Devotion and Transformation: Embracing Worship in Lent
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound narrative from John 12, where Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, an act of worship that fills the house with its fragrance. This story is a powerful reminder of the depth of devotion and the willingness to give our best to Christ, even when others, like Judas, may not understand or appreciate the sacrifice. Judas' criticism highlights a common tension between practical concerns and the call to worship with abandon. Jesus' response to Judas underscores the importance of recognizing the unique moments of divine presence and the call to prioritize worship over worldly concerns.
We also delved into the Apostle Paul's reflections in Philippians 3, where he speaks of counting all his earthly achievements as loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are pursuing religious accolades or truly seeking a relationship with Jesus. Paul's transformation from a Pharisee to a follower of Christ illustrates the power of a heart broken and remade by God.
As we journey through Lent, we are reminded that nothing is wasted in God's economy. Our past experiences, even those that seem like failures, can be redeemed and used for His purposes. The story of the Israelites in Exodus, who used the weapons of their captors for their future battles, serves as a metaphor for how God can transform our past struggles into tools for future victories.
This season invites us to let go of our preconceived notions and allow God to heal our wounds and restore relationships. As we approach Easter, we are encouraged to bring our brokenness to Christ, trusting that He will use it to bring about transformation and renewal.
Key Takeaways:
- Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume is a profound example of worship that prioritizes devotion over practicality. Her willingness to give her best to Jesus challenges us to examine our own acts of worship and consider whether we are holding back due to fear of judgment or misunderstanding. [17:52]
- Judas' criticism of Mary's act reveals a common tension between practical concerns and the call to worship with abandon. Jesus' response reminds us that while social needs are important, there are moments when worship and recognizing the divine presence take precedence. [39:27]
- The Apostle Paul's reflections in Philippians 3 challenge us to consider whether we are pursuing religious accolades or truly seeking a relationship with Christ. His transformation from a Pharisee to a follower of Jesus illustrates the power of a heart broken and remade by God. [44:03]
- In our Christian journey, we may feel that our efforts are wasted, but God can redeem our past experiences and use them for His purposes. The story of the Israelites using the weapons of their captors serves as a metaphor for how God can transform our past struggles into tools for future victories. [48:19]
- This Lenten season invites us to let go of our preconceived notions and allow God to heal our wounds and restore relationships. As we approach Easter, we are encouraged to bring our brokenness to Christ, trusting that He will use it to bring about transformation and renewal. [54:14]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[17:52] - Scripture Reading: John 12
[29:53] - Thanksgiving and Prayer
[32:55] - Reflections on Aging and Generations
[35:10] - Upcoming Holy Week Events
[37:07] - Layers of John 12: Mary's Worship
[39:27] - Judas' Criticism and Jesus' Response
[42:08] - Worship and Practical Concerns
[44:03] - Paul's Transformation in Philippians 3
[48:19] - Redeeming Past Experiences
[54:14] - Prayer for Healing and Restoration
[01:09:45] - Benediction and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 12:1-8
- Philippians 3:4-11
- Exodus 14:21-31
---
Observation Questions:
1. In John 12, what was Mary's act of worship, and how did Judas respond to it? What does this reveal about their differing perspectives? [17:52]
2. According to Philippians 3, how does Paul describe his past achievements, and what does he consider more valuable than these achievements? [44:03]
3. How does the story of the Israelites in Exodus illustrate the concept of God redeeming past struggles for future victories? [48:19]
4. What are some of the key elements of the Lenten season as discussed in the sermon, and how do they relate to the themes of healing and restoration? [54:14]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Mary's willingness to anoint Jesus' feet with costly perfume teach us about the nature of true worship and devotion? How might this challenge our own acts of worship? [39:27]
2. How does Judas' criticism of Mary's act highlight the tension between practical concerns and spiritual devotion? What can we learn from Jesus' response to Judas? [39:27]
3. In Philippians 3, Paul speaks of counting all things as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. How does this perspective challenge the way we view our own achievements and priorities? [44:03]
4. The sermon mentions that God can transform our past struggles into tools for future victories. How does this concept encourage us to view our past experiences, especially those that seem like failures? [48:19]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to worship or serve in a way that others might not have understood. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [39:27]
2. Consider the practical concerns in your life that might be hindering your spiritual devotion. How can you prioritize worship and recognize divine moments in your daily routine? [39:27]
3. Paul talks about the surpassing value of knowing Christ. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus, beyond religious accolades or achievements? [44:03]
4. Think about a past struggle or failure in your life. How might God be calling you to use that experience as a tool for future growth or ministry? [48:19]
5. As we approach Easter, what preconceived notions or wounds are you willing to bring to Christ for healing and transformation? How can you actively participate in this process during the Lenten season? [54:14]
6. Identify a relationship in your life that needs restoration. What practical steps can you take to allow God to heal and restore that relationship? [54:14]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to see their past experiences as valuable in God's economy, especially during this Lenten season? [48:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship Beyond Practicality
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume is a profound example of worship that prioritizes devotion over practicality. Her willingness to give her best to Jesus challenges us to examine our own acts of worship and consider whether we are holding back due to fear of judgment or misunderstanding. In this narrative, Mary's actions fill the house with the fragrance of her devotion, symbolizing how true worship can permeate and transform our surroundings. Her act of love and sacrifice stands in stark contrast to Judas' criticism, which reflects a common tension between practical concerns and the call to worship with abandon. Jesus' response to Judas reminds us that while social needs are important, there are moments when worship and recognizing the divine presence take precedence. [17:52]
"Then Mary 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." (John 12:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: The Tension Between Worship and Practicality
Judas' criticism of Mary's act reveals a common tension between practical concerns and the call to worship with abandon. In the story, Judas questions the use of expensive perfume, suggesting it could have been sold to help the poor. This highlights a struggle many face: balancing the practical aspects of life with the call to worship God wholeheartedly. Jesus' response to Judas underscores the importance of recognizing unique moments of divine presence and prioritizing worship over worldly concerns. While practical needs are significant, there are times when worship and acknowledging God's presence must take precedence. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own lives and consider how we balance these aspects. [39:27]
"For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me." (John 12:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you prioritized practicality over worship. How might you approach a similar situation differently in the future to honor God's presence?
Day 3: Transformation Through Christ
The Apostle Paul's reflections in Philippians 3 challenge us to consider whether we are pursuing religious accolades or truly seeking a relationship with Christ. Paul speaks of counting all his earthly achievements as loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ. His transformation from a Pharisee to a follower of Jesus illustrates the power of a heart broken and remade by God. This passage encourages us to examine our own lives and question whether we are more focused on religious accomplishments or genuinely seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus. Paul's journey serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of God's grace and the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Christ above all else. [44:03]
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual goals. Are they more focused on personal achievements or deepening your relationship with Christ? What changes can you make to align your goals with seeking Christ?
Day 4: Redeeming Past Experiences
In our Christian journey, we may feel that our efforts are wasted, but God can redeem our past experiences and use them for His purposes. The story of the Israelites using the weapons of their captors serves as a metaphor for how God can transform our past struggles into tools for future victories. This narrative reminds us that nothing is wasted in God's economy. Our past experiences, even those that seem like failures, can be redeemed and used for His purposes. As we reflect on our own lives, we are encouraged to trust that God can use our past struggles and experiences to bring about transformation and growth. [48:19]
"And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle." (Exodus 13:18, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a past struggle or failure in your life. How might God be calling you to use that experience as a tool for future growth or to help others?
Day 5: Healing and Restoration Through Christ
This Lenten season invites us to let go of our preconceived notions and allow God to heal our wounds and restore relationships. As we approach Easter, we are encouraged to bring our brokenness to Christ, trusting that He will use it to bring about transformation and renewal. This time of reflection and preparation is an opportunity to examine our hearts and surrender our brokenness to God. By doing so, we open ourselves to the healing and restoration that only Christ can provide. As we journey through Lent, let us be reminded of the hope and renewal that Easter brings, and the transformative power of Christ's love and grace. [54:14]
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of brokenness in your life that you need to bring to Christ for healing and restoration? How can you begin this process today?
