Jul. 14, 2024

Background:

• A negative attitude can cause us to turn away from God
• A positive attitude allows God to work through us
• We are vessels that he can use
• Positive attitudes influence others positively
• Negative attitudes influence others negatively
• We can be positive when we think of all that God has done for us
• God is concern about the heart that needs to be cleansed
• We are born sinners and inclined to please ourselves rather than to please God
• We have to make sure that we have the right attitude when we deal with anything in life

Key Sermon Points: 

1.   The heart of service and hospitality
   1. Martha had a heart of service and hospitality
   2. Serving others is one way that we serve God
   3. Samuel was Eli's helper...he didn't think that he was too good to be a servant
   4. All of us need to have a heart of service
   5. The supper was at Simon's house where Martha was serving (Luke 10:2-48)
   6. Jesus' friends gave him a supper in his honor instead of turning him in
   7. They recognized that he was the Savior
   8. He showed us that all of us need friends
   9. Real friendship involves loyalty, which is one of the greatest signs of friendship (Proverbs 17:17)
   10. Martha was always looking to serve others
   11. Jesus demonstrated serving others
   12. Christians are to be engaged in selfless service to others (Romans 12:11, Galatians 5:13, John 13:3-5)
   13. Sheep that can't see well depend upon the Shepherd to guide them
   14. Sheep exists for the benefit of the Shepherd and produce for the Shepherd rather than for themselves
   15. Jesus gave up his life for his sheep and we have to give our lives to him
2. The heart of love and thanksgiving
   1. Mary appears with a heart of love and thanksgiving
   2. Give thanks (Psalm 107:1)
   3. Very rarely will we step out of the box and praise Him and tell people that we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
   4. Mary poured out the expensive perfume and wiped his feet with her hair
   5. Not only did Mary anoint Jesus with the precious oil, but she takes down her hair and uses her glory to wash Jesus' feet
   6. She didn't think of herself, but of the love for the Master
   7. She wanted to make a sacrifice that cost her something for the Lord
   8. Mary was always at the feet of the Savior
   9. God's kind love is always directed towards others
   10. We should always express an attitude of gratitude
3. The heart of hypocrite and self-interest

   1. Judas Iscariot was a thief that didn't care about the poor

   2. A hypocrite is someone who claims to be someone or something that they are not

   3. Judas is an example of a missed opportunity that hung out with Jesus and still missed salvation

   4. Judas objected to how Mary decided to use her oil

   5. Be careful of having a heart of a hypocrite and self-interest

   6. Everything can't always be about you

   7. Judas tried to make it about himself

   8. Judas rejected and betrayed Jesus...and ultimately committed suicide from the guilt (Acts 1:25; John 17:12)

   9. Judas wanted to harbor the money for himself secretly and selfishly

4. The superficial heart of some people
   1. Some followed Jesus as long as they could get something from him
   2. They walked along Jesus as long as he was doing something
   3. Some were just curious and wanted to see the miracles that Jesus performed
   4. These people were not yet openly hostile towards Jesus at this time
   5. These people were not committed to Jesus
   6. Are we committed to serve Jesus?
   7. They were thrill seekers following the latest sensation...what miracle was Jesus going to do for them next?
5. The heart of hostile and evil leaders
   1. The Chief Priests wanted Lazarus dead because he was the proof of the resurrection
   2. They wanted to put Lazarus and Jesus to death to get rid of the proof
   3. Jesus will only do for us what we can't do for ourselves
   4. If they hadn't move the stone, then the miracle would not have taken place
   5. What stone or stumbling block in our lives have we not moved?
   6. Jesus had to call Lazarus by name; otherwise, everyone dead would have had to get up
   7. We have to let God have his way
   8. When we are obedient to God, we are benefactors of his blessings
   9. If we have a heart of service, hospitality, love, and/or thanksgiving...he will bless us
   10. God sometimes allows a thorn to be in our sides to keep us humble
   11. We need the Shepherd to keep us