Sunday, March 21, 2021 ~ The Book Of John ~ Series: LOVED BY JESUS ~ Message: The Anointed ~ Scripture: John 11:54-12:11 ESV ~ Pastor Philip Miller

Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

SERMON NOTES

Sunday, March 21, 2021

The Book Of John

Series: LOVED BY JESUS

Message: The Anointed

Scripture: John 11:54-57-12:1-11 ESV

Pastor Philip Miller

The Anointed: Have We Truly Encountered Jesus?

One of the scariest realities in the Gospels is how close you can be to Jesus and miss him entirely. Chapter after chapter, Jesus has been right there with the Pharisees, but they miss him. He’s calling, but they don’t hear him. He’s shining in glory, but they don’t see him.

These stories are a warning. You can be moral. You can be religious. You can go to religious gatherings. You can give to the poor. You can do good. You can be well thought of. You can even hang around authentic disciples, listen to the finest sermons, and even hold a leadership position.

You can be that close to Jesus and still miss him entirely. His glory can be right there in front of you, and you don’t even see it.

On the other hand, there’s Mary, who, as we’ll see in this passage from John, in loving abandon, anoints Jesus’ feet lavishly with a priceless perfume in adoration, gratitude, awe, and worship of Jesus.

Everyone can meet the same Jesus, but there can be wildly different responses. Mary truly encountered the glory of Jesus and it deeply changed her. In contrast, the others did not because their encounter was a superficial exposure and not a true encounter.

What makes the difference?

The critical question for us is: Have we truly encountered Jesus’ glory, or is it just a superficial exposure?

In this sermon, we explore three signs we’ve truly encountered Jesus:

Three signs we’ve truly encountered Jesus’ glory:

• The stirring of our affections

• The shattering of our idols

• The satisfying of our souls

Takeaways:

• “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” (The Westminster Shorter Catechism) Are you willing to count everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ our Lord?

• Is Jesus your resurrection and your life? Mary understood that the only way we live, is if the Lamb of God dies. If we’re to be resurrected, Jesus must be crucified. So, if Jesus gave up everything for us, how can we hold back anything from him?