Our Vision: Choosing the Best
Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-8
The story of the basset hound appeared in Tacoma, Washington newspaper. The dog’s name was Tattoo. The reporter wrote, “Tattoo didn’t plan on going for a run that evening, but when his owner accidentally shut the poor dog’s leash in the car door and drove away from home, Tattoo had little choice.” Now, thankfully when he started driving, a policeman saw the poor dog’s dilemma and pulled the car over. The cop had one interesting observation -- he said, “That basset hound was picking up his feet and putting them down [just] as fast as he could.” Amazingly, his short legs got him up to 25 miles an hour in spite of being rolled several times!
When you think about life as a Christian, you may feel like Tattoo -- like something’s got hold of your leash and you’ll never get free. You might even think that to be a “good Christian” is really just a thing of “run or get run over”.
When you hear a word like “passion” those thoughts may really flow -- the word might make you make you think of the “super saints“ like the apostle Paul or John Wesley…Moody or Billy Graham, or some godly missionary you met once. We certainly hear words like passion used that way! They remind us of something we ought to be, could be, but it’ll probably never happen.
I want to encourage you. The last thing God wants in your life is that out of guilt, you will try to look and smell like some ancient Bible or modern spiritual hero. I say that because the NT describes people who were passionate about Jesus Christ but didn’t fit into a specific mold and certainly weren’t perfect saints. So stay tuned!
We’re going to spend four Sundays thinking about our church’s vision. Most of you know, Trinity leadership gave the last two years to seek God before coming to the brief statement you see on your bulletin every week. We prayed and spent time in the New Testament. We read and re-read Christ’s plan and purpose for His Church. We looked at Trinity’s history -- at what the founders and people since believed was God’s call on them for this part of Lincoln. We studied the community where God has put us. That sentence on your bulletin is a greatly summarized version of all God gave us as we prayed and studied, discussed and thought together. But it is our vision to grow a body of authentic, passionate Christians intent on loving and impacting Lincoln with Christ’s gospel.
Think about that statement for a while and you‘ll conclude there‘s nothing simple in it. Three ministry areas stand behind the vision statement -- and those three will get much prayer and time and action over the next few years. The first is what we’re considering today and next time: spiritual passion -- it’s to “develop a Christ-centered dynamic“. The second is “building reproductive leaders“. The third has to do with trusting God to send us through the open doors He’s preparing for us out in our community.
So, “Develop authentic, passionate Christians“. Can we grow into authentic, passionate Christians? Is it biblical to develop as spiritually passionate people? Today and next week, I want to answer that question in the affirmative. We’ll think about two individuals in the NT who are portraits of passion. They’re sharply different from each other. Today we look at Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha. Next time we’ll look at Christ’s work in Peter, the big fisherman who was one of His first followers.
These two are good to look at for a significant reason: they’re ordinary people. They don’t resemble the “super saints” that come to mind when someone says the word passion. And of course, we need to lay that issue to rest -- because we often labor under the misconception that passion is for special people -- mystics, monks -- the “special forces” kind of Christians! And, the rest of us ordinary people just live out a second class Christianity!
I pray God’s Word will expose that notion for what it is here and in the adult SS class on passion. That’s because God’s love, God’s grace and His Spirit’s Presence are provided to every child of His without limit!
See, God intends for every last one of us believers to be filled and empowered with an urgency, and desire and -- yes -- even a deep love for Christ and His purposes. That’s what passion is -- Webster defines it like this: Passion is a strong, extravagant fondness, enthusiasm or desire for something or someone. Then in the NT, it seems to me Passion for Jesus Christ: is much the same. It is a desire, love and enthusiasm for Him which rearranges the rest of your life.
Let’s me say something else as we begin: every person in this room is a passionate person. Of course, all of us aren’t outwardly emotional, we don’t all have strong personalities, we’re not all leaders, we’re not all alike in most ways; but one thing we are is passionate -- about something or someone. I know individuals here who are passionate about movies. I know that because I’ve heard you quote whole scenes, one or two of you can quote almost an entire movie script! That reflects some passion. Some of you are passionate about music. You play it or listen to it almost non-stop There are even a few here who are passionate about a certain football team. Win or lose, you’re watching or listening or in the stands. A win gets you pretty high -- a loss and you’re not quite as happy! That’s a passion.
There are people here passionate about video games, cars, hunting, scrap booking, knitting -- motorcycles, reading, shopping or metal detecting. One bottom line is, your passion is something to which you will devote time and resources -- you pursue it regularly, faithfully, even excitedly, and you enjoy it deeply. That’s passion.
Maybe you’re passionate about a girlfriend or boyfriend or spouse. We’re usually passionately committed to our kids. As my wife and I talked, I realized I’ve got a couple of passions I’d never really considered. We don’t travel a bunch, but it’s something I deeply enjoy -- mostly because it means I get away with my wife and really relax! I’m also a passionate “deal finder” so that’s a great combination! The point is, we’re all passionate, even we who are pretty quiet and reserved.
