Mark 12:35-44

Mark 12:35-44

1. Let us learn how much there is about Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures.
2. Let us learn how odious is the sin of hypocrisy in the sight of Christ.
3. Let us learn how pleasing to Christ is self-denying liberality in giving.

"Well would it be for the church if theological discussions were less about trifles, and more about weighty matters, and things necessary to salvation."

"A boastful contempt for the Old Testament Scriptures has often proved the first step towards infidelity."

"It is bad enough to be led away captive by open sin, and to serve diverse lusts and pleasures. But it is even worse to pretend to have a religion, while in reality we serve the world."

"Let us confess our Master modestly and humbly, but firmly and decidedly, and show the world that although some men may be hypocrites, there are others who are honest and true."

"Above all, let us each do our own duty, and give liberally and gladly to every Christian object while we can. There will be no giving when we are dead...Above all let us give as the disciples of a crucified Savior, who gave Himself for us, body and soul, on the cross. Freely we have received. Let us freely give."

Questions:

1. Do we love and treasure the Old Testament as much as the New? If we do read the Old Testament, do we seek Christ there or is it just about moralizing familiar stories?

2. Friends, does this truth that God sees our hearts, free us from pretending and tell him honestly what He already knows or do we care only to make other people believe we are something we are not?

3. On the other hand, do we adorn the doctrine of Christ by publicly living out our faith or do we hide it under a false pretense of humility?

4. Do we give freely and cheerfully, or are we stingy and exacting in our giving? Are we ‘rich toward God’ or rich toward ourselves?