WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.240 Well, it's good to see those of you who are here. Good job, brave in the snow. It's great to have you here and I trust and be praying that God takes you home safe. 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:24.940 We find ourselves this morning in Luke chapter 20. We're going to be picking this up in verse 41 and it's going to take us to Luke chapter 21 verse 4. 00:00:26.380 --> 00:00:35.820 Just to set some context for where we are, we've been spending some time kind of looking through this final week of Jesus' life and ministry. 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:45.740 This is the Passion Week. We picked it up on a Friday as Jesus is making his way into Jericho and the interaction that he has with the blind men that are there, 00:00:46.120 --> 00:00:57.299 the interaction that he has with Zacchaeus and then that group of individuals are making their way up to Jerusalem on a Saturday. 00:00:57.299 --> 00:01:08.000 And then on a Sunday, Jesus is making his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. And then we find ourselves on Monday that Jesus is cleansing the temple. 00:01:08.379 --> 00:01:21.120 And then on Tuesday and Wednesday, he's teaching. He's made it a point to address these crowds. He's made it a point to extend to them the grace of God through the Word of God. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:34.640 But just for a moment, with me marvel at the wonder of God's kindness to continue to make himself accessible to the very people that were going to kill him on Friday. 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:44.500 Here he is extending his very person. He's accessible. He's near. He's available for their questions. 00:01:44.500 --> 00:01:50.659 He's fielding the criticism of these religious leaders. He's instructing them from the Scriptures. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:58.599 He's extending himself an invitation, trying to make the truth of the Word of God clear to them so they will hear it. 00:01:58.960 --> 00:02:02.280 They will receive it and they'll know without a shadow of a doubt who he is. 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:07.240 His identity is clear through these final days of his life. 00:02:07.239 --> 00:02:18.180 And we find again the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ extending himself again to these individuals again here at the temple. 00:02:19.139 --> 00:02:23.459 And we find these many facets this morning of God's grace. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:29.120 Three little stories, three little pieces, snippets of this day. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:37.340 And it doesn't seem apparent at first what is really going on and how these pieces connect together. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:43.599 But that God is extending his goodness, his grace to those who are there. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:47.300 And that's what I want to just kind of draw your attention to this morning. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:57.900 The different facets, the different aspects of God's kindness to various individuals that he encounters here on this day here in the temple. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:02.340 I wonder if maybe you've ever asked yourself the question, 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:04.200 How did I miss that? 00:03:05.080 --> 00:03:07.580 You ever ask yourself the question, How did I miss that? 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:09.879 It was so obvious. It was so clear. 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:11.780 And I missed it. How did I miss it? 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:14.860 And maybe you were putting together a piece of furniture. 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:18.860 Or maybe you were trying to fix your car. 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:24.480 Or maybe something that required some instructions and a recipe. 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:27.939 And it just didn't turn out the way it was supposed to turn out. 00:03:28.119 --> 00:03:31.340 And you look back at the instructions like, What did I miss? 00:03:31.399 --> 00:03:32.359 How did I miss that? 00:03:32.919 --> 00:03:36.780 And you look at those instructions and there it was in bold. 00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:38.639 And it was numbered. It was clear. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:40.719 And somehow it escaped your attention. 00:03:42.199 --> 00:03:47.719 Well, I had an experience like that several years ago when I was in my first year at seminary. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:50.419 I was in a hermeneutics class. 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:54.300 And hermeneutics just basically is a study of interpretation. 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:55.580 Interpreting the Bible. 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:58.860 And my professor had kind of built up. 00:03:58.919 --> 00:03:59.879 There were two assignments. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:02.219 Two main papers that were due. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:05.099 One at the middle and one at the end of the semester. 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:07.560 And he built these papers up to be, 00:04:08.060 --> 00:04:13.020 If you don't do well on this paper, you should not be a pastor. 00:04:13.020 --> 00:04:16.240 I go, Wow, this is really important. 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:17.620 I got to get this right. 00:04:17.840 --> 00:04:18.660 I got to work hard. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:20.759 I got to follow the instructions. 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:23.939 And so I worked on this for weeks. 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:27.699 I poured my heart and life into this paper. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:31.300 And there were two sections of instructions on how to do this. 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:33.240 One at the beginning of the syllabus. 00:04:33.840 --> 00:04:37.280 And one towards the end of the instructions section. 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:40.560 And so I read those instructions. 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:41.900 I followed them to the T. 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:43.959 I had the right length. 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:45.379 I had the right content. 00:04:45.859 --> 00:04:48.139 I had the right number of scholarly sources. 00:04:48.819 --> 00:04:51.779 I used the right number of interpretive elements. 00:04:52.099 --> 00:04:53.079 I had the right format. 00:04:53.219 --> 00:04:54.399 I turned it in on time. 00:04:54.939 --> 00:04:57.939 And to my surprise and utter dismay, 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:01.139 I got the paper back, D minus. 00:05:02.539 --> 00:05:03.459 D minus! 00:05:03.739 --> 00:05:06.699 What in the world was I missing? 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:08.779 So I called the professor. 00:05:09.299 --> 00:05:10.539 And we talked it through. 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:14.600 And come to find out there was a formatting issue. 00:05:15.280 --> 00:05:16.460 Everything was intact. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:19.400 All of the things were in place. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:20.680 It was a formatting issue. 00:05:21.080 --> 00:05:22.740 And because of a formatting issue, 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:23.900 I got a D minus. 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:28.060 I'm like, well, where were the instructions for that? 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:32.540 And so going back in the day, the early 2000s, 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:34.480 the syllabuses did not come out electronically. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:38.060 You got a physical copy of that syllabus. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:40.240 And it was printed by the library. 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:42.300 And I received my syllabus. 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:44.899 And come to find out, I was missing a page. 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:49.959 A page of my syllabus was missing from the library that printed this for me. 00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:57.299 And I could not know because it was at the end of a section that went from myrman numerals to enumeration. 00:05:57.500 --> 00:05:58.659 One, two, three, four, five. 00:06:00.419 --> 00:06:07.699 Now just because the instructions were not captured for me in my copy of the syllabus, 00:06:07.699 --> 00:06:13.459 I was still responsible for the standards, the expectations of the paper. 00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:19.860 And so while it may seem to be impossible for me to meet the expectations 00:06:19.860 --> 00:06:21.620 because they were hidden from me, 00:06:21.719 --> 00:06:24.639 it didn't mean that those expectations were still not in place. 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:26.180 And I was still accountable for them. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:31.240 And while it seemed unfair because those instructions were hidden, 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:36.139 I was still accountable to meet the expectations that were written. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:42.740 God, in this final week, is making the instructions clear. 00:06:43.860 --> 00:06:47.659 God, by His grace, is extending truth. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:52.839 And throughout His ministry, He's made it so clear, so evident, so obvious. 00:06:53.419 --> 00:07:00.079 And the testimony of Scripture is that it's a testimony of God giving us everything that we need, 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:02.599 as 2 Peter says, for life and godliness. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:04.439 All the instructions are there. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:08.339 All the words, all the truths, nothing is hidden from view. 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:09.579 It's all available. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:10.839 It's all accessible. 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:13.240 The question is, will you read it? 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:13.879 Will you know it? 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:21.199 But we also need to realize that just because the truths are shared, 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:23.139 just like they were from Christ's ministry, 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:29.040 through the teaching of His words and through the evidence of His works, 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:29.759 His miracles, 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:33.879 it was still hidden from view from these religious leaders, 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:39.719 and it was still hidden from view from many of those who were listening and watching Christ as He taught. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:44.480 You see, even though we have access to truth, 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:46.180 we can still miss it. 00:07:46.180 --> 00:07:51.699 We can still miss it because we need the Spirit to help inform our hearts 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:55.879 and to bring the blinders down, as it were, 00:07:56.040 --> 00:08:00.340 and to reveal in us the truths that only the Spirit can reveal. 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:06.720 Paul says to the church of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 2, verses 13 and 14, 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:09.180 he's communicating this when he says, 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:12.440 and we impart this in words. 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:13.660 He's speaking about the gospel. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:17.380 Not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit. 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:21.060 Interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 00:08:22.460 --> 00:08:27.120 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, 00:08:27.260 --> 00:08:29.180 for they are folly to him. 00:08:29.840 --> 00:08:32.680 And he is not able to understand them 00:08:32.680 --> 00:08:35.620 because they are spiritually discerned. 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:40.799 So even this morning, as we enter our time of looking into the Word of God, 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:45.539 the only way for the Word of God to have its impact in our life 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:47.460 is for the Spirit to do His work. 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:51.919 His truth, however accessible, however clear, however direct, 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:56.460 in order for it to have its way in your heart, you need the Spirit. 00:08:57.220 --> 00:08:59.419 I'm just going to pray briefly that God will do this for us. 