1. Nelson Chapel
Church of Christ

2. Breaking the Alabaster Box
Matthew 26:6-13
Mark 14:3-9
John 12:1-8
It is a container made from stone.
Like white marble
Used as a perfume vase.

3. Breaking the Alabaster Box
“And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.” Mark 14:3
Wax seal
Alabaster flask = NKJV
Alabaster cruse = ASV
Alabaster jar = NRSV
Alabaster vial = MKJV

4. Breaking the Alabaster Box
Time:
Six days before Passover
Few weeks after raising of Lazarus
Place:
Bethany
House of Simon the Leper
People:
Simon, Mary, Martha,
Lazarus – Jesus
12 apostles

5. Anointing At Bethany Mary poured this on head of Jesus
Expensive perfume
Value of 300 pence
Jn. 12:3 “anointed the feet of Jesus”
Jesus taught that he would die
Matt. 16:21 “and be killed, and be raised”
Mary believed this

6. Anointing At Bethany Did this for his burying
Mk. 14:8 “She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.”
Will be remembered for this
“Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”
Mark 14:9

7. Breaking the Alabaster Box
Mary showed appreciation for Jesus while He Lived.
Keep not the kisses for the dead cold brow
Nor the touch of affection for the hands that are still,
Hast thou an alabaster box? Break it now:
Encourage someone, life's purpose to fill."

8. Breaking the Alabaster Box
In Our Home:
Children / Parents
Husband / Wife
In the Church:
“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thes.5:12-13

9. We Will Be Criticized
“And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her” Mk. 14:4-5

10. We Will Be Criticized
“And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her” Mk. 14:4-5
When we do what we can some will criticize !
Why?
Jealousy
Pride
Personal differences
Ignorance

11. We Will Be Commended
“And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying” Mk.14:6-8

12. We Will Be Commended
“And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying” Mk.14:6-8

13. We Will Be Commended
“And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying” Mk.14:6-8
Jesus commended and defended her !

14. Jesus received gifts 3 times
Matt. 2: wise men – Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh
John 19:39 – Nicodemus - Myrrh and Aloe
Mk. 14:3-9 – Mary – Alabaster Box
Out of love
A huge sacrifice

15. We Will Be Commended
Romans 12:1 ASV “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.”
2 Cor. 8:5 “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

16. Breaking the Alabaster Box
Break the alabaster box on behalf of Jesus
Mary did it for his physical body
We should do it for the spiritual body, the church.
Conduct our lives
So they will become
Memorials of good

18. Nelson Chapel Church of Christ
5039 Six Mile Road
Maryville, Tn
Nov. 27, 2016
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
2705 Druid Hill Dr.
Maryville, Tn