04/01/2026

Midweek Prayer Service- Spy Wednesday

Spy Wednesday: Worship or Betrayal?

Matthew 26:6–16

Big Idea:

You don’t drift into devotion—you either pour your life out for Jesus or you will eventually sell Him for something less.

Context (Set the Scene)

Middle of Holy Week

Religious leaders plotting to kill Jesus

Jesus knows the cross is coming

And right in the middle of it—this moment

Two people. Two responses. One Savior.

Point 1: True Worship Is Costly and Looks “Too Much”

Matthew 26:6–7

Woman breaks open alabaster flask (worth a year’s wages)

No hesitation, no restraint—just devotion

Key Line (your voice):

You don’t calculate when you’re captivated.

Ancedote:

It’s like when someone is in love and buys a ring that makes no financial sense… and every single married guy goes, “Yeah… I get it.”

Truth:

Real worship always looks excessive to people who don’t love Jesus

You will never accidentally worship like this

Quote:

John Piper- “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

Application:

What do you treat as “too much” when it comes to Jesus?

Time? Money? Obedience? Surrender?

Point 2: Fake Devotion Sounds Spiritual but Misses Jesus

Matthew 26:8–9

“Why this waste?”

“We could’ve given it to the poor”

Sounds spiritual… but it’s not.

Key Line:

You can sound spiritual and still not treasure Christ.

Anecdote:

It’s like criticizing someone for buying a birthday cake: “That’s a waste… you could’ve bought broccoli.”

Yeah… but that’s not the point.

Truth:

The issue isn’t generosity—it’s value

They didn’t think Jesus was worth it

Quote:

R.C. Sproul- “The problem is not that people are ignorant; it is that they know so much that isn’t so.”

Application:

You can:

Go to church

Serve

Talk ministry

…and still not love Jesus.

Point 3: Jesus Receives and Defends True Worship

Matthew 26:10–13

“She has done a beautiful thing to me”

Key Line:

Jesus doesn’t call it wasteful—He calls it beautiful.

Truth:

Jesus values devotion over efficiency

She understood what others missed—He’s about to die

Quote:

Charles Spurgeon- “If Christ be anything, He must be everything.”

Application:

Do you give Jesus what’s leftover… or what’s first?

Does your life smell like sacrifice or convenience?

Point 4: If You Don’t Treasure Jesus, You Will Trade Him

Matthew 26:14–16

Judas goes to the chief priests

“What will you give me?”

Key Line:

If you don’t treasure Jesus, you will eventually trade Him.

Contrast:

Woman: “He’s worth everything”

Judas: “What can I get for Him?”

Funny Simile / Anecdote:

Judas trades Jesus for 30 pieces of silver…

That’s like trading a brand-new truck for a Chick-fil-A gift card.

Truth:

Judas didn’t fall overnight—he drifted

Proximity to Jesus ≠ surrender to Jesus

Quote:

A.W. Tozer- “We are saved to worship God. All that Christ has done for us in the past and all that He is doing now leads to this one end.”

Application:

What are you currently trading Jesus for?

Comfort?

Sin?

Control?

Approval?

Which One Are You?

Final Line (your voice):

You are either breaking the jar… or you’re making a deal.

There is no middle ground.

Gospel Landing:

Jesus is worth everything

And He gave everything

Not silver—but His blood

Quote

Billy Graham- “The cross shows us the seriousness of our sin—but it also shows us the immeasurable love of God.”

Final Call:

Stop calculating

Stop holding back

Stop playing both sides

Break the jar. Pour it out. He is worth it.

Prayer service

UPWARD: Jesus, You Are Worth Everything

Matthew 26:6–7 “A woman came… with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head…”

Leader Prompt:

Before we ask anything from God… we fix our eyes on who He is.

This woman didn’t come to get something— She came to give everything.

Because she saw Jesus as worthy.

OUT-LOUD WORSHIP PRAYERS

[INSTRUCT CLEARLY] In one sentence, worship Jesus for who He is.

Pray like this: “Jesus, You are worthy…” “Jesus, You are more valuable than anything I have…” “Jesus, You are my treasure…”

[ALLOW 6–10 PEOPLE TO PRAY OUT LOUD, ONE SENTENCE EACH]

Close: “Jesus, tonight we pour out our worship on You.”

