Embracing Grace: A Call to True Worship
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the story from Luke 7:36-50, where Jesus is invited to dine at the house of Simon the Pharisee. During the meal, a woman known for her sinful life enters and anoints Jesus' feet with her tears and expensive perfume. This act of devotion and repentance starkly contrasts with Simon's apathetic attitude towards Jesus. Simon fails to offer Jesus the customary hospitality, revealing his lack of genuine respect and understanding of who Jesus is. In contrast, the woman’s actions demonstrate her deep gratitude and recognition of Jesus' grace and forgiveness.
We explored three key figures in this narrative: Simon the Pharisee, the woman, and Jesus. Simon's apathetic attitude serves as a warning against becoming complacent in our faith. The woman's sacrificial service exemplifies the courage and humility required to truly serve Christ, even when it means breaking societal norms and personal comfort. Her actions remind us that true worship involves pouring out our hearts and lives to Jesus, recognizing the immense value of His forgiveness.
Finally, we focused on Jesus' consistent call to repentance. Jesus does not discriminate between sinners; He offers forgiveness to all who come to Him in faith. His authoritative declaration of forgiveness to the woman underscores His divine authority and the transformative power of His grace. This story challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards Jesus and to respond with the same love and devotion as the woman, recognizing the depth of our own forgiveness and the call to live a life of sacrificial service.
### Key Takeaways
1. Guard Against Apathy: Simon the Pharisee's apathetic attitude towards Jesus serves as a cautionary tale. Even as believers, we can become complacent, inviting Jesus into our lives but failing to honor Him fully. We must guard against this by continually seeking to deepen our relationship with Christ and making Him the center of our lives. [56:39]
2. Sacrificial Service: The woman's actions demonstrate the courage and humility required to serve Jesus. She broke societal norms and sacrificed something valuable to honor Him. True service to Christ often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and make sacrifices, recognizing that what we offer to Jesus becomes priceless in His hands. [58:20]
3. The Value of What We Offer: The alabaster box of perfume was expensive, but its true value was realized when it was poured out at Jesus' feet. Similarly, the things we hold dear gain eternal significance when surrendered to Christ. Our talents, resources, and time become instruments of His grace when offered in service to Him. [59:56]
4. Remembering Grace: The woman's actions were motivated by her recognition of Jesus' grace and forgiveness. We must never forget the depth of our own forgiveness and allow it to fuel our love and devotion to Christ. This remembrance should drive us to live lives of gratitude and service, continually pouring out our praise to Him. [01:01:52]
5. Jesus' Call to Repentance: Jesus' interaction with both the woman and Simon highlights His consistent call to repentance. He offers forgiveness to all, regardless of their past, and calls us to turn from our sins. This call is not just for those with visibly checkered pasts but for everyone, including those who may appear righteous. We are all in need of His grace. [01:13:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[44:36] - Opening Prayer
[45:23] - Introduction and Scripture Reading
[46:01] - Jesus at Simon's House
[46:36] - The Woman's Entrance
[47:10] - Jesus' Parable of the Two Debtors
[47:42] - The Woman's Act of Worship
[48:13] - Understanding the Cultural Context
[48:45] - Simon's Apathetic Attitude
[49:18] - The Significance of Hospitality
[49:47] - The Woman's Bold Move
[50:19] - The Scandal of Letting Down Her Hair
[51:08] - The Woman's Devotion and Love
[52:57] - The Pharisee's Judgment
[54:47] - Lessons from the Three Characters
[56:39] - Guarding Against Apathy
[58:20] - Sacrificial Service
[59:56] - The Value of What We Offer
[01:01:52] - Remembering Grace
[01:03:15] - Personal Testimony
[01:13:14] - Jesus' Call to Repentance
[01:16:24] - Closing Questions and Invitation
[01:18:33] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 7:36-50
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the key differences in how Simon the Pharisee and the woman treated Jesus during the meal? [46:01]
2. How did Jesus respond to Simon's thoughts about the woman who anointed His feet? [47:10]
3. What was the significance of the woman's actions in anointing Jesus' feet with her tears and perfume? [52:57]
4. How did Jesus demonstrate His authority in this passage? [47:42]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Simon's apathetic attitude towards Jesus reveal about his understanding of who Jesus is? [49:18]
2. How does the woman's sacrificial service to Jesus challenge societal norms and personal comfort? [52:57]
3. In what ways does Jesus' declaration of forgiveness to the woman underscore His divine authority? [47:42]
4. How does the parable of the two debtors illustrate the concept of forgiveness and love? [47:10]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you might be showing an apathetic attitude towards Jesus, similar to Simon the Pharisee? How can you guard against this complacency? [56:39]
2. The woman broke societal norms to serve Jesus. Is there something in your life that you feel called to do for Christ that might require you to step out of your comfort zone? What steps can you take to act on this calling? [58:20]
3. The woman’s alabaster box of perfume was valuable, but its true value was realized when it was poured out at Jesus' feet. What is something valuable in your life that you can surrender to Jesus to gain eternal significance? [59:56]
4. How often do you reflect on the depth of your own forgiveness? How can this remembrance fuel your love and devotion to Christ in your daily life? [01:01:52]
5. Jesus calls everyone to repentance, regardless of their past. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about Jesus' forgiveness? How can you share this message with them this week? [01:13:14]
6. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by God's grace and forgiveness. How did it change your actions or attitude? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and service like the woman in the story? [52:57]
7. What is inside your "alabaster box" that you might be holding onto? Are you willing to pour it out for Jesus? What practical steps can you take this week to offer it to Him? [01:16:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Guarding Against Spiritual Apathy
Description: Simon the Pharisee's apathetic attitude towards Jesus serves as a cautionary tale. Even as believers, we can become complacent, inviting Jesus into our lives but failing to honor Him fully. Simon's failure to offer Jesus the customary hospitality reveals a lack of genuine respect and understanding of who Jesus is. This apathy can creep into our own lives if we are not vigilant. We must guard against this by continually seeking to deepen our relationship with Christ and making Him the center of our lives. This involves regular prayer, studying the Scriptures, and actively participating in the life of the church. By doing so, we can ensure that our faith remains vibrant and that we honor Jesus in all aspects of our lives. [56:39]
Luke 12:35-36 (ESV): "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks."
