KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
By: Wah Lok
Text : Luke 10:38 – 42
Verse 42 “One thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good part which will not be taken from her”.
Introduction.
There are many things in life which we consider important. Yearly, I would review my goals for the year and it could go like this.
a) Exercise more
b) Read 5 books
c) Take my family for a holiday.
d) Write 5 songs
e) Win 2 souls
f) Learn Mandarin.
All the above goals are good but one of the most important goals we must set every year is that we must improve in our prayer and worship. Personally I find that prayer is the deepest form of worship. Prayer and worship are almost inseparable.
Ps 141:2 Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Incense – prayer
Lifting of hands – worship
In this passage, we see that Mary kept the main thing the main thing. Martha did not.
1. MARTHA WAS SERVING BUT MARY WAS WORSHIPPING
Verse 38 shows that Martha was busying welcoming Jesus and setting up everything that will make him comfortable. But Mary just sat at Jesus’ feet.
Illustration 1 - Friend visits you.
What will your friend think he visits you, and you end up going in and out of the kitchen bringing refreshments for him ? All your friend wanted was to sit down and talk with you. But you were busy serving your friend food and drinks. Do you think that was what your friend really wanted ?
Illustration 2 – Last day on earth
If you had 24 hours to live, what will you do ? Most people will spend that precious time with their loved ones. You will not be in the stock market trying to make another million or checking your bank accounts to see how much money you are leaving behind. Its shows that the things we value most in life are our relationships with our loved ones.
It is the same with our relationship with God. When we finally realize we will be meeting God in 24 hours, one of our greatest regret will be that we don’t know Him well because we did not spend enough time in His presence in prayer and worship.
MANY ARE BUSY, SOME ARE BUSY BODIES BUT FEW ARE BUSY IN PRAYER
Col 4 :2 Devote your selves in prayer, being watchful and thankful
The word “devote” means the following :-
a) Adhere to – like super glue
b) To persist in
c) To busy one self in
IF WE ARE TOO BUSY TO PRAY, WE ARE TOO BUSY.
I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO DO, I MUST SPEND AT LEAST
2 HOURS A DAY IN PRAYER
2. MARTHA WAS DISTRACTED BUT MARY WAS FOCUSSED
V40 But Martha was distracted with much serving………….
One of the greatest distraction in worship is music itself. Many have made an idol of praise and worship songs. Much of church worship today has degenerated into a performance rather than seeking the presence of God.
SOME FOCUS ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE SERVICE MORE
THAN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
Matt Redman is one of UK’s top song writers. In his song “The Heart of Worship”, he shares about what God spoke to him. They were so distracted with their music that for several weeks, they worshipped God without any music. I wonder how many people will leave the church if we decide one day to throw away all the musical instruments.
The Heart of Worship by Matt Redman
When the music fades and all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I’ll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself
Is not what You’re looking for
You search much deeper with,
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
When its all about You, Jesus.
MUSIC IS THE VEHICLE THAT BRINGS US INTO GOD’S PRESENCE. BUT WE HAVE GLORIFIED THE VEHICLE MORE THAN WE HAVE GLORIFED GOD.
In Amos 5:23, God rejected all the songs that Israel brought to Him because their lives were not right. They were worshipping idols and at the same time worshipping God.
23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. 24But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.
God was more interested in lives changed than beautiful songs.
Seek God’s presence. Keep the main thing the main thing.
3. MARTHA WAS WORRIED AND TROUBLED. MARY WAS CONTENTED.
V41 Martha, Martha, You are worried and troubled about many things.
A lack of prayer will certainly get us into trouble. Look at Martha. She was busy serving and did not spend time with Jesus. That is why she was worried and troubled.
SOME PEOPLE PRAY ONLY WHEN THEY ARE IN TROUBLE.
THAT IS WHY THEY ARE IN TROUBLE.
We should be praying to stay out of trouble instead of praying when we are in trouble.
PREPARE AND PREVENT IS BETTER THAN REPAIR AND REPENT.
The disciples got into lots of trouble when they failed to pray.
Mk 14:17 And He came and found them sleeping and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping. Could you not watch one hour ?”
Jesus felt the need to pray at Gethsemane before He went to the cross. He was the eternal Son of God. But his disciples as mortal human beings felt otherwise. They were asleep and failed to pray. Within days, they would all be scattered and Peter would deny Jesus three times. Only the women were left at the foot of the cross. All the disciples had disappeared.
I wonder if they had prayed with Jesus at Gethsemane, the whole scenerio would have been totally different ?
The lack of prayer gets us into trouble.
So keep the main thing the main thing.
Conclusion.
Are you a Martha or a Mary ?
Are you busy, busy , busy ? Or are you sitting at Jesus’ feet ?
BUSY – Busy Under Satan’s Yoke
Get back to God’s presence this week in prayer and worship
KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
About the author Wah Lok
Wah Lok is the author of the song “Every Time I Pray”. Over the last 22 years, he has written over 75 songs. He has released 2 albums, “Every Time I Pray” and “Shining Stars”. He can be contacted at ngwl@pc.jaring.my . You can also find many of his teaching materials on worship, music, songwriting and prayer from his website at www.tabernaclemusic.net.
2002 Ng Wah Lok
