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Ambassador Baptist Church
1926 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15209
(412)477-3210
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Pastor's Pen - November 2, 2007
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November 2, 2007

Luke 21-22
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Luke
Chapter 21
  1. And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
  2. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
  3. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
  4. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
  5. And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
  6. As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
  7. And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
  8. And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
  9. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
  10. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
  11. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
  12. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
  13. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
  14. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
  15. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
  16. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
  17. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
  18. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
  19. In your patience possess ye your souls.
  20. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
  21. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
  22. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
  23. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
  24. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
  25. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
  26. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
  27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
  28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
  29. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
  30. When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
  31. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
  32. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
  33. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
  34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
  35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
  36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
  37. And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
  38. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.


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Luke
Chapter 22
  1. Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
  2. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
  3. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
  4. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
  5. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
  6. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
  7. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
  8. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
  9. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
  10. And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
  11. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
  12. And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
  13. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
  14. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
  15. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
  16. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
  17. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
  18. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
  19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
  20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
  21. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
  22. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
  23. And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
  24. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
  25. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
  26. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
  27. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
  28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
  29. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
  30. That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
  31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
  32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
  33. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
  34. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
  35. And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
  36. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
  37. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
  38. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
  39. And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
  40. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
  41. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
  42. Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
  43. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
  44. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
  45. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
  46. And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
  47. And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
  48. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
  49. When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
  50. And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
  51. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
  52. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
  53. When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
  54. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
  55. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
  56. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
  57. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
  58. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
  59. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
  60. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
  61. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
  62. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
  63. And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.
  64. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
  65. And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
  66. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
  67. Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
  68. And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
  69. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
  70. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
  71. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.


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Thought for the day:
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 Luke 21 opens with then story of the woman giving her two mites to the Lord. In Mark 12 we read that Jesus was in the Temple sitting by the treasury looking at the money that was being offered there. Right away we see an important truth: the Lord is interested in our giving to His work. Many believers seem to think that giving is not an important part of worship or the Christian walk. This is completely false. If giving were not important, then the Mosaic Law would not have included so many admonitions concerning tithes and offerings. If giving were not important God would not have condemned Israel in Malachi 3:8 for their robbery of Him through their failure to give tithes and offerings. If giving were not important, Paul would not have said that the church's giving was a proof of their love (II Cor. 8:8). If giving were not important, this brief event would not have been recorded for us in the Word of God.

 Our giving reveals our love for God, our love for His work, and our willingness to trust in Him. If we love God, we will obey Him and give. If we love His work, we will give so that it can go forward effectively. If we really have faith in the Lord, we will be willing to give sacrificially and simply trust Him to take care of us. Thus, Jesus got good insight into the heart condition of the Jewish people as they threw their money into the treasury, and we can get good insight into our own spiritual condition when we see how much of an offering we give to the Lord each week or month.

 Many wealthy men came into the treasury and gave huge donations. I am sure that these funds were appreciated, as it took a great deal of money to finance the work of the Temple. However, the Lord chose to point out to His disciples one widow who threw in two mites. This amounted to about one-tenth of a day's wage for an average man. Of course, as a widow, she had no income, and it appears from the story that she had no one to take care of her. She was what Paul would have called a "widow indeed and desolate" (I Tim. 5:5). According to Jesus, when she threw in her two mites she was giving all that she had. He then states that her gift was "more than they all" (3). How can this be, when the rich donated so much more? It was because they gave out of their abundance, and she gave out of her poverty.

 A man once said, "It's not how much you give to God that matters, it's how much you have left over for yourself." I find it humorous when wealthy people in the secular world are praised because of some donation that they give. They find some charity and donate a million dollars and the rest of the world acts like they have done some great deed, when the fact is that they have untold millions still in the bank, and they will never miss the money they gave away. The money may be of good use, but the donor really hasn't given very much of themselves. This was the case that day in the treasury. Wealthy men gave much, but they kept much, too. This widow, who had two mites to her name, gave them both to God and walked out completely empty-handed. She had given it all, and was willing to trust God even for her very food that night. And for this she received the commendation of Jesus Christ.

 What does your giving, and your keeping, tell the Lord about your relationship to Him? Do you love and trust Him? Do you love His church and His work? Or do you love yourself? Check your tithing record, and the evidence will be pretty clear.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery

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