Examining Our Hearts: Responses to Jesus' Miracles
Summary
In reflecting on the events of the past week, it's clear that God has been at work in our lives, and the journey we embarked on is not a conclusion but a beginning. As we continue to walk in the fruit of what God has done, we must support one another in our pursuit of wholehearted obedience to Christ. Today, we delve into John 11:45 through 12:8, exploring the aftermath of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and the varied responses it elicited. These responses reveal the true condition of our hearts and challenge us to examine our own reactions to Jesus' works and His identity.
The passage highlights four distinct heart conditions: initial saving belief, fear of losing power, worship and devotion, and self-serving criticism. Each response reflects where our true trust lies. The initial saving belief is seen in those who witnessed Jesus' miracle and believed in Him as the Son of God. This belief is not just an acknowledgment of God's existence but a deep trust in His identity and work. It calls us to examine whether our faith is genuine and rooted in the truth of who Jesus is.
The fear of losing power is evident in the religious leaders who saw Jesus as a threat to their authority. This fear can manifest in our lives when we resist surrendering areas of our lives to Christ's lordship. We must ask ourselves if there are aspects of our lives we are unwilling to relinquish to Jesus, fearing the loss of control or comfort.
Worship and devotion are exemplified by Mary, who anointed Jesus with expensive ointment, demonstrating extravagant love and reverence. This act challenges us to consider the depth of our devotion to Christ. Are we willing to offer our lives, resources, and time in worship, even when it seems illogical or costly?
Lastly, self-serving criticism, as seen in Judas, reveals a heart driven by greed and covetousness. This response warns us against masking our true motives with false piety. We must be vigilant in examining our hearts for any hidden agendas that hinder our relationship with God.
As we encounter Jesus, our responses reveal where our true trust lies. Let us be open to the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts, leading us to a deeper, more authentic faith and devotion to Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Initial Saving Belief: True faith in Jesus is not merely acknowledging His existence but trusting in His identity and work as the Son of God. This belief transforms our lives and aligns us with God's purposes. [10:43]
- Fear of Losing Power: We often resist surrendering control to Jesus, fearing the loss of our comfort or authority. True discipleship requires us to relinquish our hold on these areas and trust in Christ's lordship. [23:12]
- Extravagant Worship and Devotion: Mary's act of anointing Jesus challenges us to consider the depth of our devotion. Are we willing to offer our lives and resources in worship, even when it seems costly or illogical? [32:37]
- Self-Serving Criticism: Judas' criticism reveals a heart driven by greed. We must examine our motives and ensure our actions are rooted in genuine love and devotion to God, not masked by false piety. [40:54]
- Heart-Revealing Responses: Our reactions to Jesus' works and identity reveal where our true trust lies. Let us be open to the Holy Spirit's work, leading us to a deeper, more authentic faith and devotion to Christ. [44:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:38] - Belief and Unbelief
- [10:43] - Initial Saving Faith
- [15:00] - The Sufficiency of Scripture
- [19:43] - Justification and Sanctification
- [23:12] - Fear of Losing Power
- [26:15] - The Role of the Church and Family
- [29:59] - Hearing the Holy Spirit
- [32:37] - Extravagant Worship
- [36:10] - Engaging with God
- [38:56] - Opportunities for Service
- [40:54] - Self-Serving Criticism
- [44:19] - True Trust in Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 11:45-12:8
Observation Questions:
1. What were the different responses of the people who witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead? [07:38]
2. How did the religious leaders react to Jesus' miracle, and what were their concerns? [23:12]
3. Describe Mary's act of worship and devotion towards Jesus. What did she do, and how was it received by others? [32:37]
4. What was Judas' criticism of Mary's actions, and what does the text reveal about his true motives? [40:54]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the initial saving belief of those who witnessed Jesus' miracle challenge our understanding of faith? [10:43]
2. In what ways can the fear of losing power or control manifest in our own lives, similar to the religious leaders' response? [23:12]
3. What does Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive ointment teach us about the nature of true worship and devotion? [32:37]
4. How can self-serving criticism, as demonstrated by Judas, hinder our relationship with God and others? [40:54]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Do you find your belief in Jesus to be more of an acknowledgment or a deep trust in His identity and work? How can you deepen your trust this week? [10:43]
2. Are there areas in your life where you resist surrendering control to Jesus, fearing the loss of comfort or authority? What steps can you take to relinquish these areas to Christ's lordship? [23:12]
3. Consider the depth of your devotion to Christ. Are there resources, time, or aspects of your life that you are holding back from offering in worship? How can you take a step towards more extravagant worship this week? [32:37]
4. Examine your motives in your interactions with others. Are there any hidden agendas or self-serving criticisms that you need to address? How can you ensure your actions are rooted in genuine love and devotion to God? [40:54]
5. How do your responses to Jesus' works and identity reveal where your true trust lies? What changes can you make to align your heart more closely with a wholehearted faith and devotion to Christ? [44:19]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you to grow. What practical steps can you take this week to respond to that prompting? [29:59]
7. Think of a person in your life who might be struggling with belief or trust in Jesus. How can you support and encourage them in their faith journey this week? [19:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in Jesus' Identity and Work
True faith in Jesus is not merely acknowledging His existence but trusting in His identity and work as the Son of God. This belief transforms our lives and aligns us with God's purposes. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many who witnessed the miracle believed in Him, recognizing His divine authority and power. This initial saving belief is more than intellectual assent; it is a deep trust in Jesus' identity and His redemptive work. It challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and whether it is rooted in the truth of who Jesus is. [10:43]
John 6:68-69 (ESV): "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your trust in Jesus' identity and work today, beyond mere acknowledgment of His existence?