Now -- when God opened our eyes by His grace -- when He freed us from the shackles of sin, most of us experienced passion for Christ. It might have been in Jr. High for you -- or High School or college -- but suddenly, you came to know Someone who loved you with no preconditions -- Someone Who offered full forgiveness and new life -- with no good works you had to do. If you remember that time, you probably would say it touched you deeply and moved you to think and feel and act differently than you’d ever done before.
For most of us then something happened -- school, job, a relationship; marriage, kids and priority shifts -- maybe life in general happened -- then add some years and more busyness, and like Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, we had left our first love. We forgot; or we turned away -- but we lost what we had at first. Passion faded and for many of us, maybe we barely noticed. We still do the right things -- read the Bible, pray, come to church, maybe SS, or Bible study; we still teach and serve and work. But if a trusted friend asked, “how are things between you and Christ?” -- we’d have to say, “it’s not what it once was -- and it’s not what I’d like it to be.” So how’d that come about? How does passion get suppressed?
Let me suggest some categories to you: One is * Religious substitutions -- Too often we’re content to do what some of the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 did -- just do the outward things -- like Bible reading, going to church, serving -- we come to equate outward activities with the reality of knowing and loving Jesus Christ. Another way passion gets diminished is by our * Choices -- Even the choices we make about our other passions! Each one of us makes a thousand choices -- big and little -- every day, every week. And often, it’s those choices which simultaneously mean we cannot choose the best. Alongside choices come * Distractions -- Life is packed full of responsibilities -- job, family, house, and the like. But then our culture comes at us, beckoning our attention and time and resources -- entertainment, invitations, people wanting you to do things with them; discretionary time is quickly gone.
Then come two deadly passion killers: Of course there is * Sin -- When we sin, we build a wall of guilt and division between us and God. Guilt keeps us away. Sin also offers the lie that we can be gratified and fulfilled in illicit ways -- and gratification and pleasure God’s way loses its appeal. And of course, * Satan -- your spiritual enemy, stalks about like a lion, looking for someone to devour, Scripture says. And the last thing he wants is for you to grow in a heart for Christ -- to consistently love God and seek Him. Satan will freely allow us to be busy, even with religious activity -- as long it substitutes for pursuing Christ.
Let’s turn a corner now and look at this portrait of Mary. Gary read two paragraphs for us that involved her. The first is in Luke 10. That describes
Mary’s passion -- the urge to listen to Jesus (Luke 10:38-42)
We considered this same paragraph a few weeks ago -- we focused on the choices made by these two sisters -- Martha and Mary. Jesus comes again to Bethany, and like He often did, He stops at the home of good friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. There was a large group of guests -- at least 13 -- so Martha got busy with preparing rooms and food. A legitimate choice; but Mary, verse 39, was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. Two pictures flow out of the Greek words Luke chooses. One is, Mary sat as close as possible to Jesus’ feet. The second -- she listened with intent to the words He spoke. Naturally, she could have done many other things, but she wanted deeply to be near Him and to hear Him.
Ancient Near Eastern tradition would say, Mary messed up big time. She chose, not just against busyness -- preparing dinner, being hospitable and caring for guests in their home -- what a woman would do and should do. But this time -- she sits, doing what normally only the men would. She stepped outside the norms -- and did a thing which bothered her sister enough to come insist Jesus rebuke Mary and get her moving out of there.
Instead, Jesus rebukes Martha. Look at His word choice; No, Martha, Mary has chosen the good part -- other translations say the best part. Best part. Two words that give you a crystal clear perspective of where we must begin if we want to know Jesus Christ and have His Spirit raise our spiritual temperatures. We normally read the paragraph see a reason to study and read Scripture. And that’s a good application. But notice, Mary’s not reading Scripture. She’s intently hearing and closely wanting to hear Christ speak.
She’d say to us -- take up God’s Word, and maybe like you haven’t done for a long time, just begin to read as a way to be with your best Friend. Read and listen to Him speak to you. Hear His voice, addressing you as His friend and child. And then meditate on what He says for you to know, or believe or do. That’s the first picture. Let’s look at the second, in John 12.
I referred to it on your outline as Mary’s passion -- the urge to worship Jesus (John 12:1-8)
John 12 records events six days before the final Passover Jesus would celebrate with His followers. He knows what’s about to happen -- and He’s told these close-in folks what’s going to happen. He’s entering the last week before -- John 15 -- He willingly will lay down His life for His friends.
For these friends, His disciples and friends like the ones in Bethany.
The stupendous miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead occurred just a little while earlier here. John records that it was that miracle which moved Jesus’ enemies to begin to plot to kill Him. Now with His death approaching, to whom does God give the privilege a week before -- of anointing His Son for the cross? -- To Mary.
Like in the first account, what Mary does is extraordinary and improper in this culture.
She’d likely have served the food with Martha -- when a thought comes to her. I’m convinced she’d been meditating on what Jesus had taught them -- His impending death for sin and then His resurrection. In that light, she goes and retrieves what was probably the most valuable thing she possessed -- Luke calls it a pound of pure nard -- this was a very costly aromatic perfume -- something she’d probably long saved and treasured. Nard had four uses -- one was as a perfume in that hot climate. One was in anointing rituals of kings and priests. A third was to give as an appropriate gift to a king because of its value. The fourth use was anointing a dead body for burial.
That all says to us, Mary had insight and passion others didn’t have. She’s thinking of His impending death for sin, including for hers. That thought moves her to value Him more highly than any possession. She retrieves it, returns to the dining room, not to bring food in the traditional woman’s role. Now she’s filling the role of a prophetess. She enters this men’s gathering -- they’re sort of laying with their heads toward food tables -- most may not have even noticed her. She approaches the main guest -- something no woman would do. The perfume might have been in a bottle like you’d buy today -- a tiny hole in the top so just a drop would come out. That wasn’t enough for Mary. As she knelt, she broke it to pour it all over His feet. Then she touched Him, rubbed it on His feet, literally anointing Him; all of that beyond all limits. Then she took down her hair -- another improper act -- and began wipe it off. She’s very simply giving to Jesus Christ all she had -- and all she was.
As she acted, that strong aroma permeated every corner of the room -- then it was clear to all what she’d done. She had poured on Jesus’ feet a year’s wages -- highly extravagant -- but to Judas, the thieving treasurer -- just a waste -- “it could have been sold and given to the poor“. This account raises an obvious question. Why? What’s this about? The aroma told everyone how much the anointing had cost. Jesus answers -- leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. You always will have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.
Again, Mary is likely the only person in that room who grasped the deep Truth and ramifications of Jesus’ coming death. So He tells them again as a reminder, it is for my burial.
Mary got it -- and therefore she prized Him above her possessions and her reputation. That kind of passion begins to motivate and rearrange all of life. Mary models being absolutely ready and willing to pour out life for Him and His cause.
We’ll continue the passion theme next week. But let me suggest to you some
Lessons from Mary we can learn.
First, You can’t be passionate about someone you don’t know. How do I best show Christ worth and honor, and grow to know Him? It’s just like with a spouse. If you don’t carve out time for him or her, you simply don’t demonstrate their worth to you, nor grow in a heart for them. When it comes to Christ, we simply have to make time and take time to be with Him.
If it’s passion you want, don‘t let Scripture intake be an intellectual exercise.
Read it to listen to Christ; read it to know Him. When you pray, don’t pray some formula, or to hear yourself talk, pray to connect with Him. Open your heart, confess your sin and that you need a deeper heart --- bolster your relationship before you ask for His blessing. If you’re His child, you have Christ’s favor -- He’s called you friend. Come in that light -- the more you know Him, the more you will love Him. The more you love Him, the more you want to know Him. That’s the amazing cycle. Choose like Mary to sit at His feet and hear His voice.
Secondly, Knowing Christ expands passion for Him. Mary’s illustration is a testimony that if you listen closely, you’ll understand Christ as He is and know what He’s ready to do. Others heard the same words she did and more. But she gained spiritual insights some of the others don’t possess.
Jesus said -- John 14 -- if you have My word and keep it -- if we hear and obey -- then He said, you will Me. He said we’d then understand His and the Father’s love. He promised then, He’d come to us and make Himself known. Finally,
Passionate people worship without reservations. The contrast between Judas and Mary is huge. She raised a wonderful aroma in her worship -- Judas just raised a stink. She gave without thinking twice a greatly valuable gift -- he was still thinking about what he could take. She’s all about giving Christ all that she is and has -- he’s ready and willing to diminish Christ in the name of giving to the poor. She’s at one end of the spectrum, Judas at the other and the disciples are somewhere in between.
I covet for us that we will grow in worshiping Christ freely and fully because we begin to prize Him so highly.
Steps I will take
Would you jot down a verse to look at later? It’s John 17:26 -- Jesus is praying there to the Father and He says, I have made Your name known to them (to His people) and will make it known, so that the love with which you loved Me may be in them and I in them. John 17:26
Let me ask you to do something as you apply what we’ve talked about today. Look at that verse and paraphrase it and put your name in it. Jesus says, Father I have made You known to Dean; I will make You known to Dean -- so that the love you have for Me may be in Dean and that I may be in him.
See, when it comes to passion, God longs for His Son and His love to an intimate part of our lives. The Father passionately loves His Son, and His desire is for you to experience that same love. Would you be willing to choose the best? Would you, every day for the next week, settle on some time listening to Christ? If you’ve not been having time with Him, just start with 10 minutes. If you’re at 10 minutes or 15, then add a little time. But open Scripture and pray, “Lord Jesus, let me hear You. Please let me have a heart to know You.”
Then listen to His voice. Don’t just read the Bible for 10 minutes -- come into His Presence -open His Word -- maybe read a verse, maybe read eight or ten…but ask Him, “Lord Jesus, let me hear from You. Speak to me, let me know You as you are….let me understand You and appreciate You. Let me know Your love. Give me a heart to for you, today.
You’re already spending time in God’s Word. Start praying those same kind of prayers; and add 10 minutes to what you’re doing.
