Preparing Hearts for Resurrection: The Cost of Worship
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of preparation, particularly as we approach Resurrection Sunday. This isn't just another Sunday; it's a celebration of the moment that changed everything. The cross was brutal, but the empty tomb was beautiful. We are reminded that Jesus didn't rise just to make history; He rose to change our destiny. This calls for a preparation that goes beyond the surface, a preparation that involves our hearts and spirits.
We delved into John 12, where Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, an act of worship that was both costly and prophetic. Her worship was not just an emotional moment; it was a preparation for what was to come. Mary teaches us that true worship costs something. It is a posture of the heart that responds to the worth of God, and it requires sacrifice. Worship is not about convenience; it is about conviction and commitment.
As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, we must prepare our hearts and spirits. This preparation involves worship that costs us something, worship that is sincere and sacrificial. It is about aligning our spirits with God's truth and allowing our lives to reflect His glory. We are called to pour out our worship, to break open whatever we've been holding back, and to offer it to God.
Mary's act of worship also teaches us that sometimes love looks like loss. Her sacrifice was misunderstood by those around her, but she wasn't doing it for them; she was doing it for Him. This reminds us that sometimes our preparation for glory involves loss—loss of ego, comfort, and our own plans. But this loss is not in vain; it is a preparation for the resurrection, for the glory that is to come.
Finally, we are reminded that our worship has weight. It shifts the atmosphere and carries power and purpose. As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, let us not just prepare our hearts but also our homes and communities. Let our faith fill the room, let our worship be prophetic, and let us be the ones who bring peace into chaos. Preparation precedes power, and as we prepare, we position ourselves for the glory that is to come.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship as Preparation: Worship is not just an act; it is a preparation for what is to come. It is a posture of the heart that responds to the worth of God, requiring sacrifice and sincerity. True worship costs something, and it prepares us for the glory that is to come. [12:51]
- Love That Looks Like Loss: Sometimes, our acts of worship and love may look like loss to others. Mary's sacrifice was misunderstood, but it was prophetic and eternal. This teaches us that preparation for glory often involves loss—loss of ego, comfort, and our own plans. [23:33]
- The Cost of Worship: True worship is costly. It requires us to break open what we've been holding back and offer it to God. Worship is not about convenience; it is about conviction and commitment. If our worship doesn't cost us anything, it probably doesn't mean anything. [18:47]
- Faith That Fills the Room: Our worship has weight and can shift the atmosphere. It carries power and purpose, and it can break chains and open doors. As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, let our faith fill the room and let our worship be prophetic. [31:48]
- Preparation Precedes Power: Before the resurrection, there must be preparation. Mary prepared Jesus for burial with her worship, teaching us that preparation precedes power. As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, let us prepare our hearts and spirits for the glory that is to come. [43:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [01:45] - Introduction to John 12
- [03:20] - The Significance of Resurrection Sunday
- [05:10] - The Cost of Worship
- [07:45] - Mary's Act of Worship
- [10:30] - Love That Looks Like Loss
- [13:00] - The Weight of Worship
- [15:30] - Preparing for Resurrection Sunday
- [18:00] - Faith That Fills the Room
- [20:45] - The Power of Preparation
- [23:30] - Closing Reflections
- [25:00] - Invitation to Worship
- [27:00] - Final Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 12:1-8 (NLT)
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, and how did Jesus interpret this act? [12:51]
2. How did Judas Iscariot react to Mary's act of worship, and what does this reveal about his character? [23:33]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between preparation and the power of the resurrection? [43:21]
4. How did Mary's act of worship affect the atmosphere in the room, according to the sermon? [31:48]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that true worship involves sacrifice and sincerity? How does this relate to Mary's actions in John 12? [18:47]
2. How does the sermon interpret the concept of "love that looks like loss," and how does this apply to Mary's act of worship? [23:33]
3. What does the sermon imply about the power of worship to shift atmospheres and bring about change? How can this be seen in the story of Mary? [31:48]
