Wholehearted Devotion: Embracing God's Good Work
Summary
Summary:
Today, we conclude our series on the goodness of God by exploring the concept of "The Good Work." We delve into the story of Mary anointing Jesus with costly oil, an act of profound devotion and worship. This story, found in Matthew 26, illustrates the kind of wholehearted devotion that God desires from us. Mary’s act of pouring out the expensive oil on Jesus’ head symbolizes the call for us to pour out our lives in worship and adoration, holding nothing back. This is not just a momentary act but a lifestyle of worship that God invites us into.
As we sit at the table with Jesus, as described in Psalm 23, we find ourselves in a place of intimacy and protection, where the enemy can only watch but cannot harm us. This table is a place where we are anointed, and from which goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Despite our shortcomings, God’s unconditional love and mercy continue to pursue us, reminding us that we are His good work.
The disciples’ reaction to Mary’s act of devotion highlights a common struggle: the tension between doing and being. While acts of service are important, Jesus emphasizes the value of simply being in His presence. This is the essence of true worship—being with Jesus, allowing His goodness to transform us.
We are reminded that God is continually working in us, completing the good work He began. This process involves every aspect of our lives, and God uses all circumstances for our good. We are invited to join Him in His redemptive work, knowing that He is proud of us and that we are His good work.
Key Takeaways:
1. Wholehearted Devotion: Mary's act of pouring out costly oil on Jesus symbolizes the call to pour out our lives in worship. This act of devotion is not about being conservative or holding back but about giving our all to Jesus, reflecting a lifestyle of worship. [08:33]
2. Intimacy at the Table: Sitting at the table with Jesus represents a place of intimacy and protection. In this place, we are anointed, and His goodness and mercy follow us, despite our failures. This is a reminder of God's unconditional love and the security we have in His presence. [10:50]
3. Being Over Doing: While acts of service are important, Jesus emphasizes the value of simply being in His presence. True worship is about being with Jesus, allowing His goodness to transform us, rather than just doing for Him. [20:37]
4. God's Unfinished Work: We are a work in progress, and God is continually working in us, using all circumstances for our good. This process is lifelong, and God never wastes a moment in shaping us into His good work. [24:48]
5. Joining God's Redemptive Work: We are invited to join God in His cosmic redemptive program. Despite being like grains of sand, God values us and includes us in His plan, ensuring that all things work together for our good. [29:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:55] - The Good Stuff
- [05:37] - Mary's Costly Gift
- [06:21] - Wholehearted Devotion
- [09:09] - A Lifestyle of Worship
- [10:50] - Intimacy at the Table
- [12:15] - Unconditional Love
- [14:02] - Indignant Disciples
- [18:11] - The Good Work
- [19:58] - Being Over Doing
- [20:37] - Hanging Out with Jesus
- [22:05] - God is Good
- [24:48] - God's Unfinished Work
- [27:10] - Hyper Intercession
- [29:09] - Joining God's Redemptive Work
- [31:08] - Mary's Memorial
- [32:36] - The Gospel and Devotion
- [36:11] - Invitation to Know Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Good Work
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 26:6-13
2. Psalm 23:5-6
3. Philippians 1:6
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 26:6-13, what was the significance of Mary pouring the costly oil on Jesus' head, and how did the disciples react to this act? [06:21]
2. According to Psalm 23:5-6, what does sitting at the table with Jesus symbolize, and what follows us as a result of this intimacy? [10:50]
3. How does Philippians 1:6 describe God's work in us, and what assurance does it provide about the completion of this work? [24:48]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between "doing" and "being" in the context of worship and devotion to Jesus? [19:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Mary's act of pouring out the oil teach us about the nature of wholehearted devotion, and how might this challenge our own expressions of worship? [08:33]
2. How does the concept of sitting at the table with Jesus in Psalm 23 relate to the idea of protection and intimacy in our spiritual lives? [10:50]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's goodness and mercy continue to pursue us despite our shortcomings, and how does this impact our understanding of His love? [12:15]
4. How does the sermon explain the ongoing process of God completing His good work in us, and what role do our life circumstances play in this process? [24:48]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to pour out your life in worship like Mary. What held you back, and how can you overcome those barriers in the future? [08:33]
2. Consider your current relationship with Jesus. How can you create more moments of intimacy and protection, akin to sitting at the table with Him, in your daily life? [10:50]
3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with the tension between "doing" and "being." How can you prioritize simply being in Jesus' presence this week? [19:58]
4. Think about a recent circumstance that challenged you. How can you view this situation as part of God's ongoing work in your life, and what steps can you take to align with His purpose? [24:48]
5. How can you actively participate in God's redemptive work in your community, knowing that you are valued and included in His plan? [29:09]
6. Reflect on the unconditional love and mercy of God that follows you. How can this assurance change the way you approach your daily challenges and interactions with others? [12:15]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your worship and devotion to God are wholehearted and unashamed, both in public and private settings? [32:36]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Wholehearted Worship as a Lifestyle
Mary's act of pouring out costly oil on Jesus is a profound symbol of wholehearted devotion. This act calls us to pour out our lives in worship, not holding anything back. It is not merely a single moment of devotion but a lifestyle that reflects our commitment to Jesus. This kind of worship is about giving our all, reflecting a heart that is fully surrendered to God. In a world that often values restraint and caution, Mary's example challenges us to live with abandon for Christ, trusting that He is worthy of our deepest devotion. [08:33]
Mark 14:8-9 (ESV): "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."
