Transformative Worship: A Lifestyle of Sacrifice and Service
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound acts of worship depicted in John 12, where Jesus is honored at a dinner in Bethany, just days before His crucifixion. This passage offers us a vivid picture of worship through the actions of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Martha serves without complaint, embodying the joy of serving as an act of worship. Lazarus, simply by being present, becomes a testament to Jesus' miraculous power, drawing others to Christ through his very existence. Mary, in a deeply personal and sacrificial act, anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, symbolizing her total devotion and surrender to Him. Her actions challenge us to consider what we hold most dear and whether we are willing to offer it to God.
Worship, as we explored, is not confined to a Sunday service but is a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving. It involves our mind's attention and heart's affection, leading to a joyful satisfaction in Christ that overflows into acts of love and service. This is a call to examine our own lives and identify our "alabaster boxes"—those things we hold precious—and consider offering them to God as an act of worship.
We also discussed the negative responses to worship, as seen in Judas and the religious leaders, who were more concerned with their own agendas than with honoring Jesus. This serves as a caution against allowing our own desires to overshadow our worship of God.
Ultimately, true worship clarifies our priorities and aligns us with God's purposes, leading to a multiplication of His work in and through us. As we journey with Christ to the cross, may we be transformed in our worship, offering our lives fully to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship as a Lifestyle: Worship is not limited to an hour on Sunday but is a continuous act of living in praise and thanksgiving to God. It involves our entire being—mind, heart, and actions—responding to the knowledge of God and His love for us. [27:08]
- Sacrificial Worship: Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume challenges us to consider what we hold most dear and whether we are willing to offer it to God. True worship often involves sacrifice and vulnerability, putting aside our reputation and comfort for the sake of honoring Christ. [39:27]
- Witness through Presence: Like Lazarus, our very presence and testimony can draw others to Christ. We may not always have the words to say, but our lives can be a powerful witness to the transformative power of Jesus. [46:05]
- Clarifying Priorities: Worship helps us clarify our priorities, aligning our lives with God's purposes. When we focus on Christ, everything else falls into place, and we gain a clearer understanding of what truly matters. [51:04]
- Multiplication through Worship: True worship leads to the multiplication of God's work. As we honor Christ with our lives, He uses us to draw others to Himself, growing His kingdom through our acts of love and service. [52:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:08] - Opening Remarks
- [02:30] - Announcements
- [05:02] - Upcoming Services
- [07:08] - Call to Worship
- [11:58] - Scripture Reading
- [15:54] - Worship in Song
- [19:35] - The Lord's Prayer
- [24:39] - Introduction to Worship
- [25:27] - Acts of Worship in John 12
- [28:01] - Definition of Worship
- [29:13] - Importance of Worship
- [32:13] - Positive Acts of Worship
- [39:27] - Mary's Sacrificial Worship
- [46:05] - Witness through Presence
- [51:04] - Clarifying Priorities
- [52:31] - Multiplication through Worship
- [54:09] - Closing Story and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 12:1-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the different acts of worship demonstrated by Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in John 12? How do these acts reflect their relationship with Jesus? [25:27]
2. How does Judas respond to Mary's act of anointing Jesus, and what does this reveal about his character? [47:11]
3. What was the reaction of the religious leaders to Lazarus being raised from the dead, and why did they respond this way? [48:41]
4. How does the presence of Lazarus serve as a witness to Jesus' power and draw others to Him? [45:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Martha's act of serving without complaint serve as a model for worship as a lifestyle? How does this compare to her previous behavior in Luke 10? [33:42]
2. What does Mary's sacrificial act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume teach us about the nature of true worship and sacrifice? [39:27]
3. How does the negative response of Judas and the religious leaders serve as a cautionary tale for us in our own worship practices? [48:41]
4. How does the concept of "witness through presence," as demonstrated by Lazarus, challenge our understanding of evangelism and testimony? [46:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily life. How can you incorporate worship as a lifestyle, similar to Martha's joyful service, in your everyday activities? [27:08]
2. Identify something in your life that you hold dear, like Mary's alabaster box. Are you willing to offer it to God as an act of worship? What steps can you take to do this? [39:27]
3. Consider a time when your own desires or agendas overshadowed your worship of God. How can you realign your priorities to focus more on Christ? [51:04]
4. Think about your presence and testimony in your community. How can you be a living witness to the transformative power of Jesus, like Lazarus? [46:05]
5. Reflect on any negative responses you might have had towards others' acts of worship. How can you cultivate a more supportive and understanding attitude? [48:41]
6. Worship often involves sacrifice and vulnerability. What is one area of your life where you can practice sacrificial worship this week? [39:27]
7. How can you actively participate in the multiplication of God's work through your acts of love and service? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [52:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Continuous Lifestyle
Worship is not confined to a specific time or place but is a continuous lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving to God. It involves every aspect of our being—our thoughts, emotions, and actions—responding to the knowledge of God and His love for us. This holistic approach to worship means that every moment of our lives can be an act of worship, whether we are at work, at home, or in our community. By living in constant awareness of God's presence, we can transform ordinary tasks into acts of devotion, finding joy and satisfaction in serving Him. [27:08]
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one routine activity in your daily life that you can transform into an act of worship by consciously offering it to God today?