Guided Prayer (spoken):

“Jesus, You are worthy of everything I have and everything I am. You are not a part of my life—you are my life. You are the King who came to die, the Savior who took my place. Tonight, we lift You up. We honor You. We worship You.”

DOWNWARD — Receiving Truth from the Word

Matthew 26:8–9

[READ]

“Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum…”

Church, here’s what God is revealing: What the world calls waste, heaven calls worship.

The disciples didn’t see worth—they saw loss. But Jesus sees differently.

OUT-LOUD REVELATION PRAYERS

One sentence: “Lord, I see that You…”

Examples: “Lord, I see that You are worth everything.” “Lord, I see that Your value is greater than anything I hold.”

[ALLOW 4–6 PEOPLE TO PRAY OUT LOUD]

Close: “Lord, correct our vision. Help us see what You’re worth.”

Guided Prayer:

“Lord, forgive me for the ways I have treated You as less than You are. Forgive me for calling things ‘waste’ that are actually worship. Forgive me for loving comfort, control, and sin more than I love You. Reorder my heart. Make You first again.”

INWARD — Heart Check: Worship or Betrayal

Matthew 26:10–13

[READ SLOWLY]

“Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to Me…”

Church, this is where it gets real. We all say we love Jesus—but our hearts drift.

This woman gave her best. The disciples criticized. Judas was already moving toward betrayal.

So let’s be honest before the Lord.

OUT-LOUD SURRENDER PRAYERS

If you feel led, pray one sentence:

“Jesus, I surrender…” “Jesus, take all of me…” “Jesus, forgive me for holding back…”

[ALLOW 4–6 PEOPLE TO PRAY OUT LOUD]

Close: “Jesus, make our lives a beautiful offering to You.”

Guided Prayer:

“Holy Spirit, show me what I am still holding onto. Show me where I have drawn lines You never drew. Tonight, I lay it down. My plans, my comfort, my future, my sin—I give it all to You. Jesus, You can have everything.”

OUTWARD — Prayer Circles

Matthew 26:14–16

“Then one of the twelve… went to the chief priests…”

Church, this is sobering. You can be close to Jesus… and still miss Him.

So we pray—not just for ourselves—but for others.

CIRCLE 1 — People in the Room + Families

Pray for hearts to be fully surrendered—not divided.

Pray for:

Families walking through stress this season

People struggling spiritually

Those drifting from Christ

Marriages needing restoration

OUT-LOUD PRAYER

Short prayers:

“Lord, draw us back to You…” “Lord, restore hearts…” “Lord, make us fully devoted…”

[ALLOW 6 MINUTES OF PRAYER]

CIRCLE 2 — Lost People by Name

Christmas is when people are most open.

SILENT MOMENT

Think of names.

[PAUSE 20 SECONDS]

OUT-LOUD PRAYER (FIRST NAMES ONLY)

“Jesus, save ___.” “Draw ___ to Yourself.”

[ALLOW 4–6 PEOPLE TO PRAY]

Close: “Lord, don’t let anyone near us miss You this Christmas.”

CIRCLE 3 — Church Impact

Pray for:

Guests

Salvations

Bold gospel preaching

Spirit-led moments

OUT-LOUD PRAYER

“Lord, use our church…” “Lord, bring people who need You…” “Lord, save lives…”

[ALLOW 4–6 PEOPLE TO PRAY]

Close: “Jesus, be lifted high in this place.”

THANKSGIVING — Ending in Worship

Let’s end the way she began—with worship.

OUT-LOUD THANKSGIVING

“Jesus, thank You for…” “Thank You for saving me…” “Thank You for Your mercy…”

[ALLOW 6–8 PEOPLE TO PRAY]

FINAL PRAYER (YOU CLOSE)

“Jesus, You are worth everything. Not part of our lives—everything. Tonight, we lay it down again. Our pride, our plans, our comfort, our control. Make us a people who don’t hold back—but pour it all out at Your feet. Use us this Christmas to point people to You. We love You. We worship You. And we give You all the glory. Amen.”