Introduction

40 For they did not have the courage to question Him any longer about anything.

41 But He said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand,43 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

44 Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and so how is He his son?”

45 And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love personal greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.”

21:1 Now He looked up and saw the wealthy putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two lepta coins. 3 And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all contributed to the offering from their surplus; but she, from her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”

5 And while some were talking about the temple, that it was decorated with beautiful stones and vowed gifts, He said, 6 “As for these things which you are observing, the days will come when there will not be left one stone upon another, which will not be torn down.”

So What?!

How do we develop devotion to Jesus:

#1. Is Jesus on the throne of my life?

“…David calls Him ‘Lord,’

Does Jesus get any devoted time in your day?

#2. Am I building Christian spiritual disciplines?

“Beware the scribes, who like…the places of honor…”

#3. Do I give regularly because of my devotion?

“…this poor widow put in more than all of them;”

Brother Lawrence

#4. Do I honor the physical or the mission?

“…there will not be left one stone upon another, which will not be torn down.”

Jesus the Philosopher: Answers for Life

Luke 20:40 - 21:6, October 13 & 16, 2022

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: Did your mom or dad have any nicknames for you as a child? Do you have nicknames for your kids?

Read out loud: Luke 20:40-21:6

How do we develop devotion to Jesus:

#1. Is Jesus on the throne of my life? “…David calls Him ‘Lord,’

How would you measure giving honor to God, how do you know you’re giving Him honor?

Does Jesus get any devoted time in your day through reading scripture, prayer or worship?

The question is how do we measure honoring God?

#2. Am I building Christian spiritual disciplines? “Beware the scribes, who like…the places of honor…”

What are the things that benefit me by following Jesus Christ that non-followers don’t experience? How has following Jesus made me a more psychologically/emotionally healthy person? What am I doing that causes me to feel connected to God?

#3. Do I give regularly because of my devotion? “…this poor widow put in more than all of them;”

Do you identify with people who tithe their time, talent and treasure or do you identify with Brother Lawrence by practicing the presence of God? Do you have a particular area of spiritual growth on which you’re currently working? Who is a person in your life that encourages you toward devotion to God?

#4. Do I honor the physical or the mission? “…there will not be left one stone upon another, which will not be torn down.” Are you a hands-on person who’d rather show up at church on a work day and contribute or a person that would rather be out inviting others to church? Or do you participate in both because both are absolutely necessary and needed? The Jerusalem Church met in the Temple courtyard every Sunday for worship, what if GateWay decided to get rid of all our buildings and meet at Mooney’s Grove every Sunday, would we accomplish more or less?

Family Time: Read Luke 21:1-6 to your kids and discuss what sincere devotion and love look like. How do Mom and Dad show love to the kids and how do the kids show devotion and love to Mom and Dad? Every person has a love language so discuss the love languages and decide who uses what form; acts of service, words of encouragement, time together, physical touch, giving and receiving gifts.