Balancing Service and Discipleship: Lessons from Mary and Martha
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10, focusing on the balance between serving and sitting at Jesus' feet. Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and busied herself with serving, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teachings. Often, we interpret this story as a dichotomy, favoring Mary's choice over Martha's. However, both actions are valuable and necessary in our walk with Christ. Martha's service was a ministry opportunity, meeting the needs of Jesus, while Mary's choice to sit at His feet represented a transformational moment of discipleship and spiritual growth.
We delved into the concept of being "distracted" in our service, emphasizing that while serving is crucial, it should not overshadow our relationship with Jesus. Martha's distraction led her to miss the deeper spiritual moment that Mary embraced. Mary’s act of sitting at Jesus' feet symbolizes a deeper commitment to discipleship, akin to the biblical tradition of learning from a rabbi. This act of beholding Jesus' glory transforms us, as Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 3, where he speaks about being transformed from one degree of glory to another by gazing intently at the Lord.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of not veiling the glory of God in our lives, as Moses did. Instead, we are called to let our light shine boldly, reflecting God's glory to the world around us. This transformation is a continuous process, requiring intentionality and consistency in our spiritual practices like prayer, Bible reading, and community fellowship. By engaging deeply in these practices, we are gradually transformed into the image of Christ, fulfilling our purpose as His image-bearers.
### Key Takeaways
1. Balancing Service and Relationship: Both Mary and Martha's actions are essential in our spiritual journey. While serving is important, it should not distract us from our relationship with Jesus. We must find a balance where our service flows from our time spent at Jesus' feet, ensuring that our actions are rooted in a deep, personal connection with Him. [39:31]
2. Transformational Moments: Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus' feet represents a profound transformational moment. Such moments are crucial for our spiritual growth and should not be overlooked. These are times when we deeply engage with Jesus, allowing His presence to transform us from within, preparing us for future ministry opportunities. [42:19]
3. Beholding God's Glory: Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 3 emphasizes the importance of beholding the glory of the Lord. This act of gazing intently at God’s glory leads to our transformation into His image. It’s a process that requires intentionality and consistency, involving practices like prayer, Bible study, and community fellowship. [45:02]
4. Unveiling God's Glory: Unlike Moses, who veiled his face, we are called to let the glory of God shine through us boldly. This means living out our faith openly and allowing God’s transformative work in us to be visible to others. It’s through this boldness that we can impact our surroundings and reflect God’s light in the world. [57:18]
5. Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Spiritual formation is a long-term, intentional process. It requires consistent engagement in spiritual disciplines and a commitment to growing in Christlikeness. This journey involves incremental changes that, over time, transform us into the image of Christ, fulfilling our purpose as His image-bearers. [50:55]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:22] - Introduction and Acknowledgments
[34:11] - Opening Prayer
[34:44] - Reading Luke 10:38-42
[35:07] - The Concept of Distraction
[36:08] - Combining Mary and Martha
[37:00] - Ministry Opportunities
[39:01] - Serving Without Distraction
[40:03] - Mary’s Transformational Moment
[42:19] - The Gospel of Gazing into God's Glory
[44:12] - Boldness in Beholding God's Glory
[45:29] - The Process of Transformation
[47:12] - Metamorphosis: A New Creation
[48:08] - Created to Bear God's Image
[50:55] - Long Obedience in the Same Direction
[57:18] - Unveiling God's Glory
[58:12] - The Cyclical Dance of Mary and Martha
[01:00:09] - Invitation to Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 10:38-42 - The story of Mary and Martha.
2. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 - Paul's teaching on beholding the glory of the Lord and being transformed.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the different actions taken by Mary and Martha when Jesus visited their home? ([35:07])
2. How does Paul describe the process of transformation in 2 Corinthians 3:18?
3. What does the phrase "sitting at Jesus' feet" signify in the context of Mary’s actions? ([40:03])
4. What was the main issue Jesus pointed out to Martha regarding her service? ([35:34])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to balance service and relationship with Jesus, as illustrated by Mary and Martha? ([39:31])
2. How does the act of beholding God's glory lead to transformation, according to 2 Corinthians 3:18? ([45:02])
3. What does it mean to unveil God's glory in our lives, and why is it significant? ([57:18])
4. How can the concept of "long obedience in the same direction" impact our spiritual growth? ([50:55])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are you more like Mary or Martha in your daily walk with Jesus? How can you find a better balance between serving and sitting at Jesus' feet? ([39:31])
2. Can you identify a recent transformational moment in your life where you felt deeply connected to Jesus? How did it prepare you for future ministry opportunities? ([42:19])
3. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are consistently beholding God's glory? ([45:02])
4. Have you ever felt the need to "veil" God's glory in your life due to external pressures or fear of judgment? How can you boldly let your light shine in those situations? ([57:18])
5. Think about a time when you were distracted in your service to God. What steps can you take to ensure that your service does not overshadow your relationship with Jesus? ([39:31])
6. How can you intentionally engage in spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, and community fellowship to foster long-term spiritual growth? ([50:55])
7. Identify one area in your life where you can be more intentional about reflecting God's glory to those around you. What practical steps will you take this week to make that happen? ([57:18])
Devotional
Day 1: Balancing Service and Relationship
In our spiritual journey, both service and relationship with Jesus are essential. The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 illustrates this balance. Martha busied herself with serving Jesus, while Mary chose to sit at His feet and listen to His teachings. While Martha's service was valuable, her distraction caused her to miss the deeper spiritual moment that Mary embraced. This teaches us that our service should flow from our time spent with Jesus, ensuring that our actions are rooted in a deep, personal connection with Him. Serving is crucial, but it should not overshadow our relationship with Jesus. We must find a balance where our service is an extension of our time spent at Jesus' feet. [39:31]
Luke 10:38-42 (ESV): "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. Are there moments when your service to others distracts you from spending time with Jesus? How can you create a balance where your service is an overflow of your relationship with Him?
