Introduction

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, to this sacred gathering. I am filled with joy to see each of you here, gathered in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to hear His word and grow in His wisdom. We are here today to share in the revelation of God's word, to be enlightened by the illuminating rays of His divine wisdom. We are here to find comfort, strength, and guidance in the Word of God, and to share in the fellowship of His love.

In the words of Charles Spurgeon, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." We are here to live in the Bible, to immerse ourselves in its truths, to allow its wisdom to shape our lives and guide our steps.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 26, verse 7: "A woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table." This verse, seemingly simple, holds profound truths that can transform our lives.

Our sermon today will focus on three main points: Breaking Barriers for Blessings, Bearing Burdens for Believers, and Becoming Broken for Betterment. Each of these points will guide us to a deeper understanding of our faith, our relationship with Christ, and our role as His followers.

Let us now bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and open minds. We ask for Your guidance as we delve into Your Word. May Your wisdom illuminate our understanding and Your love fill our hearts. Help us, Lord, to apply the truths we learn today to our daily lives. We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Breaking Barriers for Blessings

In the Gospel of Matthew, we find a woman who dared to break societal norms for the sake of blessing Jesus. She carried an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, a luxury item in those times. She didn't just offer it to Jesus, she broke it open and poured it on His head. This was a significant act, a sacrificial act, and it was met with criticism by those who witnessed it. They saw it as a waste, but Jesus saw it as a beautiful act of worship.

This woman's action was a barrier-breaking act. She broke the barrier of societal expectations. In those days, it was not common for a woman to approach a man in such a manner, let alone a respected teacher like Jesus. She also broke the barrier of economic practicality. The perfume she poured out was worth a year's wages. It was a costly sacrifice. Yet, she was willing to break these barriers to bless Jesus.

Now, let's consider the barriers we face in our own lives. We all have barriers that prevent us from fully experiencing the blessings God has in store for us. These barriers could be fear, doubt, pride, or even comfort. We may be afraid to step out in faith, doubtful of God's promises, too proud to admit our need for God, or too comfortable in our current situation to desire change.

But just as the woman in the story broke her alabaster jar to release the perfume, we too must break our barriers to release the blessings. This requires courage, faith, humility, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zone. It requires a heart that is willing to surrender all to Jesus, just as the woman surrendered her precious perfume.

The first aspect to consider is the courage it takes to break barriers. It's not easy to go against societal norms or to step out in faith when the outcome is uncertain. It requires a boldness that can only come from a deep trust in God.

The second aspect is the faith required to believe in God's promises. When we are faced with barriers, it's easy to doubt God's ability to deliver us. But just as the woman believed in the worthiness of Jesus to receive her costly perfume, we must believe in the worthiness of God to receive our trust.

The third aspect is the humility needed to admit our need for God. Pride can often be a barrier that prevents us from experiencing God's blessings. We may think we can do it on our own, but the truth is, we need God. We need His strength, His wisdom, His guidance.

The fourth and final aspect is the willingness to step out of our comfort zone. Comfort can be a barrier that keeps us from growing in our faith. We may be content with where we are, but God wants us to grow, to mature, to become more like Jesus. This requires us to step out of our comfort zone, to take risks, to trust God even when it's uncomfortable.

Bearing Burdens for Believers

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 26, verse 7, we find a woman who is willing to bear a burden for the sake of her belief in Jesus ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO