A Heart For Worship

JOHN 4:

23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

What is worship?

A study of worship will produce a number of ways in which we can worship the Lord.

Singing, dancing, clapping, kneeling, shouting , musical instruments spontaneity, emotions, meditation, songs of the Lord. The list gos on.

Lets take a look at an act of worship that Jesus himself said would always be talked about.

JOHN 12:

12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,

5 "Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages."

6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

In two other gospels the story is similar, but Jesus says. This is such a great story it shall be always told in memory of what she did.

Time: Six days before Passover A little over a week till the death of Jesus.

Place: A home group meeting at the home of Lazarus, Maratha & Mary, His disciples were there (Verse 4) and a large group of Jews, some came to see Jesus others to see Lazarus, Others looking for a way to kill Jesus & Lazarus. ( verse 9& 10).

Quite a diverse home group: I am sure there was lots of activity, many things spoken, lots of questions, food, then something happened to change the evening and history forever.

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

IN THIS ACT OF WORSHIP, MARY SHOWED THE TRUE CHARACTER OF WORSHIP:

Mary did not come to hear a Sermon:

Preaching is important, How can they know unless someone tells them, how can they hear unless someone preaches.

Mary was in the presence of the greatest preacher there will ever be, probably one of the greatest testimonies you will ever hear. (Lazarus) but she chose an act of worship.

We need to test our motives: why do we go to a meeting?

No 1 reason should be, To worship.

Many there that night were spectators. Just wanting a touch perhaps. Or to hear some more about Lazarus, or to discredit Jesus

Same Today:

Mary did not bow at His feet to hear His word, but to minister to Him!

Mary did not come to make a request:

Although she was in the presence of the one who had Omnipotence at His comand.

Remember it was Mary who had petitioned Jesus:

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

Mary had moved Jesus before with supplication. But this time she said nothing.

She simply came to minister to Jesus

She didn’t come for the fellowship:

Verse 12 says “A great many were there.” I am sure Mary enjoyed the crowd and the fellowship, It is both good and biblical for believers to gather together.

Mary did not allow the fact that others were around to crowd her desire to worship

Woman were not permitted to sit so close