The Humble King in the Shadow of the Cross
Week 1: Worship the King (John 12:1-19)
Big Idea for This Week: Worship is our response when the worth of Jesus outweighs everything else. When Jesus is your treasure, worship becomes costly; when He is your King, it becomes public; and when He has changed your life, it becomes contagious.
Sermon Outline
1. Jesus is Worthy of Costly Sacrifices (John 12:1–11)
While Martha served and Lazarus testified, Mary worshiped through extravagant sacrifice. She poured out a pound of expensive nard, worth a year's wages, onto Jesus' feet.
The Contrast: Judas objected, claiming the money should go to the poor, but his heart was driven by the idol of greed.
The Truth: Mary believed the lowliest part of Jesus was more worthy than the greatest treasure on earth.
"It’s a beautiful thing when our affections match the worth of Jesus."
2. Jesus is Worthy of Singing Praise (John 12:12–16)
The next day, the crowds waved palm branches and cried, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
The Meaning: They recognized Jesus as the King of Israel. We exist to join God in the praise of His glory and majesty.
The King: Jesus rode on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating profound humility. He came not to kill but to die; not to rule a nation, but to rule hearts.
3. Jesus is Worthy of Joyfully Sharing (John 12:17–19)
The crowd that saw Lazarus raised from the dead continued to bear witness.
The Evidence: People share what they love (viral marketing, word of mouth). Because the people shared what they had seen, the Pharisees remarked, "Look, the whole world has gone after him."
The Call: We worship a sin-crushing, death-conquering Savior, and He is worth giving your life and your worship to.
Study Questions for Reflection
Defining Value: The sermon opened by asking the value of various items (a guitar, an NFT, a book). How do you determine what is "weighty" or important in your own life?
Identifying Idols: Judas appeared righteous on the outside but struggled with hidden idolatry (greed). Are there "good things" (work, family, approval) that you have elevated to ultimate things in place of God?
Costly Worship: Mary's worship cost her a year's salary. When was the last time your worship of Jesus cost you something significant (time, money, reputation, or comfort)?
Emotional Response: We often get emotional about sports teams or hobbies (like the Dallas Cowboys or the Texas Rangers). Does your emotional response to the glory of Jesus match the passion you show for earthly entertainment?
Bearing Witness: The crowd shared the news because they were amazed by the raising of Lazarus. Who in your life needs to hear your testimony of how Jesus brought you from "death to life"?
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"WE ARE ALL MERE BEGGARS TELLING OTHER BEGGARS WHERE TO FIND BREAD” — Martin Luther.
Monday, February 2, 2026
Explaining Every Chapter of Revelation
Gavin Ortlund offers a partial-preterist reading of Revelation, interpreting its apocalyptic imagery as focused on first-century Rome while maintaining hope in Christ’s future return.
Featured Book: Joel Muddamalle's The Unseen Battle: https://www.amazon.com/Unseen-Battle-...
Videos Mentioned:
The Antichrist, Great Tribulation, and Millennium: End Times Triage:
• The Antichrist, Great Tribulation, and Mil...
Are the End Times Here? Explaining Each Event:
• Are the End Times Here? Explaining Each Event
New Evidence for Jesus OUTSIDE the Bible (With Tom Schmidt):
• New Evidence for Jesus OUTSIDE the Bible (...
Books Mentioned:
Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation: https://a.co/d/5axjQHq
To the One Who Conquers: 50 Daily Meditations on the Seven Letters of Revelation 2-3: https://a.co/d/2Y5sCLm
What Christ Thinks of the Church: An Exposition of Revelation 1-3: https://amzn.asia/d/fZcL51V
Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth.
Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.
SUPPORT:
Tax Deductible Support: https://truthunites.org/donate/
Patreon:
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FOLLOW:
Website: https://truthunites.org/
Instagram:
/ truth.unites
X: https://x.com/gavinortlund
Facebook:
/ truthunitespage
MY ACADEMIC WORK:
https://truthunites.org/mypublications/
PODCAST:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh...
DISCORD SERVER ON PROTESTANTISM
Striving Side By Side:
/ discord
CHECK OUT SOME BOOKS:
https://www.amazon.com/Makes-Sense-Wo...
https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Re...
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Right-...
https://www.amazon.com/Retrieving-Aug...
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:32 - 1) Revelation Is Worth Studying
00:04:00 - 2) Revelation Is Not Impossible to Interpret
00:06:15 - 3) Revelation Is Not Literal
00:07:48 - 4) Is Revelation Describing the Past or Future (or both)?
00:16:11 - 5) Reading for Edification
00:18:59 - Book Recommendation
00:19:58 - Chapter 1
00:25:14 - Chapters 2-3
00:27:54 - Chapters 4-5
00:32:06 - Chapter 6
00:49:13 - Chapter 7
00:57:21 - Chapter 8
01:05:55 - Chapter 9
01:14:53 - Chapter 10
01:17:09 - Chapter 11
01:22:46 - Chapter 12
01:26:29 - Chapter 13
01:40:00 - Chapter 14
01:42:51 - Chapters 15-16
01:45:38 - Chapters 17-18
01:50:27 - Chapter 19
01:53:16 - Chapter 20
01:56:22 - Chapters 21-22
/ truthunites
FOLLOW:
Website: https://truthunites.org/
Instagram:
/ truth.unites
X: https://x.com/gavinortlund
Facebook:
/ truthunitespage
MY ACADEMIC WORK:
https://truthunites.org/mypublications/
PODCAST:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh...
DISCORD SERVER ON PROTESTANTISM
Striving Side By Side:
/ discord
CHECK OUT SOME BOOKS:
https://www.amazon.com/Makes-Sense-Wo...
https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Re...
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Right-...
https://www.amazon.com/Retrieving-Aug...
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:32 - 1) Revelation Is Worth Studying
00:04:00 - 2) Revelation Is Not Impossible to Interpret
00:06:15 - 3) Revelation Is Not Literal
00:07:48 - 4) Is Revelation Describing the Past or Future (or both)?
00:16:11 - 5) Reading for Edification
00:18:59 - Book Recommendation
00:19:58 - Chapter 1
00:25:14 - Chapters 2-3
00:27:54 - Chapters 4-5
00:32:06 - Chapter 6
00:49:13 - Chapter 7
00:57:21 - Chapter 8
01:05:55 - Chapter 9
01:14:53 - Chapter 10
01:17:09 - Chapter 11
01:22:46 - Chapter 12
01:26:29 - Chapter 13
01:40:00 - Chapter 14
01:42:51 - Chapters 15-16
01:45:38 - Chapters 17-18
01:50:27 - Chapter 19
01:53:16 - Chapter 20
01:56:22 - Chapters 21-22
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Worship the King (John 12:1-19)
The Humble King in the Shadow of the Cross Week 1: Worship the King (John 12:1-19) Big Idea for This Week: Worship is our response when th...