It's Time to Capture the Moment

Luke 10:38–42 NIV84

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

THERE ARE FOUR KEYS TO CAPTURING THE MOMENT

KEY #1. REPLACE THE URGENT WITH THE SIGNIFICANT.

Luke 10:39 NIV84

39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

Matthew 6:34 The Message

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Key #2 REPLACE THE PHYSICAL PREPARATION WITH SPIRITUAL PREPARATION.

Luke 10:40 NIV84

40 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!”

Moment: Something that happens that enhances your relationship with God and people.

Colossians 3:2 The Message

2 Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Key #3. REPLACE THE SELF-ABSORPTION WITH PERSONAL REFLECTION.

Luke 10:40 NIV

40 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!”

Luke 10:41–42 NIV84

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

You need a New Heart for Christmas!

Lamentations 3:40 The Message

40 Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living and reorder our lives under God.

Psalm 139:23–24 NLT

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

KEY #4. REPLACE THE SUPERFICIAL WITH THE SUPERNATURAL.

These moments boil down to choices.

Luke 10:42 NIV84

42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jeremiah 9:23–24 NIV84

23 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

God wants you to capture the moment.

God wants you to love the things He loves at Christmas… Kindness, compassion, righteousness…

HOW NOT TO MISS GOD’S PRESENCE AND PURPOSE THIS CHRISTMAS

1. SIT

PRAY

CONNECT with the Lord and His People

SERVE

2. LISTEN

Open Up

3. CHOOSE WHAT IS BETTER

Relationships

Spiritual Renewal

Transformation

ARE YOU PREPARED?