Lord’s Day Message: John 12:1~36
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.
Message Outline
- Anointing by Mary
- The gathering in Bethany (in Simon’s home, Mark 14:3) is a beautiful picture of the church life. Here is a group of people, saved by grace, reclined with Jesus at table, serving Him, testifying Him, and enjoying His presence together.
- Mary offered the ointment which is a response to Lord’s salvation. This is of love and in God’s will. Such offering in love must be included in our gospel preaching (Mat. 26:13)
- Questioning from Judas: There is always such a challenge to those who offer to the Lord.
- The mark and warning of Lord Jesus: This is a beautiful thing to Me (Mat. 26:10) and yet you do not have Me always.
- A grain of wheat buried and beared much fruit
- This expresses the spiritual principle and result of Lord Jesus on the cross.
- When man just focuses on earthly glory, the Lord Jesus uses this illustration to indicate that what God desires is overflowing and multiplication of life. The former is man-centred, the later is in God’s will, is truly for man, and brings in God’s glory (28).
- Burying and Bearing fruit are both important spiritual principle. This not only applies to what The Lord Himself has done, but is also an expectation of the Lord toward those who serve Him.
- Walking in light, believing in light and becoming sons of light
This is related to our sacrifice for the Lord and learning to pouring out of our life for others and for the Lord.
Next Topics: John 13
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Home Meeting: 20/4 Mon., 7:30pm, (Dinner @ 7pm)
Richard Cui’s
Young Professions Meeting: 21/4 Tue. 7:30pm, Thomas’
Sisters Meeting: 22/4 Wed. 10am, Ann’s
Prayer Meeting: 22/4 Wed. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall
Pursuing of Words: 24/4 Fri., 8:00pm, David Tan’s
Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：25/4 Sat. 7:30pm, Olsen & Likun’s
Announcements:
- We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today and hope that you can leave your information for us to contact you in the future.
- The church expects an baptism on May. If any gospel friend is moved in spirit, please contact Brother Yu-Lin Wang.
After the meeting we will have a baptism lesson, please join is if you are interested.
<Reminder>
- Please take the Bible Reading Supplement for your daily Bible reading.
- Please come on time for the meeting. During the meeting, please turn off your mobile phone or put the volume on silence.
- When you prepare the love feast for Lord’s Day lunch, please do not prepare any food containing nuts that someone may have food allergy. After the love feast, please remember to bring back your plates.
Intercession:
- May the Lord keep us fervent in spirit to serve in the church together so that the Lord may give us more and greater blessings.
- Pray for those who are newly baptized. May the Lord lead them to grow and be built in the church life so they may become a blessing and testimony for the church.
- Pray that the Lord can continue to bless His gospel work to show His great love and power so that the gospel friends among us, especially among the young people and our family members, can receive salvation and become a member in God’s family.
- Pray for the brothers and sisters who are weak in body or spirit. May the Lord care for them and give them grace. Also pray for some relatives of our brothers and sisters (Jack, Pauline, Susan, Brett) that the Lord may heal and care for them.
Serving Today: (Apr. 19)
- Sharing: Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: Yulin Wang & Jason Wang
- Serving Bread and Cup: Sean Dong & Patrick Li
- Pianist: Nelson Chen
- Cleaning: Richard & Flora Family, Joyce & Chris, Olsen & Likun Family, Pauline Zhang, Rebecca Li
Serving Next Week: (Apr. 26)
- Sharing: Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: David Tan & Richard Cui
- Serving Bread and Cup: Benchu Guo & Jason Wang
- Pianist: Hannah Cui
- Cleaning: Richard & Flora Family, Joyce & Chris, Olsen & Likun Family, Pauline Zhang, Rebecca Li
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