Preacher: Stephen Baxter

The “Challenge of the Church” carries with it two ideas.
Not only is the Church being challenged by the rapid changes taking place in our society, making life challenging for God’s people, but also, the existence of the Church is and of itself a challenge to the world.
In fact, Jesus said we are “salt and light” to the world. In this series, we’ll be exploring how the Church is both challenged, and called to be a challenge, in today’s world. And what that means for our lives individually and for the ministry and mission of Hobart Baptist Church.

Using the Bible Reading: Mark 12:38-44 (NIV)

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

³⁸ As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁰ They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”