Worry About Worship

Jesus’ earthly ministry was quickly coming to an end. You see, on this given day He and His disciples had been traveling between villages, and they came to a place called Bethany. Now Bethany was a familiar place to Jesus. This is the home of his friend Lazarus - the man He had raised from the dead.

New Living Translation Chapter 10

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

Luke 10:38–42 NLT

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38–42 NLT

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus’ earthly ministry was quickly coming to an end. You see, on this given day He and His disciples had been traveling between villages, and they came to a place called Bethany. Now Bethany was a familiar place to Jesus. This is the home of his friend Lazarus - the man He had raised from the dead.

New Living Translation Chapter 10

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

And I believe that it’s quite significant to note, as Dr. Luke is specific with his facts, that the group is heading towards Jerusalem. And the ultimate reason for them heading in that direction was because Jesus was following the direction of His Father, for He knew that His earthly ministry was drawing to a conclusion.

As was the last

And so it is with that frame of mind that we open up the text this morning in

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village (Bethany) where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

It seems as though Jesus has accepted an invitation from his friend, Martha, to host Him & the disciples for some food, fellowship, & fun - sounds like a Life Group! And as can be the case most often, there are preparations that need to be made when having people over to the house. Some of us are better geared for that type of hospitality than others. For some, they thrive hosting people in their homes. Others, it is very stressful. But Martha seems to be up for the task. I mean, after all, she welcomed Jesus into her home! That might be a little intimidating for most people!

So as He and the disciples funnel their way into the home, each finding a place to sit, I can imagine the conversation spills over from their journey. Jesus may have used the opportunity to share more about the parable of the good Samaritan. Maybe explained more about what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. And even though we don’t know exactly what Jesus was teaching at that moment - what we do know is that He was teaching. He was making disciples. Because verse 39 says...

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.

As we’re imagining these men pouring into the home & finding a place to rest and listen, it’s almost as though we could have missed that this one woman, Mary, understood who it was that happened be in her presence - or that she happened to be in His. How many people of that day had the opportunity to host Jesus in their home - Zacchaeus, Simon the Pharisee, a few tax collectors, whoever owned the home that the guys busted up the roof to get their friend in front of Jesus (that guy may not have been so happy to have jesus over). So Mary, against cultural customs, squeezes in between Peter & John so she can have a front row seat with the Son of God.

And Mary just sat there and listened… She was fully consumed in the presence of Jesus. Her eyes were locked on His as He spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven. She intently listened as Jesus unpacked the Scriptures . She consumed word after word without any consideration for what might have been going on around her. And, oh… there was plenty going on around her… Martha… remember?

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

Martha was incredibly busy putting together everything - making sure the lamb was roasted to perfection, carefully preparing the vegetables - cooking them just the right amount of time so that they wouldn’t be to soft & mushy, keeping an eye on the bread so that it didn’t burn, cleaning the olives, grapes, & pomegranates, and making sure everything was set to perfection.

Martha is doing all the work - by herself. Mary is sitting at the feat of Jesus doing nothing to help her sister. Why is Mary just sitting while I’m out here doing all the work? You ever been there? You ever think some of those thoughts? You ever find yourself looking around wondering what everyone is or isn’t doing?

I hope she don’t think that she’s going to get any credit for this meal? I hope she don’t think that she’s going to be eating any of this meal? You know what, this ain’t right; I’m being taken advantage of; they don’t care that I’m out here slaving over everything while they just sit in there and talk; they don’t value me or my work ethic; you know what… I’ve had about enough of this! Jesus better do something! Not only that, but Martha told Jesus exactly what He should do about it. Nothing like bossing Jesus around?!

Luke 10:38–42 NLT

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

New Living Translation Chapter 10

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!

But Jesus doesn’t give her the answer she was looking for. He handles it so well. I wouldn’t have done it that way. I may have thought about saying, “Girl you best get out of my face!” But Jesus says, “My dear Martha.” I don’t believe this is sarcastic-Jesus. He’s being sincere. He’s showing love. He’s trying to teach her something, but do it with the grace that only Jesus can. He’s using this as a discipleship opportunity.

