Postures of Faith: From Complacency to Worship
Summary
### Summary
In John 12, we find the story of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, a moment rich with spiritual significance. This event occurs towards the end of Jesus' ministry, a time marked by increasing hostility towards Him and His disciples. The scene is set in a house filled with people, including Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. The disciples are reclining at the table, a customary posture of the time, when Mary performs her act of worship. This act of devotion is met with criticism from Judas Iscariot, who questions why the perfume wasn't sold to help the poor. Jesus defends Mary, emphasizing the importance of her worship.
The central theme is "Mind Your Posture," both physically and spiritually. Just as physical posture affects our well-being, our spiritual posture—our attitudes and approaches to life—profoundly impacts our relationship with God. The sermon explores three key postures: complacency, fear, and worship.
The posture of complacency is illustrated by the disciples' comfort in reclining and eating, potentially missing the deeper significance of the moment. This complacency can creep into our spiritual lives, leading us to settle for a superficial relationship with God. The posture of fear is exemplified by Judas, whose fear of financial insecurity and need for control overshadowed his love for Jesus. This fear can paralyze us, preventing us from fully trusting and worshiping God.
In contrast, the posture of worship is embodied by Mary, whose act of anointing Jesus' feet with her most valuable possession filled the room with fragrance and captured Jesus' attention. Her worship was sacrificial, wholehearted, and transformative, setting an example for us to follow. The sermon calls us to examine our spiritual posture, to move away from complacency and fear, and to adopt a posture of worship that brings our best to God.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Danger of Complacency: Complacency in our spiritual lives can lead to a superficial relationship with God. Just as the disciples were comfortable reclining and eating, we can become too comfortable in our routines, missing the deeper significance of our faith. True spiritual growth requires us to move beyond mere attendance and engage deeply with God's Word and His presence. [11:48]
2. The Paralyzing Effect of Fear: Judas' fear of financial insecurity and need for control overshadowed his love for Jesus. This fear can paralyze us, preventing us from fully trusting and worshiping God. We must recognize and confront our fears, replacing them with faith and trust in God's provision and sovereignty. [17:12]
3. The Transformative Power of Worship: Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with her most valuable possession was a profound act of worship that filled the room with fragrance and captured Jesus' attention. True worship is sacrificial and wholehearted, bringing our best to God and transforming the atmosphere around us. [23:21]
4. The Importance of Spiritual Discipline: Good and bad spiritual postures are the results of discipline or lack thereof. Just as physical posture requires attention and correction, our spiritual posture needs regular discipline through prayer, worship, and engagement with God's Word. Neglecting this discipline can lead to spiritual stagnation and complacency. [09:37]
5. The Call to Sacrificial Giving: Mary's worship was marked by her willingness to give her best to Jesus. Our spiritual posture should reflect a heart of gratitude and thankfulness, leading us to give generously of our time, talents, and resources. This sacrificial giving is a powerful act of worship that honors God and impacts those around us. [27:45]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - Setting the Scene
[02:11] - Judas' Objection
[03:08] - Mind Your Posture
[03:56] - Childhood Lessons on Posture
[04:31] - Mind Your Manners
[05:34] - Importance of Posture
[06:21] - Definition of Posture
[07:08] - Golf and Posture
[08:23] - Discipline and Posture
[10:17] - Posture of Complacency
[17:12] - Posture of Fear
[23:21] - Posture of Worship
[27:04] - Martha's Worship
[30:47] - Adjusting Our Posture
[32:51] - Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 12:1-11
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the setting of the story in John 12, and who were the key people present? ([01:12])
2. How did Mary anoint Jesus' feet, and what was the reaction of Judas Iscariot? ([02:11])
3. What were the three key postures discussed in the sermon, and how were they illustrated through the actions of the disciples, Judas, and Mary? ([03:08])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus defend Mary's act of anointing His feet, and what does this reveal about the nature of true worship? ([02:11])
2. How does the posture of complacency manifest in the lives of the disciples, and what are the potential dangers of such a posture in our spiritual lives? ([10:17])
