sf757 - THE SECRET TO SATISFYING SERVICE - 4 THE HIGHWAY TO HOPE (Mark 14 1-9)

Mark 14:1-9

Introduction

The setting…

We see man at his worst and best.

Jesus is moving toward the cross

Ø Tuesday evening/Jewish Wednesday.

His enemies plot his death (14:1-2)

Judas plans his betrayal (14:10-11)

This woman is worshipping Christ. (14:3-9)

The scene…

Supper at the home of Simon the Leper

Ø Simon no doubt wanted to honor Christ

Jesus was only two days from the cross.

The unnamed woman comes in and anoints him.

Ø John identifies her as Mary (John 12:3)

The significance…

We see in the story the different ways people react to Jesus.

In the woman we see the proper response and in the disciples we the popular response.

Let us examine the secret to serving Christ…

1A. The Basics of Serving Jesus (14:3)

1B. The woman gave sacrificially

She gave her best.

Ø This was perfume imported from India

There was great cost involved.

Ø It cost the equivalent of one year’s wages. (14:5)

2 Samuel 24:24 …I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing...

What have you offered to Jesus lately?

Ø What did it cost you?

Is God getting the seconds of your life?

Ø Does He get the best of your time?

Ø Does He get the best of your talents?

Ø Does He get the best of your treasures?

Malachi 1:8-9 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts. “But now entreat God’s favor, That He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.

God expects, demands and deserves our best.

2B. The woman gave completely

She held nothing back

Ø Often this perfume was used in the embalming process.

Ø Perhaps it was meant for her or someone else in the family.

We hold back when we refuse commit completely.

Romans 1:9 (NIV) "God, whom I serve with my whole heart …"

We hold back when we refuse to submit fully.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God…

We hold back when we refuse to follow daily. (20x)

Luke 9:23 …If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

What are you holding back from Jesus?

Ø The widow’s mite (Mark 12:43-44)

3B. The woman gave unconditionally

There were not strings attached to her gift

Ø She had no hope of having her gift returned, She did not ask Jesus for anything

Ø She simply wanted to express her love for Him.

We always seem to attach strings…

Ø God if you get me out of my mess I promise I will serve you. God if you bless my business/career I will tithe.

Ø God if you will make me feel good I will continue to serve, but if it gets hard I am going to leave!

God cannot be blackmailed or bartered with

Ø He gives us everything we have and everything we need!

2A. The Barriers to Serving Jesus (14:4-5)

1B. Serving Christ is not practical (14:4)

The purpose of the perfume was to embalm the dead, not to anoint the living.

Ø The disciples saw this as a waste of perfectly good perfume.

Ø This was a selfish view of what happened.

Today we want to know what is in it for me.

Ø What can God (or the Church) do for me?

Ø What will I get out of worship?

Ø What is God going to do for me today?

We should ask “what can I give to God today?”

Ø The only time blessings precede service and worship is in the dictionary!

Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

2B. Serving Christ is not profitable (14:5)

Because it takes too much of my time

Because all churches are interested in is my money.

Because I have better things to do

3A. The Blessing of Serving Jesus (14:6-9)

1B. Christ will receive us. (14:6-7)

John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

He accepted the woman’s worship and rebukes her attackers. (14:6)

He will accept our worship and service

Ø Christ does not measure our service by how much we give. He measures our service by how much we withhold.

Ø When we unconditionally give Him our best and our all we can be assured He will accept it.

2B. We will reveal Christ. (14:8)

She revealed Christ death and resurrection.

Ø She may not have known then but we know now.

When we serve God, others are able to see Him through us.

3B. Christ will reward us. (14:9)

Everything we do for Jesus is important!

Ø It has eternal value!

Our reward comes when He uses us to reveal His love and grace!

Application

You cannot do everything – but you can do something.

Are you giving Christ your best?

Are you giving Christ your all?

Are you giving to Christ unconditionally?

Begin by giving Him your heart…

Mark 14:1-9

1A. The ____________________ of Serving Jesus (14:3)

1B. The woman gave ___________________________

She gave her best.

Ø There was great cost involved. (14:5; 2 Samuel 24:24)

Ø What have you offered to Jesus lately?

Is God getting the seconds of your life? (Malachi 1:8-9)

God expects demands and deserves our best.

2B. The woman gave ___________________________

She held nothing back

Ø We hold back when we refuse commit completely. (Romans 1:9)

Ø We hold back when we refuse to submit fully. (James 4:7)

Ø We hold back when we refuse to follow daily. (Luke 9:23)

Ø What are you holding back from Jesus? (Mark 12:43-44)

3B. The woman gave unconditionally

There were not strings attached to her gift

Ø We always seem to attach strings…

Ø God cannot be blackmailed or bartered with

2A. The __________________ to Serving Jesus (14:4-5)

1B. Serving Christ is not __________________ (14:4)

The purpose of the perfume was to embalm the dead, not to anoint the living.

Today we want to know what is in it for me.

We should ask “what can I give to God today.”

Ø The only time blessings precede service and worship is in the dictionary! (Malachi 3:10)

2B. Serving Christ is not __________________ (14:5)