Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. We're diving deep into the Word today, looking at a powerful passage in Luke that explores some very profound themes: the power of true worship, the cost of a fake worship, and the need for forgiveness.

In the words of A.W. Tozer, "Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us." That's a heavy thought, isn't it? It's a reminder that our worship should be genuine, focused on Christ, not influenced by worldly trends or falsehoods.

Our passage today is Luke 7:36-50. Let's read:

[Read passage]

Let's bow our heads for a moment of prayer before we dive into this message.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, so rich and full of life. As we study this passage today, we ask for open hearts and minds to receive your message. Help us to understand the depth of true worship, the peril of insincere worship, and the necessity of your forgiveness. Guide us in your truth, Lord, and help us to live it out in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

So friends, let’s get ready to explore these themes and see what God wants to reveal to us today.

The Power of True Worship

This woman, who was known in her town for her sinful life, showed an act of worship that was so profound, so heartfelt, that it moved Jesus to forgive her sins. This is the power of true worship - it's not about the rituals, the songs, or the words we say, but about the condition of our hearts and the sincerity of our devotion.

What is worship?: When we think about worship, we often think about it in the context of a church service. We sing songs, we pray, we listen to a sermon. But true worship goes beyond these activities. True worship is a lifestyle, a constant state of heart and mind where we acknowledge God's sovereignty, express our love for Him, and seek to honor Him in all that we do. It's a deep, personal connection with God that transcends our circumstances and emotions.

The woman’s worship: She didn't have a song or a sermon. She didn't have eloquent words or a grand gesture. What she had was a broken spirit, a contrite heart, and a deep longing for forgiveness. And she expressed this through her actions - washing Jesus' feet with her tears, drying them with her hair, and anointing them with expensive perfume. This was her act of worship, and it was powerful because it was genuine. It was an outpouring of her love for Jesus, a demonstration of her faith in His ability to forgive and redeem her.

Humility: The woman in the story humbled herself before Jesus, acknowledging her sinfulness and her need for His grace. She didn't try to justify her actions or make excuses. She simply came to Jesus as she was, with all her flaws and failures, and worshipped Him with all her heart.

A reminder for us: True worship requires us to humble ourselves before God, to acknowledge our sins and our need for His forgiveness. It's not about putting on a show or trying to impress others with our piety. It's about coming to God in honesty and humility, seeking His presence above all else.

Transformative: It changes us from the inside out. It brings us closer to God, aligns our hearts with His, and empowers us to live in a way that honors Him. It brings healing, peace, and joy. It strengthens our faith and deepens our love for God. And as we see in the story from Luke, it can even move the heart of Jesus and bring about forgiveness of sins.

The Cost of a Fake Worship

The cost of fake worship is a theme that we see time and time again, from the Old Testament prophets condemning Israel's empty rituals, to Jesus himself rebuking the Pharisees for their hypocrisy ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO