2004-10-31 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church

Mark 12:41-44

41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Mark 13:1-2

1. And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
2. And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

For most of Matthew chapter 23, which is Matthew's account of what took place immediately before this passage, Jesus (teaching in the temple) points out the hypocrisy of the temple rulers, and compares their outward religious appearance to that of a beautified tomb; lovely and clean on the outside, but full of death and decay on the inside. Nobody could live up to their grieveous rules of worship, so in effect they were holding people back from the altar.

We do all need to become more like this "certain poor widow," who threw in all her living, but in God's economy, what matters most is not what you gave, but what you held back. The sobering part is that it's not just about how much of my prosperity, my time, and my heart that I withheld, but much more important than that is, who am I holding back? When I realize that by my behavior I've laid a burden on another, do I lift even a finger to remove it? When I realize that something I've said or done has cast a spot or a blemish toward someone's view of heaven, do I make an effort to repair the damage I've caused?

What Jesus was trying to teach the temple rulers is the same thing He's trying to teach us today. Relationships are all that matter.

It baffles me as to why the disciples asked Jesus what He thought about the beautifully adorned temple buildings, when only a few verses before (on the same day), Jesus had taught so clearly about whitewashed sepulchres and outward appearances. To me, it's just another example of how closely we can follow Jesus, and yet not listen to His simple teaching, or forget as soon as we leave the temple.

It's laughable to try comparing this little house of worship to the splendor that was Herod's temple, but they do have one thing in common: the temple passed away, and this will too. The day of the Lord's return; the day when no stone will be left unturned, the heavens will be dissolved, the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3). Until then, He has passed you the torch. While He was in the world, He was the Light, but now you are, and this world is very dark.

If you haven't come to Jesus, what's holding you back? If you have come to Him, then even though you know this world is passing away, you're encouraged by that fact. You no longer have to worry about the things you wanted that you didn't get. You don't have to worry when the things you have become scratched, dented, rusted or moth-eaten. You don't have to get upset when someone mistreats you. You know it's all passing away, there's far better things in store for you later, but relationships are all that matter now.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Hebrews 13:5-8 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Ephesians 2:19-22

19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

How are you doing in your relationships with your family and friends? How's your relationship with Jesus? This is communion.