U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris, Jr.
West Fort Hood Chapel
Second Worship Service since Iraq
Killeen, TX
21 March 2010
Big Idea: When we express love to others, we are demonstrating the love of God.
Scriptural References: EAI (Expository; Application; Illustration); Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin;
Psalm 126 (A Psalm attributed to King Hezekiah by many theologians; Notation: Only John points out Judas as the one who made the protest against this waste of money, while Mark says some had indignation; and Matthew has it that the disciples had indignation;
Romans 12:6-8 (ESV) – Living Sacrifice - We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully; Matthew 26:6-7 NIV (Jesus Anointed at Simon the Leper’s House) While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 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; Luke 7:36-50 (NIV) Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman at Simon the Pharisee’s House; Mark 14:3 (NIV) – Jesus at Simon the Leper’s House in Bethany - While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head; John 12:3 (ESV) Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume; John 12:7-11 (NIV) “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” 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. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him. John 11:2 (ESV) It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill; Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (NIV) Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land; 2 Kings 18:3-6 (NIV) – Hezekiah, King of Judah; 2 Kings 20 – King Hezekiah’s illness and Isaiah’s Instructions for him to get his house in order;
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: John 12:1-8 (ESV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: John 12:1-8 (ESV)
III. READ THE TEXT: John 12:3 ESV (Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume;
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that when we express love to others, we are also demonstrating the love of God.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “How to Show Love to people before they die”
VI. INTRODUCTION:
As recorded in the Message Bible, the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 126:
It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
when GOD returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations—
“GOD was wonderful to them!”
GOD was wonderful to us;
we are one happy people.
And now, GOD, do it again—
bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 1: We don’t know who wrote this particular psalm.
a. Some think King Hezekiah is the writer; If he is the writer. It’s quite appropriate for him to be the author. Because his name (Hezekiah) along means “the one who God strengthens”.
b. For who could ever forget the Story of King Hezekiah’s SICK UNTO DEATH ILLNESS and MIRACULOUS HEALING in 2 Kings 20, when Chaplain Isaiah went to him and instructed him to get his house in order?
c. Isaiah didn’t do the Ministry of Avoidance because he didn’t want to see his dying king.
d. Instead, Chaplain Isaiah Visited with him; and when the opportunity afforded itself – Isaiah ministered to him … that as King, he needed to get his “House in Order”.
e. The Bible tells us that Hezekiah turned to the wall and tearfully prayed … and before the chaplain could exit the House …
f. God sent a divine email informing Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that God had heard his prayers …. and God was adding 15 more years to his life.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: Or who could forget the incident where Jerusalem was being threatened to be attacked by King Sennacherib huge Army in Isaiah 36?
a. For don’t you remember, King Hezekiah was told if he didn’t join forces with King Sennacherib he would be annihilated?
b. The Good Book tells us that – that very evening King Hezekiah prayed to God and God ambushed King Sennacherib’s Army and killed 185,000 of the enemy’s Soldiers.
c. It was this same … prayerful King … that is believed to have written Psalm 126.
d. Now, Psalm 126 has two divisions: First - Praise for past help in verses 1–3.
e. … And Second: Prayer for further help in verses 4–6.
f. It is a Psalm of both Joy and Repentance.
g. Therefore, we want to call your attention to the first three verses of this psalm.
h. For it is there … that we find King Hezekiah… focusing on the things God had already done for him; and the people of God.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 3: For … don’t you remember … he says that it was God who brought him … and the people of God…
a. … Back from captivity.
b. As a result, he and other believers could hardly believe that their deliverance was real.
c. Someone once said, “When I think of the goodness of the Lord … and all that he has done for me; my soul cries out alleluia, thank God for saving me.”
d. The believers whom God had delivered could hardly believe their eyes.
e. But … They were truly delivered!
f. It wasn’t an allusion!
g. It was a reality!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 4: They had been delivered by God.
a. They had witnessed with their own eyes – a living miracle.
b. God had allowed them to see both the worst case and the best case scenarios.
c. As a result, the people of God were filled with unspeakable joy.
d. They were so grateful, they could hardly contain themselves.
e. So … they desired to express both their love and appreciation for God …
f. … To one another through their gifts and talents.
g. For God had done great things for them!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 5: Likewise, my brothers and sisters, the Bible makes it clear in Romans 12:6-8 (ESV) …
a. … According to the Grace of God, we all have different gifts.
b. Therefore, I submit to you today that we should use …
b. … The gift (or gifts) that God has given us to express our love …
c. … for Him through our actions to one another.
d. In fact, the scriptures say …
e. “If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
f. In regards to Mary, Jesus instructs Judas Iscariot in our text (John 12:7-8) …
g. … To “Leave Mary alone,”… for Jesus says … It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 6: Jesus goes on to tell Judas and the disciples … “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
a. In other words, the Lord is saying to us all … today …
b. … “Mary has this gift of contributing to the needs of others …
c. … Let her utilize IT …
d. Let her Give GENEROUSLY ... for she … is demonstrating God’s Love …
d. … to me … before I die …
e. Now, my brothers and sisters, Mary’s knack for showing love towards Christ was an art in and of itself. She had been forgiven much.
f. … As a result, Mary wanted to DO a lot for the Lord.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 7: And … she did it … by just being herself.
a. She wasn’t trying to be like anyone else …
b. She allowed her love for CHRIST … to SHINE through her actions and her behaviors.
c. She didn’t allow herself to rely on her past prayers …
d. She allowed her actions to speak louder … than her prayers ever had.
e. For … She used the circumstances in her life (and her life changing events) … to express her love for Christ;
f. … And all He had done for her.
g. In fact, she wet the Lord’s feet with her tears.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
CELEBRATION: (John 12 & Psalm 126)
Then, she wiped the Lord’s feet with her hair.
But, her gratitude would not allowed her to STOP THERE …
Mary kissed the Lord’s feet … and poured perfume on them.
… It didn’t matter to her who was watching.
For God had been good to her … and her family.
Her brother, Lazarus, who had been dead, was alive again.
As a result, like the Psalmist in 126, Mary had come home with an armload of blessings.
She could hardly believe her Good Fortune! It seems like a dream too good to be TRUE!
