Sermon Central
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What Is Better?
Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 17, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: This sermon addresses the fact that discerning God's will for our life is just as important as serving God.
What Is Better?
Intro: Larry was hard of hearing and was having chest pains. He and his wife went to the doctor. The doctor told Janice that the chest pains were likely from stress. Larry asked, “What did he say?” Janice answered, “He said you are sick.” The doctor said that Larry could suffer a severe heart attack if his stress was not reduced. He suggested that each morning she prepare a healthy breakfast, be pleasant, nice and kind. She should minimize his stress by not yelling at him or arguing with him. Most importantly, she should cater to her husband’s every whim. On the drive home Larry asked what the doctor said. Janice answered, “You’re going to die.”
I Look closely at the beginning of VS. 40 – “but Martha was DISTRACTED by all the preparations that had to be made.”
A The verb PERISPAOMAI refers to “drawing away or diverting something” Martha was WORRIED AND DISTRACTED. She was stressed.
B We can sympathize with Martha. There is much in our world over which we can stress.
C Everyone understands stress. It is all around us. We deal with it every day.
II The second part of VS. 40 – “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
A Instead of talking with Mary, Martha puts Jesus in the middle of the problem.
B There are two cultural issues here:
1) Martha was attempting to get her guests involved in an issue between sisters.
2) 1st century culture did not allow women to sit at the feet of Jewish teachers.
C This story does not reinforce a dichotomy between Martha and Mary. It calls for recognition that God is in both.
III VS. 42- Mary has chosen what is better.
A Mary has chosen the useful portion. 2 words in GK: 1) agathos (??a???) to do good so that someone derives advantage from it. 2) meris (µe???) portion, province, share, participation.
B Jesus reminds Martha that both she and her sister are focused on the same thing; but, in different ways. They are both focused on Jesus.
C Jesus sees and appreciates and affirms Martha’s hard work, VS. 41 & 42– “Martha, Martha, … you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed.
Concl: The difference between Martha and Mary is not one served and the other did not; but, ONE SERVED OUT OF DUTY AND THE OTHER OUT OF DEVOTION.” In our daily lives we can become so busy and stressed with the everyday things of life that we lose our focus which should be Christ Jesus. Discerning through study and prayer the purpose God has for our lives is just as important as serving Christ.
