Creating Beauty Through Sacrificial Worship and Love

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound theme of creating beautiful things as worshipers of Jesus, drawing inspiration from the story of Mary anointing Jesus with costly perfume from an alabaster flask, as recounted in Mark 14. This act of Mary, which was initially met with indignation by some, serves as a powerful illustration of worship, sacrifice, and the essence of the gospel.

We began by setting the context of the event, which took place in the house of Simon the leper. Mary, moved by her encounter with Jesus, who had profoundly impacted her life and her family by raising her brother Lazarus from the dead, chose to perform a beautiful act of worship. She poured out very expensive ointment on Jesus, an act that was both extravagant and deeply significant, prefiguring Jesus' own sacrifice.

This narrative is not just a story of past events; it's a living call to each of us to consider what it means to create beautiful things in our lives. Beautiful things here are not merely about aesthetic or material value but are about actions and choices that reflect deep devotion and worship towards Jesus. This act of pouring out, which might seem wasteful to the world, is a vivid depiction of true Christian freedom and worship — a freedom to give without counting the cost, motivated by love and gratitude.

Throughout the sermon, I drew parallels between Mary's act and our calling as Christians to live lives of sacrificial love and service. Just as the fragrance of the perfume filled the entire house, our acts of love and sacrifice are meant to diffuse the fragrance of Christ's love to all around us. This is the essence of being a disciple of Christ, where our lives become a living testimony to the grace and truth of the gospel.

Moreover, I touched upon the concept of misunderstanding that often accompanies acts of genuine worship and sacrifice. Just as many at the dinner misunderstood Mary's intentions and the value of her act, we too might be misunderstood or criticized when we live out our faith authentically. Yet, this should not deter us but rather encourage us to continue living in a manner that pleases God, knowing that our reward is in Him.

Finally, I emphasized the importance of viewing our contributions, whether small or large, as significant in the kingdom of God. The widow's mite, though seemingly insignificant, was valued by Jesus for her heart of worship and sacrifice. In the same way, our offerings, no matter how small, when given in love and worship, hold immense value in God's eyes.

Key Takeaways:
1. Worship as a Lifestyle: Worship is not confined to songs and prayers but is expressed in our actions and sacrifices. Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet is a profound form of worship, showing her deep love and reverence for Him. This teaches us that our greatest acts of worship are often those that cost us something significant. [43:54]

2. Misunderstanding Can Accompany True Worship: Genuine acts of devotion and worship are often misunderstood by onlookers, as was Mary's act of pouring perfume on Jesus. This should not discourage us but rather affirm that our focus is to please Christ, not man. [50:50]

3. The Impact of Sacrificial Giving: The aroma of the perfume filled the house, symbolizing how our acts of love and sacrifice can have a far-reaching impact, spreading the fragrance of Christ to all around us. This encourages us to live generously and sacrificially, knowing our actions carry eternal significance. [53:22]

4. Christian Freedom Expressed Through Giving: True freedom in Christ involves giving of ourselves generously and wholeheartedly, much like Mary did. This freedom is found not in holding back but in pouring out our lives for the sake of the Gospel. [01:07:03]

5. Redemption and Beauty from Ashes: Even in our failures and moments of despair, God can create something beautiful. Our lives, surrendered to God, can be transformed into beautiful testimonies of His grace and power. This encourages us to give our all to God, trusting Him to work through our offerings, no matter how broken. [01:10:52]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 14:3-9 (ESV)
> "And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, 'Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.' And they scolded her. But Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.'"

2. John 12:3 (ESV)
> "Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."

3. Matthew 26:13 (ESV)
> "Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the setting of the event where Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfume? ([41:20])
2. How did the people present react to Mary's act of anointing Jesus? ([41:20])
3. What was Jesus' response to those who criticized Mary for her act? ([41:20])
4. According to the sermon, what does the fragrance of the perfume symbolize in the context of Christian life? ([53:22])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Mary's act of anointing Jesus was considered a "beautiful thing" by Jesus? ([41:20])
2. How does the story of Mary anointing Jesus illustrate the concept of sacrificial giving in the Christian faith? ([55:55])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between worship and acts of service, such as caring for the poor? ([47:20])
4. How can the misunderstanding of Mary's act by others be seen as a reflection of the challenges Christians might face when living out their faith authentically? ([50:50])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to do something extravagant for God. How did others react, and how did you handle any criticism or misunderstanding? ([50:50])
2. In what ways can you create "beautiful things" in your daily life that reflect your devotion to Jesus? Think of specific actions or choices you can make this week. ([46:07])
3. How can you balance the act of worship with practical service to others, ensuring that both are integral parts of your Christian life? ([47:20])
4. Have you ever felt discouraged by the misunderstanding or criticism of your acts of faith? How can you find encouragement in Jesus' response to Mary? ([50:50])
5. Consider the concept of sacrificial giving. What is one area of your life where you can give more generously, whether it be time, resources, or love? ([55:55])
6. How can you ensure that your acts of worship and service are not just about you but point others to Jesus? Think of a specific way to involve others in your acts of worship this week. ([54:44])
7. Reflect on a difficult or "ash-like" situation in your life. How can you surrender it to God and trust Him to create something beautiful out of it? ([01:10:52])

Devotional

Day 1: Worship Beyond Words
True worship involves more than just singing; it encompasses our actions and sacrifices. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was a profound demonstration of worship, not confined to words but expressed through a costly personal sacrifice. This act was a tangible expression of her love and reverence for Jesus, illustrating that true worship often involves giving something of significant value. It challenges us to consider what we are willing to lay down in our worship of God. Are we prepared to offer not just our words but also our resources, time, and hearts? Worship that costs us something is often the most genuine and pleasing to God. [43:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMOVBT9fRrk&t=2619s)

Luke 7:44-46 (ESV): "Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.'"

