Life is constantly busy, demanding attention, and pulling us in different directions (family, work, chores, social commitments, church activities).
This busyness can lead to spiritual drainage, disconnection from God, stress, and anxiety.
We often intend to spend time with God "later," but "later" never comes, leaving us spiritually unfulfilled.
Topic: Duty and Devotion.
Key Verse: Luke 10:38-42 (Martha and Mary).
II. The Story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)
Jesus visits a village and is welcomed by Martha.
Martha's sister, Mary, sits at Jesus's feet, listening to His teaching.
Martha is "distracted with much serving."
Martha complains to Jesus: "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
Jesus's Response: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her."
Contrast: Martha is consumed with duties; Mary is devoted to being with Jesus.
Serving is Good, but Distraction is Dangerous: Martha's service was good, but her distraction pulled her away from Jesus. Mary prioritized listening to Jesus.
The Challenge: Balancing our duties with our devotion; honoring God through work while making room for Him in our lives.
The Choice: Will we let busy schedules distract us, or will we make space for Jesus?
Goal of the Message: To learn from Martha and Mary how to live lives both devoted to Jesus and responsible in duties.
Truth: When this balance is right, everything else falls into place. Service becomes an overflow of time spent with God.
Reflection: Are you overwhelmed like Martha, or taking time like Mary to be with Jesus?
III. The Heart of Service: Lessons from Martha
Martha's Role: Welcomed Jesus into her home – an incredibly important act of hospitality in ancient Jewish culture (e.g., Abraham in Genesis 18).
Martha's Motivation: Initially offering help out of love and care, ensuring Jesus had everything He needed.
Service as a Distraction:
Luke 10:40: Martha was "distracted with much serving" (pulled in many directions).
Focus shifted from Jesus to the tasks.
Relatable: Tasks piling up, leading to stress and anxiety, turning joyful tasks into burdens.
Pressure to perform overshadows peace from resting in God's presence.
Martha's Frustration and Comparison:
Complained to Jesus, feeling abandoned and frustrated that Mary wasn't helping.
Her anxiety and feeling of injustice led to comparison with Mary.
Lesson: Jesus doesn't call us to compare our work to others, but to focus on Him. Our worth is not determined by how much we do compared to others.
Jesus's Gentle Correction (Luke 10:42): "One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion and it will not be taken away from her."
Not a condemnation of service, but a reminder of priorities: relationship with Him is paramount.
Mary's choice: Prioritizing being with Jesus over doing for Him.
Key to Joyful Service: First being filled with God's presence. Our service flows as an outpouring of that connection.
Embrace the Lesson: Without connection to Jesus, even well-intentioned service can lead to burnout and frustration. Prioritize relationship with God above all else; then, work becomes an act of love and joy.
Call to Action: Make space for Jesus, sit at His feet, listen to His voice, let His peace fill your heart. Service will then flow joyfully and with purpose, rooted in His presence.
IV. Choosing the Good Portion: The Life of Devotion (Speaker: Joanna Joy)
Mary's Devotion: Loved Jesus, sat closely at His feet, knew listening was more important than elaborate meals. (Ref. John 11, Mary anointing Jesus's feet with perfume).
The One Necessary Thing: Devoting ourselves to Jesus is the answer to stress, anxiety, and pressures.
What Devotion Looks Like (from Mary's Example):
To sit at His feet:
A position of humility, recognizing Jesus's authority, not as an equal.
To be a disciple (obedient follower), not just having academic interest.
To be in a position of waiting and expecting blessings, coming with the expectation of being changed.
To be focused first:
Prioritize time with Jesus, despite distractions (work, appointments, family issues).
Acknowledge distractions, but set them aside to hear from God first, trusting other things can wait.
To seek understanding:
Actively seek to understand His words (meditate, write down, ask questions).
Line up habits, thoughts, and priorities with Jesus's teachings.
Take joy in hearing and following His word, despite life's pressures.
