Becoming a Stronger Disciple

HOW A DISCIPLE GRADUATES

I want to complete all expectations for basic disciple training.

(Mark 12:35-44) While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, He asked, “How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to Him with delight. As He taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.” Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.”

1. The Supremacy of Christ

A. The Messiah was to be a descendant of King David.

B. Jesus was a descendant of King David.

C. Jesus was the promised Messiah.

(36-37) “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ How then can He be his son?”

D. Jesus is more than the Son of David – He is the Son of God!

(Acts 4:12) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

(John 14:6) Jesus (said) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

2. The Hypocrisy of Lust

(38-40) As He taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

A. On one hand they have a desire to follow God.

B. On the other hand they lust for self-importance, recognition and wealth.

“Such men will be punished most severely.”

(Psalm 81:11-12) “My people would not listen to Me; (they) would not submit to Me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.”

(1 John 2:15ff) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

3. The Generosity of Trust

A. She “demonstrated” her trust in God.

B. She demonstrated her trust in God – through her generosity.

(44) “She put in everything – all she had to live on.”

C. How am I demonstrating my trust in God?