Reflection: What personal sacrifices can you make this week as acts of worship to show your love and reverence for Christ?

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Day 2: Embracing Misunderstanding in Devotion
Genuine acts of devotion and worship, like Mary's anointing of Jesus, can often be misunderstood by others. This should not discourage us but rather affirm our focus on pleasing Christ above all. When living out our faith authentically, we might face criticism or misunderstanding, but these moments are opportunities to deepen our commitment to God's calling. They remind us that our ultimate goal is to serve and honor God, regardless of human approval. [50:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMOVBT9fRrk&t=3035s)

1 Peter 4:14 (ESV): "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

Reflection: How can you continue to serve God authentically even when faced with misunderstanding or criticism from those around you?

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Day 3: The Ripple Effect of Sacrificial Love
The fragrance of the perfume Mary used to anoint Jesus filled the entire house, symbolizing how acts of love and sacrifice can have a far-reaching impact. Our lives are meant to diffuse the fragrance of Christ's love to everyone around us through acts of kindness, generosity, and service. This encourages us to live not just for ourselves but in a way that our actions carry eternal significance and spread the love of Christ to others. [53:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMOVBT9fRrk&t=3187s)

2 Corinthians 2:15-16a (ESV): "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life."

Reflection: What specific act of kindness or sacrifice can you perform this week to spread the fragrance of Christ's love to those in your community?

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Day 4: Freedom in Generous Giving
True freedom in Christ is found not in holding back but in pouring out our lives for the sake of the Gospel, much like Mary did with her costly perfume. This freedom allows us to give generously and wholeheartedly, trusting that our sacrifices are a part of a larger divine purpose. It challenges us to evaluate our own giving, not just in terms of money but in our time, talents, and attention to others. [01:07:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMOVBT9fRrk&t=4008s)

Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Reflection: In what ways can you exercise your freedom in Christ more fully by giving of yourself to others this week?

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Day 5: Beauty from Ashes
Even in our failures and moments of despair, God can create something beautiful. Our lives, when surrendered to God, can be transformed into powerful testimonies of His grace and power. This encourages us to give our all to God, trusting Him to work through our offerings, no matter how broken or insignificant they may seem. [01:10:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMOVBT9fRrk&t=4237s)

Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Reflection: What areas of your life do you need to surrender more fully to God, trusting that He can transform them into something beautiful?

Quotes

"This story is the story that I want told wherever the gospel goes. And it's not really about Mary. It's about this beautiful thing that she's done. Our beautiful things are meant to be all about us. That is good news in of itself. There's nothing more liberating than realizing life isn't all about me." [01:02:55]( | | )

"The beautiful things that we create as worshipers of Jesus should cause the people around us not to just always misunderstand us. But hopefully, occasionally, maybe even more often than not, invite them to worship. Evoke a sense of awe and adoration." [54:44](Download clip | | )

"Beautiful things can be and I think are often misunderstood. And I think that's important. Simply to remember. Because oftentimes you're going to do your utmost. Like this woman. You do something that is meant to be an expression of adoration." [50:50]( | | )

"She poured out the nard, the ointment. And it said the aroma filled the house. You ever been to someone's house that's really into essential oils? And you're like, dude, I love your smell. I don't know where that's coming from. Do you have like a diffuser?" [53:22]( | | )

"This beautiful thing is a snapshot of Christian freedom. If we back up a bit. In Mark's Gospel account he writes this. Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples. And said, whoever wants to be my disciple. And Must deny themselves, yourselves and take up their cross and follow me." [01:07:03]( | | )

"What can we say about this beautiful thing? This story is told in the other gospels as well. Not Luke for some reason, but Matthew, Mark, naturally. And then John chapter 12 tells his own version of the story. They're all essentially the same with some various details brought out." [42:45]( | | )

"This is worship. John chapter 12, as I just mentioned, his version of the story. We're told who the woman is. It's Mary, the sister of Lazarus. It's the same story, only he includes the name. It's Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who was the man who Jesus brought back to life." [43:54]( | | )

"We're worshipers of Jesus first and foremost. You know, occasionally you might think about this personally. Or maybe you're just aware that there's a bit of a tension, sometimes even a debate in society and church. That like, well, what's the real aim of the church?" [47:20]( | | )

"This beautiful thing is worship. And number two, this beautiful thing is often misunderstood. It's the other obvious thing. In this little dinner party that we're reading of. And the woman shows up. And she does this thing. Everyone's indignant. It would seem the only person in the room that understands what's actually happening is Jesus." [49:57]( | | )

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?