Fragrance of Worship

Matthew 26:6-13 NLT - 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. 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." 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."

2Corinthians 2:15 ESV - 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

1.    The Container: What Are You Holding?

Verse 7: While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume.

• Will you break what you have been protecting?

2.    The Action: Worship Will Always Face Criticism

• Worship always risks misunderstanding, criticism, embarrassment, looking emotional or even looking foolish.

2Samuel 6:22 NLT - 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!"

• Real worship isn’t performed for spectators; it’s poured out before the Savior. 

3.    The Cost: Worship That Costs Nothing Is Worth Very Little.

John 12:5 ESV - 5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

2Samuel 24:24-25 NLT - 24 But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing." So, David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen. 25 David built an altar there to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the LORD answered his prayer for the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

• Worship will cost you!

4.     The Breaking

• God often releases our greatest worship through our greatest breaking.

Psalms 51:16-17 NLT - 16 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.

• Brokenness is not weakness; it is the doorway through which worship flows.