Day 2: Transformational Moments
Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus' feet represents a profound transformational moment. Such moments are crucial for our spiritual growth and should not be overlooked. These are times when we deeply engage with Jesus, allowing His presence to transform us from within, preparing us for future ministry opportunities. These moments of deep connection with Jesus are not just for our benefit but also equip us to serve others more effectively. By prioritizing these transformational moments, we allow Jesus to shape and mold us into His likeness, readying us for the work He has prepared for us. [42:19]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt deeply connected to Jesus. How did that experience transform you? How can you create more opportunities for such transformational moments in your daily life?
Day 3: Beholding God's Glory
Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 3 emphasizes the importance of beholding the glory of the Lord. This act of gazing intently at God’s glory leads to our transformation into His image. It’s a process that requires intentionality and consistency, involving practices like prayer, Bible study, and community fellowship. By engaging deeply in these spiritual disciplines, we are gradually transformed into the image of Christ. This transformation is not instantaneous but occurs over time as we consistently seek to behold God's glory in our lives. [45:02]
Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to help you behold God's glory more consistently? How can you make these practices a regular part of your life?
Day 4: Unveiling God's Glory
Unlike Moses, who veiled his face, we are called to let the glory of God shine through us boldly. This means living out our faith openly and allowing God’s transformative work in us to be visible to others. It’s through this boldness that we can impact our surroundings and reflect God’s light in the world. By unveiling God's glory in our lives, we become beacons of His love and grace, drawing others to Him. This requires courage and a willingness to be vulnerable, but the impact on those around us can be profound. [57:18]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to hide your faith? How can you boldly let God's glory shine through you in those areas today?
Day 5: Long Obedience in the Same Direction
Spiritual formation is a long-term, intentional process. It requires consistent engagement in spiritual disciplines and a commitment to growing in Christlikeness. This journey involves incremental changes that, over time, transform us into the image of Christ, fulfilling our purpose as His image-bearers. The process of spiritual growth is not always easy, but it is through this long obedience in the same direction that we become more like Jesus. By committing to this journey, we allow God to work in us and through us, shaping us into His image. [50:55]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: What spiritual disciplines can you commit to consistently practice in the coming weeks? How can you stay motivated and accountable in your journey of spiritual growth?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Every single person that's here listening to my voice, God has ministry for you to do too. He's inviting you into ministry opportunities to where you shine the light of Jesus to the people around you. And whenever we step into those moments, we become the hands and feet of Jesus. We become the representatives of him to do what he's calling us to do. And that's worth something." [38:28] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you want to be a follower of Christ, surrender your life to him. And now that you've surrendered your life to him, pray. Learn how to pray. Talk to God. Read your Bible. Begin to consume the word of God. That's what it means to gaze at the glory of the Lord. Is that I spend time with him in prayer. I dig into the word of God. I am in community with other believers." [49:01] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." [57:43] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Your transformational moment is getting you ready for the next ministry moment that God's going to call you into. It's this cyclical thing that happens in our discipleship where God, he calls us into serving him and his kingdom and advancing it. And then we kind of get tired and maybe we get wounded and we get hurt. And God then says, okay, well, come sit at my feet and let me pour into you." [59:34] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "There's a little bit of Martha and Mary in every single one of us. It's kind of this dance that we're doing in this discipleship journey where it's like some days I'm a little bit more like Martha and some days I'm a little bit more like Mary. Here's the word that I have for the Marthas in the room. Keep serving Jesus. That's the right thing she did. Don't stop doing that. However, don't let your serving distract you from your relationship with Jesus." [39:01] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Mary is choosing, there's something that is profound that's happening in Mary's life. She sees Jesus for who he is and there's something spiritual that's being transformed inside of her. And so she sits at Jesus' feet. And I don't know if this is the moment that she became one of his disciples, but that's what you're seeing. She is submitting herself as a disciple of Jesus and saying, hey, I see you who you are. I behold you." [41:22] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Whenever you with an unveiled face behold the glory of the Lord, that word behold means more than just kind of look at. You know, it's like to pass something by and to kind of get a peek. It means to gaze intently. I'd illustrate it to you this way. If you were on a road trip and you drove by the Grand Canyon and you kind of like drove by and you're like, hey, there's the Grand Canyon. That's not beholding." [45:29] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What Paul is talking about in 2nd Corinthians is that if you will behold the glory of God, you'll turn into a different person. Actually, what he says is you'll turn into the likeness of Jesus, the image of God. I'm here to tell you today, you were created to bear the image of God. That's why you were created. It's so that you could represent him in the earth. And whenever people look at you, they see you and they see a picture of Jesus, the one who created you." [48:08] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Discipleship is a long obedience in the same direction. Spiritual formation is something that is intentional and it requires consistency. It needs intentionality because it's not going to happen accidentally. Somebody needs to listen to me right now. You turning into and transforming into the image of Christ does not just happen accidentally. It's intentional on your part. But not only is it intentional, it's done over a long period of time. Consistency." [50:55] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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