Our Relationship to Christ

Text: Luke 10:38-42.

After salvation our number one goal should be to focus our heart to pursue the Lord Jesus, and grow in our relationship with him.

Philippians 3:7–11 KJV 1900

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Sometimes we focus so much on what needs to be done, or even on what we should be doing, that we make those things our focus. It is good for us to be doers, it is good for us to be involved in ministry, it is good for us be mindful of what we should be doing. Spiritually success is not found in what you do, but in who you know. It is brought through our encounters with God, and us knowing the heart and mind of Christ. That is the key to our life being transformed.

Hear the word, then do the work...

Read: Luke 10:38-42.

Notice that both Martha and Mary are in close proximity with Jesus? He is in the same house with both of them being present. (vs. 38)

But… who is closer? Why?

Mary is commended for choosing the “good part”. (vs. 42)

Her posture of sitting demonstrates her humility.

Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe the reason we are not more like Mary, willing to sit at Jesus’ feet is because of our own agenda? There are times in our life, where God is asking us to be still, but all we want to do is be busy doing…

What is wrong with what Martha is doing?

Martha’s primary issue is NOT that she was serving, but that she was “cumbered” about with much serving. (vs. 40)

Cumbered is speaking of her service being to her a hindrance, an obstruction, or even a burden.

Martha found herself in a place where the work was actually what was telling her to do, instead of the Saviour. We see this play out in these verses. When the Lord Jesus arrives at her house, after she receives Him into her home she appears to not have any time for Him, but rather has busied herself about.

Question: Is Jesus the reason that Martha decides that she needs to be involved in telling Him what He should be telling others to do, or is it the work? Martha’s dysfunctional “service” was leading others into the dysfunction...

Jesus characterizes Martha’s service as being “careful and troubled about many things”

What does the mind of Christ tell us about this?

Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Mark 4:19 “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

Luke 21:34 “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”

Can you see how all of this care could actually hinder your relationship, rather than help it? God calls us to take our cares to Him, and trust that He will take care of them...

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Practical Application:

Each of us every day need time in the word to hear from the Lord.

There still might be work that is unfinished, but it can wait after our time in His word is completed.

That doesn’t mean that we neglect commitments that we have made however, it may mean that we have to wake up earlier to ensure that we can accomplish both. (1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” )

The reality is as teens and even adults that we love sleep… (Proverbs 19:15 “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 20:13 “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” )

Closing: Our relationship with Christ is contingent upon the time that we make for Him. It requires us to be disciplined stewards of our time and effort. If we make a commitment to help someone at 7 am, then we need to do that. It might just require us to get us at 5:30 am to spend time with the Lord before heading off to help someone else.

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