Extravagant Love: A Heartfelt Response to Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound impact of extravagant love and worship, inspired by the story of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. This act, recorded in John 12:1-11, serves as a powerful example of how our response to Christ's ultimate sacrifice should be nothing short of extravagant. Mary's gesture was not just a display of generosity but a deep, heartfelt expression of her love and gratitude for Jesus, who had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. This story challenges us to consider what Jesus is worth to us and how we can express our love for Him in ways that go beyond mere words or routine actions.
Extravagant love, as demonstrated by Mary, is characterized by its lavishness, selflessness, and willingness to go above and beyond for the object of our affection. It is a love that is expressed without regard for cost, personal benefit, or societal norms. This kind of love is transformative, leaving a lasting impact on both the giver and the receiver. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with a costly perfume, worth a year's wages, was seen by some as wasteful. However, Jesus defended her, recognizing the depth of her devotion and the prophetic significance of her actions.
In our own lives, we are called to love Jesus with the same extravagance. This means giving Him the best of our time, talents, and treasures, without fear of what others might think. It means performing acts of beauty and kindness that may seem wasteful or impractical to the world but are deeply meaningful in the kingdom of God. Whether it's serving in a ministry, coaching a little league team, or giving up a lucrative career to go to the mission field, our love for Jesus should be evident in our actions.
As we reflect on the extravagant love of Jesus, who poured out His life for us on the cross, we are reminded that our response should be equally extravagant. Let us strive to love Him with all that we are, holding nothing back, and let our lives be a testament to the transformative power of His love.
### Key Takeaways
1. Extravagant Love Costs Something: True love for Jesus often requires a significant sacrifice, whether it be financial, social, or personal. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was a costly gesture, both in terms of money and social norms. This teaches us that genuine love for Christ will always come with a price, but it is a price worth paying. [23:35]
2. Extravagant Love Defies Practicality: From a worldly perspective, Mary's act seemed wasteful and impractical. However, in the kingdom of God, such acts of love make perfect sense. Our love for Jesus should be so profound that it defies simple accounting and practical considerations, reflecting a value beyond dollars and cents. [35:31]
3. Extravagant Love is Prophetic: Mary's anointing of Jesus was not just an act of love but also a prophetic gesture, preparing His body for burial. This reminds us that our acts of love and worship can have deeper, spiritual significance, often beyond our immediate understanding. [34:26]
4. Extravagant Love Faces Criticism: Mary's act was met with criticism and misunderstanding, even from Jesus' disciples. This teaches us that our expressions of love for Jesus may not always be understood or appreciated by others, but we must remain steadfast in our devotion. [31:05]
5. Extravagant Love Reflects God's Love: Jesus' response to Mary's act highlights that our extravagant love for Him mirrors His extravagant love for us. Just as God poured out His love for us through Jesus' sacrifice, we are called to pour out our love for Him in ways that are bold, generous, and wholehearted. [36:51]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Introduction and Gratitude
[01:18] - The Power of God's Word
[01:52] - Orphanage Project
[03:09] - Challenges with Land
[04:12] - South Campus Mission
[05:17] - Cartel Member's Transformation
[06:25] - Building Permanent Structures
[07:33] - Security and Protection
[08:06] - Mission Trip Success
[08:37] - Series Continuation
[09:12] - Extravagant Love and Worship
[11:33] - The Worth of Jesus
[12:17] - Mary Anoints Jesus
[14:42] - Judas' Reaction
[16:42] - The Value of Jesus
[18:34] - Jesus' Authority Over Death
[20:40] - Mary's Extravagant Act
[23:35] - The Cost of Extravagant Love
[29:59] - Reasons Against Extravagant Love
[34:26] - Prophetic Significance
[36:51] - Reflecting God's Love
[39:57] - Jesus' Ultimate Sacrifice
[43:19] - Call to Commitment
[44:44] - Prayer of Salvation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 12:1-11
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event had recently occurred in the life of Mary and her family that might have influenced her act of anointing Jesus? (John 12:1-2)
2. How did Judas Iscariot react to Mary's act of anointing Jesus, and what was his stated reason for his reaction? (John 12:4-6)
3. What was Jesus' response to Judas' criticism of Mary, and what did He say about the significance of her actions? (John 12:7-8)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Mary chose to use such an expensive perfume to anoint Jesus? What does this tell us about her understanding of Jesus' worth? (John 12:3)
2. How does Jesus' defense of Mary's actions challenge our understanding of what is considered "wasteful" or "extravagant" in the context of worship? (John 12:7-8) [22:40]
3. What does the reaction of the disciples, particularly Judas, reveal about their understanding of Jesus' mission and the concept of extravagant love? (John 12:4-6) [31:05]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to make a significant sacrifice for your faith. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more open to making such sacrifices in the future? [23:35]
2. In what ways can you show extravagant love for Jesus in your daily life? Consider specific actions you can take that might seem impractical or wasteful to others but are meaningful in the kingdom of God. [36:51]
3. Have you ever faced criticism for your expressions of faith or acts of worship? How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Mary's example of steadfast devotion despite criticism? [31:05]
4. Think about the talents and resources you have. How can you use them to honor Jesus in a way that reflects the depth of your love and gratitude for Him? [38:22]
5. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross was an act of extravagant love. How can you mirror this kind of love in your relationships with family, friends, and even strangers? [39:57]
6. Identify one area of your life where you feel you are holding back from fully loving Jesus. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him and demonstrate your love more extravagantly? [41:31]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to express their love for Jesus in bold and generous ways? Share specific ideas and commit to supporting each other in these endeavors. [38:22]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cost of Extravagant Love
Extravagant love for Jesus often requires significant sacrifice, whether it be financial, social, or personal. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was a costly gesture, both in terms of money and social norms. This teaches us that genuine love for Christ will always come with a price, but it is a price worth paying. Mary's willingness to pour out a year's wages worth of perfume on Jesus' feet demonstrates a profound understanding of His worth and a deep gratitude for what He had done for her. Her act challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for our love for Jesus. [23:35]
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 thing in your life that you hold dear but could offer to Jesus as a sign of your love and devotion? How can you take a step towards making that sacrifice today?
Day 2: The Impracticality of Extravagant Love
From a worldly perspective, Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume seemed wasteful and impractical. However, in the kingdom of God, such acts of love make perfect sense. Our love for Jesus should be so profound that it defies simple accounting and practical considerations, reflecting a value beyond dollars and cents. This kind of love is not about efficiency or practicality but about expressing the depth of our devotion and gratitude. It challenges us to perform acts of beauty and kindness that may seem wasteful or impractical to the world but are deeply meaningful in the kingdom of God. [35:31]
Mark 14:6-9 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: Think of an act of love or kindness that you have hesitated to perform because it seemed impractical or wasteful. How can you reframe your perspective to see it as a meaningful expression of your love for Jesus?
Day 3: The Prophetic Nature of Extravagant Love
Mary's anointing of Jesus was not just an act of love but also a prophetic gesture, preparing His body for burial. This reminds us that our acts of love and worship can have deeper, spiritual significance, often beyond our immediate understanding. When we act out of deep love and devotion, we may be participating in God's larger plan in ways we cannot fully comprehend. This encourages us to trust that our seemingly small or insignificant acts of love can have profound and lasting impacts in the spiritual realm. [34:26]
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of love or worship you performed. How might this act have a deeper, spiritual significance that you are not immediately aware of? Ask God to reveal any prophetic meaning behind your actions.
Day 4: Facing Criticism for Extravagant Love
Mary's act of anointing Jesus was met with criticism and misunderstanding, even from Jesus' disciples. This teaches us that our expressions of love for Jesus may not always be understood or appreciated by others, but we must remain steadfast in our devotion. When we choose to love Jesus extravagantly, we may face criticism, skepticism, or even ridicule. However, we are called to focus on Jesus' approval rather than the opinions of others. This requires courage and a deep conviction of Jesus' worthiness. [31:05]
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: Think of a time when you faced criticism or misunderstanding for your faith or acts of love for Jesus. How can you find strength and encouragement in knowing that Jesus understands and values your devotion?
Day 5: Reflecting God's Extravagant Love
Jesus' response to Mary's act highlights that our extravagant love for Him mirrors His extravagant love for us. Just as God poured out His love for us through Jesus' sacrifice, we are called to pour out our love for Him in ways that are bold, generous, and wholehearted. This reciprocal love relationship transforms us and reflects the nature of God's kingdom. Our acts of love become a testament to the transformative power of His love, inviting others to experience the same. [36:51]
1 John 4:10-11 (ESV): "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Reflection: How can you reflect God's extravagant love in your daily life? Identify one specific way you can show bold, generous, and wholehearted love to someone today.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The word touches lives. It changes lives, right? And so if we preach the word, doesn't matter how bad your language is, wherever it is, as you're speaking, the word of God just has a way of cutting through all that and penetrating hearts, right?" [01:18] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Extravagant love is characterized by its lavishness, selflessness, and willingness to go above and beyond for the object of our affection. It's a love that is expressed in grand gestures, sacrificial acts, often with the help of God. It's a love that is expressed without regard for cost, for personal benefit, or societal norms, we could say." [10:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Think of our Savior's love for us. Think of what it cost him to demonstrate that love. That didn't make sense. The only explanation is our Heavenly Father loved us with an extravagant, indescribable love." [39:57] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God poured out his love extravagantly. He didn't just give a little drop, a little dab here and there, but he brought the bottle. The body of his son was broken on the cross and every last ounce of his love was poured out so that you may know him and be with him so that we could experience of the love and grace." [40:53] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you've been deeply touched by the grace of God, and how many have been deeply touched by the grace of God today? Lots of people. You can't help but respond in ways that make no sense to the world. No sense. I mean, God's love and God's grace will make you do things that the world says, what? What's going on? That doesn't make any sense." [28:54] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Our worship and our response to God, our response to everything that Christ has done for us really requires something more of us than simply coming to church and singing a few songs and all that." [09:12] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Mary takes the most valuable of her possessions. And let's read the rest of the story and then we'll kind of look at it as a whole. But verse 3 says, Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." [13:53] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Mary saw Jesus as worthy of the very best she could give him. And in her case, it was a bottle of pure nard. And in this story, what we see here is there was this tremendous financial cost to this extravagant love." [24:24] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How often have we backed down from loving Jesus extravagantly because of our fear of what others would think? How often do we only act with this wimpy, reluctant love because of what someone else might say? And I think it's even tougher today, in today's culture." [29:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Mary didn't want to wait until Jesus was dead to demonstrate how much she loved him. She wanted him to know while she was still alive. Well, he was still alive. And interestingly, she would never get another chance." [34:26] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?