AM - VICTORY Over Stress - Part 1

INTRODUCTION

Turn in your Bibles to Luke 10 this Morning!

We are inching closer towards the end of the year -

Although, we will NOT exhaust the ways to overcoming obstacles in your life -

The Word of God is completely inexhaustible for your success, if you will just READ & RESPOND - RELIABLY!

And so, we will be concluding our Church Theme for 2024 - “ACHIEVING VICTORY IN THE LORD, STARTING IN 2024”, before too long!

This Morning, as we are facing the more fast-paced holidays - with church, family, work parties - AND ULTIMATELY END OF THE YEAR SCHEDULES -

Many times, we can be overcome with the pressures of STRESS!

JOKE - It is kind of like - “Why did the stressed out MATH book look so sad? BECAUSE IT HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS!”

So, for many of us - we are left trying to figure out -

“Just HOW - am I going to get ALL this food for Thanksgiving together IN TIME before everyone arrives?

HOW - am I going to lose ALL this weight from Thanksgiving, with Christmas just right around the corner?

HOW - do I get ALL the Christmas presents that everyone seems to want, this year?

HOW - am I going to afford the rising costs of food, gas, and health care?

HOW - can I stretch our financial budget through the end of the month - LET ALONE THE YEAR?

HOW - will I pay off ALL those credit card bills - from the holidays?

HOW - am I supposed to figure ALL of this out, manage it, and not go stark-raving mad?”

The problem is simply - LIFE INVOLVES THE PRESENCE OF PROBLEMS!

And trying, or attempting to try, to figure out the solution to the myriad of all those problems causes stress!

That is why statistics show that -

30% of adults indulge in comfort foods MORE THAN USUAL when faced with stressful events -

62% of adults do NOT talk to others about their stress because they do not want to burden others -

61% believe that others around them expect them to just get over their stress.

While 47%, just WISH they had someone to help them manage their stress -

And 36% of adults do NOT even know where to start, when it comes to managing their stress

Hence - ongoing stress accumulates,

Causing inflammation,

Wears on the immune system, and

Increases the risk of ailments like -

Digestive issues,

Heart disease,

Weight gain, and

Stroke!

Therefore, even for God’s people, there is certainly the presence of anxiety and stress - due to the influx of problems!

And we often will drift into the mindset -

That life is hopeless!

For if I cannot seem to overcome stress, at it’s basest of levels -

If I cannot find any means of utilization to help me cope with my stress - on so many levels of life

Then - what am I supposed to do, and how do I continue on?

And what seems to happen next is -

The presence and practice of worldly means to gain some kind of relief!

Ladies & Gentlemen - that is what the devil wants you to think!

IF, I just indulge in a LITTLE MORE CHOCOLATE - it just has that calming effect on me!

IF, I can just take a LITTLE LONGER NAP, MORE OFTEN - that seems to help rejuvenate me!

IF, I can just take A FEW MORE PILLS - then maybe I can make it till things ease up!

NOW! Is there anything inadvertently wrong with a little bit of chocolate in moderation, occasional naps, or wise usage of prescription medication?

Of course not - unless, that is ALWAYS the “GO-TO” choice for immediate relief!

This Morning, in our text, we are going to see one who was overtaken with the faithful habit of stress!

If you are here this morning, and find yourself encompassed with stress - from the least of pressures -

THEN PLEASE SIT UP,

TUNE EVERYTHING ELSE OUT, &

BE ENCOURAGED -

THAT THE PRESSURES OF STRESS ARE INDEED REAL!

BUT - IT DOES NOT HAVE TO RULE OVER YOU

WHEN WE LEARN GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIVING!

If you have found Luke 10, and are physically able to stand - PLEASE STAND FOR THE READING OF THE WORD OF GOD!

Luke 10:38–42 - “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. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 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. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

This Morning, I Want to Draw Your Attention to the words of our loving and patient Saviour -

In all of the hurried-ness on display, from Martha -

Christ calmly, compassionately, & congenially calls out - in the moment of her anxiety -

“Martha, Martha, thou art careful (“FULL OF CARE”) and troubled about MANY things:”

How many can identify with Martha, this morning?

There is just the presence of too many pressures, and the stress is just overwhelming!

And if life is NOT full of cares for you, then you are finding something to waste your care upon?

