Choosing the Better Part: Embracing God's Presence

 

Summary

In today's exploration of the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42, we delve into the contrasting responses of these two sisters to Jesus' visit. Martha, busy with preparations, represents the often overwhelming demands of life that can distract us from the presence of God. Mary, on the other hand, chooses to sit at Jesus' feet, embodying a posture of humility and learning. This narrative invites us to consider what it means to truly sit with Jesus and live a life of faith. Faith, as illustrated by Mary's choice, is not merely about action or spiritual power but is a resting action—a state of being that allows us to be present with God.

Faith, much like sleep, is not something we can force. We can create environments conducive to faith, such as engaging in worship, prayer, and reading the Word, but ultimately, faith is a gift that we receive. The story of Mary and Martha challenges us to evaluate our own lives: Are we too distracted by the busyness of life to notice God's presence? Are we missing out on moments where God is inviting us to sit with Him and experience His love?

The sermon also touches on the idea that God is not hiding from us. Instead, He is present in the everyday moments of our lives, inviting us to remember and cherish these times. The distractions of life can often cause us to miss these divine encounters. Whether it's the warmth of the sun, the sound of a favorite song, or the joy of being with loved ones, God is there, hoping we don't forget His presence.

For those new to faith, the message is one of encouragement to continue seeking and asking questions. For those who feel distant from God, it's a reminder that He is always near, inviting us to return to Him. And for those with a vibrant faith, it's a caution against becoming too distracted by things that ultimately don't matter. The invitation is to choose the better part, as Mary did, and to rest in the presence of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Posture of Faith: Faith is not just about doing but about being. Like Mary, we are invited to sit at Jesus' feet, embracing a posture of humility and learning. This resting action allows us to be present with God, creating space for His presence in our lives. [41:55]

2. Creating Environments for Faith: While faith cannot be forced, we can cultivate environments that foster it. Engaging in worship, prayer, and reading the Word helps us prepare our hearts to receive faith, much like creating a comfortable space aids in restful sleep. [46:08]

3. God's Presence in Everyday Moments: God is not hiding from us; He is present in the ordinary moments of life. Whether through nature, music, or relationships, God invites us to recognize His presence and cherish these divine encounters. [54:34]

4. Avoiding Distractions: The busyness of life can distract us from experiencing God's presence. Like Martha, we may become overwhelmed by tasks, but Jesus invites us to choose the better part, focusing on what truly matters. [55:15]

5. An Invitation to All: Whether new to faith, feeling distant, or having a vibrant relationship with God, the invitation remains the same: to sit with Jesus, experience His love, and not forget His presence in our lives. [56:53]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [35:26] - Introduction to Mary and Martha
- [38:19] - Martha's Distraction
- [40:43] - Jesus' Gentle Response
- [41:55] - The Invitation to Choose
- [42:58] - Understanding Faith
- [44:44] - Faith as a Resting Action
- [46:08] - Creating Space for Faith
- [48:10] - The Role of Time in Faith
- [49:22] - God's Presence in Our Lives
- [50:44] - Personal Story of Distraction
- [53:51] - Missing Divine Moments
- [54:34] - Recognizing God's Presence
- [56:16] - Encouragement for All
- [58:36] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 10:38-42

Observation Questions:
1. What were the contrasting actions of Mary and Martha when Jesus visited their home? How did each sister respond to His presence? [38:19]
2. How did Jesus address Martha's concerns, and what did He say about Mary's choice? [40:43]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of faith in relation to Mary's actions? [44:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the presence of God in everyday moments? [54:34]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What might Jesus' gentle response to Martha indicate about His priorities for His followers? [40:43]
2. How does the sermon compare faith to a "resting action," and what implications does this have for how one approaches their spiritual life? [44:44]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God is present in ordinary moments, and how might this understanding affect one's daily awareness of God? [54:34]
4. How does the sermon challenge individuals to evaluate their own distractions and priorities in light of the story of Mary and Martha? [55:15]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific activities or distractions that prevent you from being present with God? How can you create space to "sit at Jesus' feet" this week? [55:15]
2. The sermon compares faith to sleep, suggesting it cannot be forced. What practices can you incorporate into your life to create an environment conducive to faith? [46:08]
3. Consider a recent moment when you felt God's presence in an ordinary situation. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of these moments in your daily life? [54:34]
4. For those who feel distant from God, what steps can you take to reconnect and experience His love anew? [56:16]
5. If you have a vibrant faith, how can you ensure that you are not becoming distracted by things that ultimately don't matter? What practical steps can you take to maintain focus on what truly matters? [56:53]
6. How can you encourage someone new to faith to continue seeking and asking questions about their spiritual journey? [56:16]
7. Reflect on a time when you were overwhelmed by life's demands. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future to prioritize your relationship with God? [38:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing a Posture of Humility
Faith is not just about doing but about being. In the story of Mary and Martha, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet, embodying a posture of humility and learning. This choice reflects a deeper understanding of faith as a resting action, a state of being that allows us to be present with God. By choosing to be with Jesus, Mary demonstrates that faith is not about the busyness of life but about creating space for God's presence. This narrative invites us to consider how we can embrace a similar posture in our own lives, prioritizing time with God over the distractions that often consume us. [41:55]

Luke 18:14 (ESV): "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally create space in your day to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His voice?


Day 2: Cultivating Environments for Faith
While faith cannot be forced, we can cultivate environments that foster it. Just as a comfortable space aids in restful sleep, engaging in worship, prayer, and reading the Word helps prepare our hearts to receive faith. These practices create an atmosphere where faith can grow, allowing us to be more attuned to God's presence in our lives. By intentionally setting aside time for these activities, we open ourselves to the transformative power of faith, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and relationships. [46:08]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to create an environment that nurtures your faith?


