Widow's Work

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,