3. In what ways did Judas' fear and need for control overshadow his love for Jesus, and how can this be a warning for us today? ([17:12])
4. How did Mary's act of worship transform the atmosphere in the room, and what does this teach us about the power of sacrificial worship? ([23:21])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual life. Are there areas where you have become complacent? How can you move beyond mere attendance and engage more deeply with God's Word and His presence? ([11:48])
2. Identify a specific fear that paralyzes you and prevents you from fully trusting and worshiping God. What steps can you take to confront and replace this fear with faith and trust in God's provision? ([17:12])
3. Think about a time when you offered God your best in worship. How did it impact you and those around you? What can you do to make sacrificial worship a regular part of your life? ([23:21])
4. Consider your daily spiritual disciplines. Are there areas where you need to be more intentional about prayer, worship, and engagement with God's Word? How can you incorporate these disciplines into your routine to avoid spiritual stagnation? ([09:37])
5. Reflect on your attitude towards giving. Are you willing to give your best to Jesus, just as Mary did? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and thankfulness that leads to generous giving of your time, talents, and resources? ([27:45])
6. How can you create a space for worship in your home, involving your family in regular acts of worship and devotion? What practical steps can you take to make this a reality? ([30:47])
7. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to adjust your spiritual posture. What changes can you make this week to move away from complacency and fear, and adopt a posture of worship? ([32:51])
Devotional
Day 1: The Danger of Complacency
Complacency in our spiritual lives can lead to a superficial relationship with God. Just as the disciples were comfortable reclining and eating, we can become too comfortable in our routines, missing the deeper significance of our faith. True spiritual growth requires us to move beyond mere attendance and engage deeply with God's Word and His presence. This means actively seeking Him in our daily lives, not just during church services or Bible studies. We must be vigilant against the lure of spiritual laziness and strive to cultivate a vibrant, dynamic relationship with God. [11:48]
Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV): "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: In what areas of your spiritual life have you become complacent? How can you actively seek to deepen your relationship with God today?
Day 2: The Paralyzing Effect of Fear
Judas' fear of financial insecurity and need for control overshadowed his love for Jesus. This fear can paralyze us, preventing us from fully trusting and worshiping God. We must recognize and confront our fears, replacing them with faith and trust in God's provision and sovereignty. Fear can manifest in many ways, such as anxiety about the future, reluctance to step out in faith, or a desire to control every aspect of our lives. By acknowledging these fears and surrendering them to God, we can experience the freedom and peace that comes from trusting in His perfect plan. [17:12]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What specific fears are holding you back from fully trusting God? How can you surrender these fears to Him today?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Worship
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with her most valuable possession was a profound act of worship that filled the room with fragrance and captured Jesus' attention. True worship is sacrificial and wholehearted, bringing our best to God and transforming the atmosphere around us. Worship is not just about singing songs or attending church services; it is about offering our entire lives to God as a living sacrifice. When we worship God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we create an environment where His presence can dwell and transform lives. [23:21]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: How can you offer your best to God in worship today? What does sacrificial worship look like in your daily life?
Day 4: The Importance of Spiritual Discipline
Good and bad spiritual postures are the results of discipline or lack thereof. Just as physical posture requires attention and correction, our spiritual posture needs regular discipline through prayer, worship, and engagement with God's Word. Neglecting this discipline can lead to spiritual stagnation and complacency. Spiritual discipline involves setting aside time each day to connect with God, whether through reading the Bible, praying, or worshiping. It requires intentionality and commitment, but the rewards are a deeper, more intimate relationship with God and a stronger foundation in our faith. [09:37]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What spiritual disciplines do you need to incorporate into your daily routine? How can you make time for these practices today?
