God. Grifter. Giver

This sermon traces the final public moments of Jesus’ ministry in Mark 12, where He turns from answering hostile questions to asking one decisive question of His own—revealing that the Messiah is not merely David’s son, but David’s Lord. Jesus exposes the pride and hypocrisy of the religious leaders, warning that outward religiosity used for personal gain will bring greater condemnation, while true faith is marked by humble submission to His lordship. The scene then shifts to the temple treasury, where a poor widow’s sacrificial gift contrasts sharply with the self-serving display of the wealthy, teaching that God measures worship not by appearance or amount, but by the heart. Together, these scenes confront us with the core realities of discipleship: Jesus is Lord, false religion is deadly, and true worship flows from a heart that delights in God above all else.