Reasons to Worship:

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Reasons to Worship
It is a fragrant offering to God
Worship that Smells Right Five principles of
worship that can help guide us to worship God in
a way that is memorable to Him and to us--John
121-8 Matthew 266-13 Mark 141-11 Luke
736-50
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Principle 1 Mary Made
Certain the Guest of Honor was Honored

• v. 2--Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor.
  Martha served, while Lazarus was among those
  reclining at the table with him.

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Principle 2 Marys Worship was Pure

• v. 3--Then Mary took about a pint (probably
  about 0.5 liter) of pure nard, an expensive
  perfume she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped
  his feet with her hair. And the house was filled
  with the fragrance of the perfume.

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As we look at this scene, what can we learn from
Marys offering of pure nard?

• First, it is not a stretch to see the reference
  to purity could symbolize the sincerity of
  worship (the unmasked and absolutely pure love
  expressed in worship)--Isaiah 111-20 I
  Samuel 1522.
• The second application of Marys pure offering
  suggests that we can be intimate without
  sexual or sensual overtones.

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Principle 3 Marys Worship Was Costly

• v. 3--Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard,
  an expensive perfume she poured it on Jesus'
  feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the
  house was filled with the fragrance of the
  perfume.

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What did my personal worship of Jesus cost me
today?

• What has it cost me this week?
• Am I worshipping cheaply?
• True worship expends the energy, the attention,
  the time, even the money to assure that a quality
  and heartfelt worship is experienced

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Principle 4 Marys Worship was Bold

• v. 3--..she poured it (pure nard) on Jesus feet
  and wiped His feet with her hair.

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Do you see the parallel to some of our own
conditions?

• Sometimes our most enthusiastic worship is born
  out of desperate circumstances or our praise for
  His goodness in the past. (Theres a story
  behind our worship.)
• Are you desperate or extremely thankful? Then be
  bold come to Jesus He wont turn you away.
• What would be a bold act for you as a worshipper
  of Jesus? Raising our hands? Serving in
  ministry, etc.?
• If we take the step of faith, even in
  desperation, God will come to us, surround us
  with His power, and embellish our simple service
  into a beautiful praise.

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Principle 5 The Whole House was Filled with
the Fragrance of Marys Worship

• v. 3--...and the house was filled with the
  fragrance of the perfume.
• True worship has a way of filling the whole
  house/church gathering today as well.
• There is something about sincere worship that is
  so beautiful, even fragrant--II Cor. 214-15.

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II Corinthians 214-15

• 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us
  in triumphal procession in Christ and through us
  spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge
  of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of
  Christ among those who are being saved and those
  who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the
  smell of death to the other, the fragrance of
  life.
• Question Do you see the words that speak of
  fragrance and aroma?

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The question to be answered is, What do people
smell when I/when we, worship?

• Does the fragrance of worship rise to God as a
  pleasing aroma and then impress upon those around
  us that God is alive, well and worthy of worship?
• Has our life and our praise become the aroma of
  Christ among those who are being saved and those
  who are perishing?
• Are we those who spread everywhere the
  fragrance of the knowledge of Him?

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Conclusion

• To the one who is offering an inexpensive gift of
  worship to God, Are you satisfied with your
  offering?
• To the one who needs to make a bold step in
  worship, What might be on the other side of your
  obedience?
• Finally, to the one who has smelled the aroma of
  Christ in our worship. What you sense is either
  the aroma of life, or the aroma of death. What
  makes the difference? Come to Jesus and you will
  discover a life of great beauty and an intimate
  relationship you have never known before.