Worshiping God in Every Moment: A Life of Devotion
Summary
In today's gathering, we delve into the profound truth that our every action, whether mundane or significant, must be done for the glory of God. This is not a mere suggestion but a divine mandate as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Our lives are not to be compartmentalized into sacred and secular segments; rather, every moment is an opportunity to honor God. This is the essence of true worship – a life lived entirely for His glory.
We are reminded of the imminent sacrifice of Jesus as we approach the commemoration of His death and resurrection. In John 12, we see Jesus returning to Bethany, fully aware that His crucifixion is near. Yet, His focus is not on the looming suffering but on ensuring that His followers remain joyous and mindful of His identity as the resurrection and the life.
The narrative of Mary anointing Jesus's feet with expensive ointment is a poignant illustration of extravagant love and worship. Mary's act is not one of spontaneity but a deliberate, heartfelt expression of her devotion. She teaches us that our love for Jesus should be displayed extravagantly, without regard for cost or criticism. This act of worship is a stark contrast to Judas's response, who sees it as wasteful. Judas's heart, corrupted by greed, fails to recognize the true worth of Jesus.
As we reflect on Mary's act of worship, we are challenged to consider our own response to Jesus's worth. Do we, like Mary, pour out our best at His feet, or do we, like Judas, measure His worth against worldly standards? Our lives should be a celebration of Jesus's resurrection power, a testament to His miraculous works, just as the dinner in Bethany was a celebration of Lazarus's resurrection.
In closing, we are called to silence the voice of criticism and negativity, the voice of Judas within us, by lavishing Jesus with love. As we prepare for the events leading up to Easter, let us allow Jesus to make a triumphant entry into our hearts, just as He did into Jerusalem, and let us weep with Him over the lostness of humanity, committing ourselves to a life of worship that is both public and profound.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship is not confined to songs and prayers; it is a lifestyle of glorifying God in every action. Our daily lives should reflect a continuous act of worship, where even the most ordinary tasks are done with the intention of honoring God. This transforms our entire existence into a living testament to His grace and glory. [44:38]
- Mary's act of anointing Jesus's feet with costly perfume is a powerful example of sacrificial worship. It teaches us that true worship often comes at a personal cost and may not conform to societal norms or expectations. Worship that is truly heartfelt and genuine transcends the boundaries of practicality and enters the realm of extravagant love. [50:30]
- The contrast between Mary and Judas's attitudes towards Jesus highlights the importance of examining our own hearts. We must ask ourselves whether we value Jesus above all else or if we are allowing other loves, such as money or status, to take precedence. Our devotion to Christ should be evident in our priorities and actions. [56:42]
- Jesus's response to Judas's criticism of Mary's act of worship underscores the importance of seizing the moment to honor Him. We are reminded that our time with Jesus is precious and finite, and we should make the most of every opportunity to express our love and gratitude towards Him. [01:00:43]
- The story of Mary anointing Jesus's feet serves as a reminder that worship can have a profound impact on those around us. When we worship Jesus with sincerity and passion, it not only pleases Him but also serves as a witness to others, filling our surroundings with the fragrance of our devotion. [01:04:04]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
2. John 12:1-8 - The story of Mary anointing Jesus's feet with expensive ointment.
3. John 11:25-26 - "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Corinthians 10:31 instruct us to do in all our actions? How does this relate to the concept of worship as a lifestyle? [43:56]
2. In John 12:1-8, what significant act does Mary perform, and how does Jesus respond to Judas's criticism of this act? [55:09]
3. According to John 11:25-26, what does Jesus declare about Himself, and how does this declaration set the stage for the events in John 12? [42:36]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference in attitudes between Mary and Judas towards Jesus? [56:42]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to view every action, even mundane tasks, as an opportunity to glorify God? How does this perspective change our daily lives? [43:56]
2. What does Mary's act of anointing Jesus's feet with expensive ointment teach us about the nature of true worship? How does this contrast with Judas's reaction? [55:09]
3. How does Jesus's declaration in John 11:25-26 ("I am the resurrection and the life") influence the way we understand His response to Mary's act of worship in John 12? [42:36]
4. What can we learn from Jesus's rebuke of Judas about the importance of seizing moments to honor Him? How does this apply to our own lives? [58:45]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific tasks or moments where you can be more intentional about glorifying God? How can you transform these moments into acts of worship? [43:56]
2. Think about a time when you felt called to give or serve in a way that seemed extravagant or impractical. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Mary's example of sacrificial worship? [50:30]
3. Examine your heart and priorities. Are there areas in your life where you might be valuing worldly standards over Jesus? How can you realign your priorities to reflect your devotion to Christ? [56:42]
4. How do you handle criticism or negativity when it comes to your acts of worship or service? What steps can you take to silence the "voice of Judas" in your life and focus on honoring Jesus? [58:45]
5. As we approach Easter, what specific actions can you take to prepare your heart for Jesus's triumphant entry, similar to how the people of Jerusalem welcomed Him? How can you commit to a life of public and profound worship? [01:09:38]
6. Identify a person or group in your life who might benefit from witnessing your sincere and passionate worship. How can you be a witness to them, filling your surroundings with the "fragrance" of your devotion? [01:04:04]
7. Reflect on the concept of Jesus being the resurrection and the life. How does this truth impact your view of life, death, and your daily walk with Christ? How can you live out this belief in practical ways? [42:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Glorify God in Every Act
Every action, no matter how small, can be an act of worship when done with the intention of glorifying God. This perspective transforms the mundane into the sacred, infusing daily routines with divine purpose. Whether one is washing dishes, engaging in conversation, or performing at work, each task offers a chance to honor the Creator. This approach to life requires a conscious effort to align one's motives with God's will, ensuring that every deed reflects a heart of worship. By doing so, believers live out their faith in a tangible way, turning every moment into an opportunity to demonstrate their love for God. [44:38]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: How can you transform a routine task you have today into an act of worship to God?
