Martha
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Series Review
Series Review
living lesson - learning from others
you are teaching whether you realize it or not; people are watching; Christian? parent?
right now you are sitting, and that’s good;
Martha introduction
Martha introduction
why
Why do you think you’re always right? Do you have to always be right? We are ll aquainted with such people. Martha is portrayed in such a way - whenever she speaks, there is no denying her facts.
From Martha’ perspective, it is frustrating when you present an argument, perfectly supported with facts. A reasonable complaint. An obvious injustice, with a reasonable solution. But your complaint, as rationale as it is, is dismissed.
This happens twice with Martha. Today, and it happens again next week so come back. Oh, did I forgot to mention, it was Jesus who rejected her perfectly reasonable complaint.
In this story, she’s busy. She’s overwhelmed. She has a list in her mind
Sermon requirements -
Sermon requirements -
1 imagine your to-do list; 2) assess your belief in the supernatural
1 imagine your to-do list; 2) assess your belief in the supernatural
1) the stor is about work, and work often involves makiong a list; Do you have a list, our lists say alot about who we are; Mary and Martha had their to-do lists - Martha’s is more clear than Mary’s.
2) Do you believe in the supernatural (or miracles). I don’t mean is this a part of your theology - do you believe in miracles check yes or no. Do you live with the belief, the openness that God can break into your life at any time or place?
This is not a rabbit trail - These lists reflect their beliefs in the supernatural - in the belief that changes His natural laws for His glory
Lists: Mary and Martha
Lists: Mary and Martha
Mary’sWe have this is common: we all have a list of things we need to do. On paper, in our mind. There are exceptions, but most of us have identified what we have to do today, tomorrow, this week and this month, make a list! Your list might look very different, but most of us have one. We might not identify it, mention it, but we have it.
make a list! look at the list
Think of yours right now. Imagine it. Write it down. Prioritize it. Cut out, add new; now imagine it. What do your lists say about us? Our lists determine and are determined by our lists. (e.g. enjoy; value for our kids; benefits us; god called us to do; what we need; what we have to do - no control over that)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
Our lists determine and are determined by our lists. (e.g. enjoy; value for our kids; benefits us; god called us to do; what we need; what we have to do - no control over that)
That’s a big crowd. Not just Jesus and the 12. There were the women that travele with him. Earlier in thes chapter we read that Jesus had 70 disciples. If we take this literally, we can say that 85 people are coming for dinner.
I’m going to infer from the rest of the story that Mary and Martha have different lists, and their lists relfects their beliefs in the supernatural. .
I’m going to infer from the rest of the story that Mary and Martha have different lists, and their lists relfects their beliefs in the supernatural. .
Mary
Mary
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
Mary proablay kept a list of what needed to be done around the house, and that list got longer when others came to visit. When Jesus came to town. If we focus on the passage I’ve just read, we see that her list has one thing - listening at the feet of Jesus. If we look at verse 39 and conclude, Yea, I should spend more time in prayer and Bible study to I can know Jesus more - that’s not wrong, but read this passage:
and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Why did people crowd around Jesus? He healed diseases, cast out demons, took authorit against the evil powers of the world that influence and oppress us. Not just a good Bible study, even though Jesus was a wise teacher. People wanted more than knowledge - they wanted freedom:
(our battle is not again flesh or blood)
Mary’s list was shortened to one the thing that really mattered. She crossed out important things so she could experience the most important things.
How many of you need prayer - I mean the desparate prayer for healing, fbut for deliverance
Her belief: in the reality of demons, and the power of Jesus to cast things out. you wiill pray that the spiritual powers of wickedness be driven away. If you don’t, then
If you believe in the reality of demons, you wiill pray that the spiritual powers of wickedness be driven away. If you don’t, then
Remember I asked if you believe in the supernatural. Do you believe - not just that God answers prayer, but do you believe that God will insert himself into your situation, change the situation for his glory? Healing from the untreatable? Forgiveness from the unforgivable? Knowledge about the unknowable? Providing the out of reach?
believe God can do that - are their forces, beings that oppose this work? oppose us from receiving these?
and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Do you believe in the supernatural? I know Mary did, because there was so much that needed to be done but she pushed it aside to follow Jesus.
following Jesus means going where he is now; not following nice principles.
