Kindness-Gratitude Connection “Do What You Can- Make it Something Beautiful for Jesus!” (Billy Russell, 11/24/19)

Kindness-Gratitude Connection

           “Do What You Can- Make it Something Beautiful for Jesus!”

                                              (Mark 14:1-9)

 

What if doing what you can is enough for Jesus? According to Jesus, doing what you can is acceptable to Him! Such “enough ministry” can be done as a beautiful offering of love, devotion, and worship this holiday season!

 

Let us do what we can to honor Jesus (14:3, 8).

     No more is needed, no less will suffice. “She did what she could” (v.8).

     Lit., “she did what she had.” (i.e., she gave what she had..”) (J.Brooks)

        [At the holidays people often want to do as much for others as they can make

          happen (given limited resources of time, energy, availability or money). This story

          of a woman anointing Jesus serves as an object lesson of being pleased to do

          what you can for Jesus.]

     Planned, elaborate generosity is worthy of Jesus! (She anointed him....)

     What is the “could” part you can do to honor Jesus?

 

 

Let us lead out at great cost to honor Jesus (14:4-5).

     Extravagance has its place to declare great devotion/love!

         “Sacrificial love is the heart of true discipleship.” (G. Osborne)

     Even if conflict must come, yet we will do what we can.

     Of course, there will always be nay-sayers, distractors, & opposition.

     Refuse to let others keep you from honoring Jesus!

 

 

Let us do something beautiful for Jesus too (14:6–9)!

     Jesus memorializes this woman! He forever connects her to the Gospel!

     The 12 don't rise to this level of accolade (M.Card).

     It drives Judas over the edge towards betrayal (vv.10-11).

     Why is such beauty offensive? Beauty is a witness to God’s activity!

     Grace so beautiful demands/commands a response: waste or grace?

     What beautiful thing can you do to witness to the grandness of Jesus?

     You do what you can to honor the Lord Jesus. Make it beautiful for Him!