42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In fact, Martha, (and here’s the main point this morning) you are worried and upset over all these details, but there’s really only ONE THING worth being concerned about. It isn’t found in pulling off a big dinner; It isn’t about being the hostess with the most-ess. Mary has discovered it, and I’m not going to take it away from her.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Martha had an agenda - She had a plan & was going to make sure that everything she planned got done. Did Jesus ask for all that Martha wanted to pull off?

Mary had an agenda as well - her sole focus was worshipping Jesus

In her desire to do everything for Jesus, Martha ends up isolating herself from him. Service for Him became greater than worship of Him. Is it possible that we an be “serving”, all the while missing out on Him?

In her boldness to press against cultural customs, Mary finds herself consumed with Him

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Martha seemed to focus on the worries & concerns of the present moment

Mary was so focused on Jesus that the cares of this world grew strangely dim

Do you know the impact we (followers) would have on this world if worshipping the father was our lifestyle instead of an event? So I’m not speaking of worship as in singing songs. I’m speaking of worshipping the King of kings & Lord or lords every moment of ever day.

I’m “serving” all the while missing out on Jesus

Good intentions aren’t everything

Do you believe Mary had any worries?

We live in a “Martha” world (schedules; family; work; recreation; yes - even church/religion)

You see… We live in a “Martha” world (schedules; family; work; recreation; yes - even church/religion)

We live in a “Martha” world (schedules; family; work; recreation; yes - even church/religion)

Is it possible that we’re loosing the divine practice of worshipping the Lord in all things and at all times?

Can I tell you that loving, honoring, adoring Him changes my perspective; changes how I think; changes what I do;

I believe the opposite of worry is worship. That we can get caught up in this life worrying about so many things, but what’s needed is a Mary mentality.

Let’s replace our worry with worship

Mary - Can you imagine the scene? Look as Mary surrenders her undivided attention to the words of Jesus. There’s nothing that’s going to come between her & this time with Jesus.

Martha is worried about too many things...

Imagine this… What if as Jesus was Jesus teaching his disciples, Mary, & Martha if she choose to slow down… and to each of us... What if He was teaching them these familiar words?

Matthew 6:25–34 NLT

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Or maybe you hear him whisper softly these words...

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

As Pastor Phill comes and leads us in a few songs, if there’s something you need to confess; if there’s something you need to bring before the Lord; if you just want to sit at the feet of Jesus and worship Him, please feel free to do so as we sing.

As the ushers begin to make their way forward, i’d like to draw your attention to the bulletin.

If you’re new - thx for coming today! We’re glad you chose to be here today. We’d love for you to complete the information on the communicator card & put that in the offering plate as it comes around. We’d also love for you to stop by our Welcome Center if you haven’t already. We have a nice gift for you.

I’d also like to highlight our Fall programming we have beginning soon...

AWANA - Wednesday (5th) 6:30 - 8:00pm (Love for you to make sure your kids & some friends come out)

Youth - Next Sunday night (9th) 6:00 - 7:30pm (Make sure your MS & HS students are here)

Men’s Bootcamp this Thursday (6th) 6am or 6pm

Women’s Study in the book of Acts - Sept 12th 6:30 - 8:00pm

Lastly - Want to say Thanks for your generosity! And for making ministry possible.

YTD Budget is $178,483 ; YTD Actual Giving is $181,906

Offertory: Highlight Life Groups; Group of people growing spiritually while sharing life with one another; Relationships, Discipleship, Multiplication; It’s our desire that everyone would be in a Life Group; It’s a great way to grow in your faith, get connected to the body; and disciple others. We have some new groups starting, will be training more new leaders next month, and will be starting more groups after we train those leaders. We’d love for you to stop by the Information Center in the foyer and pick up a Life Group packet.

Worry About Worship

Intro

Wrap Up