THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUINE WORSHIP

John 12:1-8


We enjoy flattery….
Flattery is not genuine….
We can’t flatter God….

“Six days before the Passover ceremonies began, Jesus arrived in Bethlehem, the home of Lazarus – the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.
But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples – the one who would betray him – said, “That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor – he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use.
Jesus replied, ‘Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer.’”

This is a very short narrative. And when you read it, it’s just that: a narrative. But when you try to read between the lines, the teaching is very profound. It teaches about worship – the characteristics of a genuine worship.

I. GENUINE WORSHIP IS A DECISION
“Then Mary took…” v.3.
Worship is a decision. It is not automatic. It is a choice amidst many choices. For others, it is not always an easy choice. To choose between evil and good is easy. But to choose between good and best is difficult (like between WC and USG meeting, WC between group study, CG between research sa Internet, Efest/LDI between NSTP, etc.).
Being present in a worship service is not enough. That is only for the sake of check attendance. Participate in worship. Immerse yourself in the presence of God. Lay down everything at the feet of Jesus. And say, like what Moses said, “Lord, I will not go unless You bless me.”
Decide that regardless of the weather, of your busyness, you will worship. Decide that regardless of who is leading the worship, who is preaching, you will worship. Worship is a decision.
“Praise the Lord, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me” Psalm 103:1-2.
II. GENUINE WORSHIP IS A COSTLY SACRIFICE
“Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it…” v.3.
Nard was a fragrant ointment imported from the mountains of India. Thus it was very expensive. The amount Mary used was worth a year’s wages. Nard was used to anoint kings.
The perfume was probably the most valuable possession Mary had. But she gave it to Jesus. What Mary did is an example of genuine worship. She didn’t count the cost. She willingly gave the best she had to Jesus. It was, in fact, an extravagant worship.
David said, “I will not offer anything unto the Lord that cost me nothing” 2 Samuel 24:24.
“…let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise…” Hebrews 13:15.
Genuine worship involves sacrifice – time, money, energy.

III. GENUINE WORSHIP IS FORGETTING SELF
“Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair” v.3.
The perfume was supposed to be poured on the head. But Mary poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped it with her hair. It was an act of humility with so much love. Mary didn’t care about her reputation. All she cared about was to do this for her beloved Savior and Lord. She was focused. She was determined.
Worship is like that. We cannot enter into genuine worship when we are full of self. Worship involves forgetting self.
John the Baptist said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” John 3:30.
In worship we do not care what people say. We move out of our comfort zones to be able to enter into genuine worship.
Biblical worship involves the body, the spirit, the heart, the intellect, and the emotions. Worship expressions illustrated in the Bible include…
• Lively and joyous singing involving all worshipers,
• Spontaneous and verbal praises from those present in worship,
• Humble kneeling or lying prostrate before the Lord,
• Hands upraised and stretched forth in worship, and
• Hands clapping in tempo with music and as applause expressed to God.

Psalm 98:4 reminds us to “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song and music.” Joyful sounds ringing forth in worship may take on many forms – including applause, laughter, praise, and singing. And all of these forms express our reverence for God.
There are worshipers who choose to remain indifferent as expressive worship occurs around them. They will never experience the true freedom in worship.

IV. GENUINE WORSHIP IS CONTAGIOUS
“And the house was filled with fragrance” v.3.
Bad smell and good smell are both spatial.
Sars is contagious. As well as chicken pox, flu, tuberculosis, and many others. Expose yourself to people who have these communicable diseases and the probability is high that you will get them.
Genuine worship is also contagious. When people are truly worshiping the Lord, and there is joyful singing and shouting and dancing, even unbelievers can sense the mighty presence of God. The atmosphere becomes electric. The fragrance of worship will fill the place.

V. GENUINE WORSHIP DISPLEASES THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS
“But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples – the one who would betray him – said, “That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor – he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use” v.4-5.
The spectators in worship will always accuse the participators of being OA. There are always people who resist spontaneous, expressive, and joy-filled worship.
When David became king of Israel, one of his objectives was to bring the ark of God into Jerusalem. The ark of God symbolizes the very presence of God. As they were marching… “David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly tunic. So David and all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with much shouting and blowing of trumpets. But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him” 2 Samuel 6:14-16.
There will always be Michal. As a result of her rejection, Michal had to face another kind of music – barrenness (2 Samuel 6:23).
Expressiveness in worship will always displease the self-righteous.

VI. GENUINE WORSHIP BRINGS GOD PLEASURE
“Jesus replied, ‘Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer.’”
Jesus enjoyed the fragrance of the perfume. He rebuked Judas for making those unnecessary comments.
God delights in genuine worship.


How can we enter into genuine worship?

1. Decide to worship God regardless. Focus on God.
2. Be ready to make a sacrifice – time, money, energy.
3. Forget about self.
4. Don’t mind others.