Sermon Recap
In this message, you’re invited to see Jesus not as distant or unapproachable, but as a King who welcomes you close. While many things in life can feel intimidating or off-limits, Jesus offers you an open invitation to come near and experience His presence without fear. Through personal stories and vivid examples, you are reminded that unlike the world around you that demands caution, Jesus is always safe, always patient, and always ready to meet you exactly where you are. How you approach Him matters, and your primary ministry is to minister to Him, because everything else you do flows out of your relationship with Jesus.
You can learn from the story of the sinful woman in Luke 7:36–50 about what it looks like to approach Jesus rightly. While the Pharisee hosted Him according to societal norms, this woman approached with humility, vulnerability, and devotion, offering her tears, her affections, and her most valuable gift, an alabaster jar of perfume. Her actions stand in sharp contrast to the other guests, showing you that Jesus values sincerity, sacrifice, and wholehearted love more than appearances or following the rules.
From her example, you are encouraged to take three lessons to heart. First, your tears and pain can be offered to God as worship, and He treasures them. Second, your affections belong to Jesus, the only one worthy of your deepest love. Third, your sacrificial gifts and surrender show that you recognize His worth and want to honor Him completely. Remember, Jesus honors your invitation to Him, but how you respond (with love, surrender, and devotion) gives Him the space to move as Lord in your life, turning Him from guest of honor into the host of your heart.
Key Scripture
Luke 7:36–50 – The central story of the sinful woman who approaches Jesus with humility, devotion, and sacrifice, showing how to rightly approach Him.
Discussion Questions
Approaching Jesus:
When you think about the woman in Luke 7:36–50, what stands out to you most about the way she approached Jesus? How does her example challenge the way you come to Him in prayer or worship?Offering Ourselves:
The woman offered her tears, her affection, and her most valuable possession to Jesus. What might those three offerings represent in your own life today—and what would it look like to bring them to Him in a fresh way?Making Room for Intimacy:
Jesus said His house is to be a house of prayer—a place of intimacy. In your own life or in our church, what things tend to distract us from that intimacy, and how can we intentionally make space to truly encounter Him?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being a King who welcomes us close. Teach us to approach You with humility, honesty, and deep devotion—just like the woman who poured out her heart before You. Help us to offer our tears, our affections, and our most valuable treasures as acts of worship to You. May Your presence be the center of our lives and Your house be a true house of prayer. Amen.
Life Application
Create intentional space for intimacy with Jesus each day through prayer, worship, or quiet reflection so that your relationship with Him becomes the source of everything else you do.
Offer something costly to God this week. Whether that’s time, forgiveness, resources, or surrender in an area you’ve been holding back—as a personal act of worship and devotion.
Don’t Forget!
Additional Resources
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