IN OTHER WORDS, YOU ARE STRESSED ABOUT BEING A WORRY-WART!

The Lord Jesus kindly and carefully rebukes her with - “Thou art careful and troubled about many things: BUT ONE THING (JUST ONE THING!) IS NEEDFUL”

This Morning, Maybe I Am Addressing A Wearied & Worn from Stressful Christian, perhaps THE Martha(s) suffering from this diabolical & debilitating device -

There is HOPE, and it is found IN ONE, & ONLY ONE!

Let’s Pray, and we will have the Message - “Victory Over Stress.”

By Way of Introduction - Let Me Ask You ONE Question to help stoke some thought and tranquility - this morning before commencing the message

“WHEN YOU ARE SO STRESSED ABOUT ____(fill in the blank)____

HOW MUCH MORE REASSURING WOULD IT BE TO JUST HAVE ONE COURSE OF ACTION?”

There are those, who will go for counselling, to receive help by varying methods, and for varying motives -

And the increasing stress that MUST begin to build from those counsellors, who are instructing with SO MANY STEPS that you MUST TAKE, in order to relinquish stress!

TAKE FOR EXAMPLE - WHEN YOU GET ANGRY - you might hear things, like...

#1 - Leave the area of confrontation!

#2 - Go outside!

#3 - Kick the closest tree possible!

#4 - Take a walk to de-stress!

#5 - Express yourself out in the open!

#6 - Get it ALL out of your system!

#7 - Take a BIG, DEEP, & cleansing breath!

#8 - THEN - RETURN BACK TO REALITY!

That is A LOT of steps to remember & then rehearse -

Consequently, the PRACTICE of SOME of those steps will result with the PRESENCE of PAIN to yourself; and maybe, consequently to others, unawares, close by!

AGAIN! - HOW REASSURING & RELIEVING WOULD JUST ONE CONSTANT COURSE OF ACTION BE!

Well, we will see that in the opposing demeanor of two ladies at home, with the Lord Jesus Christ present.

From our text, this morning, we are privileged to see a familiar lifestyle known to so many of us - illustrated to us, by the stress-filled actions of a mind that seeks perfection!

Perhaps, you can possibly associate with some of the characteristics seen, before us - as Christ calls out Martha, for -

Being Cumbered About.

That word cumbered simply means “being distracted and pulled in different directions”.

But one very interesting note, that I would like to bring to your attention, concerning this human trait -

In this passage, this verb phrase - “cumbered about”, in the Greek language, is in the IMPERFECT TENSE -

In other words, being cumbered about, is a trait that most human beings continually repeatedly carry out.

NOW! HOW MANY THIS MORNING, CAN RELATE TO THIS HUMAN TRAIT?

How often do YOU allow yourself to get so distracted and pulled in different directions, and often, ON A CONTINUAL BASIS?

The answer I am afraid to say is - WAY TOO MANY TIMES!

For Martha, we can see from our text, was certainly in a frenzy over many things - and had probably set an unprecedented amount of work to try & get accomplished, on the day that Jesus Christ showed up to her home!

She probably was STILL vacuuming the carpets, cleaning the windows, and trying to fix a 6-course meal for her, Mary, & the Lord Jesus - ALL AT THE SAME TIME!

Is it truly ANY WONDER - she responded, OUT OF STRESS, the way that she did?

She was so busy about many things, missing the MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, while Mary was caught, just sitting and relaxing on the floor, and listening to what Jesus had to say!

For you, here this morning, could it be said, that you get so easily distracted continually over many things - let’s just narrow it down to Sundays?

While trying to get the family ready for church on SUNDAY MORNING, instead of Saturday night -

While trying to get lunch in the oven, or the crockpot, so you can eat, take a nap, and head back to church early for choir practice -

While trying to speed like a maniac, heading to church, all the while looking for police, and carrying on that argument that you and your spouse did NOT finish earlier-

While trying to get out the door!

Only to get to church, and find -

Someone missed a few spots of dirt on the auditorium carpet - I GOTTA GO VACUUM IT, QUICK!

While getting the vacuum out of the closet, and heading back, there was a trash can in the bathroom, needing emptying, that was missed.

WHAT’S NEXT???

Let me hurry & vacuum, so I can empty the trash can!

Heading to go find your seat, to sit down - there is a light out in one of the light fixtures!

