First Baptist Church Delray

Sermon Application Questions

July 5, 2025

Pastor Steve’s Message: “The Love Language of Jesus”

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)

Review the Exegesis of the Scripture

Read Luke 7:36

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

1. What was this religious leader’s likely motivation for having Jesus over for a feast?

Read Luke 7:37–38

And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

2. What was their cultural tradition at this time that would have made it normal for extra people to show up at a feast?

3. Luke doesn’t specify who she is or what she’s been doing, but what kinds of habitual sin might she have been caught up in just like anybody might?

4. How can we tell that she had experienced Jesus before this?

5. How did she come in humility?

6. How did she come exclusively?

7. How did she personally act out her love?

8. How did she worship emotionally?

9. What extravagant gift did she bring?

10. What do we learn from this woman about giving an offering as a type of worship?

Read Luke 7:39

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

11. How did the Pharisee try to discredit Jesus?

Read Luke 7:40–43

And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

12. What technique here did Jesus use as a masterful teacher?

13. What was it about the two views of the need for forgiveness that made their responses to Jesus so different?

Read Luke 7:44–47

Then turning toward the woman he (Jesus) said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

14. What dangerous sin is the Pharisee unaware of in himself? Hint: It’s the same sin that caused Adam and Eve to eat the fruit and that caused the leaders to incite the crowd to send Jesus to the cross.

15. What makes pride feel so right that this type of sinner seldom feels guilty?

Read Luke 7:48–50

And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

16. What interaction had Jesus had with the woman before that He’s reminding her of?

17. Was Jesus saying that the woman was saved because of her acts of love or because of living in a state of forgiveness that she had previously received from Him?

18. Was the woman trying to earn her salvation, or was she just demonstrating the faith she already had in Jesus?

19. Why does our church leadership have a personal conversation with everyone who wants to be part of us?

20. While for some becoming a follower of Jesus is more like a sunrise than a lightning bolt, why must there indeed be conviction of sin for salvation to occur?

21. Can a person who says they have always known Jesus yet never really had a moment of conviction when the Holy Spirit convicted them of their sinful state actually be born again yet?

22. Why is it appropriate that conviction of sin continue to happen nearly every day?

Make Personal Applications of the Scriptures

23. Do you have an accurate accounting of your sins? Or are you, like the Pharisee, blinded by pride?

24. In what way have you been playing defense with the Holy Spirit and relying on “being a good person?”

25. Will you take some time in prayer and ask Him to reveal to you all that Jesus paid for on your behalf on the cross?

26. Describe how your experience with the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin invites you into the presence of Jesus.

27. When you repent do you feel barriers between you and Him removed?

28. How does receiving His forgiveness transform you from Pharisee to worshipper?

29. Can you picture Jesus standing ready to receive your worship in His love language?

30. Will you worship Him in humility, not caring what others around you think as you bow and praise?

31. Will you worship Him exclusively, only Him and without distraction?

32. Will you worship Him through physical acts of love, taking time to serve Him?

33. Will you worship Him through extravagant gifts, giving something that costs you?

34. Will you worship Him with your emotions, from the depth of your heart with overwhelming gratitude to the One who paid your price?