Sermon Central
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Is It The For Or The With
Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Aug 7, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Which is it the for or the with that has your attention?
Occupied FOR or occupied WITH
I. The DETERMINATION TO LISTEN
Luke 10:39 “ And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”
II. The DISTRACTION OF LABOR
Luke 10:40 “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.”
A. Tasks were demanding
“ Cumbered”; busily occupied.
“Much serving”; in providing entertainment for her guests. Though diligence in business and proper regard to family concerns are duties which should by no means be neglected, yet we may be so engrossed in them, and so troubled about them, that we forget God>
She got to thinking about the what instead of the whom. She has been distracted by focusing on dishes instead of deity. She has become distracted by focusing on the task instead of the truth.
B. Thoughts were disturbing
“Dost thou not care”
III. THE DISCOVERY To LEARN
Luke 10:41 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:”
Luke 10:42 “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part”
A. Duty should spring out of devotion
B. Work should spring from worship
C. Activity should spring from adoration
Martha’s serving was important, but Mary’s sitting was indispensable. Jesus wanted her cooking, but He also wanted her company first.
Conclusion
Get your priorities from the Lord, and you won’t be frustrated when you find you can’t do it all.
When you don’t know what to do first, give the Lord first place.
Jesus wants more than good laborers; He wants good listeners.