GOOD GRIEF! --- We CANNOT have a light bulb out - THAT WILL BE TOO DISTRACTING FOR OTHERS!

UGGGGH!

OOOOH! --- There’s the pastor!~

Hey Pastor, would you please PRAY for so-n-so...... they are...

HEY! What is that on your coat?

It’s a string, let me get it!

OOPS!

OH! I’m SOOOOOOO sorry!

Now you have a BOO-BOO!

DO YOU SEE WHAT I AM OVER-ILLUSTRATING - in the presence of being cumbered about?

And - We can rightfully apply this to our everyday lives, as a Child of God!

Therefore, we sit in confusion, as to WHY we cannot achieve victory in our lives!

Could it be that we have allowed ourselves to get so stressed out - just like Martha????

Well - it doesn’t stop there -

Not only does Christ call out Martha for being CUMBERED ABOUT -

The Lord Takes Notice to Her Being Cumbered About - MUCH SERVING.

No doubt, Martha was encumbered about, with TOO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE!~

Trying to prepare a meal for everyone present -

Trying to entertain for all involved -

Totally full of care -

The same word used by the Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing”

Be careful, be full of care, for nothing

Be anxious for nothing!

And the self-chiding application alludes to our taking on too many things at one time -

And as a result we, like Martha, become too overwhelmed, anxious, and completely stressed out - for attempting so many things!

And, if we are not careful, we can allow ourselves EVEN IN THE COURSE OF MINISTRY AND LIFE - to head full speed onward towards EXTREMES.

WHAT A TRAVESTY THAT PLAYS OUT, AND DOES NOT HAVE TO BE!

We, therefore, lose our JOY in serving Jesus,

And if NOT caught & addressed early on -

The stress from such a lifestyle will rob us of the victorious life that Christ means for us to have!

The purpose or lesson of the message this morning is, we do not focus on the characteristics of Martha - for answers to overcoming stress, and achieving victory in our lives!

There is another individual, that we must needs to examine, and gain some practical applications - seen from our passage!

While Martha Was Cumbered (Continually Distracted), MARY WAS CALM! - Luke 10:39 - “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat”.

Notice - The Presence of Mary’s Sitting Shows Her Humility!

In Bible times, the one who is a disciple or “a student who learns from an experienced teacher”, would thus sit on the ground, at the feet of the teacher!

For time-sake, we will turn not to, but in Acts 22:3, but we find the Apostle Paul exercising this same kind of humility in his learning, while sitting at the feet of Gamaliel.

Acts 22:3 - “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”

This also shows that Mary was eager TO HEAR just what the Lord Jesus had to say!

She was NOT so busy being impressive before Him, because He already knew her heart!

She was trying to be so careful, as to not miss a word that came from His mouth -

Or, the Truth, that could be found in His conversations!

WHAT A LESSON, we ALL could benefit from!

This Also Shows a Readiness to Receive the Message Being Given!

It is truly paramount that a CALM HEART, is also a HUMBLE HEART -

And can be a true candidate to receive what the Lord Jesus Christ has for us to learn!

Psalm 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God”.

That is exactly what David is expressing here in the Book of Psalms -

When he said, BE STILL - he means to FIRST - “be properly cast down, to let fall, to be relaxed.”

What a perfect description of humility before the LORD!

AND THEN, you can “know that I am God”

When we are hurried around, & in a rat-race -

When we are all TOO BUSY, over-worked, and eaten up with anxiety -

How Can You Expect to FULLY AND TRULY KNOW -

Ascertain

Observe

Answer to

Comprehend

Discover

Be familiar With Almighty God!

The answer is that - we simply CAN NOT!

And for many of us - from the pulpit to the pew - THE APPLICATION STARTS BY HUMBLING OURSELVES!

But that seems to strike at the very core of our lives - it goes against our own human nature, for we seem to be programmed to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps!

We have SO MUCH that is riding upon what we do, & don’t do!

We have to contrive an answer for every problem, in the world, that surfaces itself!

If we were to cease to exist, HOW WOULD THE EARTH CONTINUE TO SPIN ON IT’S AXIS!

LISTEN UP! WHAT BRINGS ABOUT THE CALMNESS, IN YOUR LIVES, COMMENCES WITH YOUR HUMILITY!

