passage today a very similar contrast, 00:01:48.839 --> 00:01:52.899 a contrast that Jesus makes between the privileged and the poor, 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.500 between religious show-offs and spiritually sincere. 00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:03.419 And so this contrast is actually going to help us see what Jesus loves and what he hates, 00:02:03.539 --> 00:02:07.379 who he commends and who he condemns. 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:09.460 So let's look at this passage now. 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:12.359 Luke chapter 20 starting in verse 45. 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:20.380 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 00:02:21.020 --> 00:02:22.780 Beware of the teachers of the law. 00:02:23.260 --> 00:02:27.340 They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces 00:02:27.340 --> 00:02:32.040 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 00:02:32.480 --> 00:02:37.180 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. 00:02:37.820 --> 00:02:39.880 Such men will be punished most severely. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:46.280 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 00:02:47.139 --> 00:02:51.819 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 00:02:52.659 --> 00:02:53.900 I tell you the truth, he said, 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:57.400 This poor widow has put in more than all the others. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:01.060 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:06.319 but she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on. 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:10.120 This is the word of God. 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:14.879 Now, as we've been walking through this series of Jesus, 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:16.780 looking at Jesus' interaction with women, 00:03:17.700 --> 00:03:20.439 you may notice that this passage is a little bit different 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:25.560 because Jesus doesn't actually interact with this woman in this passage. 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:29.680 There's nothing to indicate that Jesus had any personal contact with this widow, 00:03:29.900 --> 00:03:32.580 that he talked to her before or after her offering. 00:03:32.580 --> 00:03:37.340 But instead, Jesus uses this poor widow as an object lesson. 00:03:37.480 --> 00:03:40.500 He highlights her sincere faith. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:47.439 And he does so more powerfully by contrasting it against the hypocrisy of these teachers, 00:03:47.640 --> 00:03:49.200 of the scribes. 00:03:49.880 --> 00:03:51.820 And so perhaps you've been taught that way before. 00:03:52.160 --> 00:03:54.340 You've not only been taught how to do something correctly, 00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:57.160 but you've also been shown how not to do it right. 00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:01.699 You know, two of my kids, the older two, are playing football now on Saturday mornings, 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:05.180 and we often go into our back garden and kick a ball around as well. 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:09.680 And I grew up playing football, soccer, as we'd call it in the States, of course. 00:04:10.139 --> 00:04:12.400 And so I often give them instructions. 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:14.879 I show them how to kick the ball with their laces, 00:04:14.979 --> 00:04:16.939 with their ankle locked when you're taking that shot, 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:19.100 or how to pass the ball with your instep. 00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:21.699 But oftentimes I'll show them, too, how not to do it. 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:23.100 We don't want to toe the ball. 00:04:23.339 --> 00:04:25.740 We don't want to flex our ankle when we kick it. 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:31.139 And it helps them because they see how not to do it to better understand how to do it properly. 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:32.319 So the same thing goes here. 00:04:32.420 --> 00:04:35.579 Jesus is pointing out the virtue of this woman, 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:40.500 but he's also highlighting the hypocrisy of the scribes. 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:46.740 He contrasts this woman's sincere faith with the phony religion of the religious leaders. 00:04:47.780 --> 00:04:52.639 And so we see in this passage there's really this large difference between the religious, 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:57.199 what it means to be religious and what it means to have sincere faith. 00:04:57.800 --> 00:05:02.139 Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus spend time with a lot of different people. 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:06.919 We know that he spent time with tax collectors, with prostitutes, with other sinners. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:13.919 But we see that he reserves his most harsh statements. 00:05:14.099 --> 00:05:19.680 His strongest rebukes are reserved for the religious leaders of the day. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:27.540 He was far more concerned with how they were bringing down the glory of God, 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:35.379 how they were focusing attention on themselves rather than acting like true shepherds of the people. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:39.920 And in fact, if we were to turn back to Matthew 23, Jesus calls out the scribes. 00:05:39.960 --> 00:05:45.620 This is where we see Jesus give the seven woes to the Pharisees and to the scribes. 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:49.540 He's saying that everything they do is done only for men to see. 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:50.740 He says, 00:05:50.740 --> 00:06:14.660 And he ends by saying that these Pharisees and scribes are like snakes. 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:16.759 They are a brood of vipers. 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:23.060 And so we see that Jesus is not parsing his word when he shows his contempt for the attitude 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:30.980 and the actions of those who pretend to be men of God, but are in fact leading men from God. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:35.839 And so in this passage, Jesus, when he points out the hypocrisy of these scribes, 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:41.360 he's really pointing out three different forms of hypocrisy that I want to look at this evening. 00:06:41.480 --> 00:06:43.000 And they all begin with the letter P. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:46.779 So if you're taking notes, this will be easy to write down and to remember, hopefully. 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:49.860 We're going to be looking at three forms of hypocrisy. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:54.560 One, the scribes' passion for prominence. