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 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"? Connect & Grow Subscribe: If this message encouraged you, hit the Subscribe button and ring the bell 🔔 to stay updated on our The Humble King series. Join the Conversation: Which reflection question challenged you the most today? Let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear your thoughts! Share: Know someone who needs to hear this message? Click Share to send it to a friend. Visit Us: For more resources or to connect with our community, visit our website at https://www.jointhebridge.com/ #TheHumbleKing #John12 #Worship #SermonSeries #Christianity #BibleStudy #GospelOfJohn #Faith #JesusIsKing #CostlyWorship