Peace or Pieces

Intro: There are many pressures and distractions in this world that it is easy to fall to pieces.

Students have pressure to get good grades, pass the standardized tests, get into college, get a good job to pay off the college, dating, drugs, managing social life etc. Adults have work, bills, concern for their children’s needs and well being, retirement, keeping up with an ever evolving tech world. We have wars, rumors of wars, violence in the streets, a drug epidemic, political unrest. So much to do, so little time to do it...it is difficult to find peace and easy to fall into pieces. God’s Word gives us insight as how not to fall apart.

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Distracted

(To be pulled apart or drawn in different directions.  To have one’s attention diverted)

Distracted driving is a real problem. The other day a driver nearly ran me off the road as he was driving while texting.  It really scared me how distracted he was.  His failure to pay attention to his driving nearly made me spill my cereal. Can anyone here make the argument that serving the Lord is a bad thing? Martha became distracted by all the serving that needed accomplished. What would have happened if Martha had sat down at Jesus’ feet as well?

Luke 8:40–56 ESV

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Jesus could have been distracted by the great need Jairus had. Jairus obviously got to Jesus with his need causing Jesus to head to the man’s house (This is called compassion.) Yet when a woman, also in need reaches out and touches Him, He stops and forgetting the minutes He takes a moment with her. What distracts us from focussing on God? If we are too busy to spend time with God then we are too busy.

Anxious

experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. wanting something very much, typically with a feeling of unease The original Greek here means to “go to pieces because you are drawn apart.” Martha, as described by Jesus, was having an anxiety attack and breaking down. She became visibly angry...like water that gets too hot boils in order to cool down. Sometimes we can lash out in anger as a way of “cooling off” lowering our anxiety levels.  That is why 12 step programs include people with anger issues. Martha was trying to live up to a cultural or personal expectation that Jesus clearly did not care about. I wonder how Jairus felt when Jesus stopped on the way to save his daughter’s life to share a moment with this woman that had been healed. Driving Danielle to Riley Children’s Hospital and was stopped in traffic. What makes us anxious 10.Anxiety and fear reveals where we lack faith Ask the Lord to give you faith in these areas 12. Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

When we hear about Christ and His promises it stirs our faith. Rather we are reading the word or sitting at Jesus feet prayerfully listening He grants us faith to overcome our anxieties. 13.Notice what Jesus said when the bad news of Jairus’ daughter came.  “Do Not Fear.” 14.Jesus did not allow a pressing urgent situation to distract Him from what the Father wanted Him to do.  Nor did He fear the outcome for doing so.

One Thing

City Slickers “One Thing” What do we chase after that God never told us to? What do we need that God has not supplied? Jesus taught us to worry about nothing.  He knows what we need before we even ask.  But we must seek Him and His kingdom and everything else will be provided. This is what Mary was doing...sitting at Jesus feet seeking Him and His ways. She was not distracted by the demands of the world or the pressures of society...she just wanted to be in the presence of the Lord.   While other things and opportunities will come and go your time with Jesus is never wasted time.

Conclusion:

The opposite of distraction is focussed The opposite of fear/anxiety is faith When we remember the One Thing, Jesus and His Kingdom, and by faith we focus on Him then we never need to fall apart.  I was reminded of this at a small Baptist Church in Southeast Ohio where the pastor preached on the Millennial Reign of Christ.  When Christ is King there is peace...When He is King of our heart then our heart has peace.