When life seems to begin stacking up around you, and billowing trial, after pressure, after hardship at you -

The answer to overcoming stress revolves around your remaining calm - and

By humbling yourself while sitting at the feet of Jesus! - James 4:10 - “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Sitting Not Only Shows Humility

Sitting Results In Being Rested!

What a troubling sight, Martha must have been before the Lord Jesus Christ!

As we tried to paint an illustrative picture of life in the Home of Martha and Mary -

While little is given concerning Mary, while she simply sat at the feet of Jesus

What a contrast is seen in the busy-ness of Martha!

Never TRULY attempting to give attention to the fact that JESUS WAS IN THE HOUSE!

Never TRULY attempting, from the Word of God, to meet His personal needs -

Was He thirsty, from the dusty trip, probably on foot!

How about cleaning his tired and dirty feet, upon His entrance?

Nor, showing any kind of respect as an hostess -

Welcoming Him into their home!

We just read that “Martha received him into her home.”

What a STARTLING CONTRAST that is seen in Luke 10:39, referencing Martha’s sister Mary.

Luke 10:39 - “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”

NOW - I’m NO rocket scientist, but to me, sitting is NOT very strenuous labor; especially in comparison to Martha’s activities!

Doesn’t it make sense, that for the individual sitting - more than likely, they will be more calm; than had they been ravaged by extreme busyness?

THE TRUTH HERE IS SIMPLE - there ARE times in life, when we MUST simply sit still - as mentioned earlier!

And doing so, brings several benefits!

Sitting Allows For A Time of Rest!

Rest, as we all know, is so vitally important not just physically, but also spiritually!

It allows us to renew our self in order to start afresh and a new!

Otherwise, you are certainly prone to physical & spiritual burnout!

It happens all the time - especially for those in the ministry!

There are those in this world, and pastors are certainly some of the MOST prone, to believe and practice - Resting is Related to Laziness!

I mean, for the average pastor -

If he is not studying, he is probably having personal time with the Lord.

If he is not spending personal time with the Lord, he is probably busy working feverishly on studying the Scriptures and prayerfully preparing messages for the week!

If he is not studying for messages, he is probably looking out for those who have his attention - through absences, sickness, in the hospital, phone calls, visits, and/or emails!

There is ALWAYS the filler opportunities that HAVE to be done - someone is responsible for creating/maintaining the budget; there are the special meetings like REVIVAL SERVICES, MISSION’S CONFERENCES, & VBS to name a few; there is always the CALLS FROM VISITING MISSIONARIES WHO WANT TO VISIT; there are those who simply need to talk, while others need counselling; what about any maintenance needs that need addressing; plans for expansion and the careful planning involved; times for door to door visitation involving salvation opportunities, inviting others to church, and follow-up from visitors; NOT TO NAME - needs around the home of the pastor! He has a wife, and possibly children at home that need him; there are accidents and problems that occur in the pastor’s home - we don’t live in perfect environments; from time to time, we get into arguments with our wife and children that need attention (BY-THE-WAY, OUR FIRST MINISTRY IS OUR OWN HOME); and Heaven help us, if we would like a few minutes to breathe for our own personal sanity, or crave an outing to a pastor’s fellowship for a little bit of spiritual intake of good Bible-preaching to re-fuel ourselves upon!

Thus - we struggle, when it comes to taking ANY kind of time personally - or what others deem as rest!

Because, there is ALWAYS something that CAN be done -

Only to be reminded by others who have no clue whatsoever!

We know the blessings of the ministry, but there is just as many exhausting points, and more!

I’m not complaining - its just the reality!

Truly - Times for SOME Sitting, for ANY Child of God, Allows for NEEDFUL Rest & Rejuvenation!

It has been stated, and is so true no matter the occupation that you occupy - if you do not take the time and come apart in the work, the work will make you come apart!

Sitting Allows For the Time to Rest!

Sitting ALSO Helps Regain Strength.

Isn’t It Encouraging that God Knows EXACTLY What We Need!

In the 23rd Psalm, we can see an example of the The Good Shepherd, illustrated in the life of David -

Psalm 23:1–4 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul:”

NOW! --- Why is all that rest (ALBEIT SITTING OR LYING DOWN) needed?

Because there is MORE that is expected of us - and you NEED the strength in order to go forward!

