Serving The Lord

Luke 10:38-42

Theme: The Good Samaritan

Key verse: v.1

42verses; 992 words

Grade level: 5.2

Outline:

I. Christ Addresses the People. Verses 1-24

II. Christ Answers the Lawyer. Verses 25-37

III. Christ Accepts an Invitation. Verses 38-42

The scene is set in Bethany in Martha’s house.

Bethany was on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, which stands at 2,500 feet above sea level.

The Mount of Olives is slightly higher and stands as a screen between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, which is about 1,290 feet below sea level.

In the course of about twenty-five miles, the land drops nearly 4,000 feet into the subtropical heat of the Jordan Valley.

Down on one side was the sterile desert, a breeding ground for prophets.

Over on the other side was Jerusalem, ever ready to kill the prophets (13:34).

Martha’s house was a sweet resting place, a shelter in the time of storm.

Jesus seems to have come to Martha’s house for a short rest before facing the storm ahead.

Notable THINGS in the service to the Lord:

I. The Complaint By Martha. vs.38–40

The silent sister. vs.38–39

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

You continually find Mary at the feet of Jesus:

She sits at His feet (vs. 39)

She falls at His feet (John 11:32)

She anoints His feet (John 12:3).

The speaking sister. v.40

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

“cumbered” - (1828) 3. To perplex or embarrass; to distract or trouble.

Martha was cumbered about much serving. Luke 10.

She was busy doing what had to be done.

She was embarrassed by what had not been done.

She was distracted by her service away from her Saviour.

Now there’s nothing wrong with a Martha. You need both Marthas and Marys in a church.

II. The Counsel By Jesus. vs.41-42

The trouble of service. v.41

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

She was troubled because of what was not done.

She was troubled because of who was not doing it. (Illus-Peter in John 21 “Lord what shall this man do?”)

She was troubled because of why she had this problem.

The truth of service. v.42

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

We worship the Lord in sprit and in truth (John 4:23-24)

We serve the Lord in at least two ways:

With fear

Psalm 2:11 “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

With gladness.

Psalm 100:2 “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”

We serve the Lord Jesus Christ!

The phrase “serve the Lord” occurs 24 times in the Bible.

Only one occurrence in the New Testament.

Colossians 3:24 “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Conclusion:

How do you serve the Lord?

Is it with gladness?

Or do you serve out of resentment because you serve Him without spending time with Him?

One preacher said of his congregation,

“I see no glad glow, no anticipation.

I see dull faces and lead in the ears.

You go with sparkle and anticipation in your eyes to a concert or a comedian or a football game, but when you sit and hear the word of God, the anticipation suddenly leaves.”

When a movie or a TV show or a sporting event is more exciting to you than hearing the word of God preached and taught, you need a spiritual revival in your soul.