Look, the righteous King is here!
He is our shelter from the wind, our safe place in the storm.

Now, everyone can see and hear the truth.
He will pour out his Holy Spirit on us!

God’s justice will reign in every place.
His justice brings peace, and his peace brings calmness and confidence forever.

We have been captivated by persuasive performances.
We have been fooled by deceptive words and false candor.

We have trusted faithful facades and ignored the underlying absence of character.
We have eaten rancid fruit from the rotten tree of popularity, and our souls are sick.

Lord, we carry the consequences of putting our confidence in counterfeits:
We have become like parched plants in a deserted place.

Lord, we long for the blessing of putting down roots that reach deep into your river:
We will become fruitful trees that flourish even in times of difficulty and drought.

No one who hopes in You will ever be put to shame.
We turn our trust to You. We will not be put to shame.

Based on Matthew 7:15-20, Jeremiah 17:5-8, Psalm 25:1-3

Almighty and ever-living Father, we give you heartfelt gratitude.
You have generously satisfied us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your Son.
This gift is more than salvation—it is a full assurance of your favor and goodness towards us.
We are included and incorporated in the Body of your Son;
We are blessed to be in the company of all faithful people;
We are hopeful as heirs of your everlasting kingdom;
All this is only by the merits of the most precious death and passion of Your dear Son.
These are holy mysteries; it is good and right that all we can do is accept this gift.
With gratitude we receive you, Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Adapted from 1662 Anglican Communion Rite, Book of Common Prayer

Unseen Desires

Jason Stephens

45 While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples,
46 “Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.
47 They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment.”

1 He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.
2 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.
3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

–Luke 20:45-21:4

1.  It seems that the desire to be seen isn’t relieved by being seen...

2. A desire to be seen and praised leads to condemnation

3. A desire to be seen and praised by people — once fully formed — leads to condemnation

• 1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven.
  2 So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. (Matthew 6:1)

4. Starve the desire to be seen.

• How to check my motivation:
  1. What do I want?
  2. Who from?
  3. What will it will get me?
  4. What need is that meeting?

5. Differences Between the Widow and the Scribes

• Scribes vs Widow
  • Insecure vs Safe
  • Taking vs Giving
  • Striving vs Worshipping
  • Seeking glory for themselves vs Seeking glory for God
  • Needs approval vs Receives approval
  • Value defined externally vs Value defined intrinsically
  • Seen by People vs Hidden from People
  • Seen by God vs Seen by God
  • Condemnation vs Commendation

6. A desire to be seen and praised by God leads to commendation...

• Who do you want to be seen by?
  • Starve the desire to be seen
  • Check our motivations and ask God to meet our needs
  • Remind yourself that Jesus is pleased with faithful insignificance