Check Your Oil
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Introduction
Introduction
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” 9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
Pray
The motor oil in a car reduces friction by lubricating the moving parts that move up against one another. It lubricates, it cools, it cleans, and it seals.. it facilitates the car moving. About every 3,000 miles or so we are told to Check Our OIl in order to keep things running smoothly.
Oil in the Bible represents the Holy Spirit’s anointing.
Perhaps every now and again it is good for us to check our oil as well. Every so often, we must check our own anointing.
Perhaps every now and again it is good for us to check our oil as well. Every so often, we must check our own anointing.
As I was preparing my praying over this sermon and reading, God showed me that these verses contain 4 heart positions.
Lazarus - whom the Lord did an absolute miracle on whose very existence glorified Him and it drew enemies of the Lord to try and do away with Him.
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
Judas - who merely appeared to walk with Jesus as many “Christians” do today but actually worked against Him.
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
Martha - who ran to meet Him on the road saying:
20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
Mary - who was submitted and knew to be still and wait for the Lord, she was the one who did not say a word in her defense but trusted Jesus to defend her.
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
Today, we are going to look at Mary who chose the greater thing.
Point 1: Mary Chose the Greater Thing
Point 1: Mary Chose the Greater Thing
Who knew the feet of Jesus better than Mary?
Who knew the feet of Jesus better than Mary?
What this speaks of is intimacy with the Lord. Intimacy with Him changes us. It refreshes us and refills us.
Martha was so busy serving that she missed the intimacy with God. She was distracted.
How many times do we get so busy with “ministry” that we forget to spend time at the feet of the Lord.
Pastor Jerry Milliken always told us: “Do not make ministry your mistress”
Mary did not speak a word in her own defense. She trusted the Lord to defend her, she didn’t run out to Him either on the road to ask questions. In fact, she waited for Him to call on her:
Mary did not speak a word in her own defense. She trusted the Lord to defend her, she didn’t run out to Him either on the road to ask questions. In fact, she waited for Him to call on her:
27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.”
Mary had the fear of the Lord that came from intimacy with Him. She chose the Greater thing.
Mary had the fear of the Lord that came from intimacy with Him. She chose the Greater thing.
Point 2: Mary Gave It All
Point 2: Mary Gave It All
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” 9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
The alabaster box was actually a flask. It was a one time use thing. It was made of marble and very hard to break open.
This box alone would’ve been very expensive and on its own could’ve been considered a feat to give. The oil or fragrant perfume inside would’ve been a life savings. In modern terms that would be $30,000.00
Do you think she kept that flask by her bed? If you had $30,000 in your house, you would keep it close right?
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Mary made a decision. Lazarus had died and been raised and Mary who knew the feet of Jesus had a new intimacy with Him that caused her to remain still, trust Him to fight her battles, and completely changed her heart.
She broke the flask and anointed His feet.
Once the flask was broke, the oil couldn’t be put back in.
My question for you is this, “Have you poured out all of the oil on His feet and if so have you broken the box so there is no going back?
I think it’s time we as a church checked our oil.
Point 3: Where do we stand?
Point 3: Where do we stand?
Which heart is ours?
Which heart is ours?
Lazarus - whom God did a miracle on but drawing in our enemies who have come to kill us as a result of it?
Judas - who simply professes to be a follower of God but actively works against Him at every step trading Him for 30 pieces of silver every time we choose sin over Him?
Martha - who is so busy serving that she misses the presence of the Lord.
Mary - who has become so intimate in the presence of the Lord that her entire heart is changed, she submits fully, waits on Him, and understands that the battle is God’s and not her own.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
When is the last time you checked your oil?
Since I started preaching here, I have not saw a single soul come to this altar to pray. I was not sent by God to tickle ears and please man. I was sent to proclaim the word of the Lord and God is asking you right now:
HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR OIL?
What have you poured at His feet lately?
Have you broken the flask or are you just planning on living off the reserve you can put back in it?