Elements City Church
Believe - wk7 (John 12:1-11) *online only*
We are taking an extended dive into the gospel of John. In this gospel we witness the hands-on Jesus in all his splendor and radiance. John writes as one who is very close to Jesus and he goes to great length to record a full picture of the person and powerful work of Jesus: a human Christ to redeem us, a divine Christ to reveal God’s nature, and a powerful, Spirit-filled Christ to help us live godly lives. We want to lean into this incredible portrait of Christ painted in the gospel of John! We want to grow to know Jesus better, grow in the life He gives and grow in the life-mission He invites us into. John writes so that we would BELIEVE. *(see John 20:30-31)
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for joining us...
As we continue to navigate this Covid-19 situation - we're doing all we can to keep your family safe AND continue to connect as God's church. We need one another. To practice social distancing, we want to avoid social isolating. So join us online Sunday's at 5pm. Also sign up to be of help to folks that need it -- or let us know if you need some help by visiting our website elementscitychurch.org
http://elementscitychurch.orgWe want to remind all of us: The Church is not a building – it's the people of God – connecting together – being FOR one another! The Church sometimes gathers together, but ALL THE TIME we scatter to be the Church right where we are!
We want to let you know about a resource we launched this week: That if you need some help, you can let us know by visiting our website – please go to: elementscitychurch.org
We get to be the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus to a watching world.
ALSO: Wednesday March 25th, we’re participating in a city-wide day of prayer and fasting – asking for God’s grace and help in our world today. You can join in via a live stream from Pantano – simply go to www.pantano.church/online at 10am next Wednesday to join in with many from across our city.
Listen, we've talked with some of ya – and though we know you have resolve and are doing well; we know for many there is this nagging fear that is in the front of your mind – the unknown can be unnerving. But Friends we have an amazing God who promises His presence with us no matter what unfold around us. With Him, we have what we need.
I have found the Psalms – like Psalm 91 comforting to make a prayer. We do not have a spirit of fear, because it’s God’s perfect love that cast out fear. We can approach His throne of grace to receive all we need thanks to Jesus. We can lean on one another as well – we’re the Church body that supports each part.
We can cast our anxiety on God, because he cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)
This is our moment to take our fears to the throne room of God and exchange it for FAITH – this is our oppt. to take our worries and exchange them for WORSHIP! We can do all this as we come into the proximity of Jesus!
We want to let you know about a resource we launched this week: That if you need some help, you can let us know by visiting our website – please go to: elementscitychurch.org
We get to be the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus to a watching world.
ALSO: Wednesday March 25th, we’re participating in a city-wide day of prayer and fasting – asking for God’s grace and help in our world today. You can join in via a live stream from Pantano – simply go to www.pantano.church/online at 10am next Wednesday to join in with many from across our city.
Listen, we've talked with some of ya – and though we know you have resolve and are doing well; we know for many there is this nagging fear that is in the front of your mind – the unknown can be unnerving. But Friends we have an amazing God who promises His presence with us no matter what unfold around us. With Him, we have what we need.
I have found the Psalms – like Psalm 91 comforting to make a prayer. We do not have a spirit of fear, because it’s God’s perfect love that cast out fear. We can approach His throne of grace to receive all we need thanks to Jesus. We can lean on one another as well – we’re the Church body that supports each part.
We can cast our anxiety on God, because he cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)
This is our moment to take our fears to the throne room of God and exchange it for FAITH – this is our oppt. to take our worries and exchange them for WORSHIP! We can do all this as we come into the proximity of Jesus!
Now remember: this series in gospel of John gives an amazing look at Jesus!
RECAP:
John gives a profound portrait of Jesus as the divine Son who came to earth to reveal God the Father and to bring eternal life to all who believe in him.
RECAP:
John gives a profound portrait of Jesus as the divine Son who came to earth to reveal God the Father and to bring eternal life to all who believe in him.
John 11:55-57 NLT
It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.
It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.
John 12:1-3 NLT
Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate[a] with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar[b] of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate[a] with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar[b] of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
There is boldness and an intimacy in this action that must have shocked the guests reclining at the table. There is a kind of "nakedness" and humble openness in her devotion that scandalizes everyone in the room except Jesus.