Day 3: Recognizing God's Presence in Everyday Moments
God is not hiding from us; He is present in the ordinary moments of life. Whether through nature, music, or relationships, God invites us to recognize His presence and cherish these divine encounters. The distractions of life can often cause us to miss these moments, but by being mindful and present, we can experience the fullness of God's love and grace. This awareness allows us to see the beauty in the mundane and find joy in the simple pleasures of life, knowing that God is with us in every moment. [54:34]

Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."

Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence in the ordinary moments of your day today?


Day 4: Choosing the Better Part
The busyness of life can distract us from experiencing God's presence. Like Martha, we may become overwhelmed by tasks, but Jesus invites us to choose the better part, focusing on what truly matters. This choice requires us to evaluate our priorities and make intentional decisions about how we spend our time and energy. By choosing to focus on our relationship with God, we can find peace and fulfillment, even amidst the demands of daily life. This invitation challenges us to let go of the things that ultimately don't matter and embrace a life centered on Christ. [55:15]

Ecclesiastes 4:6 (ESV): "Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go of busyness and focus on what truly matters?


Day 5: An Invitation to All
Whether new to faith, feeling distant, or having a vibrant relationship with God, the invitation remains the same: to sit with Jesus, experience His love, and not forget His presence in our lives. This invitation is a reminder that God is always near, ready to welcome us into His presence. For those who feel distant, it's an encouragement to return to Him. For those with a vibrant faith, it's a caution against becoming too distracted by things that ultimately don't matter. Regardless of where we are on our faith journey, we are all invited to choose the better part and rest in the presence of Jesus. [56:53]

Isaiah 55:6 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near."

Reflection: How can you respond to God's invitation to sit with Him and experience His love today?

Quotes

"Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Now, sometimes we read this and we think that, like, Jesus snaps at Martha and, like, rebukes her. And it's really harsh. I don't read it that way. I think Jesus' response saying, Martha, Martha, is almost this, like, let's bring the temperature down. Martha. And he tells her, Mary has chosen what is better. Again, I don't read this as Jesus shaming Martha and saying, why aren't you more like Mary?" [00:41:13] (38 seconds)


"And so I want us, as we kind of read this passage this morning, I want us to consider, what does it mean for us to sit with Jesus? What does that practically look like for our lives? And I want to make an argument that a life of sitting with Jesus is simply a life of faith." [00:42:09] (24 seconds)


"And others of us, as we think about faith, we think of it as this kind of spiritual action. We might think of all the spiritual things that we have to do. We think of the book of James that talks about faith without works is dead, right? And so we start thinking, okay, well, if I want to live a life of faith, I have to do all of these things." [00:43:59] (19 seconds)


"And others of us think of faith as this kind of deep trust in God, right? As we all of these things are true components of faith. But the part of faith I want us to focus on this morning is the faith that was demonstrated by Mary, the one that sat at the feet of Jesus, the one that rested." [00:44:27] (17 seconds)


"Now, what do I mean by resting action? I'm going to use an example of a resting action that all of us are familiar with, sleep, right? All of us sleep. Now, sleep is a resting action. All of us do not choose when we sleep, right? When you go to bed at night, you don't have an on-off switch that just says sleep now, as nice as that would be sometimes, right?" [00:44:50] (29 seconds)


"There are many things we can do to help us get to a place of faith, but faith is actually a little bit out of our control, kind of like sleep, and sometimes it just happens. What are some practical tips that help us prepare ourselves to receive faith?" [00:45:41] (22 seconds)


"We need an environment, right? Again, I just want to reiterate, none of these things will guarantee, but all of these things will help, okay? And so, what is a space for rest? Well, it would be like a comfortable room, right? But in the context of faith, it would be your environment, right? I would hope that as you come to church, that this would be a healthy environment for you to be able to experience God." [00:46:08] (31 seconds)


"We need peace and comfort, right? Again, if you have a nice bed, you have a nice room, but you have me standing next to your bed just kind of poking you like, hey, hey, hey, hey. Yeah, probably wouldn't work, right? You need some form of peace and comfort. Now, what does that look like in our life of faith? Well, peace and comfort, I would argue, would be worship and prayer, to have a time to settle yourself, to be at peace, to really be able to sit with God and to calm down and to enjoy rest." [00:47:26] (37 seconds)


"And in those situations, we can expect to experience God just a little bit more clearly. Now, sometimes when we kind of look at things like this, there's kind of this feeling that in the background that kind of feels like, well, gee, it kind of feels like God is hiding from me. It kind of feels like there are these hoops that I have to kind of jump through in order for him to show up." [00:49:16] (23 seconds)


"And it kind of feels a little bit strange and maybe a little bit distant. And I just want to say, I don't think that God is hiding from us. I don't think God is playing some, like, twisted version of hide and seek, right? But I think the reality of the world around us is that there are many things that can preoccupy our minds and distract us from very important things." [00:49:42] (26 seconds)


"I don't think God is hiding from us. I think God is actually very present. And there are many moments where he is saying, I hope you never forget this moment. But we get distracted. We get caught up in whatever the preparations we think are necessary. But God is there saying, I hope you don't forget this moment." [00:54:25] (33 seconds)


"There are plenty of moments that I believe God wants to show up. And wants to be with you. And invites you to sit at his feet. But are we paying attention? Are we too busy with the many things?" [00:55:22] (23 seconds)


"And I want you to know that there is a God who created you. And who loves you. And who wants to live life with you. And to show you all these awesome things. And so I encourage you to continue. Continue to pursue Jesus. Continue to ask your questions." [00:56:04] (22 seconds)


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Transcript
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