Prioritizing God's Presence Over Busyness: A Call to Joy
Summary
In my sermon, I began by introducing a new series leading up to Pentecost called "A Merry Heart," which emphasizes the joy of a heart like Mary's from the biblical account of Mary and Martha. I read from Luke 10:38-42, highlighting the contrast between Martha's distraction with preparations and Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet, absorbing His teachings. I explained that Jesus' response to Martha wasn't a rebuke of her service but a call to prioritize being with Him over being busy. Martha's service was not wrong, but her anxiety and worry revealed misplaced priorities.
I then connected this story to our modern Christian experience, where we can become so focused on doing things for God that we miss the opportunity to be with God. I shared a personal reflection on how we, as a church, must guard against becoming a "consumer church" that seeks entertainment rather than an encounter with God. I emphasized the importance of not just doing church activities but ensuring that they lead us to a deeper connection with God.
I also discussed the subtleties of spiritual warfare, cautioning against trying to fight our battles with spiritual tools without relying on God Himself. I used an analogy of a toolbox, explaining that the tools are only effective when used in partnership with God, who is the master craftsman.
I shared insights into the lives of Mary and Martha beyond the well-known story, particularly focusing on Martha's strong faith during the death of her brother Lazarus. I pointed out that Martha did have faith in Jesus as the Messiah but had a moment of distraction that we all can relate to.
I then addressed the dangers of falling into a pattern of religious ritual without relationship, clarifying that rituals and disciplines can be beneficial when they lead us to God. I spoke against the notion that being "spirit-led" means rejecting all forms of planning and preparation, arguing that we can be both spontaneous and intentional in our worship and service to God.
As I moved towards the conclusion of my sermon, I introduced the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude, challenging the congregation to create space for God in the quietness of their lives. I explained that in the silence, away from the noise of the world, we can truly hear God's voice and find strength in Him.
Finally, I encouraged the congregation to be intentional about setting aside time for silence and solitude, to allow God to meet them in those moments, and to be mindful of not allowing distractions or temporary comforts to replace the healing and presence of Jesus in their lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The story of Mary and Martha teaches us that service to God is valuable, but it must stem from a place of prioritizing His presence over our busyness. It's not about choosing between action and contemplation but integrating both with the right heart posture. ([01:07:18])
2. Our church activities and spiritual practices must lead to genuine encounters with God, not just serve as entertainment or routine. We must continually examine our motives to ensure we're seeking God for who He is, not just for what He can provide. ([01:18:30])
3. Spiritual warfare requires us to recognize that our strength comes from God, not from our own efforts. The tools He provides, such as His Word and worship, are effective when we partner with Him and allow Him to lead the battle. ([01:27:44])
4. Silence and solitude are powerful disciplines that create space for God to speak into our lives. In the quiet, we can find rest and hear His still, small voice, which guides and strengthens us. ([01:39:21])
5. Intentionality in our spiritual practices is crucial. We must not let the noise of life drown out God's voice. By setting aside time for silence and solitude, we can encounter God in a deeper way and allow Him to transform our hearts. ([01:45:00])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 10:38-42
- John 11:21-27
#### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 10:38-42, what were the different actions taken by Mary and Martha when Jesus visited their home?
2. How did Jesus respond to Martha's complaint about Mary in Luke 10:41-42? What was His main point?
3. In John 11:21-27, how did Martha express her faith in Jesus despite her brother Lazarus' death?
4. What does Jesus reveal about Himself to Martha in John 11:25-26, and how does she respond?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the importance of Mary's choice to sit at His feet over Martha's busy preparations? [01:10:40]
2. How can Martha's moment of distraction be seen as a reflection of our own lives today? [01:09:51]
3. What does Martha's interaction with Jesus in John 11:21-27 teach us about faith and understanding Jesus' power over life and death?
