WIDOW’S WORK
SERVING THE LORD WITHOUT DISTRACTION
TEXT:
(1 Corinthians 7:34, KJV) “The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:
32 “But I would have you without carefulness [anxious concern]. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord.”
35“…that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.”
INTRODUCTION:
A. WIDOWS!!!!
B. Typically subject of benevolence
1. Individual
Job 31:16-20 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, 19 If I have seen any poor perish for want of clothing, 22:9 [if I have] sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
31:28 This IS an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.
2. Family
1 Timothy 5:3-5 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
3. Church
1 Timothy 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (v.2) serve tables (v.1) in the daily ministration.
4. Government
Exodus 22:22-24 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
I. AN “ATYPICAL” STUDY OF WIDOWS
A. WIDOWS WORK
“Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children,
if she have lodged strangers,
if she have washed the saints’ feet,
if she have relieved the afflicted,
if she have diligently followed every good work.”
(1 Timothy 5:10, KJV)
1. Played major role in ministry
B. JESUS did not let acts of kindness go un-noticed
1. Condemned Pharisee for drawing attention to themselves
Matthew 6:1 ye do your alms before men, to be seen of them:
Matthew 6:5 thou love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men:
2. Doing good deeds for personal aggrandizement
Matthew 23:6 You love the uppermost rooms at feasts,
Matthew 23:6 You love the chief seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 23:7 You love to be greeted in public,to be called of men, “Rabbi”, and “Master”.
C. JESUS did many good works
Acts 10:36-38 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
D. Would not let them be recorded
Matthew 8:4 Jesus healed the leper and told him….” See thou tell no man;
Luke 8:56 Jesus brought maiden back to life and charged her parents that they should tell no man what was done.
Mark 7:36 Jesus healed the deaf man and charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;
John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
E. He wanted VERY DIFFERENT NOTORIETY
F. Unlike the rulers, Jesus REALLY CARED
1. Rich young Ruler
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him,
2. Multitudes
Matthew 9:36 when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion
Matthew 14:14 Jesus saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them,
2. Two Blind Men
Matthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them,
3. Loved His Father
John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.
4. Motive behind his obedience
Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and my Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to my Father which is in secret; and my Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto my Father which is in secret: and my Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
F. HE PRACTICED WHAT HE PREACHED
John 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
1. TRUE OF US TOO!!
John 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
“Openly rewards”
2. COMPLIMENTED OTHERS GOOD WORKS
Mark 14:3-4 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Think…..what an ugly thing to say….about Jesus
3. Jesus memorializes this woman’s works
Mark 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
4. THINK: JESUS WILL Reward YOU openly TOO!
II. SITTING AMONG US TODAY
A. Women like these bible characters
1. Hard at work
2. Seeking no attention or recognition
B. I WISH TO COMMEND THEM…..PUBLICALLY
C. HOLD THEM UP AS EXAMPLES FOR REST OF US!!!
III. ANNA THE PROPHETESS Scripture: Luke 2:36-38
A. Served God night and day
1. Widow for decades
2. Served God “with fastings and prayers night and day”
3. Her ministry was intercessory, not visible, not loud — yet God placed her at the unveiling of the Messiah
Luke 2:36-38 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
B. JESUS did not say it, but HE DID IT
Mark 14: 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
1. TRUE OF Anna the Prophetess
C. Like Jesus, Our widows seeking approval elsewhere
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
D. Where are you looking for recognition?
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men:
Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 6:5 they love to be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
E. Want approval?
Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
IV. TWO MITE WIDOW
A. Gave ALL
Mark 12:41-44 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.
1. She cast in all that she had
B. JESUS did not say it, but HE DID IT
Mark 14: 9 Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
C. Our widows seeking approval elsewhere
Matthew 10:32 I will confess her before my Father
D. Where are you looking for recognition?
Matthew 23:5 Doing their works to be seen of men:
Matthew 6:1 ye have no reward of your Father
Matthew 6:5 They have their reward to be seen of men.
E. Want approval?
Matthew 6:4 thy Father shall see and reward thee
Matthew 10:32 him will I confess before my Father
V. WIDOW OF SEREPTA
A. Lodged strangers
1 Kings 17:8-15 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
Luke 4:25-26 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
B. JESUS did not say it, but HE DID IT
Mark 14: 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
C. Our widows seeking approval elsewhere
Matthew 10:32 I will confess her before my Father
D. Where are you looking for recognition?
Matthew 23:5 Doing their works to be seen of men:
Matthew 6:1 ye have no reward of your Father
Matthew 6:5 They have their reward to be seen of men.
E. Want approval?
Matthew 6:4 thy Father shall see and reward thee
Matthew 10:32 him will I confess before my Father
VI. PERSISTENT WIDOW
A. Luke 18:1-7 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Cried day and night to the Lord
B. JESUS did not say it, but HE DID IT
Mark 14: 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
C. Our widows seeking approval elsewhere
Matthew 10:32 I will confess her before my Father
D. Where are you looking for recognition?
Matthew 23:5 Doing their works to be seen of men:
Matthew 6:1 ye have no reward of your Father
Matthew 6:5 They have their reward to be seen of men.
E. Want approval?
Matthew 6:4 thy Father shall see and reward thee
Matthew 10:32 him will I confess before my Father
VII. TABITHA/ DORCAS
A. Full of good works and almsdeeds
Acts 9:36-41 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
full of good works and almsdeeds making coats and garments
B. JESUS did not say it, but HE DID IT
Mark 14: 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
C. Our widows seeking approval elsewhere
Matthew 10:32 I will confess her also before my Father which is in heaven.
D. Where are you looking for recognition?
Matthew 23:5 Doing their works to be seen of men:
Matthew 6:1 ye have no reward of your Father
Matthew 6:5 They have their reward to be seen of men.
E. Want approval?
Matthew 6:4 thy Father shall see and shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 10:32 him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
VIII. WOMEN WHO MINISTERED TO JESUS
Matthew 27:55-56 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
A. JESUS did not say it, but HE DID IT
Mark 14: 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
B. Our widows seeking approval elsewhere
Matthew 10:32 I will confess her before my Father
C. Where are you looking for recognition?
Matthew 23:5 Doing their works to be seen of men:
Matthew 6:1 ye have no reward of your Father
Matthew 6:5 They have their reward to be seen of men.
D. Want approval?
Matthew 6:4 thy Father shall see and reward thee
Matthew 10:32 him will I confess before my Father
CONCLUSION
We could go on, Naomi, Ruth, Widow of Nain, Widow of Zarephath
A. These illustrate Exactly what our widows are doing
1. You probably don’t know about it
2. They don’t say anything about it
Mark 14: 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
B. JESUS gone back to heaven
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
C. Jesus currently at right hand of GOD
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
D. Speaking to Him
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
E. They talk about us
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Hebrews 7:24-25 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
F. What is JESUS telling Our Heavenly Father about YOU!
Revelation 2:2 I know thy works,
Revelation 4:6 And before the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
Ezekiel 1:15 I beheld the four living creatures, full of eyes 10:12 their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, were full of eyes round about,
GOD KNOWS
JESUS KNOWS
WE KNOW YOUR WORKS, TOO!
INVITATION