Psa. 23:3 - “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psa. 23:4 - “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Therefore, when you take the time to SIT, and meditate upon the Word of God

To allow THE WORD to speak to you from THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD - THEN! --- You Are Able to Be Strengthened for the Remainder of the Journey!

Is it really any wonder WHY so many people are dropping like flies from God, and faithful attendance to the House of God?

Need I Remind You? - 7 Days WITHOUT GOD WILL Make You W-E-A-K!

2 Timothy 3:16 - “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Romans 15:4 - “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

Hebrews 4:12 - “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Psalm 119:105 - “NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.”

Psalm 119:18 - “Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

Psalm 119:11 - “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.”

1 Peter 2:2 - “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

Sitting Allows For the Time to Rest!

Sitting ALSO Helps Regain Strength.

The Blessings of Sitting Can Help Us Learn to Wait Upon God.

There Might Be THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE who leaves the Church Services today, who will go home & tell family & friends - that the preacher is preaching the BLESSING OF JUST SITTING!

NO! THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM ADVOCATING, NOR THE SCRIPTURES READ!

As the take each opportunity to wisely rest, and gather the strength needed for the journey; resting allows us to see the importance of waiting upon the LORD!

Perhaps, you have had the opportunity afforded you to just lie on your back, unable to do nothing - AND SIMPLY WAIT UPON GOD!

BELOVED! That CAN BE one of the most sweetest times in your life!

I KNOW - I HAVE BEEN THERE!

Sometimes, God has to put us into those certain situations, where He forces us to WAIT UPON HIM!

Not because He is mean, but out of love for us - truly knowing what is best!

That is what was going on in the 40th chapter of Isaiah!

The Children of Israel were about to be released from captivity - where they had a long time to sit and think about WHAT was going on!

To simply be forced to STOP and contemplate WHO truly is in Sovereign Control of all things - EVEN HIS OWN DISOBEDIENT CHILDREN!

YES! DEAR SAINT OF GOD - I FULLY BELIEVE THAT TAKING TIME TO SIT AT THE FEET OF JESUS IS MOST HUMBLING - FOR WHO HE TRULY IS!

Isaiah 40:28–31 “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, That the everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; And to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.”

OH YES! I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS GREAT BLESSING IN STORE, WHEN WE PURPOSELY STOP AND SIT AT THE FEET OF THE MASTER!

While Martha Was Cumbered, MARY WAS CALM

While Martha Was Speaking, Mary WAS SILENT. - Luke 10:39 - “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”

Sometimes, we ALL need to be reminded that God has blessed us with 2 Ears, AND ONLY ONE MOUTH!

The value can be found in doing more listening, and a lot less talking!

We do not have any record that Mary spoke, or interjected any thoughts, questions, observations, or objections - while the Lord Jesus was speaking!

She just sat there and listened!

PLEASE DO NOT GET ME WRONG! I totally understand, the value of asking questions to learn!

But how many times, do we miss out on learning something very important -

Because we are trying to step ahead in time, to outsmart or overthink, or show some sign of superiority - by blatantly blurting out what -

Our minds are already at work, trying to think of what is going to be said next -

And missing out, entirely on TRUTH being said in the first place!

How Many Times Do We Practice, in the quietness of our minds, while someone is trying to help you -

“If this is spoken, then my question to ask is _____________________!”

Or - “If this point is made, or another obvious fact is overlooked, then it is my responsibility to speak out!”

When I first started out in - TRYING to sell insurance -

I, unwittingly, would give my instructor the worst fits - while working one-on-one!

They would be TRYING to teach me -

Some question would IMMEDIATELY pop into my head, AND I WAS JUST ABOUT TO EXPLODE, WAITING FOR THEM TO FINISH - SO I COULD ASK MY QUESTION!

Much to my dismay & EMBARRASSMENT - there were times, that my instructor would inform me that she could see the wheels turning

And that while I was so impatient with the questions, I TOTALLY missed out on the answer that was JUST given!

OR - MY QUESTIONS AND INTERJECTIONS WOULD BE TOTALLY UNRELATED!

The problem commences first, with not humbling ourselves, which leads to the inability to remain hushed - so we can learn from the LORD!

Just like in the classroom with the MOST PATIENT INSTRUCTOR -

How frustrating to HER was the lecture times,

Due to my NOT remaining hushed -

Due to not humbling myself,

So that truth could be taught!

And rather invoked STRESS, almost immediately!