Jesus as Your Treasure (The "Good Portion"):
"Chosen portion" in Old Testament means inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6). Mary chose Jesus Himself as her inheritance.
Psalm 73:26: God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever; His strength is eternal.
Jesus as your refuge: Psalm 142:5 – "My refuge, my portion in the land of the living." An unshakable anchor amidst anxiety and trouble.
The Good Portion Cannot Be Taken Away:
Jesus assures Martha He won't make Mary leave His feet.
More broadly: When Jesus is your inheritance, you will never lose Him, despite life's turmoil.
Romans 8:35, 38-39: Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
This inheritance is eternal (Ephesians 2:4-7): We are raised and seated with Him in heavenly places.
The Most Important Thing: To live at Jesus's feet, come to Him by faith for salvation.
Without Jesus: No hope, only judgment.
Good News: Jesus died and rose again; when you call on Him in faith and repentance, He forgives, makes you His child, and gives Himself as your forever inheritance.
Conclusion:
Balance duty and devotion.
Service must flow from a heart devoted to God.
Choose the "good portion" – time in His presence.
Prioritize relationship with God; let it fuel everything.
Encouragement: Take time this week to sit at His feet, listen, and rest in His peace to find strength for joyful service.
VIII. Communion and Closing (Speaker: Pastor Ivan)
Balance: Duty and devotion are both needed and must be balanced (Mary's devotion vs. Martha's duty).
Beyond Sunday: Our responsibility extends beyond church attendance and small groups; it requires sacrifice.
Communion: Attitude Counts:
Paul (1 Corinthians): Taking communion in an unworthy manner (wrong attitude) brings a curse (sickness, even death).
Purpose of Communion: To reconcile us back to God (Jesus's purpose for coming).
Body broken: For reconciliation with God.
Blood shed: For forgiveness of sin.
No Bitterness/Grudges: Forgiveness (as God forgave us) is essential.
Grace Church Tagline: Loving God and Loving People. This means loving even those you don't like, not just friends.
Warning: Don't take communion if you don't understand its purpose or if you're taking it unworthily. It's not a ritual or "Christian prasad."
Requirements for Communion: Must be a child of God, have a living relationship with Jesus, and have a right relationship with other believers.
Apology: It's about apologizing, not whether the apology is accepted.
Communion as Renewal: A time to renew relationship with God ("God, I love you, and because I love you, I will love my brothers and sisters").
Jesus said: If you can't love those you see, you can't love God whom you haven't seen.
No hypocrisy ("yes be yes, no be no").
Biblical Generosity: If you have two coats, share one. Don't be a hoarder.
Consequences of Unworthy Communion: Invites curses, brings problems due to wrong decisions.
Adam and Eve Analogy: Adam's blame, need for couples to uphold their covenant with God and each other.
Baptism Requirement:
Communion is for baptized believers (water baptism by immersion).
It's not a "naming ceremony."
Next Baptism Sunday: Third Sunday; encourage those interested to speak with Pastor Nini or Ivan.
Celebration: Communion is a celebration because the cross is empty, the grave is empty. Be happy!
Call to Stand: Those ready to take communion joyfully stand; others remain seated.
Thanksgiving Song: "Give Thanks," "God is So Good."
Partaking of Emblems:
Wafer: Represents broken body of Jesus; "by His stripes we are healed" (physical, emotional, spiritual).
Cup: Represents new covenant in His blood; forgiveness of sins.
Exchange Cups: Encourage encouraging words like "Peace of God be upon you," "Walk with Christ," "Don't give up on your faith."
Commitment Renewal: Renewing covenant with Christ to follow Him, fulfilling both Mary's and Martha's responsibilities.
Missions Offering: Collected after communion. Announcement for Missions Department meeting.
Closing Prayer: Thanksgiving for communion, prayer for missions department, benediction (grace, love, fellowship of Holy Spirit).
Announcement: Harvest Bible College graduation on Friday at 6:30 PM.
