Pouring Out Our Lives: A Legacy of Devotion
Summary
In this season of legacy, we are reminded of the importance of leaving a lasting impact that transcends our time on earth. As we gather in God's presence, we are encouraged to be bringers, inviting others to experience His goodness, especially during this holiday season when hearts are more open. Our church is committed to helping people know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and influence their world. This commitment is reflected in our current series on legacy, where we explore what it means to leave a legacy that honors God and impacts future generations.
Today, we delve into the story of Mary from John 12, a narrative that beautifully illustrates what it means to pour out our lives in faith and devotion. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a profound example of extravagant love and faithfulness. Her gift was an overflow of her faith, costly, misunderstood, intentional, and ultimately resulted in a legacy that Jesus Himself acknowledged. This story challenges us to consider what we might be called to pour out in faith from our own lives.
Mary's gift was not just about the material value of the perfume but about the depth of her relationship with Jesus. It was a response to the love and life she had received from Him. Her act of worship was costly, both in terms of the perfume's value and the potential for misunderstanding and criticism from others. Yet, it was intentional, a preparation for Jesus' burial, and it left a legacy that continues to inspire us today.
As we reflect on Mary's example, we are invited to examine our own lives. What can we do to pour out our lives for Jesus? How can we live in a way that builds a legacy of faith and love? In this season of legacy, let us seek God's guidance on how we can contribute to His kingdom, both within our community and beyond. May we be inspired by Mary's devotion to live lives that are fragrant offerings to God, leaving a legacy that honors Him and impacts the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Extravagant Love and Faith: Mary's gift was an overflow of her faith and love for Jesus. Her act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was a profound expression of her devotion, reminding us that true love often requires sacrifice and faithfulness. [42:53]
2. The Cost of Worship: Mary's gift was costly, both materially and socially. It challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for our faith and how we can offer our best to God, even when it is misunderstood by others. [45:48]
3. Intentional Acts of Faith: Mary's intentionality in anointing Jesus for His burial shows the importance of being purposeful in our actions. Our faith should lead us to intentional acts that align with God's plan and purpose for our lives. [51:22]
4. Legacy Through Devotion: Mary's act of devotion left a legacy that Jesus Himself acknowledged. Our lives can leave a lasting impact when we pour out our love and faith in ways that honor God and serve His kingdom. [52:34]
5. Responding to God's Love: Just as Mary responded to Jesus' love with her gift, we are called to respond to God's love by living lives that are fragrant offerings to Him. Our response should be one of gratitude, devotion, and a desire to build a legacy of faith. [53:39]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Holiday Season and Invitations
[03:15] - Upcoming Church Events
[06:30] - Influence Church's Mission
[08:45] - Legacy Series Introduction
[11:00] - The Story of Mary and Jesus
[13:30] - Mary's Extravagant Gift
[16:00] - The Cost of Worship
[18:45] - Misunderstanding and Criticism
[21:00] - Intentional Acts of Faith
[23:30] - Building a Legacy
[26:00] - Responding to God's Love
[28:30] - Invitation to Worship
[31:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
[34:00] - Announcements and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 12:1-8
- Mark 14:3-9
- Matthew 6:33
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Observation Questions:
1. What significant event had recently occurred in the life of Mary and her family before the dinner in John 12? How might this have influenced Mary's actions? [44:39]
2. Describe the setting and the main characters present in the story of Mary anointing Jesus. What roles do they play in this narrative? [44:39]
3. What was the reaction of Judas Iscariot to Mary's act of anointing Jesus, and what does this reveal about his character? [48:51]
4. How did Jesus respond to the criticism of Mary's actions, and what does this indicate about His understanding of her intentions? [51:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume illustrate the concept of "extravagant love and faith"? What does this teach us about the nature of true worship? [42:53]
2. In what ways was Mary's gift costly, both materially and socially? How does this challenge our understanding of sacrifice in our faith journey? [45:48]
3. Why might Mary's act have been misunderstood by others, and what does this tell us about the potential for misunderstanding in acts of faith? [49:49]
4. How does Mary's intentional act of anointing Jesus for His burial demonstrate the importance of being purposeful in our faith? What can we learn from her example? [51:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to make a sacrifice for your faith. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your relationship with God? [45:48]
2. Consider the ways in which you can be a "bringer" during this holiday season. Who in your life might be open to experiencing God's goodness, and how can you invite them? [00:45]
3. Mary's act was an overflow of her faith and love for Jesus. Identify an area in your life where you can express your faith more extravagantly. What steps can you take to do this? [42:53]
4. How do you respond to criticism or misunderstanding when you act in faith? What strategies can you use to remain focused on God's purpose for your life despite others' opinions? [49:49]
5. In what ways can you be more intentional in your acts of faith, ensuring they align with God's plan and purpose for your life? [51:22]
6. Reflect on the legacy you are building through your faith and actions. What changes can you make to ensure it honors God and impacts future generations? [52:34]
7. How can you respond to God's love in your daily life, making your actions a fragrant offering to Him? What specific practices can you incorporate to cultivate a deeper devotion? [53:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Extravagant Love as a Response to Faith
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a profound demonstration of her deep love and faith. This act was not just about the material value of the perfume but was an overflow of her devotion to Jesus. Her love was extravagant, requiring sacrifice and faithfulness, and it challenges us to consider how we express our love for God. True love often demands that we go beyond what is comfortable or easy, inviting us to pour out our lives in faith and devotion. Mary's example reminds us that our acts of love and faith can leave a lasting impact, inspiring others to seek a deeper relationship with God. [42:53]
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a way you can express extravagant love to someone in your life today. How can this act reflect your faith and devotion to God?