Reflection: In what ways have you become complacent in your faith? What specific steps can you take this week to rekindle your passion for Jesus and ensure He remains the center of your life?
Day 2: The Courage of Sacrificial Service
Description: The woman's actions in anointing Jesus' feet with her tears and expensive perfume demonstrate the courage and humility required to serve Jesus. She broke societal norms and sacrificed something valuable to honor Him. True service to Christ often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and make sacrifices, recognizing that what we offer to Jesus becomes priceless in His hands. This act of sacrificial service is a powerful reminder that serving Jesus may involve personal cost, but it is always worth it. We are called to serve Him with our whole hearts, even when it means facing criticism or discomfort. [58:20]
2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from serving Jesus fully? What specific action can you take this week to step out of your comfort zone and serve Him sacrificially?
Day 3: The Eternal Value of Our Offerings
Description: The alabaster box of perfume was expensive, but its true value was realized when it was poured out at Jesus' feet. Similarly, the things we hold dear gain eternal significance when surrendered to Christ. Our talents, resources, and time become instruments of His grace when offered in service to Him. This story reminds us that what we offer to Jesus, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, becomes valuable in His hands. We are encouraged to surrender all that we have to Him, trusting that He will use it for His glory and our good. [59:56]
Mark 12:43-44 (ESV): "And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'"
Reflection: What is one talent, resource, or aspect of your time that you have been holding back from offering to Jesus? How can you surrender it to Him this week and trust Him to use it for His purposes?
Day 4: Remembering the Depth of Grace
Description: The woman's actions were motivated by her recognition of Jesus' grace and forgiveness. We must never forget the depth of our own forgiveness and allow it to fuel our love and devotion to Christ. This remembrance should drive us to live lives of gratitude and service, continually pouring out our praise to Him. When we truly grasp the magnitude of Jesus' grace, it transforms our hearts and compels us to respond with love and devotion. This story challenges us to reflect on the grace we have received and to let it inspire us to live lives that honor and glorify Jesus. [01:01:52]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on the grace and forgiveness you have received from Jesus. How can this remembrance inspire you to live a life of gratitude and service this week?
Day 5: Responding to Jesus' Call to Repentance
Description: Jesus' interaction with both the woman and Simon highlights His consistent call to repentance. He offers forgiveness to all, regardless of their past, and calls us to turn from our sins. This call is not just for those with visibly checkered pasts but for everyone, including those who may appear righteous. We are all in need of His grace. This story challenges us to examine our own hearts and to respond to Jesus' call to repentance with humility and faith. It reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of His forgiveness and that we are all invited to experience the transformative power of His grace. [01:13:14]
Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to repent and seek Jesus' forgiveness? What steps can you take today to turn from your sin and embrace His grace and forgiveness?
Quotes
1. "It's sometimes tempting for us to fall into this attitude even, even as believers. We become apathetic towards Christ. And we say, yes, Christ, come into my life. Come to my house. But you're just kind of here. And what you have to say is important, I guess. But I'm not going to go out of my way to really listen or make you feel comfortable. And this happens far too often in all of our lives, where it's easy to come to church." [56:39] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "She didn't just pour out this perfume. She poured out her heart as she did it. This was not just going through the motions for her. She realized that what she was doing was for the one who had forgiven her. The one who loved her. The one who showed her hope. The one who showed her God. And with great praise. She didn't just pour out a fragrance. She poured out her heart." [58:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "To serve him, it will take us out of our comfort zone. It's already been stated today, this morning, that we have to get out of our comfort zone to serve him. It's so easy to get comfortable. And go through the motions of life. And just go through everyday occurrences. But God calls us to come out of that. To get uncomfortable to serve him. To do something that he has called you to do will often cost you comfort. But it is worth it." [59:56] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Yes, that perfume was expensive. But on the feet of Jesus, it was priceless. You see, we often think that the things that we hold on to are so valuable. But what's amazing is that when you give those same things over to Christ, he can take those things and make them eternal. And he can make the value of them priceless. He can take what we give him. And the things that we sacrifice as we serve him, as we do what he has called us to do, he can take those things and make them immensely, immensely valuable." [01:01:52] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Have you experienced forgiveness? Have you experienced that forgiveness? If you haven't, do you want to? Because now is the time. We have pastors here that will share with you from God's word how you can experience the forgiveness. Second question, how are you loving him much? How are you loving him much? Number three, what's inside your alabaster box? And right along with it, number four, are you willing to pour it out? Are you willing to break it and give it to him?" [01:16:24] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus does not discriminate between sinners. He wants all sinners to come to repentance. It doesn't matter if you've had a checkered past or if you've been grown in church and you know all the things to say, he wants us to be repentant so that we can experience his love and we can experience his forgiveness and joy." [01:13:14] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When you realize how much you have been forgiven, you're going to love like this woman loved. I told you, I grew up in church. I was saved at seven years old. I did not have a very checkered past before I came to Christ, but I am in debt to Christ for his forgiveness because the more that I have grown, the more I have seen the wickedness that still remains in my heart." [01:14:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "What should motivate us to serve him? It's not out of guilt, obligation, but of loving, of joy, of forgiveness, of grace, because those that experience much forgiveness should love much." [01:16:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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