Day 5: The Call to Sacrificial Giving
Mary's worship was marked by her willingness to give her best to Jesus. Our spiritual posture should reflect a heart of gratitude and thankfulness, leading us to give generously of our time, talents, and resources. This sacrificial giving is a powerful act of worship that honors God and impacts those around us. When we give sacrificially, we demonstrate our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His kingdom. It is an expression of our love for God and our desire to see His work accomplished in the world. [27:45]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: In what ways can you give sacrificially to God and others today? How can your generosity reflect your gratitude and love for God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our good and bad postures are results from discipline and lack of discipline. If we refuse to fix a bad posture, it will stay bad and it can get worse. You look at people walking around today. Posture is this. Everybody's on a laptop. Or on their phone. Everybody's posture is like this. We're all shrinking because of posture. The world is getting shorter because of posture. But now that you have attention to it, all of a sudden you feel like, man, I've got to fix this. Like everybody's kind of putting their shoulders back. And we need to fix our posture. And if we don't put discipline to fixing our posture, it will stay the same." (52 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Complacency leads to just showing up because it's comfortable. It's comfortable for you to come in and sit down and then that's it. Get a good word. Here's some good songs. But if you do not engage in the word and you do not engage in what's happening, you are missing out. You're staying in your comfort zone. I had a guy tell me, he goes, hey, I'm good with my walk. I know I'm saved. I know I love Jesus. I'll never turn my back on Jesus. But I don't want to go deeper. And I said, why? He said, because if I go deeper, he's going to want more from me." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Judas' problem wasn't he didn't love Jesus. Judas' problem was he was stuck in a posture of fear that outweighed his love for Jesus. I mean, we look at the story and it says, hey, man, Judas speaks up. He goes, hey, guys, there's a problem here. That was expensive oil. In verse five, it says that it's expensive perfume. We could have sold that. He gives the perfect church answer. The perfect answer. Like, of course, it's what we should have done as Christians is putting people first. But he knew, man, I needed to. It says that he. But he was also the one stealing out of it." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If Sunday is the only time that you're worshiping, you're stuck in complacency. Bring something costly to the Lord in giving. Serving and sacrifice. Regularly. Just attending. It's not enough. It's the generous giving. So what that means is my heart posture towards giving is gratitude and thankfulness. Just like Mary's, that was the heart posture of worship. We don't give because we're supposed to. We don't go start serving because Pastor Justin made you feel bad on Sunday about not doing it. That's not what I'm trying to do." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Mary didn't hesitate. She knew what her most valuable thing was. She was saving it for his burial. He says, I'm bringing it to you now. I can't wait. I'm giving you my best. I'm giving you everything I have. Guys, mind your posture. Think about it. Adjust." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The posture of complacency. We look in the story. And we see the disciples. And it tells us that they're laying and eating with Jesus. And so they just came off of a long run of ministry. They've been on the road. They've been going hard. There's been a lot of things that have happened up to this moment. And so they're laying at the table. And then worship breaks out. And all of a sudden some of them have an issue with it. Some of them are like, man, we're kind of doing something here. We're resting. We finally get inside. We finally get to rest. And Mary's starting church." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Judas' problem wasn't he didn't love Jesus. Judas' problem was he was stuck in a posture of fear that outweighed his love for Jesus. I mean, we look at the story and it says, hey, man, Judas speaks up. He goes, hey, guys, there's a problem here. That was expensive oil. In verse five, it says that it's expensive perfume. We could have sold that. He gives the perfect church answer. The perfect answer. Like, of course, it's what we should have done as Christians is putting people first. But he knew, man, I needed to. It says that he. But he was also the one stealing out of it. So we look at there's just constantly this issue that keeps coming up in him that, man, I'm so scared of tomorrow." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Some of us do really good at this. We're quick to run to the future. We're quick to Jesus. And there's so much that is happening in this. It says in verse 3, Then Mary took the pint of pure nard, and she pours it on his feet, and she begins to worship him with this act. And what's beautiful is it begins to change the room. Because it says that when she did it, the whole room was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. There was a shift that began to happen. And I think it's incredible because what happens is all of Jesus' attention went to the worship. The rest of the room didn't even have to be worshiped. It didn't even matter. He said, my daughter's crying out. My daughter's worshiping." (52 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If we don't change our posture and we don't fix it, it will become a problem. It will become part of you. It will become your new comfort. We've got to get rid of that complacency posture. We've got to get rid of the fear posture. We've got to run to the place of worship. And we look at Martha, and she's mentioned that she was serving food, and we kind of say that Martha was always busy, but that was Martha's worship. I hear a lot of teachings, don't be a Martha, be a Mary. She was worshiping. That was her way of saying, God, I'm honoring you. I'm placing value on you. God, I want you to know everything that I have, and I would love what the beautiful thing is about Mary, is that Jesus tells her, your story will live forever." (53 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Today, we've got to address the habits in our life that are falling apart because of lack of discipline. You know, we have crisis every day. Every one of us are going through things in our life. And I don't want to get up here and say, man, we're Christians and everything just goes great. It's all good. Jesus is taking care of it all. No, we have things that come against us. Maybe it's a death of a dream. Brings panic, brings chaos. Your posture, what you allowed, what you've let become your posture will be the thing that shows up. Your pain and your suffering. Uncertainty of not knowing what tomorrow looks like. Fear is going to hold you back. Don't get stuck in fear. It will paralyze you." (67 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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