Worship Unrestrained: Day 1

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. - John 12:3.

When was the last time you gave something valuable away without expecting anything in return? In our world of transactions and reciprocity, pure, selfless giving can seem foreign. Yet, this is exactly what we see in the beautiful account of Mary anointing Jesus' feet. She didn't just give something valuable - she gave her most precious possession, breaking social norms in the process. Her act wasn't calculated or measured; it was pure, unrestrained worship flowing from a heart that truly recognized Jesus for who He is. Today, we often approach worship with a subtle 'what's in it for me' mentality. We might attend church, serve in ministry, or give offerings while secretly hoping for blessings, recognition, or spiritual experiences in return. But pure worship, as demonstrated by Mary, is simply about Jesus - recognizing His worth and responding with our very best.

Sermon Quote: Pure worship isn't about personal gain or maintaining appearances - it's about recognizing Jesus for who He is and giving our absolute best without restraint.

Prayer

Lord, purify my heart in worship. Help me to see You for who You truly are and respond with genuine, unrestrained devotion. Remove any selfish motivations and teach me to worship You simply because You are worthy. Amen.