January 11, 2026
Take Your Seat
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Mark 12:35-40
And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

I. The Seat of Sovereign Authority
II. The Seat of Prideful Hypocrisy
III. The Seat of Final Judgment

Trust the One who sits in authority by grace, not those who sit in pride for gain.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I confess my pride in keeping control of things I need to give to God.
• I choose to submit to Jesus’ authority every day.

Deep Dive

1. Read Psalm 110:1. What does this verse teach us about the authority of Jesus?
2. Compare Romans 14:10 with Mark 12:40. How should the reality of God’s judgment shape our daily living?
3. What does it look like for us to “sit under” the authority of Jesus in everyday life?

Springboards

1. How does the context of Mark 12:38–44 shape your understanding of the widow’s offering?
2. What does it mean that Jesus saw the widow’s gift while religious leaders ignored real human need?
3. Read James 1:27 and 1 Timothy 5:3–8. How should the church care for widows today?