Beyond – Week 2
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20
1 It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.” 3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head. 4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages[b] and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly. 6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. Mark 14:1-7
Sacrifice is giving up something you love for something you love more.
Why did the women sacrifice?
Context gives us clarity.
2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar 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.
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said,5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”
5 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. John 12:1-5
Jesus did not meet their expectations, He exceeded them!
What some call waste, others call worship.
You can Sacrifice like Mary.
You can Steal like Judas.
8 You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:8-10
Greed robs you of…
- Joy
- Contentment
- Integrity
- Legacy
Generosity…
- Breaks your greed
- Breaks your scarcity mindset
- Breaks the lies you hear
- Breaks the fears you have
Equal sacrifice; not equal gifts.
NEXT STEPS:
- Decide what you will sacrifice
- Remember, worship is not a waste
- Pray about what you can do
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:20
- Serve Saturday Outreach
- 20,000 Meals for Kids Against Hunger
- 200 meals for those in need in St. Charles County
TOTAL Need // $10,000
- Missions
- Supporting Pastors in Dominican Republic
- Hannibal Church plant purchasing Building
TOTAL Need // $40,000
- Generations / Building Plan
- $200,000 in new one-year pledges and one-time gifts
TOTAL Cost // $200,000
Beyond Offering
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8