Day 2: Sacrificial Worship
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume challenges us to consider what we hold most dear and whether we are willing to offer it to God. True worship often involves sacrifice and vulnerability, putting aside our reputation and comfort for the sake of honoring Christ. This sacrificial worship is a profound expression of love and devotion, demonstrating that we value our relationship with God above all else. By examining our own lives, we can identify what we might be holding back and take steps to offer it to God as an act of worship. [39:27]
"And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.'" (Mark 12:41-43, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you hold dear that you can offer to God today as an act of sacrificial worship?
Day 3: Witness through Presence
Like Lazarus, our very presence and testimony can draw others to Christ. We may not always have the words to say, but our lives can be a powerful witness to the transformative power of Jesus. By living authentically and allowing God's work in us to be visible, we can inspire others to seek Him. Our presence, when aligned with God's purposes, becomes a testament to His grace and power, encouraging others to explore their own faith journeys. [46:05]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be a witness to those around you today, simply through your presence and actions?
Day 4: Clarifying Priorities
Worship helps us clarify our priorities, aligning our lives with God's purposes. When we focus on Christ, everything else falls into place, and we gain a clearer understanding of what truly matters. This alignment allows us to live with intention and purpose, making decisions that reflect our commitment to God. By regularly evaluating our priorities in light of our faith, we can ensure that our lives are centered on what is most important. [51:04]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where your priorities may need realignment with God's purposes today?
Day 5: Multiplication through Worship
True worship leads to the multiplication of God's work. As we honor Christ with our lives, He uses us to draw others to Himself, growing His kingdom through our acts of love and service. This multiplication is not just about numbers but about deepening relationships and expanding the reach of God's love. By committing to a lifestyle of worship, we become vessels through which God's transformative power can flow, impacting those around us and beyond. [52:31]
"And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the multiplication of God's work through your acts of love and service today?
Quotes
CS Lewis you know that name he writes "It is in the process of being worshiped that God communicates his presence to men and women." Our own uh Warner Davidson he told me not to quote him but I'm going to anyway I asked him I said "What's worship?" And we came down with some thoughts that I wanted to reflect back to you Worship is praise and thanksgiving to God. [00:26:44]
Worship is not something we do only for an hour on Sunday morning. Worship is everything that we do." And he gave us he gave me a great outline and I'm I'm going to butcher it. So you can talk to him afterwards to get his outline. It's it's based on the name Acts ACTs and I'll let him explain it to you. [00:27:37]
The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from that heart to the knowledge of valuing God. Over the course of I guess you could say close to over 30 years in ministry there's one definition of worship I have kind of carried through that time. [00:27:43]
Worship occurs when our mind's attention and our heart's affection lead to joyful satisfaction in our Lord Jesus Christ. And that overflows in acts of praise towards God and acts of love towards others or the glory of God. Now that's just a working definition. It's not foolproof. [00:28:24]
Martha was serving. And notice this time compared to Luke chapter 10 she's not complaining. You remember in Luke chapter 10 she's in she's in the kitchen banging pots and pans getting everything going frying burgers and you know popping up bagels and and all of a sudden she comes storming out to the living room. [00:33:36]
Martha is quietly content doing what she feels is a proper response an act of worship because her brother is raised from the dead. She's quietly doing this. This leads to a a really important point about ministry and acts of worship. Just as there's no insignificant people in God's eyes right. [00:34:16]
Neither is there any insignificant ministry. Whether you are um greeting in the background like Jenny does thank you Jenny. Or making sure the cookies and coffee are all just the right way. Or like Shirley who sets up all this every week or Jim and and Len who put the signs up every week. [00:34:36]
Mary what about Mary. She took a 12 oz jar of expensive perfume made from the essence of nard and she anointed Jesus's feet with it wiping his feet with her hair and the house was filled with the fragrance. Now a lot of commentators say see she's worshiping here and she is. [00:37:12]
This ointment was probably reserved to be sold as a dowy for when she got married. It was everything that she had. Everything. For a woman in the first century a dowy was everything because that's what she would bring to the table when couples got married. And this thing it wasn't just worth like some of the diamond commercials. [00:37:52]
She gave all she had to Christ. She gave herself and she gave to others. Question what's your alabaster box? What's the most important thing in your life right now? What's the most valuable box if you will that you have? I'm not saying you need to give that over to God. [00:41:22]
You and I may be the sole example to somebody in this place of the power and love of Jesus Christ. Think about that. He will use your life to speak volumes without a word. Paul says we're living letters. We're living letters. People are reading us every day. [00:46:05]
When we worship Jesus says "I will multiply the church I will bring the people in." Now that doesn't forsake our responsibility to do what some of these things that we've already said to come here to worship the Lord to share our gifts and abilities. But it's God who takes care of the growth. [00:52:31]
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