Sermon: Triumph and Tragedy
or Where Do I Fit?
Series: Easter Season 2008
Text: John 12:1-11 March 16, 2008 AM
John 12:1-11 (NIV) 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’ honor. 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."
INTRODUCTION
Triumph and Tragedy
This is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry. We call it palm Sunday because of the palm fronds spread on the path for Jesus to welcome Him into Jerusalem.
This morning we want to look at ourselves, I want us to see in one little passage that you and I can probably find ourselves somewhere. So as we think about that triumphal entry and about the tragedy of the cross, the tragedy of men and women just like us
rejecting the Lord Jesus, we are looking to see where we fit in.
Where do I fit in this picture? Most of us are probably like Lazarus and Martha, here because of Jesus and happy to be here. Some are like Mary, overwhelmed, in need of the presence of Christ. Some are here like Judas, counting the pennies, keeping an eye on things, making sure we don’t get too extravagent
And then there are those, and there may be one or two here, who would just as soon kill the truth of Jesus as submit themselves to it
So where do you fit in?
I. CELEBRATE WITH THE CONGREGATION
John 12:1-3 (NIV) 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’ honor. 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.”
A. ARE YOU SERVING JESUS?
1. There is another passage
a. That talks about Mary and Martha
b. Where Martha is serving
c. And Mary is listening
2. That time Martha gets angry at Mary
a. For not helping
b. And Jesus tells her that Mary has chosen well
3. Here we don’t see that
a. Here we see each person
b. Comfortable in what they are doing
4. And Martha has a calling to serve
a. This does not mean she never sits still to listen
b. Or that she never worships
c. In fact, this service is a part of her worship
Deuteronomy 10:12 (NIV) 12 "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,"
5. This morning we have some servants here
a. The choir
b. The greeters
c. The Sunday School teachers
d. The deacons
e. The Nursery workers
f. The Childrens Church and Childrens worship workers
6. Donnie is serving the Church
a. As he leads in worship
b. Doug, as he leads our Sunday School
c. Tina as she maintains our records
d. That is all service
e. All of us need to find a place of service
7. Now I hope that it is joyfully given service
a. And I want yoou to know that we appreciate your service
b. But that is not all
c. Are you serving Jesus is only a part of the celebration....
B. ARE YOU ENJOYING JESUS?
1. Then there is Lazarus
a. The saved one - raised from the dead
b. And he is reclining at the table with Jesus
c. Just enjoying the fellowship
2. I hope that many here this morning
a. Are able to just enjoy being in Jesus presence
b. And it is not just at Church
c. You can enjoy fellowship with Him
d. At almost any time
3. Jesus wants to be in fellowship with you
Revelation 3:20 (NIV) 20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
a. Are you dining with Jesus regularly?
b. Are you answering when He knocks?
4. Are you enjoying Jesus?
a. Are you serving Jesus
b. Or maybe this morning
c. You are more like Mary....
C. ARE YOU OVERWHELMED BY JESUS?
1. Mary was overwhelmed by Jesus presence
a. She was not just listening
b. She had aa gift to bring
c. A precious gift
d. A gift she could not help but offer
2. There is another picture very like this in Luke
Luke 7:37-38 (NIV) 37 "When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 "and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them."
a. The sinful woman
b. Who has experienced the grace of God
c. And offers the best that she has to Him
3. Maybe this is you today
a. I hope it has been you from time to time
b. Overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus
c. Overwhelmed by His love
d. By His forgiveness
e. By His sacrifice for you
4. At the end of the sermon this morning
a. We are going to hear a song
b. And see a short presentation
c. About the sacrifice of Jesus
d. I pray it overwhelmes you
5. Are you overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus here this Morning?
CELEBRATE WITH THE CONGREGATION
II. CONSIDER THE CROWD
John 12:4-11 (NIV) 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."
A. ARE YOU CRITICAL?
1. Then there is Judas
a. His eyes are not on the Lord
b. But on the purse
c. He doesn’t see the life change
d. He just counts the pocket change
e. And worse
f. All he can do is criticize
2. Can you imagine
a. For a potluck supper
b. You bring a Honey baked ham
c. And you offer linene table clothes
d. And expensive silver to be used
e. In serving dinner
f. They are your gift to the Church
3. And as the people go through the line
a. You here a penny pincher over in the corner
b. Speaking loud enough so everyone can hear
c. “What a waste!
d. Why we could have paid off our loan with that
e. We could have fed the poor
f. We could have done so many things
g. Instead we have silver serving spoons!
4. Man, I have met these people
a. Now I don’t think they are all like Judas
b. But there are certainly those
c. Who bring a critical spirit to everything
5. And I have to be careful
a. Because sometimes I am that one
b. And there is a fine line
c. Between constructive criticism
d. And destructive cynicism
Romans 14:10 (NIV) 10 "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat."
6. Are you critical?
a. It is as if some people wear dark glasses
b. That take the joy out of everything
c. They see the Cistine chapel
d. And complain that they have to crane their necks to look up
e. They hear a worshipfully delivered song
f. And complain that the music was not their style
7. Are you crtitical....
B. ARE YOU CURIOUS?
1. Then the crowds came looking for Jesus
a. This was not uncommon
Mark 10:1 (NIV) Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them."
b. People followed Him even into the wilderness
c. But many follow for the sensation
d. For the event
e. Not for the love of Christ
2. Maybe you are curious this morning
a. Who is this Jesus?
b. Did He really do those miracles?
c. Will He do one this morning?
3. Let me just tell you
a. Jesus really is the son of God
b. He is the only one who is able
c. To change your life
d. The onlyone who can give you a real relationship with God the Father
e. He is the one we all need
4. And He really did miracles
a. And He really does miracles
b. Most of us here have experienced those miracles
c. And the greatest miracle of all
d. Is when Jesus raises the dead to life
5. The Bible says we are dead in our trespasses and sins
a. But by grace, by God’s free gift
b. We are given the gift of life in Christ
6. Are you curious?
a. Or....
C. ARE YOU CONTEMPTUOUS?
1. Then there are the Pharisees
a. The religious leaders
Romans 1:22 (NIV) 22 "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools"
2. They saw what was happening
a. But all they wanted
b. Was to stop it
c. Even plotting to murder Jesus
d. And Lazarus as well
3. Contempt!
III. CONCENTRATE ON CHRIST
John 12:2 (NIV) 2 "Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
A. ARE YOU HONORING HIM?
Psalm 22:23 (NIV) 23 "You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!"
B. HAVE YOU TRUSTED HIM?
Acts 16:31b (NIV) 31 ...“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”"
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) 5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;"
