Doing all you know too do.
Mark 14:1-9
One of the most impressive commendations our Lord ever made about a person is found in verse 8 regarding Mary of Bethany (Martha’s sister): "She hath done what she could." There was nothing more that she could have done! Could the Lord make this statement of me or you?
People find all sorts of EXCUSES for not doing what they could do.
A neighbor asked a farmer if he could borrow his plow. The farmer said, “I’m sorry, but my wife is combing her hair with it.” The neighbor was confused and asked, “How does she do that?” The farmer answered, “Well, she’s not really combing her hair with it, but when you don’t want to do something, any excuse will do.”
After a physical examination, a man said, "Tell me in plain language, Doc, what’s really the matter with me?" "Do you want it straight? "Yes." "Well, there isn’t a thing wrong with you except that you’re just plain lazy!" "Okay," drawled the listless patient, "now give me the medical excuse for it so I can tell my boss!"
God never holds you responsible for what you cannot do. God is not unreasonable. He asks for “your reasonable service”
Rom 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
“I am only one, but I am one; I cannot do everything, but I can do something. That which I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do!”
Notice what it doesn’t say about this woman.
She didn’t walk on water.
She didn’t raise the dead.
She didn’t heal the sick.
She didn’t build a temple.
She just "did what she could" - Amen!!!
· “I can’t give a million dollars, but I can tithe.”
· “I can’t sing like The greens but I can make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
· “I can’t paint a picture like Thomas Kincade, but I can help clean the church.”
· “I can’t preach like The Pastor but I can invite people to church.”
· “I can’t win souls like Billy Graham but I can pass out tracts.”
· “I can’t write a commentary like Matthew henry but I can write a letter to tell someone my testimony.”
James 4:17 "…to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
NOW LETS LOOK IINTO THE HEART OF MARY AND SEE WHAT WE CAN LEARN FFROM HER
#1 She was FAMILIAR with the SITUATION. Mary was always at Jesus’ feet, soaking up everything He had to say. Question why.........
A. She sensed the pressure - Enemies were plotting Jesus death (v. 1).
B. She knew the prospects - She knew He was about to be crucified as He foretold (v. 8).
The disciples missed it! They thought Jesus was about to set up His kingdom.
1. Do you sense “the times and the seasons?”
2. The situation today is crucial.
· The enemies of Christ are active. It won’t get any easier to serve Jesus (v. 6).
· Are you living in anticipation of the imminent coming of Christ?
#2 She was FORWARD in her SERVICE.
A. It was expedient . She saw a window of opportunity (vs. 4-7).
1. She did not delay or hestitate. She had to act NOW or she might not have another chance to show Jesus how much she loved Him!
2. The poor will always be present for believers to help, but opportunities to serve Jesus come and go. Once they are gone you may never have another chance (John 9:4; Eph. 5:16).
B. It was EVIDENT. She let her hair down. What does the Bible say a woman’s hair represents? HER GLORY. She laid her glory at Jesus feet.
C. It was EXCEPTIONAL (V. 4).
The criticism was not about the act itself, since it was a common practice to anoint a guest. The disciples felt a cheaper oil should have been used for the anointing, and the more expensive oil should have been sold and the money given to the poor. There will always be someone who will question any true sacrifice you make for the Lord. ILLUS: A Christians sacrifice to be a missionary.
IT IS NEVER A WASTE WHEN GIVEN TO JESUS!
#3 She was FAITHFUL with her SUBSTANCE (v. 3).
A. She gave the best— She didn’t give the Lord her leftovers.
1. When you reserve the best for yourself, you are saying, “I deserve better than Jesus.”
Give Christ the best of your years.
Give Christ the best of your talents.
2. It was expensive (“very precious”). A year’s wages.
It was an extravagant, but love does extravagant things.
3. True sacrifice will COST you (2 Sam. 24:24).
B. She gave a bunch— A box full! She didn’t hold back any for herself.
"God doesn’t want first place, He wants all the places" - Tom Hayes
1. Jesus defended her (v. 6). He is my advocate.
2. Jesus commended her (vs. 6, 8). She could do NO MORE!
she was SINCERE (v. 6—“a good work”).
3. Jesus memorialized her (v. 9). She honored the Lord, therefore He honored her! 1 Sam. 2:30—“…them that honour me I will honour...”
#4 She was FOCUSED on her SAVIOR (v. 6). While others were serving themselves, she was serving Jesus.
A. He was the object of her adoration— An _expression of worship. She wanted to show Jesus He was worth the best she had. HOW DO YOU EXPRESS YOUR ADORATION FOR JESUS?
B. He was the object of her affection— An _expression of love (2 Cor. 8:8). This was one of the most loving and precious acts ever shown to Jesus.
HOW DO YOU SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR JESUS?
C. He was the object of her appreciation— An _expression of thanksgiving for all Jesus had done for her family— Raised her brother from the dead.
HOW DO YOU EXPRESS YOUR THANKSGIVING FOR JESUS?
C. He was the object of her action— An _expression of faith. Her anointing of Jesus was a demonstration that she believed He was the True Messiah (Messiah / Christ = Anointed One).
HOW DO YOU MANIFEST YOUR FAITH IN JESUS?
STORY
D.L. Moody tells the following true story: A passenger crossing the Atlantic in the mid-1800’s went to his bunk during a storm due to a terrible bout with seasickness. Suddenly he heard someone cry, “Man overboard!” He thought, “May God help that poor fellow, but there is nothing I can do as sick as I am.” Then he realized, “Wait, there is something I can do; I can put my lantern in the porthole.” He struggled to his feet and hung the lantern so it’s light shone out into the darkness. The man was rescued and recounted the story the next day, “I was going down when a light shined upon my hand. Suddenly a life preserver landed within my reach and I was pulled to safety!”
We all have a talent of light we can use to point someone to Jesus.
VERSES 8-9 cf. Mt. 26:13: Mary was and is remembered for what she did for Christ! As I consider this text, I have to ask myself: How will I be remembered? We’ll either be remembered for the good we’ve done or the bad. Many will not be remembered at all because they did nothing at all!
"She hath done what she could." She could do no more than what she did. Could the Lord make this statement of me or you?
QUESTION. WILL THE LORD BE ABLE TO SAY ABOUT YOU. THAT YOU DID ALL YOU KNOW TO DO FOR THE KINDOM?? AMEN
LETS PRAY............
