Pouring Out Our Best: The Aroma of Worship
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound story of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, as recounted in John 12. This act of worship was not just a display of devotion but a powerful reminder of the significance of treasuring Jesus above all else. Mary's offering, worth a year's wages, was a testament to her understanding of Jesus' impending sacrifice and her desire to honor Him with her most valuable possession. This narrative challenges us to consider what we hold dear and how we can offer it to Jesus in our lives today.
The sense of smell, as discussed, is uniquely tied to memory and emotion, bypassing other cognitive processes to connect directly with our limbic system. This physiological insight underscores the lasting impact of Mary's act, as the fragrance filled the house and left an indelible memory for all present. It serves as a metaphor for how our acts of worship can leave a lasting impression on those around us.
We also delved into the contrasting response of Judas, who saw Mary's act as wasteful. His objection, rooted in self-interest, highlights the danger of valuing material gain over spiritual devotion. Judas' perspective serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to examine our motives and ensure that our actions align with a heart of worship rather than personal gain.
In light of this story, we are called to reflect on our own lives. Are we like Mary, willing to pour out our treasures at Jesus' feet, or do we, like Judas, hold back, seeking to control our resources for our own ends? The challenge is to live in such a way that our lives become a fragrant offering, filling the world with the aroma of Christ's love.
As a church, we are committed to missions, both locally and globally, as a means of spreading this fragrance. Through our cooperative programs and special offerings, we aim to reach those who are materially and spiritually poor, sharing the hope and riches found in Christ. This mission is not just for a select few but a call for all of us to engage, give, and go, making Jesus known to the ends of the earth.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Worship: Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume is a profound expression of worship, demonstrating the value of offering our best to Jesus. Her willingness to sacrifice something so valuable challenges us to consider what we are willing to give up for the sake of Christ. [44:41]
2. The Significance of Smell: The unique connection between smell and memory illustrates how our acts of worship can leave a lasting impact. Just as the fragrance filled the house, our lives should exude the aroma of Christ, influencing those around us with His love and grace. [42:26]
3. Contrasting Motives: Judas' objection to Mary's act reveals the danger of prioritizing material concerns over spiritual devotion. His self-interest serves as a warning to examine our motives and ensure that our actions are driven by a genuine desire to honor Jesus. [48:08]
4. Time is Short: Mary's understanding of Jesus' impending death highlights the urgency of living with an eternal perspective. We are reminded that our time is limited, and we must choose to invest in what truly matters—our relationship with Jesus and His mission. [51:12]
5. Engaging in Missions: Our commitment to missions reflects our desire to spread the fragrance of Christ's love to the world. By supporting local and global initiatives, we participate in God's work of bringing hope to the materially and spiritually poor, fulfilling our call to be His witnesses. [56:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [40:14] - Introduction to John 12
- [40:59] - The Power of Fragrance
- [42:26] - Smell and Memory
- [44:41] - Mary's Act of Worship
- [45:49] - The Significance of the Perfume
- [48:08] - Judas' Objection
- [49:36] - The Heart of Worship
- [51:12] - The Urgency of Time
- [52:25] - Treasuring Jesus
- [54:01] - Investing in What Matters
- [54:39] - Choosing Between Judas and Mary
- [56:05] - Defining Poverty
- [57:43] - Church's Mission Strategy
- [01:00:55] - The Impact of Church Planting
- [01:05:56] - Supporting Missionaries
- [01:11:09] - Investing in Pastors' Wives
- [01:15:08] - Responding to the Call
- [01:25:13] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Outline for a Bible Study on the Theme of "Life's Journey"
I. Introduction
- Briefly introduce the topic of: "Life is a journey, and we are all travelers on this journey. Along the way, we encounter different experiences, challenges, and opportunities that shape our lives. Today, we will explore what the Bible says about our journey through life and how we can navigate it with wisdom and purpose."
II. Discussion Questions
1. Understanding Life's Journey:
- What are some of the key elements that make up our journey through life?
- How do you think our life experiences shape our journey?
- How do you think our relationships with others impact our journey?
2. The Role of Faith in Our Journey:
- How does faith help us navigate the challenges and obstacles we face in life?
- How does faith help us find direction and purpose in life?
- How does faith help us find strength and hope in difficult times?
3. The Importance of Community:
- How does being part of a community help us on our journey?
- How can we support and encourage each other on our journey?
- How can we be a source of strength and support for others in our community?
4. The Role of Prayer in Our Journey:
- How does prayer help us stay connected to God and find guidance and strength in our journey?
- How can we use prayer to seek guidance and direction in our lives?
- How can we use prayer to find comfort and strength in difficult times?
5. The Role of Faith in Our Journey:
- How does faith help us navigate the challenges and obstacles we face in life?
- How does faith help us find strength and hope in difficult times?
- How can we use our faith to help others and make a positive impact in the world?