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:02.139 We're going to invite the Holy Spirit to have His way 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:04.919 as we work through this passage together. 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:09.060 Lord, thank you that you've made your Word clear. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:12.560 Thank you that it's direct and accessible. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:18.500 But, oh Lord, we understand that even in what seems a very simple task, 00:09:18.919 --> 00:09:21.399 that we need the help of your Holy Spirit, 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:25.779 because natural men cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God, 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:27.220 their foolishness to us, 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:32.420 unless we have the help of your Spirit directing, informing, 00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:37.200 convicting, and helping us as we seek to know what you say. 00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:42.340 So, Father, I pray that you would graciously meet us, 00:09:42.660 --> 00:09:43.940 even in these moments, 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:46.440 as we dive into the Scriptures. 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:50.240 I pray that we would not just be hearers of the Word, 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:51.100 but doers of it. 00:09:51.460 --> 00:09:52.920 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:56.760 We're going to see three different aspects of God's grace 00:09:56.760 --> 00:09:58.580 through Jesus Christ, 00:09:58.660 --> 00:10:03.220 these gifts that He is imparting to those listeners here at the temple. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:05.520 The first is the gift of God's Word. 00:10:06.020 --> 00:10:07.040 The gift of God's Word. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:09.560 We see that in verses 41 to 44. 00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:10.600 Notice with me. 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.460 By the way, we're in Luke chapter 20. 00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:13.659 If you're using the Pew Bible, 00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:15.860 it's on page 880. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:17.960 I trust you're following along with us. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:18.680 It says this. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:20.139 This is Jesus. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.680 He said to them, 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:25.600 How can they say that the Christ is David's son? 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:28.820 For David himself says in the book of Psalms, 00:10:29.300 --> 00:10:30.899 The Lord said to my Lord, 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:34.920 Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:37.800 David thus calls him Lord. 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:40.740 So, how is He his son? 00:10:41.859 --> 00:10:44.659 The question may seem a little out of place. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.859 If you're kind of following along with us, 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:50.299 and you've been with us along these several weeks, 00:10:50.939 --> 00:10:55.159 you'll realize that Jesus has been answering some questions. 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:56.319 We saw that last week. 00:10:56.879 --> 00:11:00.459 He answered some questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:04.359 To the Pharisees who asked Him about the coin. 00:11:05.199 --> 00:11:07.059 Should we pay taxes to Caesar, right? 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:09.539 And in Luke chapter 20 verse 25, 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:10.079 He says, 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:12.059 Give to God the things that are God. 00:11:12.359 --> 00:11:14.359 Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. 00:11:15.199 --> 00:11:19.359 And then for those Sadducees who asked Him a question about the resurrection, 00:11:19.839 --> 00:11:24.219 the thrust or the focus of Jesus' answer is found in verse 38. 00:11:24.939 --> 00:11:25.379 He says, 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:33.299 It's a question of belonging. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:36.080 It's a question of what are you living for? 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:38.500 It's a question of value and treasure. 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.879 Where is the direction of your life? 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.740 What is the focus of your priorities? 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:45.980 Where is your life driving to in the present moment? 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:48.980 And where will it end up in the future day? 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:55.560 And now this question that Jesus asks about the identity of the Christ, 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:57.620 is He the Son of David? 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:00.420 It almost seems out of place. 00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:03.240 But I think this is what's going on here. 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:06.519 Jesus is giving the gift of truth. 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:14.919 Jesus is seeking to help pull down the last two obstacles that the scribes and the Pharisees 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:19.059 and the Sadducees have about the identity of Jesus. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:26.059 He is speaking to these individuals who are the elite thinkers in Jerusalem. 00:12:26.859 --> 00:12:29.059 He's making them really look silly, as it were, 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:33.339 by answering their questions and doing it right in the midst of the people. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:36.639 So now Jesus is taking the initiative. 00:12:37.359 --> 00:12:39.399 He's silenced the chief priests. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:41.199 He's silenced the Sadducees. 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:44.799 And now He's taking the initiative to ask them a question. 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:47.459 He's speaking to the heart of the issue. 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:53.820 What is the core of their inability in believing in Jesus? 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:55.580 It was His claim to be God. 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:58.759 That's what's at the heart of their problem, 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:01.080 their issue that they're struggling with. 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:05.740 You see, this had been their question throughout His public ministry. 00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:07.600 It really came to a head, 00:13:07.680 --> 00:13:13.920 and we see it really front and center in John chapter 6, verses 41 and 42. 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:17.000 The Jews grumbled about Him because He said, 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:19.159 I am the bread that came down from heaven. 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:22.860 They said, is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.940 whose father and mother we know? 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.779 How does He now say, 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.940 I have come down from heaven? 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:31.860 You can appreciate the struggle. 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:36.340 I think all of us who have a theological underpinning, 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:40.879 we can recognize that there are some things that Jesus was saying 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.240 that seem so out of place. 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:44.840 God is eternal after all. 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:46.519 God is not born. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.580 God has no beginning or end. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:52.000 And if Jesus was born, 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:55.019 and Jesus is from Joseph, 00:13:55.560 --> 00:13:57.580 then how can He be from heaven? 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:01.900 Add to that the clear teaching of the Old Testament, 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:03.020 that God is one. 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:04.720 And in the Shema, 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:06.920 this part of the Scripture 00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:10.360 that was built into the knowledge 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:13.000 and the fabric of Judaism, 00:14:13.660 --> 00:14:16.100 in Deuteronomy chapter 6, 4 and 5. 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:18.020 Hear, O Israel, 00:14:18.400 --> 00:14:19.320 the Lord our God, 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.220 the Lord is one. 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:21.920 You shall love the Lord your God 00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:22.860 with all your heart, 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:23.920 with all your soul, 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:24.939 with all your might. 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:27.779 And here Jesus is making Himself 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:29.339 to be equal with God. 00:14:29.579 --> 00:14:31.000 Jesus is saying He's from heaven. 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:33.919 How can it be that God is one 00:14:34.479 --> 00:14:37.299 and that now Jesus claims to be God, 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:39.519 but He's speaking of coming from a Father? 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:41.919 John chapter 10, verses 33, 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:44.279 kind of brings this to the forefront. 00:14:45.219 --> 00:14:46.120 The Jews answered Him, 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:48.079 It is not for a good work 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:49.219 that we're going to stone you, 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.319 but for blasphemy, 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.879 because you being a man, 00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:53.399 make yourself God. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:55.479 That, of course, was the problem. 00:14:56.459 --> 00:14:58.059 So we've got to appreciate the struggle 00:14:58.059 --> 00:15:01.019 that these religious thinkers were having. 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:03.099 Those who were entrusted 00:15:03.099 --> 00:15:05.360 with the doctrines of the people 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:07.059 and seeking to help, 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:10.039 to guide them in correct theology. 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:13.740 And this concept of Jesus coming from heaven, 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:16.159 that He was also born, 00:15:16.459 --> 00:15:18.439 and that He was equal with the Father, 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:21.699 it broke every piece of their doctrine. 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:24.160 It made their mind hurt. 00:15:24.400 --> 00:15:25.900 They couldn't wrap their heads 00:15:25.900 --> 00:15:27.740 around how this was even possible. 00:15:29.640 --> 00:15:30.300 So Jesus, 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:34.080 with a desire to overcome this obstacle, 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:35.640 uses the gift of Scripture. 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:38.200 He uses the Word of God. 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:40.200 The very Word, by the way, 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.840 that they had attached 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.840 to messianic fulfillment, 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.379 fulfillment, 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:46.300 Jesus is going to use 00:15:46.300 --> 00:15:47.420 that verse, 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:48.620 He's going to apply it 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.300 to this situation, 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:51.019 and He's going to make it 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:52.240 so clear to them 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:52.879 that they, 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:53.980 at this point, 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:56.340 never ask Him a question again. 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:58.840 Because they know the answer. 