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:07:01.620 Second, their predatory pastoring and their pretentious prayers. 00:07:01.819 --> 00:07:04.939 All three of these things showing their hypocrisy. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:10.740 And so let's look first at their passion for prominence in verse 46. 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.319 It says, 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:30.300 Now, we should remember that these scribes are teachers. 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:34.460 Their role is to reveal the glory of the God through scriptures. 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:41.159 And yet we see time and time again when Jesus rebukes them, it's because they crave their own glory and honor. 00:07:41.299 --> 00:07:42.419 They're seeking their own attention. 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:47.359 In fact, they're expecting adulation from other Jews. 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:50.379 Perhaps we know people like that. 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:53.219 You know, these people that always want to be the center of the tension. 00:07:53.359 --> 00:07:54.519 They love receiving praise. 00:07:54.620 --> 00:08:01.199 If they're going to do anything, they want to make sure that they're going to be acknowledged and appreciated for their work. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:08.240 And so when we see that people that desire this prominence, what's at the heart of this issue is their pride. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:10.819 C.S. Lewis says this about pride. 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:16.800 He says that the essential vice, the utmost evil, is our pride. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:24.159 Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, all of these things are mere flea bites in comparison. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:28.560 It was through pride that the devil became the devil. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:31.879 Pride leads to every other vice. 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:35.679 It is the complete anti-God state of mind. 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:42.159 And so when we think about pride, it can really be summarized as this attitude of self-sufficiency, 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:46.679 this attitude of self-exaltation in relation to God. 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:52.820 And the problem with pride is it's always easy to identify in other people, 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:56.740 but it's much harder to identify in ourselves. 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:58.840 But Lewis goes on to say this. 00:08:58.940 --> 00:08:59.139 He says, 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:07.440 There's no surer proof of a confirmed pride than a belief that one is sufficiently humble. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:13.000 And so we need to ask ourselves, what puffs us up? 00:09:14.060 --> 00:09:16.960 And not just in our normal lives, not in our jobs, in our relationships. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:18.060 That's important, of course. 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:21.659 But more importantly, in our spiritual lives. 00:09:22.719 --> 00:09:32.119 That's what makes Jesus so particularly upset at the scribes is because they are prideful in their role as spiritual leaders. 00:09:33.359 --> 00:09:36.579 There's another really good quote from the great Puritan Jonathan Edwards. 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:37.979 He says this about pride. 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:45.480 He says the first and the worst cause of error that abound in our day and age is spiritual pride. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:53.279 He said this is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ. 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:58.980 Pride is the main handle by which he has hold of Christian persons 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:06.800 and the chief source of all mischief that he introduces to clog and hinder the work of God. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:11.720 And so, like I said, it's easy to identify pride in others. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:16.060 Let us take time to search the depths of our own heart. 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:20.980 Certainly, we don't parade around like these scribes in long robes. 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:23.700 We may not care about where we sit at church. 00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:29.020 But our pride certainly shows itself in other ways, maybe more subtle ways. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:35.660 Maybe our pride isn't detectable to others, but it's certainly something that we sense ourselves. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:39.759 And so, let's consider what tempts us. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:41.560 How does our pride tempt us? 00:10:41.660 --> 00:10:46.400 Are we tempted to prove ourselves based on being active in service? 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:52.559 Do we try to prove our worth through being faithful in prayer, 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:56.699 by being more knowledgeable of the scriptures, by having perfect church attendance, 00:10:57.079 --> 00:11:00.500 or maybe being more concerned for the needy? 00:11:01.819 --> 00:11:04.439 You know, all those things aren't bad in and of themselves. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:09.980 But when we view them as the source of our personal significance, 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:12.240 we're no longer honoring God. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:16.259 We simply want to honor ourselves. 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:21.319 And so, in addition to this passion for prominence, 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:27.079 Jesus points out that second form of hypocrisy that the scribes show. 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:29.620 It's that predatory pastoring. 00:11:30.459 --> 00:11:35.539 In verse 47, it says that these scribes devour widows' houses. 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:39.620 Now, we're not given any explanation of what that really means. 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:44.240 It may indicate that in trying to help widows, maybe manage their finances, 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:46.779 they're actually swindling them out of their money. 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:53.060 Perhaps they're persuading them to give more to the temple than they can actually afford or ought to give. 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:59.600 But whatever it may be, we certainly know and can understand that rather than caring for these vulnerable women, 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:02.759 these scribes are actually taking advantage of them. 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:08.220 And so, this really corresponds well with what we just finished up studying in 1 Peter. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:13.559 We looked a couple weeks ago at 1 Peter 5, where Peter discusses the role of elders. 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:18.399 And he tells the elders that they are to be the shepherds of the flock. 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:25.439 And in doing so, they must do so not because they must, but because they are willing to lead. 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:29.759 Not out of greed, but out of a desire and an eagerness to serve. 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:33.319 Not lording over others, but leading by example. 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:37.740 And so, this description that Peter gives, we can see in this passage, 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:40.940 is certainly not being followed by the scribes of the day. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:48.160 As shepherds, leaders are to care for the flock, to nurture and to provide for the needy. 00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:52.540 But we see here, instead of the scribes being shepherds, 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:55.120 they're actually playing the role of the wolf. 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:59.100 They are devouring the sheep rather than protecting them. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:04.620 And so, that leads us to this last form of hypocrisy that Jesus points out here. 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:08.440 The hypocrisy through pretentious prayers. 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:15.440 Over the last few months, our families had these electrical issues at our house. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:20.300 We don't know the cause of it, but one of our breakers keeps tripping, 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:25.120 which causes us to lose power for an hour or two at a time, and we can't get it back on. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:29.120 And we've actually had a couple electricians out to the house to look at it. 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:31.159 They haven't been able to figure out what's going on. 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:33.600 We actually had another one last week. 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:38.899 And when he comes, he always wants to talk about what he's doing 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:41.080 and what he's going to try to do to fix it. 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:44.159 And he's using all this technical jargon that I just, 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:48.259 I really have no real understanding of what he's saying. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:49.460 I'm not an electrician. 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:52.120 I know very little about electricity. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:55.200 I can change a light fixture, and that's really about it. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:57.519 So, when he's talking to me in these technical terms, 00:13:58.060 --> 00:14:01.779 a few times I've just had to stop him and ask him to explain it another way 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:03.560 because I just don't understand. 00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:09.240 Certainly, he's demonstrating his knowledge and his expertise, 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:16.139 but it's of no benefit to me as someone who's not an electrician. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:18.620 And so, the same goes for the scribes here. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:23.200 Their prayers are only being used to make themselves sound important, 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:27.100 to display their own level of religiosity. 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:31.220 The thing is, although they want to appear pious, 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:34.659 their words are actually empty and useless. 00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:39.460 And as a result, their prayers are rejected by God. 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:43.519 You know, we probably, we still see this in the church today. 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:46.980 Oftentimes, when we pray publicly, 00:14:47.199 --> 00:14:50.439 we can be very concerned about who is listening to our prayers. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:52.079 And we have two different kinds of people. 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:54.419 We can have those who are very eager to pray in public 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.519 because they like to be heard. 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:57.279 They like to use their eloquence. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:59.919 And while eloquence doesn't mean that it's insincere, 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:02.879 oftentimes, we focus on the eloquence, 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.960 and our words are just empty. 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:09.659 Other times, we have people who just really hate to pray in public 00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:13.039 because they're afraid of what other people may think of their prayers 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.399 because they're ineloquent. 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:19.000 And so, the problem is here, both sides, 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:22.860 both these groups are focusing on themselves 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:25.059 rather than focusing on God, 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:27.740 who is the object of our prayers. 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:31.620 And so, that's one of the two questions we need to ask 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:33.319 when we go to prayer is, 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:35.319 who is the object of our prayer? 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:38.039 But also, what is the purpose of our prayer? 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:42.579 The object of our prayer must always be God. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.679 It doesn't matter who is listening to us. 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:46.559 It doesn't matter who is around. 00:15:46.959 --> 00:15:51.779 It's God who should be the recipient of our prayers. 00:15:52.959 --> 00:15:56.039 And then, when we think about what's the purpose of our prayers, 00:15:57.339 --> 00:16:00.480 the purpose of our prayers should not be to earn the admiration 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:04.539 or the appreciation of those who may hear our prayers, 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:11.419 but instead, it should be to proclaim our praise and thanksgiving to God, 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:15.299 to confess our sins and to make our requests known to Him 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:19.500 because anything short of that is a form of hypocrisy, 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:22.879 which Jesus shows here that He detests. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:28.919 And so, now we turn to the beginning of chapter 21, 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.919 where we look at this poor widow 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:37.159 who demonstrates her sincere faith in the face of phony religion. 00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:39.960 Now, as we look at her, 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:44.080 it's important to note a few things about this description, 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:46.080 both the setting and the character. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:48.700 Jesus and His disciples, when He's talking to them, 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:51.460 are in one of the courtyards of the temple. 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:54.800 And it was in this courtyard where these collection boxes 00:16:54.800 --> 00:16:58.840 would be set up for giving toward the temple. 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:02.200 And there actually would have been 13 of these receptacles 00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:04.259 spaced out throughout the room. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:09.319 And these receptacles were actually shaped in the form of a trumpet. 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.759 So, it had a very small opening 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:14.440 and then opened up toward this basin at the bottom 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:17.400 where the coins would clink down and collect. 00:17:18.100 --> 00:17:21.000 And so, it was a rather public setting for giving, 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:23.119 though you could try to be private in giving your money, 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:28.240 it could be very easy to do so in a public manner. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:30.059 Imagine if you came in 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:32.859 and there'd be a lot of people there that would see you, potentially, 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.579 and you came in with lots of coins 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:37.140 and you'd have to drop them one at a time 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:40.359 and you could hear each coin clink into the receptacle. 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:46.279 You know, you could do so and certainly be noticed by many people. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:49.639 If you wanted to be known for your giving or your generosity, 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:52.000 this was certainly the place to do it. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:54.899 But we see this widow come in 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:58.599 and we must remember that widows in that day and age 00:17:58.599 --> 00:18:02.299 were considered the most vulnerable in society. 00:18:02.459 --> 00:18:05.799 They had no regular means of financial support. 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:09.139 They couldn't work in society like many of the men could. 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:11.839 They had no one to care or protect for them. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:15.740 They may have children of their own that they have to care for. 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:19.279 So, as a result, they have to rely on the charity of others. 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.899 And so, this widow walks in 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:26.159 and it says she puts two very small copper coins 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:28.099 in one of these receptacles. 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:34.399 And each one of these coins would have been about one one-hundredth of a denarius, 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:41.539 which would have equated to about five minutes of manual labor at minimum wage. 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:45.799 And yet we see in verse 3 that Jesus says, 00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:46.919 I tell you the truth, 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:51.959 this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:55.679 All these people, they gave their gifts out of their wealth, 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:58.380 but she came in and out of her poverty. 00:18:58.560 --> 00:19:00.480 She gave all that she had. 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:06.259 And so, Jesus here is wanting us to see the true value of her gift. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:09.380 By human standards, she didn't give much of anything. 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:14.600 You know, her two little copper coins would really not do anything 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:17.740 to benefit the work of the temple or the work of the priests. 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:21.539 They'd really be totally unaffected whether or not she gave that money. 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:26.379 However, by God's standard, her gift amounted to much more 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:30.319 than everything else that others had given combined. 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:34.920 And so, this really shows what matters most to God. 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:38.659 God's greatest concern, Jesus' concern in this passage, 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:40.480 is the widow's heart. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:44.960 Because it's through her actions that she demonstrates her sincere faith. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:48.899 You see, her sincere faith doesn't look to elevate herself. 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:53.600 It doesn't look to see how she can benefit from her relationship with God. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:57.040 Unlike the scribes who are more concerned with seeking their own glory, 00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:59.720 this woman seeks the glory of God. 00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:04.480 She demonstrates that it is God alone who is worthy of her praise. 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:07.400 And she demonstrates that through her giving. 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:11.080 We see in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:13.240 the very first question, 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:13.960 it asks, 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.860 What is the chief end of man? 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.160 The answer, 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:20.940 To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:23.059 That is our goal in this life, 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:26.100 and that is our goal in the life to come. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:28.620 In Revelation 5.12, 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:31.740 it says that the angels and all living creatures and elders 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:33.720 encircled the throne of Jesus 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.819 and sang in a mighty chorus, 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:38.140 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:44.500 to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.220 And so we see here, 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:50.160 through this poor widow's sincere faith, 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:54.520 she demonstrates that God is worthy of her worship 00:20:54.520 --> 00:20:58.880 and that God is worthy of her resources. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.840 In giving her money, 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:04.740 she's not trying to attract the attention of men. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:07.340 She's not trying to earn favor with God. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:09.899 It's truly an act of humility 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:11.779 that stands in stark contrast 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:15.659 to the pridefulness and the hypocrisy of these scribes. 00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:19.439 You know, it's these scribes who wanted to be praised 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:21.079 and acknowledged in everything they do. 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:24.559 This widow recognizes her lowly position. 00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:26.980 She recognizes that she is nothing, 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:29.720 but yet gives everything she has. 00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:32.099 John Calvin said this, 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:32.659 He said, 00:21:32.659 --> 00:21:32.679 He said, 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:38.159 The chief sacrifice that God requires of us is self-denial. 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:43.699 Because it's only through self-denial that God can be elevated in our lives. 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:47.179 We cannot worship self and God. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:49.899 We only have one throne in our hearts, 00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:50.939 and it cannot be shared. 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:56.439 We cannot have God sit on our throne while we still sit on that same throne. 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:59.420 You know, picture with me the scales. 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:02.940 When one side goes down, the other side goes up. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.779 If this side goes down, this side goes up. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:08.400 We can't have both sides up at the same time. 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:11.380 And so the same goes for our lives. 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:14.380 If we are attention-seeking and hungry for praise, 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:17.100 then God becomes less in our lives. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:19.320 If we elevate God, 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:21.740 if we want to see Him high and lifted up, 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:24.259 then we recognize that we must be humbled. 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:26.799 John the Baptist said this, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:30.339 When Jesus started His ministry and He too is baptizing people, 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:33.740 people come to John the Baptist and are concerned for His own ministry. 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.599 What's going to happen now that Jesus is here? 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:38.180 And what does John respond by saying? 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:38.619 He says, 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:43.579 He must increase and I must decrease. 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:51.160 And so not only is God worthy of our worship that we see, 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:53.920 but He's also worthy of our resources. 00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:56.059 Because the same holds true. 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:58.299 The more we value our possessions, 00:22:58.579 --> 00:23:01.519 the less that we are going to value God. 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:04.299 Jesus says that where your treasure is, 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.920 there your heart will be also. 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:08.140 So if we want to see God glorified, 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:12.019 then we're going to be willing to hold on loosely to the things of this world. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:15.759 Our possessions, our finances, 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:21.420 will pale in comparison to the treasure that we have in Jesus. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:25.259 And so that ultimately leads us to where a lot of people, 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:28.180 their sole focus is on this passage. 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:31.500 They see this poor widow who has given everything she has. 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.740 And so that's our lesson, right? 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:37.340 That we need to be willing to give everything that we have. 00:23:38.340 --> 00:23:40.140 Well, not exactly. 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:46.120 The story of generosity isn't in the Bible simply to encourage us to be generous too. 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:52.179 It's not just, this woman doesn't serve just as an image of how we should be, 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:56.519 but it's an image of who Jesus is. 00:23:57.219 --> 00:23:59.500 It reveals to us the gospel story. 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:02.259 It's a foretelling of the sacrifice of Jesus. 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:07.980 Because it's only in this very next chapter in Luke where Jesus is betrayed and arrested 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.619 and is soon to be crucified. 