Jesus, where are so I can be there? Do this? What can you do?
Mary knew
There would be negative consequences for throwing away her list: people disappointed; angry; critical; whose criticism concerns you the most?
There would be negative consequences for throwing away her list: people disappointed; angry; critical; whose criticism concerns you the most?
Mary did this, and prioritized it. #1. I wonder if she had a #2. The need was so urgent, the power was so great. She recognized the need and the cure was having dinner with her.
overview of short story
Martha
Martha
Mary did this, and prioritized it. #1. I wonder if she had a #2. The need was so urgent, the power was so great. She recognized the need and the cure was having dinner with her.
(e.g. My mom staggers our families at Christmas time. ) That’s alot of work. My mom can tell me who helps and who sits around oblivious to the work being done.
a list shows our beliefs and situations (lazy? can’t find a job; overworked (need $); can show what’s most important - sports; recreation; luxury time; church; God time _ever thought of adding God time to your list)
A bad place when we aren’t doing either; not stopping, but not helping
right now you are sitting, and that’s good;
do you have trouble believing in miracles? the answer to that will determine how we spend our time; how we do church; how we are christians;
big difference between a christian who does and who doesn’t belief in supernatural
being a christian doesn’t always mean an expectation that God is ready to perform signs and wonders
not just whether or not to help; but what we believe about miracles;
not just whether or not to help; but what we believe about miracles;
Jesus did more than teach (Kingdom of God, OLD Testament laws; himself, salation) but we read again and again Jesus healed, cast our evil spirits; demonic infuences
what does our sitting say about us?
what does our sitting say about us?
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
could be bad; desire for head knowledge; satisfy curiouisity for learning
could be bad; desire for head knowledge; satisfy curiouisity for learning
Mary
take time from service and don’t neglect study and prayer; do things for the church and hurting people, but take care of your own soul;
Jesus did more than teach (Kingdom of God, OLD Testament laws; himself, salation) but we read again and again Jesus healed, cast our evil spirits; demonic infuences; let’s not censor God
Mary was not just curious - sitting at Jesus feet is not a standing away from a distance; deep desire to absorb everything - including the supernatural
MAKE A LIST - WHAT IS IMPORTANT, WHAT IS NOT; HOW TO KNOW
MAKE A LIST - WHAT IS IMPORTANT, WHAT IS NOT; HOW TO KNOW
Sitting Can Be Good
Sitting Can Be Good
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
e.g. “he is narcoleptic” team chemistry; I”m not just making this up for dramatic effect, there are people who say such things;
Deceptive Discipleship: The prayer, the stopping and listening; the inactivity is not the same as laziness
practical problem: when do I sit? “application: go home and take it easy and pray.” how?
pray before…commercial (count to 10 before); we make our best decisions when we stop, sit, listen
The difference? What is your reason for slowing down?
not just about scheduling; Following Jesus means going where he is,when he is; God is not a place where we drop in when we have the time; not were you think he wants you to go. Go to China? Learning about the country; the politics, the people the needs; Project Echo, Shirly’s place - prepare and go;
what is God up to?
Bad times to sit: praying when obvious needs are around us; God, help them! You, help them.
Serving Can Be Bad
Serving Can Be Bad
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Deceptive Discipleship
Confusing religious activity with following Jesus.
There are all kinds of needs - the challenge isn’t finding them, but determining which ones are ours to address.
Bad times to sit: praying when obvious needs are around us; God, help them! You, help them.
Good forms of standing:
there are times we sit when we should be standing