Pouring Out Our Lives in Extravagant Worship
Summary
In the heart of our faith lies the transformative power of the Gospel, a message that transcends borders and cultural barriers, reaching into the depths of human experience with the hope and love of Jesus Christ. This morning, I shared with you the story of Mary and her alabaster flask, a narrative that captures the essence of what it means to live a life poured out in extravagant worship and mission.
Mary's act of breaking her precious flask of nard over Jesus' head was not merely a gesture of devotion; it was a prophetic act that prepared Jesus for His burial. Her sacrifice, criticized by some as wasteful, was in fact a beautiful display of worship and understanding of Jesus' impending sacrifice. Mary's offering was costly, representing perhaps years of savings or a family heirloom, yet she chose to pour it out entirely for her Lord.
This act of worship by Mary is a model for us. It challenges us to consider what our own 'alabaster flask' might be. What is the most precious thing we hold onto that God is calling us to break and pour out in service to Him? For some, it may be a career or a relationship that does not honor God. For others, it might be a call to cross-cultural missions or to serve the unreached in our own communities. Whatever it is, the call is clear: to offer our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is our true and proper worship.
The Gospel is not a call to a life of comfort and security but to one of sacrifice and service. As we pour out our lives for the sake of the Gospel, we may face trials and even persecution. Yet, even when we do not see the immediate fruit of our labor, we trust in the resurrection of Christ, which guarantees a glorious and happy ending to our story of faith.
In my own journey, I have witnessed the power of the Gospel to break through barriers, as seen in the story of a Kurdish family in Atlanta and the unnamed woman who shared Jesus with them through simple acts of kindness. This is the mission of Christ—to pour out His Spirit through us in ways that may seem extravagant to the world but are simply acts of obedience to our Savior.
Now, let us reflect on the key takeaways from today's message:
1. The act of worship demonstrated by Mary with her alabaster flask is a call to all believers to consider what they are holding back from God. True worship involves breaking open our most precious possessions—our time, talents, and treasures—and pouring them out in service to the King. This is not a waste but a beautiful offering to the One who gave everything for us. [49:33]
2. Our identity in Christ is not found in our professions or possessions but in being beloved children of God. When we understand this profound truth, it frees us to live lives of purpose, sharing the good news with those who have yet to hear it. Our mission is an overflow of the worship that fills our hearts, compelling us to reach the nations with the Gospel. [49:33]
3. The Gospel calls us to a life of sacrifice, reminiscent of Mary's broken flask. We are to pour out our lives daily as a living sacrifice, embodying the love and service of Jesus to the least of these. In doing so, we become the fragrance of Christ to a world in desperate need of His grace. [49:33]
4. Persecution and trials may come as we live out our mission, but we are reminded that the real 'alabaster flask'—the life and blood of Jesus—was broken for us. His sacrifice ensures that our labor in the Lord is not in vain, and it anchors our hope in the resurrection and the ultimate victory of Christ. [49:33]
5. Extravagant worship is not bound by the recognition of our names or the accolades of people. It is about making the name of Jesus known and magnified. Our lives are to be poured out for His glory, and in doing so, we join the chorus of saints throughout history who have made His name famous among the nations. [49:33]
May we each find the courage to break open our alabaster flasks, whatever they may be, and pour out our lives in extravagant worship and mission for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom. Amen.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 14:1-9 (ESV)
> "It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for they said, 'Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.' And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, 'Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.' And they scolded her. 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.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of the alabaster flask of ointment that Mary broke and poured over Jesus' head? ([08:37])
2. How did the people present react to Mary's act of pouring the ointment, and what was Jesus' response to them? ([09:21])
3. What did Jesus mean when He said, "She has anointed my body beforehand for burial"? ([09:21])
4. According to the sermon, what does Mary's act of worship teach us about our own acts of worship and sacrifice? ([10:45])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus described Mary's act as "a beautiful thing" despite the criticism from others? ([09:21])
2. How does the story of Mary and her alabaster flask illustrate the concept of living a life of extravagant worship and mission? ([10:45])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our identity in Christ should influence our willingness to make sacrifices? ([21:22])
4. How does the example of the unnamed woman who shared Jesus with the Kurdish family in Atlanta relate to the theme of extravagant worship and mission? ([32:57])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: What might be your "alabaster flask" that God is calling you to break and pour out in service to Him? ([10:45])
2. How can you cultivate a heart of worship that overflows into mission, similar to Mary's act of devotion? ([19:32])
3. Have you ever faced criticism or misunderstanding for an act of worship or service? How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jesus' defense of Mary? ([09:21])
4. In what ways can you live out your identity as a beloved child of God, free from the need to find security in professions or possessions? ([21:22])
5. Consider the story of the Kurdish family in Atlanta. What simple acts of kindness can you perform in your community to share the love of Jesus? ([32:57])
6. How can you prepare yourself to face trials or persecution as you live out your mission for the Gospel, trusting in the resurrection of Christ? ([27:32])
7. What steps can you take this week to pour out your life as a living sacrifice, embodying the love and service of Jesus to those around you? ([31:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Worship Through Sacrificial Giving
True worship requires the surrender of our most treasured possessions. Reflecting on the story of Mary and her alabaster flask, one is invited to consider the depth of her devotion and the significance of her sacrifice. Mary's act was not an impulsive display but a deliberate and costly offering. It was a physical manifestation of her love for Jesus and her understanding of His imminent sacrifice. Her willingness to break the flask and pour out the expensive nard, a substance worth a year's wages, symbolizes the kind of worship that is expected of believers—a worship that is not measured by the value of the gift but by the heart of the giver.
In a similar vein, believers are called to examine their own lives and identify what they hold most dear. The challenge is to break open these 'flasks'—be it time, talents, or treasures—and pour them out in service to God. This act of worship is not about the loss incurred but about the love expressed. It is a testament to the value placed on the relationship with the Savior, who poured out His life for humanity. The act of giving up something precious is a tangible expression of faith and devotion, a true act of worship that honors God and reflects the sacrifice of Jesus.
[49:33]
Reflection: What is your 'alabaster flask'—the thing you value most that God is calling you to surrender in worship to Him? How can you begin to pour it out for His glory?
Day 2: Identity Rooted in Divine Love
Believers find their true identity not in worldly achievements or possessions but in being beloved children of God. This profound realization liberates one from the pursuit of status and material success, redirecting focus to a life of purpose and mission. Understanding one's identity in Christ is foundational to living out the Gospel. It frees individuals from the need for human validation and allows them to serve God with a pure heart, unencumbered by the desire for recognition.
This freedom is essential for those who wish to share the good news with others, especially those who have not yet heard it. The mission to spread the Gospel is not a burdensome task but an overflow of the worship and love that fills a believer's heart. It is a natural response to the understanding of one's identity in Christ and the grace that has been received. As beloved children of God, believers are called to extend the family by reaching out to others, inviting them into the same relationship with the Father that they enjoy.
[49:33]
Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a beloved child of God free you to live a life of purpose and mission? What might change in your daily life if you fully embraced this identity?
Day 3: Embracing a Life of Sacrifice
The Gospel calls for a life marked by sacrifice, mirroring the selfless act of Mary's broken flask. Believers are encouraged to pour out their lives daily as a living sacrifice, embodying the love and service exemplified by Jesus. This call to sacrifice is not merely about grand gestures but about the daily decisions to live out one's faith in practical ways. It is about being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need, serving the 'least of these' with compassion and humility.
Living a sacrificial life means being willing to give up personal comforts and security for the sake of the Gospel. It involves making choices that reflect the priorities of God's kingdom rather than the values of the world. As believers pour out their lives in service, they become a fragrant offering to God, a sweet aroma that draws others to Christ. The life of a believer is to be a continuous act of worship, a demonstration of the Gospel through love and service to others.
[49:33]
Reflection: In what ways are you being called to live a life of sacrifice? What does pouring out your life as a living sacrifice look like in your current circumstances?
Day 4: Anchored Hope Amidst Persecution
Trials and persecution may be part of the journey for those who live out their mission for Christ, but believers are reminded that Jesus' ultimate sacrifice guarantees that their labor is not in vain. The real 'alabaster flask'—the life and blood of Jesus—was broken for humanity, and His resurrection ensures the hope of victory. This hope is an anchor for the soul, providing strength and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The assurance of Christ's victory allows believers to endure hardships with joy, knowing that their efforts contribute to the eternal kingdom. The trials faced while serving God are not without purpose; they are part of the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. The hope of the resurrection is not just a future promise but a present reality that empowers believers to live courageously and faithfully, even in the midst of suffering.
[49:33]
Reflection: How does the hope of the resurrection influence your response to trials and persecution? What practical steps can you take to remain anchored in this hope during difficult times?
Day 5: Extravagant Worship Beyond Recognition
True worship is not about seeking personal recognition or accolades but about magnifying the name of Jesus. Believers are called to live lives that reflect God's glory, pouring out their love and devotion in ways that may go unnoticed by the world but are precious in the sight of God. Extravagant worship is characterized by a selfless desire to make Jesus known, to spread His fame across the earth.
The legacy of a believer is not found in personal achievements or the remembrance of their name but in the impact they have for the kingdom of God. By living a life poured out for His glory, believers join the ranks of saints throughout history who have dedicated themselves to the cause of Christ. Their worship is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, a power that breaks through barriers and changes lives for eternity.
[49:33]
Reflection: How can you live a life of extravagant worship that focuses on making Jesus known rather than seeking personal recognition? What are some specific ways you can magnify His name in your daily activities?
Quotes
1) "The mission of Christ as we go and our it always requires a breaking, it requires a sacrifice." [27:32] (Download | )
2) "The real Alabaster flask that was about to be broken and his blood was going to be poured out for you and for me was the person and the body and the blood of Jesus." [28:13] (Download | )
3) "Mary's act of breaking her precious flask... was a prophetic act that prepared Jesus for His burial." [09:21] (Download | )
4) "The Gospel is not a call to a life of comfort and security but to one of sacrifice and service." [27:32] (Download | )
5) "What is the most precious thing we hold onto that God is calling us to break and pour out in service to Him?" [31:42] (Download | )
6) "Our identity in Christ is not found in our professions or possessions but in being beloved children of God." [21:22] (Download | )
7) "The Gospel calls us to a life of sacrifice, reminiscent of Mary's broken flask." [30:57] (Download | )
8) "Extravagant worship is not bound by the recognition of our names or the accolades of people." [32:57] (Download | )
9) "Our lives are to be poured out for His glory, and in doing so, we join the chorus of saints throughout history who have made His name famous among the nations." [34:53] (Download | )
10) "May we each find the courage to break open our alabaster flasks, whatever they may be, and pour out our lives in extravagant worship and mission for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom." [35:29] (Download | )
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