Day 2: Surrendering Control to Christ
We often resist surrendering control to Jesus, fearing the loss of our comfort or authority. True discipleship requires us to relinquish our hold on these areas and trust in Christ's lordship. The religious leaders in John 11 feared losing their power and authority, seeing Jesus as a threat. This fear can manifest in our own lives when we are reluctant to surrender certain areas to Christ. We must ask ourselves if there are aspects of our lives we are unwilling to relinquish, fearing the loss of control or comfort. [23:12]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
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 3: Extravagant Worship and Devotion
Mary's act of anointing Jesus challenges us to consider the depth of our devotion. Are we willing to offer our lives and resources in worship, even when it seems costly or illogical? Mary's devotion was demonstrated through her extravagant act of anointing Jesus with expensive ointment, showing her love and reverence. This act challenges us to reflect on the depth of our own devotion to Christ. Are we willing to offer our lives, resources, and time in worship, even when it seems illogical or costly? [32:37]
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 way you can demonstrate extravagant worship and devotion to Jesus this week, even if it seems costly or illogical?
Day 4: Examining Our Motives
Judas' criticism reveals a heart driven by greed. We must examine our motives and ensure our actions are rooted in genuine love and devotion to God, not masked by false piety. Judas criticized Mary's act of devotion, masking his greed with false concern for the poor. This response warns us against hiding our true motives behind a facade of piety. We must be vigilant in examining our hearts for any hidden agendas that hinder our relationship with God. [40:54]
Proverbs 16:2 (ESV): "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision or action. What were your true motives, and how can you ensure they align with genuine love and devotion to God?
Day 5: Heart-Revealing Responses
Our reactions to Jesus' works and identity reveal where our true trust lies. Let us be open to the Holy Spirit's work, leading us to a deeper, more authentic faith and devotion to Christ. The varied responses to Jesus' miracle of raising Lazarus reveal the true condition of people's hearts. Some believed, while others feared or criticized. These responses challenge us to examine our own reactions to Jesus' works and His identity. Are we open to the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts, leading us to a deeper, more authentic faith and devotion to Christ? [44:19]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: How do your recent reactions to life's challenges reveal the condition of your heart? What steps can you take to be more open to the Holy Spirit's transformative work?
Quotes
In the earlier parts of John chapter 11, Jesus taught them so much about who He was or who He is, His power, His salvation, and His pursuit of God's purposes and glory, and about His love for His friends. Now, in today's passage, 11, 45 through 12, verse 8, which is what we'll read together in a minute, we're going to see the aftermath of Jesus's raising Lazarus from the dead. And we're going to see different, even polarizing responses that people have to Jesus being raised from the dead and who Jesus is in His deity. [00:03:11] (41 seconds)
Your response and my response to Jesus and the works of Jesus that we see in the Word of God reflect our heart's true condition. And they point us to see the purpose of Jesus's soon -coming resurrection, and along with that, offer a call of faith and belief and true devotion to walk in faith -filled obedience following the Lord. This morning, we're going to highlight four different heart conditions that we see. [00:04:44] (27 seconds)
Many of the Jews, therefore, who had come with Mary and had been, who had seen what He did, believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and they told them what Jesus had done. And so, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and they said, what are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him. [00:08:09] (22 seconds)
It's not just about believing that God exists. It's about believing that God exists and that He is who He says He is, and He will work how He says He works, and that Jesus truly is God's Son. He said it in verses 25 and 26, I am the resurrection and the life. And whoever believes in me, though he die, yet he shall live. [00:17:46] (19 seconds)
When Jesus performs miraculous acts in the gospels, they demand a response from us and they bring a response. One response is faith and belief. Maybe it's initial faith or maybe it's a life of extravagant worship that we'll see in a few minutes, but they also bring a response of doubting and criticism and disbelief because we like our kingdoms. [00:22:45] (31 seconds)
The third heart response is extravagant worship and devotion. And I just love this in the beginning of John 12. The beginning of John 12, six days before the Passover. So the Passover would have begun on Friday night, which means that six days before the Passover would have been yesterday, chronologically speaking. They throw a feast and they've got a dinner for Lazarus and Jesus there. [00:32:41] (33 seconds)
Mary takes this expensive pound, I'm sorry, this pound of expensive ointment. That would have been about a year's worth of wages. Different ways of calculating it, but it would have been roughly a year's worth of wages that she poured out on Jesus's head and feet. The way that they ate at the table is if this was the table, they would have sort of like leaned into the table like this and taken things off of the table like that. [00:32:53] (26 seconds)
And their feet would have been out away from the table. It would have been very easy for her to pour this ointment on Jesus's feet. And then as would have been common if someone was washing another's feet, it would have been common to take a towel and to wipe his feet with a towel. But she didn't take a towel. She loved him so much, she used herself. [00:33:47] (26 seconds)
Notice here a false piety, a false humility that says, oh, brothers, I just care that we're not wasting our opportunity to care for the poor. Oh, I just care that we're taking care of God's finances in the right way. But really what's underneath the surface is that that's a veneer for other forms of criticism and greed. [00:41:02] (31 seconds)
As we encounter Jesus in His Word and in our life experience, there are heart -revealing responses that indicate where our true trust lies. What is it for you? Are you willing to ask? Are you willing to ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes to see? Are you willing to pray that Psalm 139 prayer? Search me, O God, and know my heart. [00:42:14] (28 seconds)
Friends, if you're a child of God that says, I have trusted in Jesus and He is my Savior, would you be courageous to say, Lord, I want you to have my whole heart. Take all of me. I want to worship you with my whole life. I want to grow in what it means to be a wholehearted follower of Christ. [00:45:18] (32 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?