2015-03-15
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verses: Mark 12:30
“‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:41 (NKJV)
“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.’”
Mark 12:41 (NLT)
“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.’”
Walking the road of sacrifice requires giving all, not just what’s convenient, not just what’s left over. It takes an “ALL IN” mentality. That’s what Christ did on the cross; it’s what He wants from all of us.
Luke 14:27 (NKJV)
“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
1. Following Christ requires discipline
– 42 “Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites,”
2. Following Christ requires respect
– 44 “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
3. Following Christ requires obedience
Luke 5:4-6 (NKJV)
“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.”
Luke 14:27 (NKJV)
“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
Christ has called each of us to lay it all down for Him. What is your response to this call?