III. Conclusion
- Summarize the key points of the discussion and emphasize the importance of faith, community, and prayer in our journey through life.
- Encourage participants to reflect on their own journey and to seek ways to grow in their faith and support others on their journey.
IV. Closing Prayer
- Close the discussion with a prayer, asking for guidance and strength as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of life. Thank God for the gift of community and for the support and encouragement we receive from others. Ask for strength and wisdom to navigate the challenges and opportunities of life, and for the courage to live out our faith in all that we do. Amen.
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: The Cost of True Worship
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume is a profound expression of worship, demonstrating the value of offering our best to Jesus. Her willingness to sacrifice something so valuable challenges us to consider what we are willing to give up for the sake of Christ. This act was not just about the material cost but about the heart's posture towards Jesus. It invites us to reflect on our own lives and what we hold dear, urging us to prioritize our devotion to Christ above all else. [44:41]
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps." (Matthew 25:1-4, ESV)
Reflection: What is one valuable thing in your life that you can offer to Jesus today as an act of worship?
Day 2: The Fragrance of Our Lives
The unique connection between smell and memory illustrates how our acts of worship can leave a lasting impact. Just as the fragrance of Mary's perfume filled the house, our lives should exude the aroma of Christ, influencing those around us with His love and grace. This metaphor challenges us to consider the kind of "fragrance" our lives emit and how we can intentionally live in a way that reflects Christ's love to others. [42:26]
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." (2 Corinthians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally spread the fragrance of Christ's love in your interactions today?
Day 3: Examining Our Motives
Judas' objection to Mary's act reveals the danger of prioritizing material concerns over spiritual devotion. His self-interest serves as a warning to examine our motives and ensure that our actions are driven by a genuine desire to honor Jesus. This contrast between Mary and Judas invites us to reflect on our own hearts and the reasons behind our actions, encouraging us to align our motives with a heart of worship. [48:08]
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to realign your motives to ensure they are centered on honoring Jesus?
Day 4: Living with Eternal Perspective
Mary's understanding of Jesus' impending death highlights the urgency of living with an eternal perspective. We are reminded that our time is limited, and we must choose to invest in what truly matters—our relationship with Jesus and His mission. This perspective challenges us to evaluate how we spend our time and resources, urging us to focus on what has eternal significance. [51:12]
"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one change you can make today to invest more in your relationship with Jesus and His mission?
Day 5: Engaging in Missions
Our commitment to missions reflects our desire to spread the fragrance of Christ's love to the world. By supporting local and global initiatives, we participate in God's work of bringing hope to the materially and spiritually poor, fulfilling our call to be His witnesses. This call to missions is not just for a select few but for all believers, encouraging us to engage, give, and go in making Jesus known to the ends of the earth. [56:05]
"And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in spreading the fragrance of Christ's love through missions, either locally or globally, this week?
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Quotes
"Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." [00:40:32] (15 seconds)
"The reason why is because she's experienced the incredible power of Jesus in her life. Our story doesn't really start here, does it? It actually begins in another passage that we studied a couple weeks ago, where Jesus is told that Mary's brother Lazarus is very sick, and they ask Jesus to come heal him." [00:44:45] (27 seconds)
"Judas says, hey, listen, guys, I mean, this is all cool and stuff that you like anointed Jesus' feet. But this seems extravagant. Couldn't you have used a cheaper perfume? Like, wasn't there something else you could use? Like, this seems like a wasteful expense." [00:48:14] (14 seconds)
"And so he's objecting, not because of what Mary does, but because it isn't going to advance his own agenda. And this is something I think is really important for us as Christians to be on guard for, is that sometimes we can be so interested in our own agenda that we miss Jesus being right in front of us." [00:49:58] (21 seconds)
"Jesus knows that his time is short, and Mary seems to understand that more than anybody else, which is why she pours out her perfume on Jesus' feet. And in doing so, what she does is she ties all of her future to Jesus." [00:51:30] (18 seconds)
"She's like, I've got a limited amount of time for me to invest what's most important to me in the person that's most important. That's Jesus. And Jesus says, you got this right." [00:54:19] (12 seconds)
"In serving the poor, we make Jesus beautiful and create an aroma with our worship. Now, let me define the poor here. Some of us think poor. We only think poor materially. Like, hey, this person's got more money or less money than me. And that's how we define poor." [00:55:55] (19 seconds)
"Because they don't have access. They have not received the riches in Christ. And what God is doing today is He's looking to bring people out of deep spiritual poverty and into the reality that God says there is a way for you to inherit everything, to be an heir with Christ, to be someone who's God's family member." [00:56:47] (21 seconds)
"We want people to come home. And because of that, we will invest our resources, we'll pour them out at the feet of Jesus, so that the entire world will be filled with the aroma of our worship." [01:12:02] (20 seconds)
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