00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.960 The answer is clear, 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:01.240 and yet it just shatters. 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.940 It shatters everything 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:04.480 about their theology. 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:08.360 Jesus pulls from Psalm 110, 00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:11.560 and He deals with both 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:14.500 of these theological issues simultaneously. 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:16.960 First, He deals with this issue 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.480 of monotheism, 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:21.060 which of course the Lord is one, 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.820 and that is not disputed here, 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:25.180 but Jesus is trying to help them 00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:27.100 get their heads around the fact 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:28.980 that while God is one, 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:31.340 there is this triune nature of God, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.820 these persons of God, 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:34.120 the Father, the Son, 00:16:34.260 --> 00:16:34.900 the Holy Spirit, 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.700 that they had no concept of. 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.900 And yet here it is, 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.740 in Psalm 110. 00:16:40.640 --> 00:16:42.020 Here is this truth 00:16:42.020 --> 00:16:43.620 that is clear. 00:16:44.160 --> 00:16:45.180 It's unmistakable. 00:16:45.780 --> 00:16:46.560 And in this Psalm, 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:47.720 it begins with, 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:50.300 the Lord said to my Lord, 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.660 sit at my right hand. 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.960 And this first word for Lord, 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.020 we're not ready for this slide, 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:55.480 by the way. 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.240 This first word for Lord 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.420 is the word Yahweh. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:01.220 It's the word that's used 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.600 throughout the Old Testament 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:04.539 to speak of God 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.759 as the covenant keeper, 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:07.339 the God who's preeminent 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.279 over His people. 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:10.660 And then this Lord, 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.259 Yahweh, 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:13.980 is speaking to a Lord 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:16.960 who the word is Adonai. 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.819 It's the word for master. 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:21.120 And here we find both names 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:21.779 that are present. 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:24.099 Both clearly represent God. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:27.420 Because God says to the Lord, 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.500 sit at my right hand 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:30.039 until I make your enemies 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.740 your footstool. 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:33.399 This right hand was a hand of power, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.720 a hand of authority. 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.539 I'm going to make your enemies 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.200 your footstool, 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:39.500 which means I'm going to give you 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.359 this honor. 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:42.379 I'm going to allow you 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.940 to exercise power, 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.960 which of course is a right 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:48.339 that's only reserved to God 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.019 and God alone. 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:53.000 This truth would have dismantled 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:55.000 their conventional thinking 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.220 about God. 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.799 Yes, God was one. 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:01.380 But He was one God 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:03.940 represented in this way 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:06.900 of Yahweh speaking to the Lord. 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:07.900 Somehow, 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:10.599 the persons of this Trinity 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.759 even show up here 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:13.119 in Psalm 110.1. 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:14.880 And so, 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.759 because He was this way, 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.440 He existed 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.839 from before the foundation 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.400 of the world. 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:22.080 He possessed the same essence, 00:18:22.300 --> 00:18:23.100 the exercise, 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.100 the same power. 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.740 And we see 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:27.780 at least a glimpse 00:18:27.780 --> 00:18:29.580 of this captured for us 00:18:29.580 --> 00:18:31.980 in Psalm 110.1. 00:18:33.040 --> 00:18:33.680 So, 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:35.759 it deals with their concept 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.519 of the oneness of God, 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:39.220 but also deals with 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:41.380 the issue of headship 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:42.060 and authority. 00:18:43.540 --> 00:18:45.519 Inherent in the Jewish mind 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:47.220 was that the Father 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:49.220 was the head of the family. 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:51.480 And as the head of the family, 00:18:51.780 --> 00:18:52.600 He was preeminent. 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.460 He was the ultimate. 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:55.019 He was the most important. 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.120 And so, 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:57.580 sons would call 00:18:57.580 --> 00:18:58.540 their father Lord. 00:18:59.840 --> 00:19:01.480 Fathers would not call 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.880 their sons Lord. 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:03.420 And yet, 00:19:03.540 --> 00:19:04.440 that is exactly 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.400 what is happening 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.920 here in our text. 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:09.100 This was an issue 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:09.900 of succession 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:11.040 in the mind 00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:12.000 of the Jew. 00:19:12.580 --> 00:19:13.400 That those who 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:14.820 came from the head 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:16.700 then served the head. 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.819 They were the ones 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.480 who carried on 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.259 the name of the head 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.539 and served the purposes 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.120 of the head. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.700 And so, 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:25.080 everything traced back 00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:26.440 to that starting point. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.539 We see 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:30.059 in the religious leader's 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.500 question 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:32.080 of Jesus 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:33.120 six months earlier, 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.299 the same kind 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:34.840 of question 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.500 that comes up 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:37.160 in John 8, 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.860 verse 53. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.460 Are you greater 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.819 than our father Abraham 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.480 who died? 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.819 Speaking all the way 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.619 to the beginning 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:45.500 of the people, 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.439 Abraham, 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.399 which was kind 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:48.759 of the preeminent figure 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.919 of this people, 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.599 this nation. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.299 So, 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:53.480 who is this Lord 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.639 in Psalm 110? 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.000 Well, 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.319 of course, 00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:57.339 he is the Christ, 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.079 the Messiah. 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.039 And we see 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.759 the traces of that 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.259 in the rest of this psalm, 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.939 particularly in Psalm 110, 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.659 verse 2, 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:07.159 in Psalm 10, 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.960 verse 5. 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.299 It speaks about 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.559 what the Lord will do. 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:12.039 The Lord sends forth 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.599 from Zion, 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.859 your mighty scepter. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:14.940 Rule in the midst 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.799 of all your enemies. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:18.319 The Lord is at your right hand. 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.599 He will shatter kings 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.680 on the day of his wrath. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.159 This was the fulfillment 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:22.899 of the promise 00:20:22.899 --> 00:20:23.700 that had been given 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.159 to David 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:25.879 about his future son, 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:26.940 this Messiah, 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.500 this Christ figure. 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:30.819 And the Pharisees 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.700 and scribes 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:32.460 and chief priests 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.599 who were all present 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.460 understood 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.879 this very truth. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.220 So, 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.960 they're not providing 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.099 any pushback, 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.859 any resistance, 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.480 because Jesus 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.659 is speaking in a way 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.360 that they agree. 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:44.259 They know this is speaking 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.740 of this messianic figure, 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.480 but they had never 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:48.220 conceived of the fact 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:50.320 that David is referring 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.259 to him as 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.779 my Lord. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.560 He's my Lord 00:20:54.560 --> 00:20:56.340 as David is writing 00:20:56.340 --> 00:20:57.240 this psalm. 00:20:58.540 --> 00:20:59.500 Connection is this, 00:20:59.560 --> 00:21:01.160 that while the fulfillment 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.340 of this psalm 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:03.259 is messianic, 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.980 it speaks here 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.759 of Christ, 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.360 the Messiah, 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:07.580 who is presented 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:10.259 both as David's son 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:13.079 and as David's Lord. 00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:14.839 Thus, 00:21:15.439 --> 00:21:16.220 he's fully God 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.859 and fully man, 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.519 a concept which would 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.039 have broken 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.539 their theology. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.759 It was mind-blowing. 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:24.019 It broke 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.639 the way 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.859 they viewed God, 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.679 but because 00:21:26.679 --> 00:21:27.619 of their hearts 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.359 were unwilling 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.299 to be teachable, 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.899 they could not receive 00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.339 the truth 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:31.759 that Jesus 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.679 was sharing. 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.740 Jesus graciously 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.620 offers them 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:37.019 the gift of the Scripture, 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:38.160 the very Scriptures 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.799 they even knew 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.380 and embraced, 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.360 and yet they still 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:42.519 could not receive it. 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:45.460 Aren't we so much 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.259 like the Pharisees 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.700 at times? 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.220 That God has graciously 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.080 given us his Word, 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:52.840 that his instructions 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:54.000 are clear to us. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.700 They're not hidden, 00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:56.620 they're not missing, 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.220 they're not too sophisticated, 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.860 they're written 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.140 in simple language. 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.860 He's given us 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.980 everything that we need 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.819 for life and godliness, 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.880 but in order to enjoy 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:07.299 this gift of God's Word, 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.120 there are three things 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:09.779 that need to be true. 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.779 First, we need to be 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.700 those who are in the Word. 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:14.660 We need to be those 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.799 who are in the Word, 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.039 reading the Word, 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.019 listening to the Word, 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.440 studying the Word, 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.759 meditating on the Word, 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.059 as the psalmist says, 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.620 day and night. 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.740 And then you'll be like 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:25.000 a tree that's planted 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.880 by rivers of water. 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.279 Be those who see 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.059 the Word of God 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.799 as David did, 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:31.900 more precious than gold. 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:34.980 The kind of Word 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.700 that is sweeter 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.819 than honey in the honeycomb. 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.440 We need to be those, 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.140 first of all, 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.039 who are in the Word of God 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:43.980 and receive this gift 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:45.220 of God's grace. 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:46.839 Do you realize 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.579 that you can have 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.759 as much of God's grace 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.200 as you want? 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.000 Just open up the book. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.360 Read the Word. 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.660 Enjoy the grace 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:55.180 that God has given to you. 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.360 He's entrusted to you. 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.599 He's dispensed to you 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.339 through the Scriptures. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.360 But second, 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.119 we need to be those 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:01.919 who ask God for help 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:03.959 in understanding the Word. 00:23:04.979 --> 00:23:06.579 Those who ask the Spirit 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.719 to do the work 00:23:07.719 --> 00:23:08.719 of informing our hearts. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.679 1 John 2, verse 27 says, 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.940 but the anointing 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.019 that you receive from Him, 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.400 it abides in you. 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:18.259 And you need, 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:20.279 not that anyone should teach you, 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:22.660 but as His anointing teaches you 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:23.740 about everything 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.840 and is true 00:23:24.840 --> 00:23:26.400 and is no lie, 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:28.400 just as it has taught you, 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.640 you abide in Him. 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.640 This is speaking of the Spirit. 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.960 The Spirit's work 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.700 in the heart 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.960 of every true believer 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:36.940 to make His Word clear, 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:39.059 to apply it to your life, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.360 to take those truths 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:42.640 and to sift through them, 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:45.019 to make them available to you 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.820 so that you know 00:23:45.820 --> 00:23:46.539 what He's saying 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.380 and you can apply it 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:47.900 to your life. 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.539 And that's the third thing. 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.680 Not just reading, 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.700 not just asking for help, 00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:54.500 but obeying it. 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:56.059 We see that in James, 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:57.779 chapter 1, verse 22. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:24:00.580 Be doers of the Word 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:02.799 and not hearers only, 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.240 deceiving yourselves. 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:06.500 Allow the Word, 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:09.120 this gift of God's grace, 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.880 allow it to not only 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.779 inform your heart, 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.759 but allow it to change your life. 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.460 This gift of God's grace 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.940 extended through His Word 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:20.160 and here Jesus is, 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.839 a couple of days away 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.900 from His crucifixion, 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.359 continuing to extend 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.920 this gift of grace 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:27.519 through His Word. 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.099 And now Jesus 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:31.019 will transition 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:33.079 from this teaching moment 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.120 to a warning moment. 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.620 And that's where we get 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.279 to the next gift, 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:38.180 this gift of God's warning. 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:39.839 Not just of His Word, 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.559 but of His warning. 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.319 And God throughout 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.920 the Scriptures 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:45.660 has graciously warned us 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.819 about the things 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:48.519 that He wants to keep us from, 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.519 those things that are going 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.700 to hurt us, 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.920 and He's warned us 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.500 to stay away 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.640 from those individuals 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:55.799 who will shipwreck our faith. 