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Authentically Worshiping Jesus

REAL WORSHIP:

SEES WHAT OTHERS MISS

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.” MATTHEW 26:1-5 NLT

COSTS SOMETHING

6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. MATTHEW 26:6-7 NLT

…”I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing.” 2 SAMUEL 24:24 NLT

CHANGES THE ATMOSPHERE

7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. MATTHEW 26:7 NLT

When God moves through one of us, he is prepared to move through all of us.

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 2 CORINTHIANS 2:15 NLT

WILL BE CRITICIZED

8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” MATTHEW 26:8-9 NLT

A critical Spirit in me can prevent the movement of the Holy Spirit on me.

Do not put out the spirits fire. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:19 NIV (1984)

14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. MATTHEW 26:14-16 NLT

WILL BE REMEMBERED

10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” MATTHEW 26:10-13 NLT

STARTS WITH BROKENNESS

You will never truly ask for God, until you know how desperately you need God.

She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. MARK 14:3 NIV

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. PSALM 51:16-17 NLT

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: What’s something you do that makes perfect sense to you, but other people just don’t get at all?
  3. START HERE: When does your connection with God feel most real, and when does it feel the hardest?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 26:1–5. Jesus clearly shares what’s coming, but there’s no recorded response from the disciples. Why is it possible to hear truth and still not let it change you?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 26:6–7. The woman interrupts the moment and goes all in. What do you think she believed about Jesus that made that kind of response feel worth it?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 26:8–9. Where does a critical mindset sneak into your life, and how does it affect your response to God?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 26:10–13. Jesus says this moment will be remembered everywhere the gospel goes. Why do you think this act mattered so much to Him?
  9. KEEP GOING: Mark 14:3 says she broke the jar. Why do you think brokenness is often the starting point for something real with God?
  10. KEEP GOING: When was the last time you were genuinely aware of your need for God, not just in theory, but personally?
  11. KEEP GOING: If you were in that room, who would you have sounded most like, the woman or the critics, and why?
  12. LIVE IT OUT: What would it look like to live this week in a way that’s worth remembering?
  13. LIVE IT OUT: If your life is leaving a “fragrance” on people, what do you think they’re experiencing and what would you want to change?