Extravagant Worship: Trusting Jesus Beyond Criticism

In Colossians 1, we are reminded that Christ is the one who holds all things together—every visible and invisible part of creation, every broken and dislocated piece of the universe, is brought into harmony through Him. This truth is not just theological; it is deeply personal and practical for our lives and our community. As we gather, we are invited to build our lives on this firm foundation, trusting that Jesus is both the center and the sustainer of all we are and all we do.

Yet, following Jesus, especially through seasons of transition, requires extravagant faith and courageous vision, even in the face of criticism. Many of us have experienced the sting of being misunderstood or even called wasteful for our devotion to Christ—sometimes by those closest to us. The story of Mary anointing Jesus with costly perfume in John’s Gospel is a powerful example. Her act of worship was criticized by Judas, who cloaked his self-interest in spiritual language. Jesus, however, defended Mary, showing that true worship sometimes looks wasteful to the world but is precious in God’s eyes.

This passage challenges us to examine our own motivations. Are we quick to criticize others’ generosity while clinging to our own comfort? Do we use spiritual-sounding reasons to mask self-interest? Jesus’ response to Mary and Judas reveals His priorities: worship and devotion to Him take precedence, especially in moments of unique opportunity. There are seasons when practical service is needed, but there are also moments when extravagant worship is called for. Discernment is required to know which season we are in.

As a church, we are called to be bold and expansive in our vision—to be a community where people from all backgrounds belong, believe, become disciple-makers, and are sent to transform the world. This may feel daunting or even impossible, but God often calls us beyond our comfort into something richer and more meaningful. The coming years will bring new opportunities, especially as our neighborhood changes and grows. We are invited to invest our time, resources, and hearts, not just for immediate results, but for eternal impact.

Ultimately, nothing given to Jesus is ever wasted. He sees the purpose and fruit of every sacrifice, even when others do not. Our challenge is to trust Him, to discern His priorities together, and to respond with faith, generosity, and courage.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True Worship May Be Misunderstood and Criticized Acts of extravagant devotion to Jesus can be seen as wasteful or impractical, especially by those who do not share the same values or vision. Mary’s costly offering was criticized by Judas, but Jesus affirmed her, showing that what matters most is the heart behind our worship, not the approval of others. When we give our best to Christ, we may face misunderstanding, but He sees and honors our sacrifice. [34:07]
• 2. Self-Interest Can Masquerade as Spiritual Concern Judas’s criticism of Mary appeared reasonable and even spiritual, but it was rooted in self-interest and hidden motives. This warns us to examine our own hearts: are we using spiritual language to justify our reluctance or selfishness? Authentic faith requires honesty with ourselves and God, refusing to let comfort or personal gain dictate our decisions. [44:46]
• 3. Jesus Prioritizes Worship Over Practicality in Key Moments While caring for the poor is a biblical mandate, there are moments when worship takes precedence—especially when God is doing something unique or time-sensitive. Jesus did not seek compromise or neutrality; He defended Mary’s act because it aligned with God’s greater purpose. We need discernment to recognize when God is calling us to step beyond practicality into costly worship. [56:45]
• 4. God’s Vision for Us Is Bigger Than Our Comfort The call to follow Jesus often leads us beyond what feels safe or manageable. As a church and as individuals, we are invited to dream bigger, to invest in people and opportunities that may not yield immediate or obvious returns. God’s purposes are expansive, and He may be calling us to impact the world in ways we cannot yet see—if we are willing to trust Him and step out in faith. [51:39]
• 5. Nothing Given to Jesus Is Ever Wasted In God’s economy, every act of generosity, every sacrifice, and every moment of devotion is seen and used for His glory. Even when others question the value of our efforts, Jesus knows what is coming and what our investments will produce. Our role is to be faithful, to discern His will together, and to trust that He will bring fruit from what we offer, both in our lives and in our community.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [07:24] - Christ Holds All Things Together
• [15:40] - Building Our Lives on Jesus
• [32:18] - When They Call It Wasteful
• [34:07] - Mary’s Extravagant Worship and Judas’s Criticism
• [44:46] - Examining Our Motives
• [48:40] - Vision and Values at Kingsford Church
• [49:22] - Equipping and Empowering for Mission
• [50:33] - Expanding Our Vision
• [51:39] - A Bold Call to Global Impact
• [52:38] - Wrestling with Comfort and Calling
• [53:27] - Investing in Eternal Purposes
• [54:51] - Jesus, the Poor, and Old Testament Parallels
• [56:45] - Discernment in Seasons of Worship and Service
• [57:46] - Investing in People and Community
• [59:04] - Blessing the Nations Through Our Sacrifice
• [62:47] - Personal Challenge and Closing Worship

Bible Reading

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) — > He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

John 12:1-8 (ESV) — > Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV) — > For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Observation Questions

1. According to Colossians 1, what role does Jesus play in creation and in holding things together? ([07:24])
2. In John 12, what did Mary do for Jesus, and how did Judas respond to her action? ([34:07])
3. What reason does John give for Judas’s criticism of Mary’s act? ([34:07])
4. How does Jesus respond to Judas’s criticism of Mary, and what does he say about the poor? ([34:07])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might acts of extravagant worship or devotion to Jesus be misunderstood or criticized by others, even those close to us? ([32:18])
2. What does Judas’s reaction to Mary’s generosity reveal about the dangers of hidden motives or self-interest, even when using spiritual language? ([44:46])
3. Jesus says, “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” What does this teach about priorities in worship and service, and how do we discern which is needed in a given season? ([56:45])
4. The sermon mentions that God’s vision for us is often bigger than our comfort. What might it look like for a church or individual to step beyond what feels safe or manageable? ([51:39])

Application Questions

1. Have you ever experienced criticism or misunderstanding from others (especially those close to you) because of your devotion to Jesus or your choices to serve or give? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([32:18])
2. Are there areas in your life where you might be using “spiritual” reasons to mask self-interest or reluctance to be generous? How can you honestly examine your motives this week? ([44:46])
3. Think about a time when you felt called to do something for God that seemed impractical or “wasteful” to others. What helped you move forward (or what held you back)? ([34:07])
4. The sermon challenges us to discern when God is calling us to practical service and when to costly worship. How can you grow in discernment to know which season you are in? ([56:45])
5. As a church, we are invited to dream bigger and invest in people and opportunities that may not yield immediate results. What is one bold or “impractical” step you sense God might be inviting you (or your group) to take for the sake of His kingdom? ([51:39])
6. The pastor shared about investing in international students and community outreach, even when the results aren’t immediate or obvious. Is there a group or ministry you feel called to invest in, even if others might question its value? ([59:04])
7. “Nothing given to Jesus is ever wasted.” Is there something you are holding back from Jesus because you fear it won’t make a difference? What would it look like to offer it to Him in faith this week? ([59:04])