Expanded Message Notes!

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2 1 SEEK FIRST: Kingdom Priorities! Pastor David Hood! October 22-23, 2016! Expanded Message Notes! When you cannot do what you have always done, then you only do what matters most. Robert D. Hales! What are your Kingdom priorities have you ever considered them, how they align and what fuels them? In the Gospel of Luke we see a story of clashing priorities Jesus and His disciples arrived at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha about mealtime. It was Martha who invited them in. Nothing is said in the Bible account about the cordial greetings they exchanged, but an important lesson was recorded during that visit that should positively affect us. In fact, Martha in this story always seems to get the bad reputation. Mary gets a pass because she was being spiritual. But Catholic scholar, Jacob Fitzmyer writes, To read this episode as a commendation of contemplative life over against active life is to allegorize (interpret) it beyond recognition and to introduce a distinction that was born only of later preoccupations. Luke 10:38-42 (The Voice)! Jesus continued from there toward Jerusalem and came to another village. Martha, a resident of that village, welcomed Jesus into her home. Her sister, Mary, went and sat at Jesus feet, listening to Him teach. Meanwhile Martha was anxious about all the hospitality arrangements. Martha (interrupting Jesus): Lord, why don t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to get over here and help me.

3 2 Jesus: Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details, but really, only one thing matters. Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won t take it away from her. Martha, Martha. Compassionate endearment.! Scripture doesn t record whether Jesus response made a lasting impression on Martha s understanding, but we can hope this spiritual lesson so inseparably linked to our priorities will favorably impact us. What did Mary have that Martha needed? What was the good part Mary chose? Why will the good part that Mary chose remain hers forever? Home away from home! The Gospels record that Jesus felt comfortable in the home of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus. The four weren t just acquaintances; they were close friends. Luke s account also shows the closeness between Jesus and this family. Martha, a resident of that village, welcomed Jesus into her home. Luke 10:38 Martha s view of life! When we visit friends and relatives we have a good idea of how they think and act. Jesus was no different. He appreciated the differences among His three friends and felt comfortable enough to offer constructive advice as to their priorities. Martha s outlook on life was quite different from Mary s. It is possible that Martha was older and that her age figured into her personality and perspective. Martha s words and actions depict her as responsible, practical and efficient. Mary s outlook! Her sister, Mary, went and sat at Jesus feet, listening to Him teach Luke 10:39. If one were to read no further, one could assume Mary may

4 3 have been a little lazy, leaving the needs of hospitality and hostess to her gregarious sister. It was Martha who invited Jesus into their home. It was Mary who simply sat at Jesus feet, listening to Him talk. Who was the more hospitable, the more sociable? Who was more concerned about serving her Savior, Martha or Mary? Whose priorities were in the right place? This attitude, outlook and perspective is the kind of approach God desires in all His disciples. Jesus highly regarded Mary s approach.! Jesus wasn't pointing out to Martha that her food and hospitality were second rate. He was correcting her about her attitude while she served. She was serving the Lord directly, in person, but she couldn't let the details of fixing food and providing hospitality replace her attitude of righteousness, peace, joy, and especially - love. This One Thing Choice! Jesus continued: but really, only one thing matters. Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won t take it away from her. Luke 10:42. People make choices. They are a part of life. Our daily choices affect our lives, and the end result of this life is determined by the choices we make every day. On this occasion Jesus said Mary chose that one thing. The One thing we need! We have to make a choice as to whether we seek the good part. Jesus tells us our highest priority in life should be to Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too. Matthew 6:33. He also gives us guidance in how to do that: It is written in the Hebrew Scriptures, People need more than bread to live. Luke 4:4. He adds, The Spirit brings life. The flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have been teaching you are spirit and life. John 6:63!

5 4 For Mary, Martha, Lazarus and the 12 disciples, the Word of God was in their presence in the person of Jesus Christ. The One Thing lasts forever! What did Jesus mean when He spoke of Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won t take it away from her The apostle John answers this question: All the things the world can offer to you the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things, and the pompous sense of superiority do not come from the Father. These are the rotten fruits of this world. This corrupt world is already wasting away, as are its selfish desires. But the person really doing God s will that person will never cease to be. 1 John 2:16-17 God s truth and Word will abide forever. The spiritual knowledge we accumulate in this life will be ours forever, never taken away from us. But we must not allow physical needs and duties to always consume us Then why the distinction.! Perhaps the attitude of Martha s heart, not her actions? Notice that Jesus, in his compassion no more asked Martha to stop what she was doing than he ordered Mary to stop what she was doing. If Martha had a flaw, it was not in her working to be hospitable it was attempting to force Mary to serve Christ in her way. Martha s heart was stuck in the way it was supposed to be done Her way, societies way, the religious, traditional way and that, left unchecked can lead to legalism. Spiritual legalism: The deep, petrifying fear that someone, somewhere is having a good time. Legalism breeds a sense of entitlement that turns us into complainers. Tullian Tchividjian

6 5 Set aside the distraction of important to embrace the vital. It could be situational, fluid and temporary but in that moment it is vital. This encounter didn t change Mary and Martha s talents, were, but later upon the death of their brother Lazarus, it was Martha who confessed her belief in the power of Jesus in John 11:27, Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Anointed, the Liberating King, God s own Son who we have heard is coming into the world. Mary, then again, a few days before Jesus death, with Lazarus present, would again bow down, to anoint Jesus feet with precious perfume symbolizing his burial Six days before the Passover feast, Jesus journeyed to the village of Bethany, to the home of Lazarus who had recently been raised from the dead, where they hosted Him for dinner. Martha was busy serving as the hostess, Lazarus reclined at the table with Him, and Mary took a pound of fine ointment, pure nard (which is both rare and expensive), and anointed Jesus feet with it; and then she wiped them with her hair. As the pleasant fragrance of this extravagant ointment filled the entire house John 12:1-3 Notice something here Martha was still serving. Martha had learned something, the better thing for her to seek was a clean, willing heart. There was no more complaining Perhaps she was the understood the spirit of what Paul would later describe Since our gifts vary depending on the grace poured out on each of us, it is important that we exercise the gifts we have been given. If prophecy is your gift, then speak as a prophet according to your proportion of faith. If service is your gift, then serve well. If teaching is your gift, then teach well. Romans 12:6-7 Paul also wrote:

7 6 So no matter what your task is, work hard. Always do your best as the Lord s servant, not as man s, because you know your reward is the Lord s inheritance. You serve the Lord, the Anointed One Colossians 3:23-24 What is your mission, your better thing?! Where is your proximity in that calling of the moment to Jesus? Notice that Jesus is whom everything revolves Hospitality Listening Healing Worship Are you committed to something important or listening and seeking that one thing that is vital to His call. The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones. -Brandon Sanderson, The Alloy of Law! In order to seek first the kingdom, we must begin by seeking first the King: His praise, His purpose, and His plan. -Paul J. Fritz! Ultimately this is what cannot be taken from us The Why of all seeking the Word, Jesus, the perfection of timing in His presence whether serving or contemplating. What is your better thing? Take time to consider you Kingdom priorities Be who you are created to be, with a heart deeply attuned to Jesus, you will be right where you are destined to be.