The Gospel Memorial Series

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Joey was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the boy and said quietly, “Good morning Joey.”

“Good morning Pastor,” replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. “Pastor Smith, what is this?” Joey asked.

“Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the men and women who have died in the service.” Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Little Joey’s voice was barely audible when he asked, “Which one, the morning or the evening service?”

1. Memorable choices

John 12:1-3a

Luke 10: 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Taylor brother

In Yorkshire, England, during the early 1800s, two sons were born to a family named Taylor. The older one set out to make a name for himself by entering Parliament and gaining public prestige. But the younger son chose to give his life to Christ. He later recalled, “Well do I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my friends, my all, upon the altar. I felt I was in the presence of God, entering into covenant with the Almighty.” With that commitment, Hudson Taylor turned his face toward China and obscurity. As a result, he is known and honored on every continent as a faithful missionary and the founder of the China Inland Mission (now known as Overseas Missionary Fellowship). For the other son, however, there is no lasting monument. When you look in the encyclopedia to see what the other son has done, you find these words, “the brother of Hudson Taylor.” “. . . he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17).

II. Memorable Acts

A. Mary anointed the Lord with costly ointment

B. Judas betrayed the Lord for a few pieces of silver.

Mark 14:3; John 12:3 vs. Matt. 26:14

III. Memorable Motives

Mary the Memorialist vs. Judas the Materialist The world cannot understand loving sacrifice.

Motives Matter (Contrast in Motives)

Why did Mary do what she did? John 12:1

Why did Judas say what he did? John 12:6; Matt. 26:15

Judas said it but others thought it. It is a prevalent attitude.

(A contrast between Mary and Judas; Mary loved Jesus, Judas loved money)

John 12:1, 2. Lazarus is mentioned twice along with the fact that he had been dead. People who truly love the Lord will gladly break a box worth a years wages and anoint the Lords head and feet and wipe His feet with her hair.

She was criticized but she was defended. Jesus said, “She hath done what she could”

I thought I would help you know what you can do. So I started thinking. Smith’s could lend a car to a poorer church member.

Do you see what I was doing? I was helping someone else decide what they should do. This is exactly what the disciples did. It is much easier to be like those that are indignant at Mary for not doing it the way we would. We could help lottery winners spend their money too couldn’t we? Which wouldn’t be much unless I love Jesus.

At Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, George Washington and his troops were in utterly desperate straits. He appealed to the governor of Pennsylvania for help. Jacob DeHaven was a staunch believer in the revolutionary cause and lived near Valley Forge. Hearing of Washington’s appeal, he loaned him $50,000 in gold and $400,000 in supplies.

The army survived the winter, but after the war DeHaven was never repaid. Now his descendants are trying to collect. They claim that the loan, compounded at 6 percent interest daily, amounts to $141.6 billion.

In one sense, all the money in the world could never repay DeHaven for what he did. In reality, he saved the cause of freedom for all America.

Jesus:

He gave His all, His life, His blood,