ONE THING IS NECESSARY

Luke 10:38 ESV

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.

Luke 10:39 ESV

And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

Luke 10:40 ESV

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

Luke 10:41 ESV

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

Luke 10:42 ESV

but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

In their book First Things First, Stephen Covey, Roger, and Rebecca Merrill ask this penetrating question: “What is the one activity that you know, if you did superbly well and consistently, would have significant positive results in your life? "

If you know these things would make such a significant difference, why are you not doing them now?

What is the one activity that you know, if you did superbly well and consistently, would have significant positive results in your walk with God?

If you know this would make such a significant difference, why did you not do it this week?

WHY IS THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?

LUKE 10:1-17, 25-36

Sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to His Word is the one thing necessary in life.

DISTRACTED DISCIPLE

SHE STARTED WELL

Luke 10:38 ESV

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.

HUPODECHOMAI = TO EMBRACE - TO ENTERTAIN

BUT QUICKLY FELL.

Luke 10:40 ESV

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

Luke 10:41 ESV

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

DISTRACTED = TO BE PULLED AWAY FROM

SHE RUSHED PAST JESUS TO GET TO WORK FOR JESUS

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN DOING SOMETHING FOR JESUS AND BEING WITH JESUS.

JESUS IS DELICATE WITH THE DISTRACTED

Luke 10:41 ESV

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

John 11:5 ESV

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

JESUS IS DELICATE WITH THE DISTRACTED BECAUSE THEY WILL BECOME DEVOTED.

John 12:1 ESV

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

John 12:2 ESV

So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.

DEVOTED DISCIPLE

SHE STARTED WELL

Luke 10:42 ESV

but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

NOT GOOD OVER EVIL BUT BETTER OVER GOOD

BECAUSE SHE FELL.

Luke 10:39 ESV

And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

SITTING IS THE POSTURE OF SUBMISSION

BEING BEFORE DOING

SITTING BEFORE SERVING

SITTING BEFORE EVERYTHING

John 11:32 ESV

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

LISTENING TO HIS WORD DEEPENS OUR DEVOTION.

John 12:3 ESV

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

SITTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS IS THE ONE THING NECESSARY FOR YOU TO SPEND YOUR LIFE FOR JESUS.