Slide 3: Imagine a church where every member is passionately, whole-heartedly, and recklessly calling the shots
Slide 4: I have a busy work-week and by the time Sunday rolls around I’m tired. So, how about a church service that starts when I get there?
Slide 5: This guy (baby) plays by his own rules. We want to find a church where if he starts screaming we’re not the bad guys.
Slide 6: You know financially, My wife and I don’t give a lot to the church but we sure like to know who does.
Slide 7: When I’m in the church service, can my car get a buff and a wax?
Slide 8: Introduction
• This illustration is “over the top” with humor, but it deals with a serious message.
– Ever heard of ATMs, Restaurants, Drive-in communion? – Even among “faithful” congregations of the Lord selfishness is seen by ‘church accommodations’. – We need to come to realize…it is NOT about you or me, but about our heavenly Father.
Slide 9: Our Attitude Must Be of a Willing Heart
• Mary’s act toward Jesus was done out of love for Him. Jn. 12:1-67 – Jesus recently raised Lazarus from the dead. Jn. 11 (v. 28, 32-36) – Mary was under no compulsion or obligation to anoint Jesus. – If there was a sense of compulsion or obligation it was done out of thanksgiving and a willing heart.
Slide 10: Our Attitude Must Be of a Willing Heart
• Judas was not willing that Mary use the perfume oil to anoint Jesus.
– First, the perfume was not even Judas’. – His suggestion to sell the costly perfume only deflected his true heart. cp. Jn. 12:5 – He was not willing that Mary should use the perfume to anoint the Lord.
Slide 11: Our Attitude Must Be of a Willing Heart
• Our attitude:
– Do you willingly worship the Lord, having great love for the One who loves us? – Do you have/find reasons not to worship the Lord?
• • Many provide superficially righteous reasons for their hearts/actions. Consider your attitude.
Slide 12: Our Attitude Must be Pure
• Mary used pure (or genuine) oil in her act of love of Jesus. Jn. 12:3
– Without reading too much into the symbolism of the oil, it no doubt reflects the attitude Mary showed in her loving act toward Jesus. – She wanted to give nothing but the best: and her willing attitude reflected purity.
Slide 13: Our Attitude Must be Pure
• Judas had an ulterior motive for his words.
– “Sell it for 300 denarii and give the money to the poor.” V. 5 – His heart betrayed his words, however, because he cared not for the poor, but thought only of himself. V. 6
Slide 14: Our Attitude Must be Pure
• Our attitude:
– Some come with pure motives giving the best of what they have in worshipping the Lord. – Others come for selfish reasons, thinking only of themselves: a ‘what can I get out of this service.’
Slide 15: Our Attitude Is Reflected By How Much the Worship Costs Us
• It cost Mary much in the way of finances for this oil.
– Mary didn’t come to receive from the Lord, but to give to Him. – What she gave was so exorbitant than many consider her action wasteful (foolish).
Slide 16: Our Attitude Is Reflected By How Much the Worship Costs Us
• It cost Judas nothing:
– Yet he still considered not the loving offering Mary gave to Jesus, but only considered himself. – His attitude manifested his true heart: love of this world. cp. Matt. 26:14
Slide 17: Our Attitude Is Reflected By How Much the Worship Costs Us
• Our attitude:
– Worshipping the Lord should cost us something because we are offering something up before our Lord. – For some, however, the offering is of little to no consequence and in fact only look for what can be received.
Slide 18: Conclusion
• There is a great contrast between Mary’s act of love for Jesus and Judas’ selfishness. Such examples embodies the contrasting attitudes that prevail among those who worship God today.
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