4. How does the sermon connect the idea of preparation with the coming glory of the resurrection? What lessons can be drawn from this connection? [43:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to worship God in a way that required personal sacrifice. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [18:47]
2. Consider the concept of "love that looks like loss." Is there an area in your life where you feel called to let go of something for the sake of your faith? How can you take a step in that direction this week? [23:33]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing our hearts for Resurrection Sunday. What specific steps can you take this week to prepare spiritually for this significant day? [43:21]
4. How can you create an atmosphere of worship in your home or community that reflects the power and purpose described in the sermon? What practical actions can you take to achieve this? [31:48]
5. The sermon suggests that true worship can shift atmospheres and bring peace into chaos. Is there a situation in your life where you need to bring peace? How can your worship play a role in this? [31:48]
6. Reflect on the idea that preparation precedes power. What areas of your life require preparation to experience the power of God more fully? How can you begin this preparation today? [43:21]
7. The sermon challenges us to pour out our worship like oil on Jesus' feet. What is one thing you have been holding back in your relationship with God, and how can you offer it to Him this week? [18:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Heart's Preparation
True worship is a preparation of the heart, aligning it with God's worth and requiring sacrifice and sincerity. Worship is not merely an act but a profound preparation for what is to come. It is a posture of the heart that responds to the worth of God, demanding sacrifice and sincerity. True worship costs something, and it prepares us for the glory that is to come. As we approach Resurrection Sunday, we are called to pour out our worship, to break open whatever we've been holding back, and to offer it to God. This preparation involves worship that costs us something, worship that is sincere and sacrificial. It is about aligning our spirits with God's truth and allowing our lives to reflect His glory. [12:51]
Isaiah 29:13 (ESV): "And the Lord said: 'Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Love That Looks Like Loss
Sometimes, our acts of worship and love may look like loss to others. Mary's sacrifice was misunderstood, but it was prophetic and eternal. This teaches us that preparation for glory often involves loss—loss of ego, comfort, and our own plans. Mary's act of worship also teaches us that sometimes love looks like loss. Her sacrifice was misunderstood by those around her, but she wasn't doing it for them; she was doing it for Him. This reminds us that sometimes our preparation for glory involves loss—loss of ego, comfort, and our own plans. But this loss is not in vain; it is a preparation for the resurrection, for the glory that is to come. [23:33]
2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."
Reflection: What is one comfort or plan you are holding onto that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you begin to let go of it today in faith?
Day 3: The Cost of Worship
True worship is costly. It requires us to break open what we've been holding back and offer it to God. Worship is not about convenience; it is about conviction and commitment. If our worship doesn't cost us anything, it probably doesn't mean anything. Worship is not about convenience; it is about conviction and commitment. As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, we must prepare our hearts and spirits. This preparation involves worship that costs us something, worship that is sincere and sacrificial. It is about aligning our spirits with God's truth and allowing our lives to reflect His glory. [18:47]
2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king 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.'"
Reflection: What is one thing you can sacrifice this week as an act of worship to God, demonstrating your commitment and conviction?
Day 4: Faith That Fills the Room
Our worship has weight and can shift the atmosphere. It carries power and purpose, and it can break chains and open doors. As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, let our faith fill the room and let our worship be prophetic. We are reminded that our worship has weight. It shifts the atmosphere and carries power and purpose. As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, let us not just prepare our hearts but also our homes and communities. Let our faith fill the room, let our worship be prophetic, and let us be the ones who bring peace into chaos. [31:48]
Acts 16:25-26 (ESV): "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened."
Reflection: How can you intentionally create an atmosphere of faith and worship in your home or workplace this week?
