"The Scribes and the Widow"

 

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Sermon Notes

Beware of the Scribes

38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow's Offering

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:38-44 ESV

1. The Characteristics of False Teachers

Mark 12:38 ESV - 38 And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes

Acts 15:10 ESV - 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

Matthew 6:1 ESV - 1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:20 ESV - 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 23:9 ESV - 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

Exodus 22:22 ESV - 22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.

Deuteronomy 10:18 ESV - 18 God executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

2. The Condemnation of False Teachers

Mark 12:40 ESV - 12 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

James 3:1 ESV - 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

3. The Victims of False Teachers

Mark 12:41-44 ESV - 41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

James 1:27 ESV - 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Mark 13:1-2 ESV - 1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" 2 And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."

Psalm 139:23-24 ESV - 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!