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.819 That's what He's doing here 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:59.099 in verses 20, 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.140 or chapter 20, 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:01.740 verses 45 to 47. 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.059 It says, 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.480 in the hearing of all the people, 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.960 He said to His disciples. 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.579 So now Jesus is turning 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.859 His attention to His disciples. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.920 He wants them to recognize 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:13.059 that the Word that is coming 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:14.839 now is a Word that's going 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:17.740 to help inform their understanding. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:19.000 He says this, 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:20.859 Beware of the scribes 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:22.319 who like to walk around 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.200 in long robes 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.880 and love greetings 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.579 in the marketplace 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:27.359 and the best seats 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:28.019 in the synagogue 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.740 and the places of honor 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.380 at the feasts, 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:33.200 who devour widows' houses 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:35.119 and for a pretense 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.460 make long prayers. 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:38.400 They will receive 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:40.200 the greater condemnation. 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:42.000 This warning 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.980 that God is now giving 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:45.000 to future leaders, 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.420 to His apostles, 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:47.700 those who are going 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.500 to help lay the foundation 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.940 for this church, 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.440 this new church age. 00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:54.080 And they're going 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:54.740 to take the place 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.779 of these religious leaders 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.880 who have been entrusted 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:58.180 with that responsibility 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.340 here in the first century, 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.779 who are unfaithful 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.400 with the task. 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.320 And now Jesus 00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:03.820 is warning His disciples 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:05.920 of the kinds of leaders 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.640 they need to be. 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.800 Jesus addresses 00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:10.279 this telltale sign 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:12.400 of ineffective, 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:14.060 false leaders. 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:16.139 and it narrows in 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:17.019 on one thing, 00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:17.480 their pride. 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.179 We see their pride 00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:20.859 throughout each 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:23.099 of these six characteristics. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:24.960 They're drawing attention 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.579 to themselves. 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.759 They love their popularity. 00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:29.759 They seek the most 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.539 prominent places. 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.319 They serve their own purposes 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.480 regardless of who 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.559 they hurt in the process. 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:36.740 They flaunt their spirituality 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:38.319 through their long prayers. 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:40.519 They, in one word, 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.039 are proud. 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:43.859 They only care about themselves. 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:48.440 It's a dangerous trap. 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:52.480 This self-affirming trap 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:54.240 that Jesus identifies 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:57.079 as a clear flag 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:58.099 of false teachers. 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:01.599 We find these six characteristics here. 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.159 They walk around 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:04.039 in long robes. 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:06.539 These long, flowing robes 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:08.700 were part of their fancy, 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:10.000 expensive wardrobe. 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.880 It was meant to 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:12.359 kind of set them apart 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.720 to distinguish themselves. 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.299 Kind of like the 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.799 coat of many colors 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:17.640 distinguished Joseph 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.539 from his brothers. 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:20.700 These long, flowing robes 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.259 that they wore 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.779 wherever they walked. 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.319 They're like, 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.259 oh, there's a rabbi. 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.220 There's so-and-so. 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.420 There's the Pharisee. 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:28.579 There's the religious guy. 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:32.140 And these long, flowing robes 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:33.420 also had tassels 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.400 at the bottom. 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.819 These tassels 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.839 were extra long 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:38.779 to show their own spirituality, 00:27:39.199 --> 00:27:40.619 to boast about 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:42.000 their closeness 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.259 and proximity to God. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.019 They also love 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.759 these greetings 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.500 in the marketplace. 00:27:47.439 --> 00:27:48.659 They love to be addressed 00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:49.379 in public. 00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:50.839 They love when people 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.720 notice them. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.559 They love to be called 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.480 the teacher, 00:27:53.679 --> 00:27:54.279 the rabbi. 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:57.000 They also love 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.539 the best seats 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.199 in the synagogue. 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:00.379 Those seats that were up close. 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.639 Those seats that were prominent. 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.439 Those seats that 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:04.000 distinguish them 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.400 from the rest. 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.599 They wanted to be 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.599 the center of attention. 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:09.579 This position of distinction. 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.839 And then they also love 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.960 these places of honor 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.819 at the feast. 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.759 They wanted to be invited 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.559 and they wanted 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.819 the best place 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.359 at the table, 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.480 which was the spot 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.200 that was closest 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.140 to the host. 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.240 They wanted to be honored. 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.299 It's the right-hand man. 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.759 But then this. 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.299 They devour 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.440 widows' houses. 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.559 This word for devour 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:31.160 is a Greek word. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.240 It's an intense 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:34.440 Greek word that calls 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.599 attention to eating 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.700 or consuming 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:38.539 or devouring completely. 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:40.279 They're taking advantage 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.259 of the weakest 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:43.380 individual among them. 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.319 They're going to do 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:47.019 whatever it takes 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:48.839 to line their own pockets 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:51.680 to serve themselves. 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.660 The temple authorities 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:55.599 were those who managed 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:57.319 the property of widows. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.839 Those who were 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:01.939 widowed would then 00:29:01.939 --> 00:29:03.559 entrust their property 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:05.079 to these managers 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:07.859 and those authorities, 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:09.079 those temple authorities 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.139 would then take advantage 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:12.419 by charging exorbitant fees. 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:15.000 Pharisees didn't care. 00:29:15.959 --> 00:29:17.059 It was a way for them 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:19.259 to collect on their position. 00:29:19.679 --> 00:29:20.639 They felt that they were 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:22.419 worthy of such payment. 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.039 And finally, 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:24.980 they make long prayers. 00:29:26.419 --> 00:29:27.639 The idea is that the scribes 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.800 give the appearance 00:29:28.800 --> 00:29:29.720 of piety, 00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:31.980 but they're not actually pious. 