Triumph And Tragedy Series

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