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:15.539 It says in Philippians 2 that though Jesus was in the form of God, 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:19.319 he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:23.559 But he made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:27.279 Being made in human likeness and being found in the appearance of man, 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:33.420 he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:39.879 And so if the actions of this widow seem scary or foolish to us, 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:45.139 let us look to the cross for this story points us to Christ. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:48.420 It is Christ who has sacrificed everything for us. 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:51.399 It is Christ who willingly died that we may have life. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:55.779 He suffered the penalty for our sins so that we may be free. 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:59.220 And this is the good news of the gospel. 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:02.920 And so for those of us who have the good news, 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:06.920 then we are motivated to lives of generosity. 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:12.480 And we're not generous because we think we have to earn God's favor still. 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:16.119 But it's specifically because we have God's favor, 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:18.779 because out of a heart of gratefulness, 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:24.440 at the gift of life through the blood of Jesus that we have been given, 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:27.519 that we are naturally led to lives of generosity. 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:33.500 So we give generously because God has generously given to us. 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:38.400 And so really, two quick principles when we think about generosity. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:43.400 That God deserves priority in our giving, 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:47.720 and God deserves sacrificial giving. 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:51.740 And so when we think about prioritized giving, what does that mean? 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:56.819 Well, it means that God, that we are willing to give God everything 00:25:56.819 --> 00:26:01.799 because we recognize all of our resources come from Him. 00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:05.920 If we're truly motivated out of a gratefulness for God's generosity to us, 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:09.620 then we're not going to be satisfied with giving God just our leftovers. 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:14.519 Christ and His kingdom are going to be a priority in our lives. 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:18.219 So therefore, we honor the Lord with our firstfruits. 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:23.319 But secondly, we also give sacrificially. 00:26:24.479 --> 00:26:28.259 And this really applies to all of us, whether we have a lot of money or not. 00:26:28.439 --> 00:26:31.719 Generosity isn't contingent on how much money we have. 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:35.439 Everyone, every one of us can be generous. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:41.720 Because we see here that God doesn't measure generosity by the amount of the gift, 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:43.920 but at the cost to the giver. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:49.900 And so generous giving truly means that it is going to hurt us. 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:56.500 But we recognize the goodness that it brings and the glory that it gives to God. 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.900 And so as we think about this passage, 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:04.200 oftentimes we've probably heard it in the context of being used by ministers 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:08.319 who may be a little concerned about cash running low at church 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:10.940 or a building project that's about to get underway. 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:16.500 I assure you that this passage was not picked because of our own refurbishment project. 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.960 That's about to begin. 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:22.180 But I think it would be foolish if we didn't see this project 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:25.400 as a point of application to this text. 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:30.400 Our refurbishment project is not going to be cheap. 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:35.440 It's been said before that this is going to require sacrificial giving. 00:27:35.580 --> 00:27:38.420 But we need to remember the purpose of this project. 00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:43.640 It's not to make us more comfortable, but to make God known. 00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:48.820 These renovations will give us the ability to do more ministry, 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:51.120 to be able to welcome more people into the church 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:54.880 that they may experience the love and fellowship of Christ. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:58.560 And so we can be confident that in giving generously, 00:27:58.800 --> 00:28:02.220 that is directly linked to the work of the gospel. 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:08.980 And it's important to recognize here that it doesn't only mean being generous with our finances. 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:12.840 We must learn to be generous with our talents and with our time 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:15.160 because a project like this, 00:28:15.260 --> 00:28:20.020 it's really going to have no lasting benefit to the church or to the community 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:24.559 if we don't also commit ourselves to the work of the gospel. 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:27.500 You know, Paul says in Romans 12, 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:33.079 I urge you in light of God's mercy to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:35.160 holy and pleasing to God. 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:38.720 This is your spiritual act of worship. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:46.140 And so just as we see the sincere faith of this widow that compels her to her generosity, 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:51.819 let us also consider and remember the sacrifice of Jesus, 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:57.059 that we may also be motivated in our living and in our giving 00:28:57.059 --> 00:29:02.100 to do so in such a way that we demonstrate our sincere faith 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:05.799 and that God may be ultimately glorified. 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.660 Let's pray together. 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:13.200 Lord, we thank you that you are a generous God, 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:19.279 that you did not spare your only son in order that we may be saved. 