[Propertalk] Gospel sermon tidbits - March 21 - Part 1

[Joe Parrish]

Whatever they need, there will be enough to go around.  Whatever they spend, there will be plenty left over.  There is no reason to fear running out--of nard or of life either one--for where God is concerned, there is always more than we can ask or imagine--gifts from our lavish, lavish Lord.

http://day1.org/1760-the_prophet_mary

Barbara Brown Taylor 
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I personally remember sitting at my own father's feet in his hospital room before he died, seeking to convey something I did not know how to speak. 

http://rockhay.tripod.com/sermons/texts/NT/gospels/john_12_01-08.htm

Peter L. Haynes, 2001
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In the year 1239, King Louis IX of France bought from the Emperor of
Constantinople the most precious relic of Christianity: the Crown of Thorns
which rested on Jesus' head. Leaving aside our present-day skepticism about
authenticity, it was a lavish gift for the French nation, and to house this relic,
he built in Paris a church of surpassing beauty which we know as the Ste.
Chapelle. It stands today as a monument to faith and an enduring uplifting of
the human spirit. If you have not seen it, go see it and be amazed.

http://www.stthomasmedina.org/Sermons/2006-07/sermon20070325.pdf

Robert Hayman, 2007
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...three hundred denarii were close to one year's wages for a labourer at that time. Thus Mary's gift was extravagant alright. Moreover, maybe the perfume was to be saved for the burial anointing of their family members. At any rate, this complaint of Judas is a classic one. Some folks look at life only from a monetary perspective, which blinds them to the proper place for extravagant giving motivated by love. Albert Schweitzer said it well: "If there is something you own that you can't give away, then you don't own it, it owns you." 

http://dimlamp.wordpress.com/2007/03/22/sermon-5-lent-yr-c/

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, 2007
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I like the Christmas poem, "What can I give him, poor as I am. If I were a shepherd, I would give him a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. What shall I give him? I will give him my heart." . 
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...can our lives be so deeply touched by the living Christ that we want to respond in some special way? 

http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_c_expensiveoilforhisfeet.htm

Edward F. Markquart
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There are two critical principles at work here. Principles that can help us through those times when someone we thought cared turned away from us.
1. Focus on those who are true friends.
Jesus did not allow the deception of Judas to diminish the quality of his relationship with those who were true friends. Hard to do, but essential. Don't focus on what's gone, but on what's left. There is still the evening with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. 
If you are anything like me, it is easy to let negative things drain your energy. Jesus does the opposite. The negative is devalued and the positive is revalued. It's the old quip, "Is the glass half empty or half full?" 
2. Do not engage the Deceiver on his turf.
Keep distance from the temptation to "fight it out" with the person who has turned away. Judas already had an agenda. His heart had turned away from Jesus... the justification had already been done and his mind was made up. He did not come to Jesus with questions or difficulties he had. 
Jesus does not waste his time in debate, argument or even venting his anger. He would only drain his own time and energy. Save it! Save it for the good things of your life. Life is way too short to spend it on the deceiver's agenda.

http://www.lectionarysermons.com/zun5l.html

John Jewell, 1998
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