To Serve or Not to Serve

The Greatest

I want to share a story out of Luke that highlights a struggle between sisters, that I feel many of us struggle with in todays world.

Have you ever struggled with being so busy that you forget what the most important thing that there is? Jesus

I want to make a strong statement being BUSY does not make you a super saint!

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 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.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Martha thought surely Jesus would correct her sister Mary for not doing what she was doing! Being busy with preparations for Jesus

I am almost certain that this rebuke from Jesus probably did not sit well with Martha.

Have you ever went to the Lord to tell on someone for not being more like you??

Can it be, that like Martha some of us in this room can be anxious and troubled about things that hinder our time with Jesus?

Luke 10:42 ESV

42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

What might be gained if we all learned to sit and learn from our savior in such away that what was gained would not be taken from us.

1 Peter 5:6–8 ESV

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Anxieties leave an open door for the enemy

Psalm 55:22 ESV

22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Martha Martha Martha!

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Learn from me - This is what Mary was doing!

Sometimes we need to learn how to sit at the feet of our Great Teacher

So how do we balance this to serve or not to serve?

Our first obligation is always to sit and learn.

Service can not be a substitute for our time spent with Jesus!

Some of us can substitute our business as time spent with the Lord!

While being mad at others who are not busy like us!

1 Peter 4:7–11 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We must all stay strong in the Lord with our gifts as we surrender their service to our Brothers And Sisters.

In Closing:

We must spend time at the feet of the great Teacher and from that place it will empower us, to bring our gifts of service to the table without being worried about what Mary is doing or not doing!!

The Greatest Servant is the least not the busiest!