Fueling the Flame: Part 5 - Costly
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
September 14, 2025
Sermon Page
YouVersion
Podcast Audio
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OneLife Students, United Night Bonfire/Tailgate - September 24th
On Wednesday, September 24th, our middle & high school students from BOTH campuses will be coming together for a night of connection, worship, and unity! There will be games, food, student led worship, and a student led message! It will take place at the East Campus at 6:30pm and we will wrap up at 8:15pm. For more information mark the OneLife Students box on the Connection Card.
24 Hours of Prayer - September 19 - 20
Join us for a powerful 24-hour prayer vigil as we continue our journey through the 40 Days of Prayer. From 7pm on September 19th to 7pm on September 20th, both Campuses will be open for continuous prayer and reflection. Come for an hour or stay longer—this is a time to seek God’s presence, intercede for our community, and align our hearts with His purpose. Let’s unite in faith and expectancy, believing that when we pray, heaven moves. To register for a time go to onelifeknox.com/events
MyOneLife - A 4-Week Sunday Morning Small Group Experience
The first step for every OneLifer to get involved and get to know our church culture and mission is a 4-week small group experience called MyOneLife. It takes place on Sunday mornings in the Meeting Room at each of our campuses. You’ll learn about the vision & values of our church, discover your personal mission & spiritual gifts, and find out tons of ways to get involved. The next MyOneLife will start on October 5th, so for more information or to sign up, mark the “MyOneLife” box on your Connection Card.
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
_____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
_______________________________
START TALKING:
Who are people that come to mind in your life that have made incredible sacrifices that left an incredible impact on you? What did they have to give up that they loved in order to make a difference for you?
START THINKING:
Read Matthew 26:6-13 and John 12:1-8.
These are two different perspectives of the same story. What details do you notice are the same? What details do you notice are different?
In this moment, Martha, who had been reprimanded previously by Jesus, is still serving. Mary is still worshipping (Luke 10:28-32). Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead, is there. Simon, who had been healed from leprosy, was there. What do you think the environment is like at this dinner party? How could this be - and even should this be - the environment when we gather to worship on Sundays or in our micro church?
START SHARING:
Mary gives up what is likely her most costly possession for what - or who - she loves even more: Jesus. What is the most costly sacrifice you have seen someone make for Jesus? What is the most costly sacrifice you have made for Jesus?
There was no denying Mary's sacrifice in this story. The fragrance would have filled the entire house. Everyone would have noticed. Everyone would have experienced the benefit and even pleasure from this sacrifice. How have you seen sacrifice for Jesus have a similar, undeniable impact to many others around?
The disciples - John tells us specifically that Judas was the loudest - were critical of Mary's sacrifice. They had excuses for why it was not necessary, based on their worldly thinking about money and their opinion for how money should be used differently. When have you seen sacrificed criticized? What role do you think guilt or not wanting to have a similar expectation might actually play in this?
What excuses do you find yourself making to not sacrifice or sacrifice even greater? What role does worldly thinking play in these excuses?
START DOING:
What do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to give up that you love for what you love even more?
At the end of this story, Jesus makes a promise that Mary's sacrifice will be remembered and make an impact for the rest of all time. This is like the sacrifice of Jesus that also made an eternal impact for you. What eternal impact do you hope your sacrifice can and will make as you prepare to do so?
Our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting have required sacrifice. The 24 Hours of Prayer on Friday night and Saturday will also require sacrifice. Which hour will you be praying? What will you be praying for during that time?
START PRAYING:
Sacrifice will be threatened. Excuses, unexpected life circumstances, and even external criticism will threaten it. Pray for each person in the micro church to trust God with their sacrifice and to remain faithful even when it seems difficult and impossible. Pray that we all will see the incredible impact that is made when we, as a church, come together to make incredible sacrifice.