Day 2: The Cost of Worship
Mary's gift was costly, both in terms of the perfume's material value and the potential for misunderstanding and criticism from others. Her willingness to offer something so valuable challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for our faith. Worship is not always easy or understood by those around us, but it calls us to offer our best to God, even when it is costly. Mary's act of worship was a preparation for Jesus' burial, showing her deep understanding and intentionality. This challenges us to reflect on what we are willing to give up to honor God and how we can offer our best, even when it is misunderstood by others. [45:48]
"David 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." (2 Samuel 24:24, ESV)
Reflection: Identify something in your life that you hold dear. Are you willing to offer it to God as an act of worship, even if it means facing misunderstanding or criticism?
Day 3: Intentional Acts of Faith
Mary's intentionality in anointing Jesus for His burial highlights the importance of being purposeful in our actions. Her act was not random but aligned with God's plan and purpose. This teaches us that our faith should lead us to intentional acts that reflect our understanding of God's will for our lives. Being intentional in our faith means seeking God's guidance and aligning our actions with His purpose. Mary's example encourages us to live with purpose, ensuring that our actions are meaningful and contribute to God's kingdom. [51:22]
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one intentional act of faith you can commit to this week that aligns with God's purpose for your life?
Day 4: Legacy Through Devotion
Mary's act of devotion left a legacy that Jesus Himself acknowledged. Her willingness to pour out her love and faith in such a profound way serves as an inspiration for us to consider the legacy we are leaving behind. Our lives can have a lasting impact when we choose to live in a way that honors God and serves His kingdom. Mary's story challenges us to think about how our actions today can influence future generations and inspire others to seek a deeper relationship with God. [52:34]
"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the legacy you are building through your actions and faith. What steps can you take today to ensure that your legacy honors God and impacts future generations?
Day 5: Responding to God's Love
Just as Mary responded to Jesus' love with her gift, we are called to respond to God's love by living lives that are fragrant offerings to Him. Our response should be one of gratitude, devotion, and a desire to build a legacy of faith. Mary's example encourages us to reflect on how we can live in a way that reflects our gratitude for God's love and grace. By responding to His love with our own acts of devotion, we can build a legacy that honors Him and serves His kingdom. [53:39]
"We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you respond to God's love today in a way that reflects gratitude and devotion? What specific action can you take to demonstrate this response?
Quotes
"Mary had experienced all of this with Jesus, and she pours out this gift, a gift that comes out of relationship and experience, a gift that comes out of faith and worship. Mary's gift was an overflow of her faith, and also Mary's gift was costly." [00:45:33] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Mary's gift was extravagant and unusual. And so, it was misunderstood by the people at this dinner. You know how you always have that one friend that, like, says what everyone else is thinking? So, in this situation, we have Judas." [00:48:28] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Mary was anointing Jesus for his burial. Just one week later, Jesus would be called. Mary was anointing Jesus for his crucifixion. She did what she could. Look at your life. What can you do?" [00:52:34] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And the final point for today is Mary's gift resulted in a legacy. Look at Mark 14, 9. Jesus had just said, she did what she could. She has prepared my body for burial." [00:52:50] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. That's legacy. A picture of extravagant love." [00:53:01] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"That's not what her purpose. She poured out her gift of devotion with intentionality. And in the face of criticism and misunderstanding, I want to pour out my life for Jesus." [00:53:39] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He poured himself out, and he continues to pour out his love over us. We just need to receive." [00:54:17] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"His presence, His forgiveness, His life, His empowerment, Oh, it just goes on and on and on. And so we receive that and then we have a response. Right? Mary's response was this beautiful poured out offering." [01:02:55] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The Lord offers so much to us. So much. His presence, His forgiveness, His life, His empowerment, Oh, it just goes on and on and on. And so we receive that and then we have a response." [01:02:55] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"let's do this thing together he's saying let's walk together i'll help you father thank you we are full of gratitude today for your love for your goodness for your strength help us to walk into this week just in confidence of following you" [01:13:33] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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