Service Isn't The Practical Way

Matthew 26:6–13 CSB

6 While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman approached him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She poured it on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw it, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This might have been sold for a great deal and given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a noble thing for me. 11 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. 12 By pouring this perfume on my body, she has prepared me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Pray

We all long to serve Jesus in such a way

Matthew 25 Jesus teaches that when ever we help the least of these we are in fact serving God.

Matthew 25:35–40 CSB

35 “ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

These statements puts serving those who have less then you; The poor, the widowed, the needy not the greedy at the forefront of the Christian ministry.

And caring for others should be the front of what we are known for.

It is by our love that we are known. It is by the fruit. Love stands at the front: Love, joy, piece,patience, kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness , self-control

Christian Service comes from love

In this world of practicality and rationality we have become a society that looks for the best way to help. The practical way to help. This is why we turn it over to organizations that are dedicated to these purposes. They are set up to do just these things in the best humanly and rationally way possible.

Or as proceed by the leaders and organizers of said group. And these groups are great We need groups out there doing what they can. Organizing money, Getting resources.

Things that small churches just don't have unless we work with others.

And Jesus Disciples well some of them were practical men.

They were organizers and when they saw this woman poor ointment on Jesus, Mark putting the value at about a years wage. Taking everything you made this year and dump it on someone's head. The problem is that not all Christian service is practical.

It is about love

This is why we do things for people

Love of God being shown through people

As we talked about last week we can't neglect our responsibilities to do what we can for people

But we also must have the balance of "crazy love" which was the name of a book I really should get around to reading

This woman was loving God in an impractical way

We have to love God

We love God through loving our neighbor we love god through praise we love god through spending time with him. Love God in an impractical way this week.

Next Steps

Through loving others

Grand act of praise to God

Let HS move you

Pray