Day 5: Preparation Precedes Power
Before the resurrection, there must be preparation. Mary prepared Jesus for burial with her worship, teaching us that preparation precedes power. As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, let us prepare our hearts and spirits for the glory that is to come. Preparation precedes power, and as we prepare, we position ourselves for the glory that is to come. Mary's act of worship was a preparation for what was to come. It teaches us that true worship costs something. It is a posture of the heart that responds to the worth of God, and it requires sacrifice. [43:21]
Luke 1:17 (ESV): "And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to prepare your heart and spirit for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday?
Quotes
"Please understand that Resurrection Sunday isn't just another Sunday. It isn't just another service. It is the celebration of the moment that changed everything. The cross was brutal, but the empty tomb was beautiful. And over the next few weeks, I don't want us to sit quietly like it's just tradition. And I know you know the story, but I want us to lean in because something worth shouting about, praising about, dancing about, happened one early Sunday morning." [00:08:30] (34 seconds)
"And if you know what it rising means for your situation, then you ought to have a praise that's been waiting to break loose. We're not here just to let the time pass by. We didn't show up just to hear good music or check off a box on our Sunday schedule. No, this moment is bigger than that. We're here because over 2,000 years ago, a king laid down his life, not by force, but by choice. And early one Sunday morning, the same king got up with all power in his head." [00:09:44] (39 seconds)
"Because before the cross, before the crown, before the celebration, there must be preparation. And in John chapter 12, Mary gives us a perfect example of what that preparation looks like. While others are watching, wondering, and waiting, she's worshiping. While others are seated, silent, and stuck, she's shifting the room. She breaks open a costly jar of perfume and pours it on Jesus, not after the resurrection, but before the crucifixion, before the suffering, before the glory." [00:12:56] (37 seconds)
"True worship is not casual. True worship is not convenient. True worship costs something. For Mary, it cost her resources. The perfume she poured out was worth nearly a year's wages, but more than that, it cost her her reputation. She risked being misunderstood. She broke protocols. She walked into a room where she wasn't even invited, and she poured out what others thought was too much." [00:17:56] (31 seconds)
"Mary wasn't just worshiping she was discerning she didn't need a pulpit a title or a proud to recognize the moment something in her spirit knew before the crown there would be a cross before the glory there would be grief her act wasn't random it was prophetic she was preparing Jesus for burial while everyone else was focused on the blessing and while Mary was breaking open her oil others was breaking down her motives." [00:25:13] (31 seconds)
"Sometimes the naysayers are the ones you least expect to have something to say yeah I'm preaching today uh you would think your family would support you when you're pouring out your life to follow Jesus you would think your brothers and sisters in Christ would celebrate your sacrifice and not criticize your surrender you would think we'll all be pouring everything out to the God who gave us everything but hear me today ladies and gentlemen sometimes it's the ones who walk the closest with Jesus who struggle the most to understand real worship." [00:27:19] (40 seconds)
"Because when you value him, you don't put limits on your love. You don't measure your worship. You pour until the bottle breaks. You give until it looks like loss because you know what he's worth. And I pray I'm helping somebody today that you can't let the critics make you close your jar. You can't let the doubters stop your pour. You can't let people who don't know your story rob you of your surrender because the very thing they call waste, God calls worship." [00:27:45] (36 seconds)
"Your worship has weight. It shifts the atmosphere. It can break chains. It opens the doors and windows of heaven. It may not look like much to others, but in the spirit, it carries power, purpose, and prophetic authority. Your faith carries fragrance. Your praise has power. And please hear me. You can't just prepare your own heart. You got to learn to start preparing your house, preparing your family, preparing your circle." [00:32:46] (29 seconds)
"Preparation precedes power, and I wonder today, is there anybody in the building that's willing to do the same? I'm closing today, but can I tell you a story? It's a story about a man nobody believed in. He wasn't a contender, and he didn't have a big name. He was just a small-time boxer from Philly with a dream, and a heart that wouldn't quit. What's his name? Rocky Balboa. Now, when the opportunity came to fight the heavyweight champion by the name of Apollo Creed, Rocky didn't wait for the spotlight." [00:38:40] (42 seconds)
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