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:33.060 And you remember 00:29:33.060 --> 00:29:34.120 the parable 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:36.900 of the tax collector 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:38.580 and the Pharisee 00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:39.820 who's praying in the temple. 00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:41.180 And what does he do? 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.660 Well, he's praying in public 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:44.100 and he lifts up his arms 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.440 and he says, 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:46.200 thank you that I'm not like 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.640 that guy over there. 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:49.740 He wants to draw attention 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:51.540 to how prominent 00:29:51.540 --> 00:29:53.440 and spiritual he is. 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:55.740 But in all of his efforts 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:57.720 to demonstrate his spirituality, 00:29:58.120 --> 00:29:59.079 it's actually having 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.000 the opposite effect. 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.920 And that's what Jesus 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.779 wants to warn 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:03.059 his disciples about. 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.680 Humility, 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.620 not pride, 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.980 needs to be the focus, 00:30:07.120 --> 00:30:07.640 the center 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:09.859 of a person 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:11.220 who loves the Lord. 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:13.740 And Jesus has consistently 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.380 confronted these religious leaders 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:18.759 for these various issues. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:21.960 Pride and their self-centeredness 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:24.480 should be the flashing signs 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.740 and neon lights 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:27.319 that help us to see 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.559 the warning signs 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.640 from God stay away. 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:30.860 Do not listen. 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.259 These false teachers 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:35.200 are the same in every age. 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:37.200 Always accompanied by 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:39.900 this striving for financial gain 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:41.000 that we see in them. 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.660 Like your best life now. 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:44.019 Send in $100 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:46.500 and you'll begin the seed 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.860 of having more for yourself. 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.960 God will multiply it. 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.480 God doesn't work that way. 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:53.759 But you wouldn't know that 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.980 from these false teachers 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.160 who are just interested 00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:57.980 in their own success, 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.600 their own prominence. 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.880 How do we protect ourselves 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:03.240 from this? 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:05.100 Well, one word. 00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.299 The word humility. 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:09.259 Paul says in Philippians 2, 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:11.019 verses 3 to 7, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.840 he helps those who are 00:31:13.840 --> 00:31:14.960 seeking to grow 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.100 in Christ's likeness 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:19.180 to wear and to embrace 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:20.779 the identity of Christ 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.900 in the example of Christ 00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:22.460 in this way. 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:24.420 Do nothing from selfish ambition 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.140 or conceit, 00:31:25.780 --> 00:31:26.720 but in humility. 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:29.320 Count others more significant 00:31:29.320 --> 00:31:29.940 than yourselves. 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.600 Let each of you 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:33.180 not look to his own interests, 00:31:33.300 --> 00:31:34.900 but also to the interests 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.480 of others. 00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:37.280 Have this mind among yourselves, 00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:38.220 which is in yours 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.280 in Christ Jesus, 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.540 who, though he was 00:31:40.540 --> 00:31:41.540 in the form of God, 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:43.140 did not count equality 00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:44.280 with God a thing 00:31:44.280 --> 00:31:44.860 to be grasped, 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.860 but emptied himself, 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:48.220 taking the form 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:49.059 of a servant, 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:51.120 being born in the likeness 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:51.819 of men. 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:56.360 Embrace the task, 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:59.160 the privilege of humility. 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:01.140 Serve the people 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:02.100 that God has put you 00:32:02.100 --> 00:32:03.680 in company with. 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.319 Learn to sacrifice 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:06.240 the things that are 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:07.279 important to you 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.839 for the sake 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.940 of laying it down 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:09.440 and showing 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:11.319 this Christ-like preference 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.619 for others. 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:15.200 Work in the way 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:16.779 of growing in humility 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.559 because God 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.980 opposes the proud, 00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:20.079 but gives grace 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:20.579 to the humble. 00:32:21.639 --> 00:32:22.259 That picture 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.139 of God's acceptance, 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.039 that picture 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.899 of God's favor, 00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.839 the humility 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:28.980 that is accompanied 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:30.019 with the presence 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.500 of God, 00:32:30.639 --> 00:32:31.339 that's really 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:32.319 what we want. 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.579 More than anything 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.740 is God's presence, 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:35.639 this gift, 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:38.019 this gift of God's presence. 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.579 And here, 00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:41.799 Christ is giving 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.779 this warning, 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.599 this warning, 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.439 which was a gift 00:32:44.439 --> 00:32:45.220 to these disciples. 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:45.779 And finally, 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.559 in chapter 21, 00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:48.319 verses 1-4, 00:32:48.399 --> 00:32:49.639 we see the gift 00:32:49.639 --> 00:32:50.980 of God's watchfulness. 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.399 The gift 00:32:52.399 --> 00:32:53.500 of God's watchfulness. 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:57.059 Chapter 21, 00:32:57.179 --> 00:32:58.359 verses 1-4, 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.740 it says, 00:32:58.740 --> 00:33:00.460 Jesus looked, 00:33:01.439 --> 00:33:02.299 he looked up, 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:04.319 he saw the rich men 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.519 putting their gifts 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.839 into the offering box, 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:08.220 and he saw 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:09.600 a poor widow 00:33:09.600 --> 00:33:11.180 put in two small 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:11.940 copper coins. 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:13.079 And he said, 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.539 truly I tell you, 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.559 this poor widow 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:17.140 has put in more 00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:17.920 than all the others, 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.000 or all of them, 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.460 for they all contributed 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.839 out of their abundance, 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.980 but she, 00:33:24.380 --> 00:33:25.579 out of her poverty, 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:27.100 put in all 00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:27.819 she had 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.660 to live on. 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:30.620 Notice that Jesus 00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:31.160 looked up. 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.519 Jesus saw the rich, 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.559 Jesus saw the poor 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:34.960 widow. 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:37.340 it doesn't escape 00:33:37.340 --> 00:33:37.900 his attention. 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.480 He's alert, 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.700 he's aware, 00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:42.259 he's watchful, 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.420 he's attentive, 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.740 he sees, 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.720 he knows, 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:46.380 he cares. 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.680 There is no detail 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.200 that's hidden 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:51.579 from the grasp 00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:53.100 or the view 00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.860 of our Savior. 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:57.360 In this moment, 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.539 as Jesus is talking 00:33:58.539 --> 00:34:00.200 about the activities 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.100 and the warnings 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:03.359 of those religious leaders 00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:04.319 who devour 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:05.259 widows' houses, 00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:06.699 and in that moment, 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:08.199 as Jesus looks up, 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:08.980 he's in the midst 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.559 of teaching, 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:10.799 all of a sudden, 00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:11.799 this widow woman 00:34:11.799 --> 00:34:12.480 walks in. 00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.000 Do you think 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.539 that's a coincidence? 