What’s Worth Worrying About?
Notes
Transcript
Story: Hurricane Helene
Over the past 8-9 years, we have spent a week on vacation in the same general area of Florida…
I love the beach…I don’t so much love the ocean
I’m a “Land Animal”
I don’t swim…I survive
This past week, Hurricane Helene hit Florida just to the east of the area we often visit.
There are Facebook groups for the communities in Florida and all week long, people were talking about — and WORRYING about — the storm that was coming
All day on Thursday (when the hurricane hit), people were posting on Facebook all day…
They were watching various webcams around the beach areas — I admit to turning it on and watching a bit too — but some people took it to a whole different level than me
There were evacuation orders in place and every time a person or vehicle showed up on a camera, a couple people would post…
“Who is that???”
“Are they safe???”
“Where will they stay???”
“What about his dog???”
I’m convinced those individuals got nothing done all day because they were distracted by worry over something they couldn’t do anything about
Don’t misunderstand… Hurricanes are devastating and we should pray for the people affected.
But sitting and staring at a webcam hundreds of miles away and being so scared you can’t productively do anything isn’t helpful. It is just plain, old-fashioned WORRY.
Quote: “Worry is a waste of the imagination”
Worry steals creativity
Worry steals time
Worry steals focus
Worry steals productivity
NO ONE has ever said, “Man…I feel so much better after worrying all day!”
Today, we’re going to pause and listen as Jesus interacts with a lady named Martha and her sister Mary. Martha is very worried and distracted…and Jesus is going to give her some instruction that will also serve you and I well.
PRAY
God’s Story: Mary and Martha (for kids) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFBkyDc6bIc
Luke 10:38–42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
I’m thankful for Martha.
If Martha hadn’t opened her home, none of this would have happened.
If Martha hadn’t invited Jesus, Mary wouldn’t have had anyone to listen to.
If Martha wasn’t busy, no one would have eaten.
Martha gets a bad rap here but the truth is…without Martha, the story is over.
Yes, she messed some things up…but at least she took a shot.
Don’t let the fear of being wrong rob you of the chance to be right.
It’s ok to try…and mess up…and course correct…and try again.
Quote: Maya Angelou
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”
Story: Connect Christian Church
Overall…
Began in 1885 with a few dozen people
Long story of trying, making mistakes, learning, and trying again
One of those moments — North Heights…
We launched in 2022…did some things well…made some other mistakes…
We re-launched in 2024…doing some more things well…probably making more mistakes that we don’t know we’re making yet
Connect Christian Church Value — NEXT
One of our values the word NEXT — “We are not done.”
We will continue learning and taking Next Steps as long as we exist.
I’m thankful for Martha.
Her sister Mary gets all the credit for wanting to hang out at Jesus’ feet
But I want to give Martha all the credit for inviting Jesus into their home
She didn’t know what she was doing but she didn’t freeze in the fear of the unknown
Let me ask you a question…
What have you been avoiding doing because you’re not sure you’ll get it right???
Maybe it’s time to open your home to Jesus…
Even if you’re full of worries
Even if you’re all the way “cleaned up” yet
Even if you’re missing some of the answers
Having said all that…let’s take a look at some of Martha’s mistakes…because MAYBE we tend to make the same exact mistakes and this might help you and me to avoid these traps…
Verse 40 — Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
By my count, Martha made at least 5 mistakes…
(THERE’S A REAL GOOD CHANCE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE YOURSELF MAKING SOME OF THESE MISTAKES…)
Mistake #1 — Be overwhelmed with tasks
“preparations that HAD to be made…RIGHT NOW!”
Mistake #2 — Compare your situation to someone else’s
“my sister has left me…TO DO SOMETHING BETTER!”
Mistake #3 — Wallow in self-pity
“by myself…BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE CARES ABOUT ME!”
Mistake #4 — Tell Jesus what to do
“Tell her to help me…AND FIX THIS FOR ME!”
Overarching Mistake — Lose focus on Jesus
“Martha was distracted…BY EVERYTHING THAT WAS NOT JESUS.”
As we return to Luke 10, it could be argued that the central tension in the event wasn’t so much that Martha lost focus as it was that Mary was a woman and culturally, only men would have been allowed to sit and listen to Jesus teach.
HOWEVER…if that were the case, Jesus’ response to Martha would certainly have referenced the gender issue. BUT…He didn’t. What He did reference, though, was the FOCUS issue. This passage is NOT about gender roles or cultural issues…it IS about how disciples of Jesus should live.
This is what Jesus responded to Martha…
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
At the crossroads of opportunity…
Martha had chosen to meet personal and cultural expectations.
Mary had chosen to lean in and listen to Jesus.
To sum all of this up incredibly simply and bluntly…
When Jesus is present…you be all in.
There is an element where, YES, I want you to be like Martha…
Open your home…invite Jesus in…take a risk
But by and large, I want you to be a church full of Mary’s…
When the doors open, gather.
When the Oikos happens, gather.
When the Midweek group assembles, gather.
When you see something from Connect Christian Church on Facebook, pause and listen.
When you wake up in the morning, read the Bible.
When you get in your car, sing songs of praise to Jesus.
When you go to work, carry the Holy Spirit in with you.
When someone asks you where you find hope, point to Jesus.
When Jesus is present, you be all in.
(AND JUST AS A REMINDER…JESUS IS ALWAYS PRESENT…SO YOU’RE ALWAYS ALL IN.)
What Does The Bible Say About Busyness / Being Too Busy? - https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-busyness.html
Good News For The Marthas Among Us - https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/good-news-for-the-marthas-among-us/
INVITATION: Repent…Confess…Baptized…Follow
CHALLENGE: Be ALL IN.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What do you think Jesus meant when he said, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.'?
In your life, what is one thing that often distracts you from focusing on what really matters?
How can we relate to Martha's feelings of being overwhelmed with tasks in our own lives?
Can you share a time when you felt overwhelmed with responsibilities?
How did it affect your well-being?
How does comparing ourselves to others, like Martha did with Mary, affect our peace and focus?
Think of a time when you compared yourself to someone else. How did that impact your feelings and actions?
Why do you think it's important to 'be all in' when Jesus is present?
What are some practical ways you can be more 'all in' in your relationship with Jesus, especially in your daily life?
What are some 'Next Steps' you can take in your own spiritual journey?
What is one specific action you can take this week to move forward in your faith?
NEXT STEPS:
What have you been avoiding because you’re not sure you’ll get it right? Consider taking action on this Next Step.
If you have been avoiding gathering with other believers for any reason — maybe you’re busy, or nervous around crowds, or unsure if you’ll fit in — consider joining a group today. If you’re not sure which group to join, we would love to help you! Just stop by the Next Steps table and ask!
Commit to being ALL IN with Jesus in every area of your life — from thoughts, to feelings, to words, to actions, to relationships, and beyond!