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?
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Day 2: Intimacy and Protection at Jesus' Table
Sitting at the table with Jesus is a metaphor for a place of intimacy and protection. In this sacred space, we are anointed, and His goodness and mercy follow us, despite our failures. This is a powerful reminder of God's unconditional love and the security we have in His presence. The table is a place where the enemy can only watch but cannot harm us, emphasizing the safety and peace found in communion with Christ. It is an invitation to rest in His presence, knowing that we are cherished and protected by our Savior. [10:50]
Psalm 23:5-6 (ESV): "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Reflection: How can you create a space in your daily routine to sit at the table with Jesus, experiencing His intimacy and protection?
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Day 3: The Value of Being Over Doing
The disciples' reaction to Mary's act of devotion highlights the tension between doing and being. While acts of service are important, Jesus emphasizes the value of simply being in His presence. True worship is about being with Jesus, allowing His goodness to transform us, rather than just doing for Him. This challenges us to prioritize our relationship with Christ over our activities for Him, recognizing that transformation comes from intimacy with Him. It is a call to slow down and focus on being present with Jesus, trusting that He will guide our actions. [20:37]
Luke 10:41-42 (ESV): "But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize being with Jesus over doing for Him in your daily life?
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Day 4: Embracing God's Unfinished Work in Us
We are a work in progress, and God is continually working in us, using all circumstances for our good. This process is lifelong, and God never wastes a moment in shaping us into His good work. It is a reminder that despite our imperfections, God is committed to completing the good work He began in us. This perspective encourages us to trust in His timing and purpose, knowing that He is using every experience to mold us into His image. It is an invitation to embrace the journey of transformation with patience and hope. [24:48]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you embrace the process of God's unfinished work in your life, trusting His timing and purpose?
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Day 5: Joining God's Redemptive Work
We are invited to join God in His cosmic redemptive program. Despite being like grains of sand, God values us and includes us in His plan, ensuring that all things work together for our good. This invitation is a call to participate in God's mission, knowing that He is proud of us and that we are His good work. It is a reminder that our lives have purpose and significance in God's grand narrative. As we join Him in His redemptive work, we find fulfillment and joy in being part of something greater than ourselves. [29:09]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What is one way you can actively participate in God's redemptive work in your community or sphere of influence today?
Quotes
"We get to sit down with Jesus in an intimate setting at a table. And guess what? He says, I prepare the table in the presence of some folks. Who? The enemies. So we're sitting down, we're dining, we're in an intimate setting with Jesus, and all the enemy can do is look at you." [00:10:02] (23 seconds)
"It's a table of intimacy. He says he prepared a table before and in the presence of my enemies. You anoint, look at that, you anoint my head with oil. My cup runneth over it. And the fringe benefit of sitting at the table with Jesus is when you leave, someone or something is going to be following you." [00:11:10] (25 seconds)
"Before we're about doing, we're about being. Are you with me? Being. Just getting our satisfaction, just getting our feel with hanging out with Jesus. It's gotten a little quiet. Is that foreign? Just hanging out. You know how to hang out with Jesus?" [00:20:57] (29 seconds)
"You and me, we are a work in progress. He's not done yet. He is not done yet. He's working hard on us. He's doing this. He's doing this thing inside of us. And guess what? This thing that he's doing inside of us, doesn't end until you see him face to face." [00:24:48] (36 seconds)
"That's like extraordinary intercession just for you based on what you're going through. According to the will of the father. So he sees the will of the father for you. And he sees what's going on with you. And he also sees that what's going on with you at times gets a little off the beaten path." [00:26:55] (23 seconds)
"You are my good work, and I've invited you to join me in this great cosmic redemptive program. I got to make sure that it works out for your good. He says all things, say all things. Work together for the good to those who love God. The ones that are in love with God." [00:29:31] (36 seconds)
"That's what the gospel is about. It's about sons and daughters that look like that, that live like that, that recognize the goodness of God, surrender to the process of being his good work, and then open themselves up to share that good work wherever you go." [00:32:46] (25 seconds)
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