Labor Ways For Labor Day

Labor Ways for Labor Day
John Sermon Series #25
John 12:1-3

Our story is set six days before the Passover in Bethany (2 miles from Jerusalem).  This was the town where Lazarus was just raised and this great miracle had happened.  The area was still in a stir of excitement. 

I. Martha Labored in Service
It seems that Lazarus attending attracted above average interest in this gathering, and so the need for service was great.  Martha gave her services to waiting tables.

1. Labored Faithfully

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
 
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
 
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
 
I had rather have someone that just works than someone who talks about working.

2. Labored Frugally

Prov 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
          
Proverbs 21:5 - The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.

3. Labored Fervently

Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
 
Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
 
Psalms 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Your joy and gladness will show up in your work.

II. Lazarus Lived in Service
Lazarus showed up and things changed.

1. Our Living should affect the Conversation

John 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
 
Lazarus’s life testimony was the talk of the town.
Does your life affect the talk in a positive way?

1. Our Living should affect our Companions

There was no doubt that Lazarus affected those around him.

1. Family was affected
Martha was serving tables because of Lazarus.
Mary was giving gifts because of Lazarus.
 
Your family will be affected by the decisions you make for Jesus Christ.
 
Joshua 4:21-24 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
 
2.  Friends were affected
People came from everywhere to attend. They had heard about what God had done with Lazarus, and wanted to see for themselves.
If you tell about Jesus and what He is doing in your life, it will affect your friends.It has too.
 

3.  Foes were affected.
Judas was upset at how the money was being spent on the worship time.
 
The Pharisees were worked up and upset.
John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
 
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2. Our Living should affect the Cause
Words cannot begin to describe how much the living of Lazarus affected the cause of Christ.
 
John 12:13-19 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
 
Is your life affecting the cause of Christ?
1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
 
1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached ….. and live according to God in the spirit.
 
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
 
III. Mary Loved in Service

Love adds a whole new dimension on your service.
Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
 
The love than shows from the heart of Mary as she takes her expensive ointment (probably the most valuable stuff she owned) and used her hair to wipe his feet. Everyone noticed, because the smell filled the room.

1. Love disregards the Price

One of our members told me recently about medicine that was so expensive. He told me that he did not care how much it cost as long as it made a difference for the one he loves.

Do we love the church?
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
 
Do we love sinners?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
 
Do we love missions?
Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
 
We need to fall in love with Jesus and fall out of love with self.

2. Love is not Proud
  
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
 
True love will humble you.
 
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
 
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

3. Love has a Presence

The smell filled the room.
Everyone stopped and noticed this act of love.
Mary’s love filled up the place.
 
If our church has love—people will notice.
 
If your family has love—people will know.
 
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

4. Love has a Proof

No doubt at all of her dedication.
Her love is a powerful reminder today.
 
Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
 
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
 
Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
 

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