Only One Thing

Luke 10:38-42

Introduction: (2-3 Minutes)

Question: “If I were to ask you right now the question of “How are you doing”, what would your response be?”

You’d get multiple answers. Some would shrug it off and say “Oh, I’m good” without giving it much thought. Others might be straight upfront and honest

However, at some point or another, the “B” word would get thrown around or used to describe what’s truly going on in our life at the current moment — the busy word.

It’d be hard to find someone in the room that disagrees with the concept of whether or not they’re busy.

I want to read from a passage today that discusses the idea that busyness doesn’t always correlate with the idea of being.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

Now as they went on their way, Jesus

Pray

Some Interesting Things To Note Before We Dive In and Extract What the Text Says.

a. Jesus entered the village first -- He Himself is the initiator in all things.

Within the text, there are three individuals in the mix: Jesus, Martha, and Mary

Martha welcomed Him into the home; Mary kept Him in the house.  

1. Mary’s Position

Martha's distraction caused her to miss the primary reason of why she invited Jesus into the house in the first place -- for Him.

Martha's anxiousness and trouble that she finds herself in is a direct correlation to the work she is tied to.

Mary positions herself not only in the place to be with the Lord, but also to hear clearly from Him.

Proximity to Jesus Illustration - Need 3 Volunteers

The goal of this illustration is to have three volunteers represent those in the story: Jesus, Martha, and Mary. Jesus and Mary are in the center, and Martha is on the complete opposite side of the room unable to hear what Jesus has communicated to Mary. When Martha asks Mary what Jesus communicated to him/her, this reveals a

Our proximity to Christ will determine our ability to distinctively hear and discern Him.

So many times I wonder if we’ve simply missed Him in spite of everything going on around us. Have the choices we have made to do drawn us away from the original call of Jesus to be?

Define the term call

Before Christ calls you to something, He first calls you to Himself.

What you do does not determine who you are.

Who you are determines what you do.

It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it.

A. W. Tozer

2. Mary’s Obsession

Relationship Illustration

The goal of this illustration is to first engage with the audience. Begin with a question, asking “How many of you are in a relationship at this moment?” Then, talk about those who did not raise their hands and describe how the waters are open.

The point is to illustrate that in a relationship, if you simply had an obsession for what the others person could provide and what they could give, things would fizzle out real quick.

Instead, when the desire is in the person himself/herself, this makes way for intimacy to grow and the relationship to flourish.

Mary’s obsession is rooted in the reward of her obsession: Christ Himself!

She recognizes that Jesus does not own her ANYTHING; however, it is when she recognizes this that she gain EVERYTHING in Him.

He Himself is the reward. No opportunity, no job titles, no way that He could use you and I, nothing is of the same value or reward as Jesus is.

Mary does not just give a glimpse of attention to Jesus, she gives her full obsession unto Him.

3. Mary’s Choice

The choice Mary made is the same choice God is offering unto all who desire Him and nothing else or less.

If you truly encounter the love of Jesus, the only response you can have is to love Him back with your entirety.

the choice is and should be this:

“To Find the Love of Jesus, and to choose to love him back”

You say, “How do I know this is the opportunity I am supposed to say yes to?

“Find the love of Jesus, and choose to love Him back.”

“What will the future look like if I don’t even have a clue of what I’m supposed to do right now?”

“Find the love of Jesus, and choose to love Him back.”

“How do I put myself in a position to be used by the Lord?”

“Find the love of Jesus, and choose to love Him back.”

The response of Mary is not one that’s looking to be used by Jesus. No, the response of Mary is one to bask completely, fully, entirely, and wholeheartedly in the person and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why Does This Matter?

Was Martha’s attitude to serve Jesus in of itself sinful? No

Did Jesus look down upon Martha when she was serving Him? No

Does Jesus despise you who use the gifts and skills He has given you to serve Him? Absolutely Not

We should work with the hands of Martha, but yet keep near the Master with the heart of Mary. Faithful Stewardship, Volume 41, Sermon #2440 -1 Corinthians 4:2

Charles Spurgeon

If you’re asking how to adopt this same attitude in your life today, I want you to encourage you in the following:

Recognize today that God is still calling you to Himself.

— no matter the things you have done or the times you have missed His presence; He desires you to return His love for you with love for Him.

Reflect and evaluate where you have traded sitting at His feet for serving in His name.

You’re not an employee of Jesus; you’re to be a lover of Himself.

Respond as Mary did — positioning herself close enough to hear and choose the one thing that cannot nor will ever be taken away from her.