_______________________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
September 14, 2025
Sermon Page
YouVersion
Podcast Audio
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OneLife Students, United Night Bonfire/Tailgate - September 24th
On Wednesday, September 24th, our middle & high school students from BOTH campuses will be coming together for a night of connection, worship, and unity! There will be games, food, student led worship, and a student led message! It will take place at the East Campus at 6:30pm and we will wrap up at 8:15pm. For more information mark the OneLife Students box on the Connection Card.
24 Hours of Prayer - September 19 - 20
Join us for a powerful 24-hour prayer vigil as we continue our journey through the 40 Days of Prayer. From 7pm on September 19th to 7pm on September 20th, both Campuses will be open for continuous prayer and reflection. Come for an hour or stay longer—this is a time to seek God’s presence, intercede for our community, and align our hearts with His purpose. Let’s unite in faith and expectancy, believing that when we pray, heaven moves. To register for a time go to onelifeknox.com/events
MyOneLife - A 4-Week Sunday Morning Small Group Experience
The first step for every OneLifer to get involved and get to know our church culture and mission is a 4-week small group experience called MyOneLife. It takes place on Sunday mornings in the Meeting Room at each of our campuses. You’ll learn about the vision & values of our church, discover your personal mission & spiritual gifts, and find out tons of ways to get involved. The next MyOneLife will start on October 5th, so for more information or to sign up, mark the “MyOneLife” box on your Connection Card.
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
_____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
Bottom Line: Incredible impact is made by incredible sacrifice.
Matthew 26:6-7 NLT
Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.
Incredible sacrifice is a natural response to the greatest sacrifice of all.
Matthew 26:8-9 NLT
The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said.“It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Excuses and worldly thinking threaten sacrifice.
Matthew 26:10-13 NLT
But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
Eternal impact leaves an eternal legacy.
_______________________________
START TALKING:
Who are people that come to mind in your life that have made incredible sacrifices that left an incredible impact on you? What did they have to give up that they loved in order to make a difference for you?
START THINKING:
Read Matthew 26:6-13 and John 12:1-8.
These are two different perspectives of the same story. What details do you notice are the same? What details do you notice are different?
In this moment, Martha, who had been reprimanded previously by Jesus, is still serving. Mary is still worshipping (Luke 10:28-32). Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead, is there. Simon, who had been healed from leprosy, was there. What do you think the environment is like at this dinner party? How could this be - and even should this be - the environment when we gather to worship on Sundays or in our micro church?
START SHARING:
Mary gives up what is likely her most costly possession for what - or who - she loves even more: Jesus. What is the most costly sacrifice you have seen someone make for Jesus? What is the most costly sacrifice you have made for Jesus?
There was no denying Mary's sacrifice in this story. The fragrance would have filled the entire house. Everyone would have noticed. Everyone would have experienced the benefit and even pleasure from this sacrifice. How have you seen sacrifice for Jesus have a similar, undeniable impact to many others around?
The disciples - John tells us specifically that Judas was the loudest - were critical of Mary's sacrifice. They had excuses for why it was not necessary, based on their worldly thinking about money and their opinion for how money should be used differently. When have you seen sacrificed criticized? What role do you think guilt or not wanting to have a similar expectation might actually play in this?
What excuses do you find yourself making to not sacrifice or sacrifice even greater? What role does worldly thinking play in these excuses?
START DOING:
What do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to give up that you love for what you love even more?
At the end of this story, Jesus makes a promise that Mary's sacrifice will be remembered and make an impact for the rest of all time. This is like the sacrifice of Jesus that also made an eternal impact for you. What eternal impact do you hope your sacrifice can and will make as you prepare to do so?
Our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting have required sacrifice. The 24 Hours of Prayer on Friday night and Saturday will also require sacrifice. Which hour will you be praying? What will you be praying for during that time?
START PRAYING:
Sacrifice will be threatened. Excuses, unexpected life circumstances, and even external criticism will threaten it. Pray for each person in the micro church to trust God with their sacrifice and to remain faithful even when it seems difficult and impossible. Pray that we all will see the incredible impact that is made when we, as a church, come together to make incredible sacrifice.
_______________________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
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