Why This Waste?

Intro

Text -

Matthew 26:6–13 NKJV

6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. 8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” 10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Title - Why This Waste?

Background

days before the Passover and His crucifixion, Jesus visited Bethany where some of those He healed lived

at the house of Simon the Leper, a supper was made for Jesus, and Lazarus was there sitting with him at the table, while Martha and Mary served

suddenly May took a pound of costly perfume and poured them it on His head

Judas and some of the disciples were suprised and complained that such act was extravagant, when the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor

Jesus said it was all right, because the woman has saved it for his burial

The Main Point

We say something is “wasted” when it is consumed or destroyed without having attained its highest purpose.

The disciples thought the expensive perfume was wasted when it was poured on Christ’s head instead converted to money and distributed to the poor. For them, the highest purpose of the feeding of the poor, not Christ.

Jesus said the woman had done a good work for Him.

Sermon Points

Things the disciples missed

They missed Mary’s motivation

she was giving thanks to Jesus for raising lazarus from the dead (watch the preceding verses)

They missed mary’s object of gratitude

This is Jesus Christ, the Lord

Mary’s action demonstrated her view or estimation of Jesus

Another example - David, when he poured out the water that his brave soldiers brought to him

Judas had ulterior motive

Judas had carnal reasons

he was a thief -

What constitutes real wastage

when we spend all our resources on material and earthly things that have no spiritual value

Examples

a house versus the house of God

a personal vehicle versus a vehicle for use in ministry

when we have well kept and pampered bodies but God cannot use it in His ministry

Example - Absalom

when we have gifts and calling and we spend our time pursuing earthly goals

Example - Samson, he was a nazirite from birth, gifted with supernatural strength

-2.3

when we have all the time in our hand, and not yet use them wisely - for spiritual goals

Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:3 NKJV

9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity. 1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: 2 While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain; 3 In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim;

child and youth are vanity - without value, meaningless

Paul, the Lord’s Prisoner

He become well known for being “the Lord’s prisoner”

his imprisonments were because of the gospel of Christ

He was proud of his imprisonments

I will glory in my infirmities!

He used his imprisonments to advance the kingdom of God

Conclusion

Don’t waste your life! Give them to the work of the Lord

your time

your strength

Don’t waste this current situation!

use your time wisely

take advantage of the social media

Prepare for the time ahead

make plans what you will do when the quarantine is lifted!