Historical Posts
Judas and the Oil – Audio
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Text: John 12:1-8 and Matthew 26:6-13
Judas Iscariot had a plan for the oil that Mary poured on Jesus’ feet. What Jesus observed would cause all to consider what was taking place, and what would take place.
I. The plan Judas had for the oil was heard by:
A. Martha, who went about serving (John 12:2; see Luke 10:40-41).
B. Mary, Lazarus’ sister, who poured costly oil on Jesus’ feet; she earlier sat at His feet to listen to His teaching (John 12:3; John 11:1-2; Luke 10:39, 42).
C. Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead, sat at the table with Him (John 12:2; John 11:43-44).
D. Jesus’ disciples were witnesses (see Matthew 26:8).
E. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (John 12:4-6; Matthew 26:14-16; John 13:21, 25-30).
II. Judas’ Oil Plan Revealed:
A. Mary poured a pound of very costly, fragrant oil on Jesus’ feet (see Song of Solomon 1:12; Song of Solomon 4:12-15).
B. Judas complained that the oil was not sold, and no money was given to the poor (John 12:5-6).
1) Judas was not primarily concerned for the poor.
2) Judas was a thief.
3) The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
C. Jesus praised Mary for her good deed (John 12:7).
1) She prepared Jesus for His burial (Matthew 26:12; John 19:38-42).
2) This would be a memorial to her (Matthew 26:13).
D. Jesus knew the poor would always be with His disciples (John 12:8; Deuteronomy 15:11).
E. Jesus knew He would not always be with His disciples (John 12:8; John 7:33-34; 8:21; 13:33).
Simon did not have a plan for the oil, but Jesus did. A sinful woman washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed His feet, and anointed them with fragrant oil.
Simon complained of the woman’s character, but Jesus showed him that, unlike Simon, she did a lot for Him.
He commended her for her faith, and forgave her sins (Luke 7:36-50). Will you allow Jesus to work His plan for you and accept forgiveness of sin from Him?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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James 01:09-11 Trials of Poverty and Wealth – audio
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Text: James 1:9-11
Introduction
1. James has already discussed how we can turn trials into triumph, dealing with trials in general – James 1:2-8
2. In James 1:9-11, he discusses specifically the trials of being poor and being rich, and the attitudes we should have
3. In this lesson, we shall concentrate our attention on verses 9-11 and passages elsewhere which deal with the subject of poverty and wealth
4. Let’s begin by noticing that both wealth and poverty can be a problem
Body
I. THE TRIALS OF POVERTY AND WEALTH (Proverbs 30:8-9)
A. IN “POVERTY”, WE MAY BE TEMPTED TO CURSE GOD
1. Like Job’s wife wanted her husband to do, when they had lost everything – Job 2:9
2. And as many do today when things don’t go well
B. IN “WEALTH”, WE MAY BE TEMPTED TO FORGET GOD
1. As God warned Israel that it might happen to them – Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 17
2. And as it did in fact happen to them – Hosea 13:5-6
II. THE REASONS FOR JOY IN POVERTY OR WEALTH (James 1:9-11)
A. IF WE ARE “POOR”, THEN WE CAN REJOICE THAT WE HAVE BEEN “EXALTED”!
1. God has chosen the “poor” to be rich in faith – James 2:5
a. It is the poor who first had the gospel preached to them – Luke 4:18
b. It is the poor slave who becomes Christ’s “freedman” – 1 Corinthians 7:21-22
2. So even if poor, we can still be “spiritually rich” and on equal par with all Christians – Revelation 2:8-9
B. IF WE ARE “RICH”, THEN WE CAN REJOICE THAT WE HAVE BEEN “HUMBLED”!
1. The rich are “humbled” by their:
a. Becoming Christ’s “slave” – 1 Corinthians 7:21-22
b. Being placed on an equal par with all Christians…in which riches mean nothing – Revelation 3:14-19
2. Why it is good that the rich be so “humbled”
a. Riches are temporary – James 1:10-11
b. Riches are unable to redeem our souls – Psalm 49:6-9, Psalm 49:13-20
c. The love of money is a quagmire and a source of self- inflicted injuries – 1 Timothy 6:9-10
3. In other words, it is good that in coming to Jesus Christ we find these things out
a. Or we might have made the same mistake many make today
b. Thinking that money provides true security (remember the rich fool? – Luke 12:13-21)
Conclusion
1. Even in the trials of poverty or wealth, there can be a cause for rejoicing!
2. For Jesus is “The Great Equalizer”
a. Exalting the poor who are rich in faith
b. Humbling the wealthy by basing their salvation not on wealth, but on that which cannot be bought: the blood of Jesus and the obedience of a humble and contrite spirit
3. Keeping these thoughts in mind will help us learn to be content in whatever financial conditions we may find ourselves; as Paul wrote:
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Philippians 4:11-13
4. The important question is not “How rich are you?” but “How rich IN FAITH are you?”
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Beggars
I was getting off the interstate last week when I saw a man at the bottom of the exit ramp holding a “NEED FOOD” sign. I’m always stirred by different feelings when I see this – compassion, curiosity, even a bit of guilt and shame (for not doing more to help). Why doesn’t he have food? Should I give him money?
But it’s also interesting to recognize that this is the image Jesus used to start the most famous sermon ever preached. Most of his people thought the Messiah would come riding on the back of a white stallion at the front of an army of liberation. He would be strong, proud, powerful, and he would restore them to their former glory.
But his first words were nothing like what they expected.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).
Coming to God’s kingdom, Jesus said, involves first of all admitting that we are spiritually poverty-stricken. We are powerless to attain salvation, and we depend on God for everything that is good.
Beggars. That’s what we are. We come to Jesus without “a righteousness of our own” and receive that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith (Phil 3:9); “In him,” Paul writes, we “become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
What all this means is that being in the Lord’s kingdom involves emptying ourselves of pride, achievement, and accomplishment. We don’t bring our goodness to the table and exchange it for forgiveness. We don’t bring our impeccable morality and integrity to the Lord and hope it’s enough to be saved.
“Poor in spirit” means recognizing that there is “none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10), including me.
It means admitting that “no one understands; no one seeks for God,” that “no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12)… including me.
That is very hard for most of us. Naturally, I want to point to a few of the good things I’ve done. I want to compare myself to some of society’s dregs and take a little pride in, “Well, at least I’m not like that.”
That’s why pride has always been the biggest obstacle between us and salvation. It takes our eyes off of God and puts them on us.
You can’t be a part of the kingdom until you recognize that you are utterly dependent upon God for salvation. Blessed are the spiritual beggars, for theirs is the kingdom.
Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die. . . . When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee (Augustus Toplady).
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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