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:23.519 Lord, we thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:26.980 for your blood being shed for the forgiveness of sins. 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:32.420 And so as we consider this poor widow who gave everything she had, 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:36.759 Lord, help us to be pointed to you, 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:38.940 to recognize your mercy, 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:42.839 to recognize your grace and your generosity to us. 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:46.859 And let us be motivated to generosity. 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:55.859 Let us be willing to give of our money and our time and our resources for the glory of Christ, 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:59.859 for the advancement of your kingdom here in Edinburgh and to the ends of the world. 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:02.419 And this we pray in Jesus' name. 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.519 Amen. 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:03.619 Amen. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:10.539 And now in closing, we're going to sing a couple songs together. 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:12.359 First, we're going to sing a hymn, 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.599 My Worth Is Not, 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.200 followed by a psalm, 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.339 Psalm 16, 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:18.420 verses 7 through 11. 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:35.620 My worth is not in what I own, 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:41.400 not in the strength of flesh and bone, 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:51.440 but in the costly wounds of love at the cross. 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:59.680 My worth is not in skill or name, 00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:05.680 in weight or losing pride or shame, 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:14.440 but in the blood of Christ that flowed at the cross. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:24.039 I rejoice in my Redeemer, 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:27.039 greatest treasure, 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:30.640 wellspring of my soul. 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:36.100 I will trust in Him no other, 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:41.460 my soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:50.840 As summer's flowers we fade and die, 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:56.420 fame, youth and beauty hurry by. 00:31:56.420 --> 00:32:06.300 But life eternal calls to us at the cross. 00:32:09.300 --> 00:32:14.920 I will not boast in wealth or might, 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:20.620 or human wisdom's fleeting light, 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:30.379 but I will boast in knowing Christ at the cross. 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:39.120 I rejoice in my Redeemer, 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:42.100 greatest treasure, 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:45.660 wellspring of my soul. 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:51.160 I will trust in Him no other, 00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:56.240 my soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:57.240 I will trust in Him no other, 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.240 my soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.240 I will trust in Him no other, 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.240 my soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:05.599 To wonders here that I confess, 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:11.539 my worth and my unworthiness, 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:15.319 my value fixed, 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:20.480 my ransom paid at the cross. 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:28.480 I rejoice in my Redeemer, 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:32.480 my greatest treasure, 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:36.640 wellspring of my soul. 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:41.480 I will trust in Him no other, 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:47.480 my soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:52.480 I will trust in Him no other, 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:56.480 my soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:33:56.480 --> 00:34:00.480 I will trust in Him no other, 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:06.480 my soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:13.480 I will trust in Him alone. 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:16.480 I will trust in Him no other, 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:18.480 my soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:23.480 My soul is satisfied in Him alone. 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:25.480 I will trust in Him only, 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:38.480 I will trust in Him no other, 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:40.820 my historyàn of Mkoi Ježd 00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:56.960 Lord my God whose counsel guides my choice and even in the night my heart 00:34:56.960 --> 00:35:08.000 recalls instructions voice before me constantly 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:14.460 I set the Lord alone 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:21.059 because he is at my right hand 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:27.000 I'll not be overthrown 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:33.139 therefore my heart is glad 00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:38.599 my tongue with joy will sing 00:35:38.599 --> 00:35:45.139 my body too will rest secure 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:52.139 in hope unwavering 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:57.599 for you will not allow 00:35:57.599 --> 00:36:04.139 my soul in death to stay 00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:10.599 nor will you leave your Holy One 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:16.059 to see the tombs decay 00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:22.059 you have made known to me 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:28.059 the path of life divine 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:34.519 bliss shall I know at your right hand 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:42.519 joy from your face will shine 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:47.980 you 00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:49.980 you 00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:51.980 you 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:53.980 you 00:36:53.980 --> 00:36:55.980 you