Now, compare this with disingenuous Judas. Judas shouts out, objects to what she has done. -- he objects to the waste of so much expensive perfume.
Moreover, he gives a disturbingly reasonable explanation for his dismay in verses 4–5: "But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.'"
Now, compare this with disingenuous Judas. Judas shouts out, objects to what she has done. -- he objects to the waste of so much expensive perfume.
Moreover, he gives a disturbingly reasonable explanation for his dismay in verses 4–5: "But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.'"
Jesus was the only one who correctly evaluated the worth of what Mary had done.
Mark's version of this account makes it clear that Mary understood the symbolism of this act. According to Mark 14:8, Jesus said: "She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial."
Mark's version of this account makes it clear that Mary understood the symbolism of this act. According to Mark 14:8, Jesus said: "She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial."
That’s the reality we see in Mary – we recognize it in her posture.
AT THE FEET OF JESUS
In Luke 10:39 she is sitting still at the feet of Jesus, learning/listening.
In John 11:32 Mary is prostrated at His feet, grieving/asking.
In John 12:3 – she is anointing his feet, worshipping him at his feet.
She has a humble heart adoring her mighty Savior!
AT THE FEET OF JESUS
In Luke 10:39 she is sitting still at the feet of Jesus, learning/listening.
In John 11:32 Mary is prostrated at His feet, grieving/asking.
In John 12:3 – she is anointing his feet, worshipping him at his feet.
She has a humble heart adoring her mighty Savior!
worship is best in proximity of God.
Psalm 91:1-2
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I will trust him.”
True worship invites us to come close with a humble heart & adore our mighty Savior!
Psalm 91:1-2
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I will trust him.”
True worship invites us to come close with a humble heart & adore our mighty Savior!
The disciples felt that this woman’s costly devotion was a waste. They failed to comprehend how worthy Jesus is.
Philippians 2:9-11 (Apostle Paul reminds us how to see a lofty Jesus)
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Q) Is Jesus worth your utmost devotion or have you settled in to simply giving Him a little bit of your attention from time to time?
Philippians 2:9-11 (Apostle Paul reminds us how to see a lofty Jesus)
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Q) Is Jesus worth your utmost devotion or have you settled in to simply giving Him a little bit of your attention from time to time?
Jesus relishes our worship and devotion to him never goes unnoticed or unappreciated!
Mary demonstrated her devotion to Christ - out loud for all to see.
That’s what we are invited to do. In our worship of Jesus as we seek to honor him with our singing yes. But also with our very lives – our lives are an act of worship to honor Him!
Our faithful and loving actions towards Jesus will never be forgotten; the Lord records them all. Our demonstration of devotion to Jesus by serving those He loves, never goes unnoticed. It’s our acts of reckless love to Him!
Mary demonstrated her devotion to Christ - out loud for all to see.
That’s what we are invited to do. In our worship of Jesus as we seek to honor him with our singing yes. But also with our very lives – our lives are an act of worship to honor Him!
Our faithful and loving actions towards Jesus will never be forgotten; the Lord records them all. Our demonstration of devotion to Jesus by serving those He loves, never goes unnoticed. It’s our acts of reckless love to Him!
Q)
What would it look like for YOU to develop more and more the posture we see in Mary? Where we can sit at Jesus’ feet and worship him?
What would it look like for YOU to develop more and more the posture we see in Mary? Where we can sit at Jesus’ feet and worship him?
communion time (at home):
remember the words from the Apostle Paul - in 1 Corinthians 11
23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.[f] Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.
remember the words from the Apostle Paul - in 1 Corinthians 11
23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.[f] Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.
Thanks for partnering with us...
Elements family: thank you for being a part of enabling us to BE the Church in our city especially in this moment. Your gifts help fuel the mission and capacity to share His love with all we can. You can give here, online or via our app.
http://elem.cc/giveAgain - if you need help or wanna help - visit www.elementscitychurch.org and let us know. We love you - you can also let us know of specific prayer requests via our app (prayer request tab). You can also listen to playlist of songs we sing via the playlist in the app. We're here FOR YOU and God is too!