Crossroads – Wk 3

Matthew 26:1-16 (NLT)

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 

3 At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

1. The Pharisees were blinded to Jesus because they wanted control.

2. Judas was blinded to Jesus because he wanted prestige.

3. Mary worshiped Jesus because of her devotion.

WHAT IS THE CROSSROAD OF WORSHIP?

• Worship guards our hearts against the desire for more that so easily trips us up.
• Worship keeps our hearts soft toward God and our skin tough.
• Worship is a response to what Jesus saved us from.
• Worship is an act of love and devotion to Jesus.

Colossians 2:12-14 (NLT)

12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent place they have felt God’s love and a place they are praying for Him to move.

– As a group, feel free to create space to worship together and/or encourage each other as a means of connection and start to your group time.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: Worship is a selfless act of love and devotion to Jesus.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read Matthew 26:1-16. As you read this passage, think of the ways our hearts can be far away from God like the Pharisees and Judas, and ways our hearts can turn towards God like Mary.

▶ Read Colossians 2:12-14. Share your baptism story with the Group of how you came to the decision point to publicly display your decision to follow Jesus.

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.

Read Matthew 26:6-7. Mary’s worship was an act of love and devotion to Jesus. She gave what was most valuable to her. Time with Jesus is something valuable. What time this week can you set aside and “create space” for Jesus to Worship Him in an “extravagant” way.

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Thank God for those who were baptized this weekend. Pray that our church would continue to be growing followers of Jesus who love God and are devoted to him.