Day 2: Extravagant Worship as Sacrificial Love
True worship is characterized by sacrificial love and may require giving up something of great value. The act of Mary anointing Jesus's feet with expensive ointment exemplifies this principle. It was a deliberate and costly expression of her devotion, disregarding societal norms and potential criticism. This teaches that worship is not about convenience or frugality but about offering the best to God, even when it demands personal sacrifice. Believers are called to emulate this kind of worship, which prioritizes God's worth over personal gain or public opinion. [50:30]
Mark 14:6-8 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: What is one thing of value you can offer as an act of worship to God this week?
Day 3: Valuing Jesus Above All Else
The contrasting responses of Mary and Judas to Jesus's presence challenge believers to examine their own hearts. Are they, like Mary, willing to pour out their best for Jesus, or do they, like Judas, measure His worth against worldly standards? This introspection calls for a reevaluation of priorities and a commitment to place Jesus at the center of one's life. It is a call to ensure that love for Christ is evident in every choice and action, reflecting a heart that values Him above all else. [56:42]
Matthew 6:21 (ESV): "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: In what ways might you be valuing worldly standards over Jesus, and how can you realign your priorities?
Day 4: Seizing Moments to Honor Jesus
Jesus's response to Judas's criticism of Mary's worship emphasizes the importance of seizing every opportunity to honor Him. Time with Jesus is precious, and believers should be mindful of making the most of it. This means recognizing the value of the present moment and choosing to express love and gratitude towards Jesus without delay. It is a reminder to be intentional in worship and to cherish the time spent in His presence. [01:00:43]
John 9:4 (ESV): "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work."
Reflection: What is one way you can honor Jesus in your life today, without postponing it for a more convenient time?
Day 5: Worship as a Witness to Others
The story of Mary anointing Jesus's feet is not only a personal act of devotion but also a powerful witness to those around her. When believers worship Jesus with sincerity and passion, it can have a profound impact on others. This kind of worship serves as a testament to their faith, spreading the fragrance of devotion far and wide. It is a call to live out one's faith openly and to allow the effects of genuine worship to influence the community. [01:04:04]
2 Corinthians 2:15 (ESV): "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
Reflection: How can your personal worship be a witness to someone in your life this week?
Quotes
- "Mary is about to express her heart to Jesus in the most lavish way possible that she can for her, and she teaches us that we need to show the world our love for Jesus in an extravagant, over-the-top, lavish way." [50:30](Download)
- "Heartfelt worship of King Jesus is never just private; it spills out and it goes public. Amen. It spills over onto others, and this sacrificial, grateful display of affection was for Jesus, but everybody was blessed." [01:04:04](Download)
- "Jesus says my physical presence in the body here on Earth is temporary, and for you to see and hear and touch and eat with me, that's only for a short time. Mary feels the preciousness of Jesus's presence and what it has meant for her and her family." [01:00:43](Download)
- "Mary's heart has been formed by that personal experience, and she has reached for the most lavish thing that she could find to express the inexpressible, a heart for me that matches the worth that I am worthy of." [01:02:01](Download)
- "We silence the Judas voice, Church, by lavishing Jesus with love, and that Judas voice continues, a voice in that exact same frame, continues to this day because it's the voice of the enemy, it's the voice of negativity, and we need to listen to the voice of love and The Voice of Truth." [01:09:38](Download)
- "Our life should be a party that shows Jesus to this world. It should be a billboard of his love. Psalm 18:24: 'This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.' Man, that's a party the world needs to see." [47:51](Download)
- "Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from Pure nard and she anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." [53:37](Download)
- "We also notice how deadly it is when our hearts don't match the Heart of Worship. Judas will eventually take his own life." [56:03](Download)
- "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. We need to leave here today and be those that bring glory to the name of God." [44:38](Download)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?