Quotes
Mary took a pound of costly perfume, made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Isn't that beautiful? But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, the one who was about to betray him, said, Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii and the money given to the poor? [00:16:36] (45 seconds)
She gives her best worship to Jesus. The expense, the cost, the time, the preparation, the forethought in her giving identifies with the death and burial of Jesus ahead of time. She gives her best in worship to Jesus. Then, Judas. He just had to talk. And here's the problem with Judas in this story. He wasn't technically wrong, but he was completely wrong. [00:37:03] (51 seconds)
I've got to be honest, in church even today, it is easier to sell to a congregation a concept built around taking care of a social need than it is to spend money on advancing worship. It's not wrong to want to take care of the house. Think about the temple. My goodness did they spend money on the temples. [00:40:27] (30 seconds)
And you go through church history, and a lot of the degree I'm doing right now, it's church history based. But to go along the historical lines of worship and cathedrals and on and on and on and trying to make sure that everything is culturally fit and it makes sense to the people so that they can worship, it was expensive. [00:40:57] (23 seconds)
And Mary's like, you know, I spent good money on this and I'm going to pour this out in worship. And Judas is like, nah, what a waste. Have you ever had an experience where you're in the middle of following what you believe the Holy Spirit is guiding and leading you to do? And then a Judas speaks. [00:41:47] (27 seconds)
Paul gives us the example of someone whose heart was willing to be broken he did all the same stuff as judas held the rules tried to play the game but when his heart was truly broken something changed in life anything other than christ breaking your heart hurts people people will break your heart jobs will break your heart circumstances are going to break your heart but when christ breaks your heart you become like him the words of the song god break my heart for what breaks yours [00:48:32] (52 seconds)
In our Christian journey we come to places where we think that maybe our actions and our efforts were useless god i spent so much time praying into this and nothing changed it got worse god i spent so much time leading small groups and no one ever showed up god i i read scripture and i can't memorize anything to save my life nothing is wasted when it comes to your faith let building happen [00:50:03] (52 seconds)
In the book of exodus the um the israelites have this journey and they're released from slavery released from bondage and and you know the story they go through the red sea and they come out the other side but then their captors start following them and it's like oh good now they're going to come through the other side and they're going to get us these guys who have been abusing us mistreating us killing us and then the waters close in and the historian the jewish historian josephus writes that there was a point in time where the weapons of the captors floated up and it was known that the israelites then grabbed those weapons from the now dead slave slave trader's owner i don't know didn't plan that word out they grabbed these weapons and they took them and they used them in their future sometimes you need to grab the stuff that has held you back the stuff that people say is useless the things that people say wasted your time grab that stuff because you're going to need it in the future because maybe just maybe it was building you [00:50:56] (88 seconds)
Let this easter season let this lenten season do its job if we say it's just another sunday probably will be but if we approach easter with the amount of faith it deserves everything can change every brokenness every heartache every wound [00:53:22] (32 seconds)
Lord we thank you in this moment we thank you lord god that you redeem our past we thank you lord god that you redeem where other people have caused injustice against us you redeem those moments in jesus name father god we pray that today that you would let our lives let our lives be like the oil poured out to worship you in spirit in spirit and in truth god we believe that nothing is wasted when we submit to christ that you gather up those things from our past and that you you use them as weapons for the future you build our reputation you build our integrity you speak to things that are not yet so father god today we thank you that you are the healer we thank you lord god that in situations gone that that's exactly what they are give us the strength to bring justice where it needs to be brought give us the strength to speak into our lives areas that need repair areas that need submission to you god would you give us the strength in jesus name we pray amen we've gathered [00:54:24] (94 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?