When Can We Rejoice?

A Look At The Friends Of Jesus At Bethany

INTRO: Jesus had some good friends who lived at Bethany. They were an important part of His ministry. It was a place He liked to visit. It was a place where He had good friends. Can we be like His home base in Bethany? A place He visits? A place where He teaches? A place where he reaches people? I hope so!

We can surmise that they were well to do, or at least generous towards His ministry. I think, not only did He touch their lives, they touched His.

I ask you this important question today…Will you take time in life to touch the Lord's ministry or work today? You can be part of a special place in His work.

Let us read in John 12

John 12:1 - 11 KJV 1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. 9Much 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. 10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

So, When can we rejoice in life today?

When we are with the Lord - vs. 1

He brings salvation

He brings peace (of mind)

He brings love

He brings satisfaction

He brings Hope, Etc.

When we have fellowship - vs. 2a - "there they made Him a supper"

Vs. 2c - "but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him"

Ps. 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Jesus wants unity, love, support, and participation in our lives that we might work better for Him

When we serve Him - vs. 2b

Martha served Him

Lazarus witnessed of Him

Mary learned form Him, witnessed of Him and worshipped Him

 

When we truly worship Him - vs. 3

Mary worshipped Him

She was grateful for her brother's (new) life - John 11

She was grateful for the Lord

She did her part - Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could…

This was worth about 300 days' wages

She had been saving it for the Lord's burial - vs. 7 -

why give it then?

Are you saving something back that you need to give to Him today?

You can begin worshipping the Lord by giving your life to Him

When we have sat at the feet of Jesus -

Luke 10:38-42 38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Oh that I could forever sit,

Like Mary at the Master's feet;

Be this my happy choice:

My only care, delight and bliss,

My joy, my Heaven on earth be this,

To Hear the Bridegroom's voice.

Charles Wesley

Desire to know Him better

Desire to understand our part

Desire to grow for His work

Desire to reach others

When other people believe in Him because of our witness -

John 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

John 12:9-11 9Much 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. 10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

They see our lives

They see our hearts

They see our Master

 

When we have done our best for the Best- Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could…

He only wants our best

He wants you

He wants your loved ones too - through you

Selfishness seeks a gift,

Love loves to five;

Love gives itself away

Love loves to live.

Love's grand munificence

Counts not the cost;

Feeling, tho' nought is left,

Nothing is lost.

When we face life's troubles

Acts 8:1 - 8 1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.

God still reigns

God still loves you and me

God's Son died for us

We can still know Him in a Free Pardon Of Sin

We can have Joy in Him even when we face persecution or death

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 080705am