Sermon Tone Analysis

JOHN 12:1-8

JOHN HUSS

1-THE WORK

If you're into bumper-sticker philosophy, you've probably seen the axiom, "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."

For a vast portion of the workforce, that's the best reason they can muster for going to the job each day.

According to one poll, only 43 percent of American office workers are satisfied with their jobs.

In Japan, the figure dips to 17 percent.

In the first century, Christian slaves had even less reason to be enthusiastic about their work.

But Paul gave them a way to grasp a glimpse of glory amid the grind.

He wanted them to "adorn the doctrine of God," that is, to show the beauty of their faith in Christ by how they work (Ti.

2:10).

A significant and often overlooked way that we serve God is in our everyday tasks.

Martin Luther understood this when he wrote, "The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays -- not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors.

The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."

2-THE WITNESS

3-THE WORSHIP

Nard is the oil of the nard plant which grows in India.

The oil comes from the root and spike of the plant, which is why it is sometimes called ‘spikenard’.

Mary pours an entire litra over Jesus, which is eleven fluid ounces.

This quantity of genuine nard is fabulously expensive, and Judas will not be the only one who is shocked by her extravagance.

Mary cares nothing for their opinions, and provokes further surprise by wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair.

She is abandoning all reserve in her regard for him.

4-THE WICKED