Extravagant Devotion Series ~ Introduction

Scripture reference John 12:1-8; Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9

I saw this phrase “extravagant devotion” in one my study Bibles as it was describing Mary’s devotion for Christ.  It set me thinking and searching about my own devotion to God and what it was in Mary to have this phrase attributed to her. So, I began to do a little digging and praying.

The Webster Dictionary defines “extravagant” as: "exceeding the limit of reason or necessity, lacking in moderation, balance and restraint, extremely or excessively elaborate and spending much more than necessary."

There are a lot of moderate, balanced and restrained Christians in the Church today.  But God is seeking those a little “off balanced” with a lifestyle of giving “more than necessary” in their worship and devotion.  He is looking for those who display and live a life of “extravagant devotion” to Him.  This isn’t a fleshly display that we often see in churches and meetings today.  I personally do not like the phrase “I’m getting my worship on.”  Our worship isn’t something that we put on and take off like a piece of clothing.  It is something that is a part of us, every day, every hour.  The Church is in a day and an hour where we, as individual Christians need to develop a spiritual life walk of extravagant devotion to Christ. I believe it is a deep, daily, consistent and extravagant devotion- something that comes from the inside out.  It should be something that is so natural to us because it is essential to our very survival.

Let’s begin by looking at some things in these passages.  Mary is an excellent example of what it means to be ‘extravagantly devoted’ to God.  We will begin in the scripture John 12:1-8

~Donna 

"Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don't coast through life without a passion"

~John Piper, "Don't Waste Your Life"