00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.019 No way. 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.039 No way. 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.360 Now she becomes 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.559 this object lesson 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.539 of all that Jesus 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.380 has been teaching 00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.659 up to this point 00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.559 here in the temple. 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:25.519 This warning 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:26.239 has been given, 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:28.619 and now this object lesson 00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.480 unfolds 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.639 in that very moment. 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.380 We find that 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:33.860 they're opposite 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.440 the treasury. 00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:35.920 We find that 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.760 from Mark's account 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.559 in Mark 12, 00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:39.000 verse 41. 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:39.719 It says, 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:40.420 he sat down 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.440 opposite the treasury 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:42.840 and watched the people 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.420 putting money 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.420 into the offering box. 00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:46.039 Many rich people 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:47.440 put in large sums. 00:34:48.679 --> 00:34:50.619 This treasury 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.519 was in the court 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:51.980 of women. 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:54.099 And here in this court, 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:55.519 there were 13 00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:56.480 trumpet-shaped 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:57.519 kind of receptacles 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.480 where money 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.440 would be poured in 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.019 and you could hear 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.700 this money, 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:02.000 kind of like a big funnel 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.760 as it were, 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:04.260 and they would pour 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:04.860 in this money 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.260 and you'd hear 00:35:05.260 --> 00:35:06.340 the money kind of 00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:07.019 clanging in 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.840 and based upon 00:35:08.840 --> 00:35:09.800 the amount of money 00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:10.200 they had, 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.820 essentially that trumpet 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:13.079 would sound, right? 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.880 And it reminds you 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:15.559 a little bit 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:17.300 of when Jesus 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:17.920 talks about 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:18.960 not letting the trumpet 00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:19.639 sound 00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:21.460 at what you're doing, 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.019 your good works 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.519 that you're doing. 00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:22.960 And here, 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:23.619 that's exactly 00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:24.559 what's taking place here. 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:27.880 These massive gold coins, 00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:28.780 this coinage 00:35:28.780 --> 00:35:30.140 that's being emptied 00:35:30.140 --> 00:35:31.260 into these receptacles 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:33.340 and then this poor widow woman 00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:34.019 that's placing 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:36.059 just two tiny 00:35:36.059 --> 00:35:37.820 copper coins 00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:39.160 into this treasury. 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:41.140 She walks in 00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:41.860 and Jesus knows 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.360 she's poor. 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:44.220 He says 00:35:44.220 --> 00:35:46.519 he saw a poor widow. 00:35:47.160 --> 00:35:48.640 This word for poverty 00:35:48.640 --> 00:35:49.579 describes someone 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.519 who is poor 00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:51.480 but not destitute, 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:52.519 at least not yet. 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:55.320 it's probably pretty clear 00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:56.139 from her appearance, 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.340 from what she's wearing, 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.980 from how she looks, 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.639 that there's something 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:01.539 about her 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:03.539 is out of sync 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.880 with all of the wealthy 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:06.159 parade that's gone before. 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.500 And this intensifies, 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.960 this poverty 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:11.380 intensifies her condition. 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.659 This condition 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:13.440 that's desperate 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:15.159 and it likely showed 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:16.400 on her outward appearance. 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:17.960 But she gives 00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:19.199 her last two coins here, 00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:19.980 we find. 00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:21.739 And these two coins 00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:24.000 were the smallest currency 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.559 available 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:25.919 in the first century. 00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:28.279 It's called a lepta 00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:30.059 and it computes 00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:32.179 to one one hundredth 00:36:32.179 --> 00:36:33.419 of a denarii. 00:36:33.479 --> 00:36:34.079 And if you remember, 00:36:34.419 --> 00:36:35.079 a denarii 00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:36.139 is the wage 00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:36.979 for one day. 00:36:37.739 --> 00:36:38.399 So she's giving 00:36:38.399 --> 00:36:40.199 two of these leptas 00:36:40.199 --> 00:36:42.459 which is two one hundredths 00:36:42.459 --> 00:36:43.459 of a day's wage. 00:36:44.759 --> 00:36:46.479 It's a pittance 00:36:46.479 --> 00:36:47.359 to say the least. 00:36:47.479 --> 00:36:48.559 It's negligible. 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.719 It's next to nothing. 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:51.559 And yet she gives 00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.019 it all. 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:53.440 And of course 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.699 those who are watching 00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:55.559 would have thought, 00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:57.920 who cares 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.739 what she's giving? 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.440 It's nothing. 00:36:59.779 --> 00:37:00.420 But Jesus 00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.679 in his watchfulness 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:02.199 notices. 00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:03.420 He knows. 00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:04.799 It doesn't escape 00:37:04.799 --> 00:37:05.360 his attention. 00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:07.239 And he draws attention 00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:07.639 to it. 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:09.059 This poor widow 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:10.099 has put in 00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:11.940 more than all of them. 00:37:12.320 --> 00:37:13.199 And now this word 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:13.820 for poverty 00:37:13.820 --> 00:37:15.719 is this intensive term, 00:37:16.139 --> 00:37:17.000 very poor, 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.639 destitute individual. 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:18.759 spiritual. 00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:22.119 They all contributed 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.920 out of their abundance, 00:37:23.139 --> 00:37:23.679 Jesus says. 00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:24.299 But she, 00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:25.539 out of her poverty, 00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:27.420 put in all she had 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:28.420 to live on. 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:29.900 In other words, 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:30.960 literally, 00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:31.659 in the Greek, 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.699 she gave 00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:33.960 her livelihood. 00:37:34.259 --> 00:37:34.879 She gave 00:37:34.879 --> 00:37:35.779 her life. 00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:38.679 She put her life 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:40.460 in the altar, 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:41.179 as it were. 00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:42.940 What they gave 00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:44.699 cost them little 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:47.139 in comparison. 00:37:48.399 --> 00:37:48.859 But the woman 00:37:48.859 --> 00:37:49.419 gave, 00:37:49.839 --> 00:37:50.919 not from her abundance, 00:37:51.699 --> 00:37:52.599 but from her 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.759 very life. 00:37:54.139 --> 00:37:54.659 And Jesus, 00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:56.199 he puts it this way, 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:56.899 she gave 00:37:56.899 --> 00:37:58.319 all of her life. 00:37:59.480 --> 00:38:00.500 This is what Jesus 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.279 commends, 00:38:01.399 --> 00:38:01.980 by the way, 00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.960 to the scribes 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:04.839 and chief priests 00:38:04.839 --> 00:38:06.319 who are challenging 00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:07.940 him about the, 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:09.139 is it right to pay 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:10.819 taxes to Caesar, 00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:11.219 right? 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:13.039 And Jesus will respond, 00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:13.839 give to Caesar 00:38:13.839 --> 00:38:15.219 the things that are Caesar's 00:38:15.219 --> 00:38:15.920 and to God 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.960 the things that are God's. 00:38:17.139 --> 00:38:18.679 And what is the thing 00:38:18.679 --> 00:38:19.579 that belongs to God? 00:38:20.139 --> 00:38:20.619 Everything. 00:38:21.679 --> 00:38:22.879 Everything belongs to God. 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.480 And she does this. 00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:26.259 She does this. 00:38:26.859 --> 00:38:27.639 She gives it all. 00:38:27.779 --> 00:38:29.039 She gives away 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:29.659 her life, 00:38:29.759 --> 00:38:30.099 as it were, 00:38:30.239 --> 00:38:30.920 her livelihood. 00:38:32.199 --> 00:38:33.099 She comes, 00:38:33.239 --> 00:38:34.039 she honors God. 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:35.840 And while we don't know 00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:36.500 the motivations 00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:37.139 of her heart, 00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:39.719 if she was obliged 00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:40.619 to do this 00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:42.500 because of the conditions 00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:43.659 and the legalism 00:38:43.659 --> 00:38:44.739 that was kind of built 00:38:44.739 --> 00:38:46.380 into the structure 00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.179 of the temple, 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:49.199 and she was being devoured 00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:50.039 in this moment, 00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:52.079 and that was the object lesson 00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:54.440 of widows being devoured 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:56.360 by giving the very end, 00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:57.900 or if in devotion 00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:58.900 she's giving to the Lord. 00:38:59.279 --> 00:38:59.800 We don't know. 00:38:59.800 --> 00:39:02.640 But one thing we do know 00:39:02.640 --> 00:39:05.400 is throughout the testimony 00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:06.240 of Christ's teaching, 00:39:06.600 --> 00:39:07.260 it is safe 00:39:07.260 --> 00:39:08.840 to give everything to God. 00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:10.740 It's safe. 00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:13.100 It's safe to entrust 00:39:13.100 --> 00:39:14.180 your life to God. 00:39:15.240 --> 00:39:16.680 It's safe to trust Him 00:39:16.680 --> 00:39:17.420 with your finances. 00:39:18.080 --> 00:39:19.420 It's safe to trust Him 00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:20.039 with your health. 00:39:20.600 --> 00:39:21.820 It's safe to trust Him 00:39:21.820 --> 00:39:22.460 with your future. 00:39:23.200 --> 00:39:24.780 It's safe to trust Him 00:39:24.780 --> 00:39:25.860 with your relationships. 00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:27.780 It's safe to trust Him 00:39:27.780 --> 00:39:28.660 with that crisis 00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:29.799 that's happening 00:39:29.799 --> 00:39:31.339 in your life right now. 00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:33.399 You can trust God. 00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:35.259 It is safe to trust Him. 00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:38.559 Luke chapter 12, 00:39:38.639 --> 00:39:39.519 I would just encourage you 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:42.440 if you're in Luke chapter 20, 00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.799 turn back just briefly 00:39:43.799 --> 00:39:45.019 to Luke chapter 12. 00:39:45.259 --> 00:39:46.019 This is not going to be 00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:47.039 a helpful slide for us. 00:39:48.319 --> 00:39:48.980 If you can just go back 00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:50.440 to the main points, please. 00:39:51.079 --> 00:39:51.859 Luke chapter 12. 00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:54.639 Let me just read for you 00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:56.319 picking up in verse 22, okay? 00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:58.359 It says this, 00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.980 this is Jesus speaking. 00:40:00.859 --> 00:40:02.319 He says to the disciples, 00:40:02.839 --> 00:40:03.899 therefore I tell you, 00:40:04.299 --> 00:40:05.619 do not be anxious 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:06.839 about your life. 00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:07.639 Does that sound familiar? 00:40:08.819 --> 00:40:09.859 What you will eat, 00:40:10.339 --> 00:40:11.339 nor about your body, 00:40:11.440 --> 00:40:12.339 what you will put on. 00:40:12.839 --> 00:40:15.779 For life is more than food, 00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:18.480 and body more than clothing. 00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:21.059 Consider the ravens. 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:23.340 They neither sow nor reap. 00:40:23.739 --> 00:40:25.500 They have neither storehouse 00:40:25.500 --> 00:40:26.199 nor barn, 00:40:26.659 --> 00:40:29.679 and yet your God feeds them. 00:40:31.079 --> 00:40:32.299 Of how much more value 00:40:32.299 --> 00:40:33.539 are you than the birds? 00:40:34.380 --> 00:40:35.019 And which of you, 00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:36.259 by being anxious, 00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:37.480 can add a single hour 00:40:37.480 --> 00:40:38.820 to the span of his life? 00:40:39.279 --> 00:40:40.539 If you then 00:40:40.539 --> 00:40:42.420 are not able to do 00:40:42.420 --> 00:40:43.239 what is small, 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:45.340 why are you so anxious 00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:46.440 about the rest? 00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:47.779 Consider the lilies, 00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:48.360 how they grow. 00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:50.360 They neither toil nor spin. 00:40:50.640 --> 00:40:51.240 Yet I tell you, 00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:52.019 even Solomon, 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.280 in all his glory, 00:40:53.620 --> 00:40:54.260 was not arrayed 00:40:54.260 --> 00:40:54.900 like one of these. 00:40:55.200 --> 00:40:57.059 But if God so clothes the grass, 00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:59.079 which is alive in the field today, 00:40:59.300 --> 00:41:00.440 and tomorrow is thrown 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:00.900 into the oven, 00:41:01.099 --> 00:41:02.480 how much more 00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:04.500 will he clothe you, 00:41:04.760 --> 00:41:05.519 O little faith? 00:41:06.900 --> 00:41:07.800 It's safe 00:41:07.800 --> 00:41:10.099 to trust the Lord. 00:41:10.660 --> 00:41:11.620 And it's safe 00:41:11.620 --> 00:41:12.559 to trust him 00:41:12.559 --> 00:41:13.539 with everything. 00:41:13.539 --> 00:41:15.719 And this is an example 00:41:15.719 --> 00:41:17.400 we see of this widow woman 00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:18.279 entrusting 00:41:18.279 --> 00:41:19.840 just a sample 00:41:19.840 --> 00:41:21.259 of a glimpse 00:41:21.259 --> 00:41:22.380 of her trusting God 00:41:22.380 --> 00:41:23.719 with the last two 00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:24.679 little coins 00:41:24.679 --> 00:41:25.420 that she had. 00:41:26.340 --> 00:41:27.579 It is an example 00:41:27.579 --> 00:41:28.159 to us 00:41:28.159 --> 00:41:29.759 of how safe it is 00:41:29.759 --> 00:41:31.380 to trust God. 00:41:32.519 --> 00:41:33.659 We can trust him. 00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:35.500 How much more 00:41:35.500 --> 00:41:36.400 are you 00:41:36.400 --> 00:41:37.460 than those things? 00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.259 I love how 00:41:39.259 --> 00:41:40.000 Paul puts it 00:41:40.000 --> 00:41:41.039 in Romans chapter 8. 00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:42.860 He says, 00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:43.779 If God is for us, 00:41:43.800 --> 00:41:44.800 who can be against us? 00:41:45.900 --> 00:41:46.880 He who did not spare 00:41:46.880 --> 00:41:48.019 his own son, 00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:49.619 but gave him up 00:41:49.619 --> 00:41:50.119 for us all, 00:41:50.219 --> 00:41:51.579 how shall he not 00:41:51.579 --> 00:41:52.800 also with him 00:41:52.800 --> 00:41:54.320 freely give us 00:41:54.320 --> 00:41:55.259 all things? 00:41:58.059 --> 00:41:59.340 There's a watchful God. 00:42:00.480 --> 00:42:01.279 We have a God 00:42:01.279 --> 00:42:02.199 who gives us 00:42:02.199 --> 00:42:02.900 the gift 00:42:02.900 --> 00:42:04.000 of care 00:42:04.000 --> 00:42:05.059 and watchfulness 00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:05.940 and concern. 00:42:06.739 --> 00:42:07.579 And the more 00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:08.179 we grow 00:42:08.179 --> 00:42:08.840 in faith 00:42:08.840 --> 00:42:09.279 and the more 00:42:09.279 --> 00:42:10.079 we trust him 00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:10.759 with the things 00:42:10.760 --> 00:42:11.340 that we have, 00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:12.980 then the more 00:42:12.980 --> 00:42:13.780 we're going to see 00:42:13.780 --> 00:42:15.140 the kindness 00:42:15.140 --> 00:42:16.440 and the favor 00:42:16.440 --> 00:42:17.620 of God 00:42:17.620 --> 00:42:19.120 in carrying us, 00:42:19.240 --> 00:42:20.240 in helping us, 00:42:20.360 --> 00:42:21.560 in strengthening us, 00:42:21.640 --> 00:42:23.540 in supporting us. 00:42:23.740 --> 00:42:24.800 Even when things 00:42:24.800 --> 00:42:25.980 may never change, 00:42:27.380 --> 00:42:28.720 he'll use our lives 00:42:28.720 --> 00:42:29.820 as a testimony 00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:31.140 to his goodness. 00:42:32.040 --> 00:42:33.200 Even when we may 00:42:33.200 --> 00:42:34.440 feel and look 00:42:34.440 --> 00:42:35.220 and seem 00:42:35.220 --> 00:42:36.380 very destitute 00:42:36.380 --> 00:42:37.080 just like 00:42:37.080 --> 00:42:38.560 this poor widow. 00:42:38.960 --> 00:42:39.260 Nothing 00:42:39.260 --> 00:42:40.840 was going to change 00:42:40.840 --> 00:42:42.300 about her circumstances 00:42:42.300 --> 00:42:44.280 except 00:42:44.280 --> 00:42:45.740 if she was giving 00:42:45.740 --> 00:42:46.380 with a heart 00:42:46.380 --> 00:42:46.920 of faith, 00:42:47.520 --> 00:42:47.880 she was going 00:42:47.880 --> 00:42:48.440 to see 00:42:48.440 --> 00:42:49.980 the power of God 00:42:49.980 --> 00:42:51.240 in meeting her needs 00:42:51.240 --> 00:42:51.940 just like 00:42:51.940 --> 00:42:53.260 Jesus commands 00:42:53.260 --> 00:42:54.460 in Luke chapter 12. 00:42:55.240 --> 00:42:56.240 You can trust 00:42:56.240 --> 00:42:57.280 him with 00:42:57.280 --> 00:42:58.000 your life. 00:42:58.680 --> 00:42:59.480 May God help us 00:42:59.480 --> 00:43:00.960 to do that well 00:43:00.960 --> 00:43:02.240 and to be a testimony 00:43:02.240 --> 00:43:03.420 to those around us 00:43:03.420 --> 00:43:04.860 that he is trustworthy 00:43:04.860 --> 00:43:06.860 because he's a watchful, 00:43:07.380 --> 00:43:08.099 observant, 00:43:08.840 --> 00:43:10.260 loving God. 00:43:10.440 --> 00:43:10.880 Let's pray. 00:43:13.180 --> 00:43:13.860 Father, I pray 00:43:13.860 --> 00:43:14.400 that you'd help us 00:43:14.400 --> 00:43:16.260 to grow in this. 00:43:18.440 --> 00:43:19.680 I pray, Lord, 00:43:19.780 --> 00:43:20.440 that we would 00:43:20.440 --> 00:43:22.400 embrace the gift 00:43:22.400 --> 00:43:23.099 of your word, 00:43:23.880 --> 00:43:24.800 that it would be part 00:43:24.800 --> 00:43:25.460 of our life 00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:26.220 day by day, 00:43:26.900 --> 00:43:27.920 that we would not 00:43:27.920 --> 00:43:28.760 just be hearers 00:43:28.760 --> 00:43:29.099 of the word 00:43:29.099 --> 00:43:29.940 but doers of it. 00:43:31.019 --> 00:43:32.039 Lord, help us 00:43:32.039 --> 00:43:34.739 help us to embrace 00:43:34.739 --> 00:43:35.279 the gift 00:43:35.279 --> 00:43:36.420 of your warnings, 00:43:37.119 --> 00:43:38.039 those warnings 00:43:38.039 --> 00:43:38.599 that you put 00:43:38.599 --> 00:43:39.400 in the scripture 00:43:39.400 --> 00:43:41.320 that help keep us 00:43:41.320 --> 00:43:42.519 away from the things 00:43:42.519 --> 00:43:43.119 that would hurt us, 00:43:43.259 --> 00:43:43.719 harm us. 00:43:44.599 --> 00:43:44.960 And Lord, 00:43:45.039 --> 00:43:45.440 thank you 00:43:45.440 --> 00:43:46.639 that you're watchful. 00:43:47.980 --> 00:43:48.440 And Father, 00:43:48.519 --> 00:43:48.960 I pray 00:43:48.960 --> 00:43:50.719 that our lives 00:43:50.719 --> 00:43:51.320 would show 00:43:51.320 --> 00:43:52.019 a growing 00:43:52.019 --> 00:43:53.099 commitment 00:43:53.099 --> 00:43:54.199 and confidence 00:43:54.199 --> 00:43:55.759 in your care 00:43:55.759 --> 00:43:56.519 and watchfulness. 00:43:57.179 --> 00:43:58.460 I pray in Jesus' name. 00:43:58.559 --> 00:43:58.759 Amen. 00:43:59.880 --> 00:44:00.820 Have a great week. 00:44:01.380 --> 00:44:01.900 Be safe. 00:44:01.900 --> 00:44:02.460 for driving home.