4. How does the concept of spiritual warfare discussed in the sermon relate to the story of Mary and Martha? [01:27:44]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there moments where you prioritize busyness over spending time with Jesus? How can you adjust your schedule to include more time at His feet? [01:10:40]
2. Think about your involvement in church activities. Are you participating to encounter God or for other reasons? How can you ensure your motives align with seeking a genuine connection with God? [01:18:30]
3. In what ways have you experienced spiritual warfare in your life? How can you better rely on God’s strength rather than your own efforts during these times? [01:27:44]
4. Silence and solitude were highlighted as important spiritual disciplines. How can you incorporate these practices into your weekly routine to create space for God to speak to you? [01:39:21]
5. Identify one specific distraction or temporary comfort in your life that often takes precedence over your relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take this week to minimize or eliminate this distraction? [01:45:00]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by church activities or personal responsibilities. How did it affect your relationship with God? What changes can you make to ensure your service stems from a place of rest and submission to Jesus? [01:09:51]
7. How can you balance being spirit-led with planning and preparation in your worship and service to God? Share a practical example of how you can be both spontaneous and intentional in your spiritual practices. [01:35:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritize Presence Over Busyness
In a world that glorifies busyness, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of tasks and lose sight of what truly matters. The story of Mary and Martha serves as a poignant reminder that while service is important, it should flow from a place of communion with God. It's not about choosing between action and contemplation but about finding the balance where one's actions are infused with the peace and wisdom that comes from sitting at Jesus' feet. This intentional positioning allows for service that is not only effective but also joyful and sustainable. It's a call to examine one's heart and ensure that the drive to serve is rooted in a desire to be close to God, rather than in the fleeting satisfaction of a to-do list completed. [07:18]
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: How can you adjust your daily routine to create moments where you prioritize being in God's presence over your list of tasks?
Day 2: Encounter Over Entertainment
The modern Christian experience is often riddled with distractions that can lead to a consumer mindset, where church activities become a source of entertainment rather than a means to encounter God. It's crucial to reflect on the purpose behind every spiritual practice and church activity. Are they leading to a deeper connection with God? This reflection is not to diminish the value of church programs but to ensure that they serve as conduits to experiencing God's presence and not ends in themselves. The goal is to foster a relationship with God that is alive and personal, where every song sung and every word spoken in church resonates with the heartbeat of a genuine pursuit of God. [18:30]
Hosea 6:6 (ESV)
"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your participation in church activities is an avenue for encountering God rather than just a routine or form of entertainment?
Day 3: God's Strength in Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is a reality that requires recognition of one's own limitations and the need for divine strength. The tools provided for battle, such as prayer, worship, and the Word of God, are only effective when used in partnership with God. It's not about wielding these tools with human expertise but about allowing God to lead the battle. This partnership with the divine craftsman ensures that one's efforts are not in vain but are empowered by the One who has already secured the victory. It's a call to lean not on one's own understanding but to trust in God's guidance and provision in every spiritual struggle. [27:44]
2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV)
"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."
Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you need to rely more on God's strength rather than your own efforts?
Day 4: The Power of Silence and Solitude
In the clamor of today's society, silence and solitude are disciplines that are often neglected. Yet, they hold immense power in creating space for God to speak and move in one's life. In the quiet, away from distractions, one can hear the still, small voice of God that brings guidance, comfort, and strength. These practices are not about isolation but about intentional withdrawal to a place where the soul can be nourished by divine presence. It's in these moments of stillness that one can truly rest in God and receive the wisdom and insight needed for life's journey. [39:21]
1 Kings 19:12 (ESV)
"And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of silence and solitude into your daily life to better hear God's voice?
Day 5: Intentionality in Spiritual Practice
The spiritual journey requires intentionality, especially in a world filled with noise and constant stimulation. Setting aside time for silence and solitude is not about adding another task to the day but about creating a sacred space where one can encounter God. This intentional practice is an antidote to the distractions that vie for attention and the temporary comforts that promise but fail to deliver lasting peace. It's about making room for God to work in the heart, to heal, to restore, and to transform. By being deliberate in seeking these moments with God, one can experience the fullness of His presence and the joy that comes from a deep, abiding relationship with the Creator. [45:00]
Lamentations 3:25-26 (ESV)
"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Reflection: What specific time can you set aside each day for silence and solitude to deepen your relationship with God?
Quotes
1) "Encounter means that you're not just utilizing, just spiritual disciplines and these tools that God has given us, like worship and the word and prayer and all of these things. We're not just using those things. We're actually finding the one who gave them to us. We're finding the one who fights for us, who comforts us, who provides for us, who gives us everything we need." [01:34:26]
2) "The tools He provides, such as His Word and worship, are effective when we partner with Him and allow Him to lead the battle. It's a subtle, but massive shift, between using the word of God, and, or allowing the God of the word, to fight our battles." [01:27:44]
3) "Solitude is the creation of an open, empty space in our lives by purposefully abstaining from interactions with other human beings so that, freed from competing loyalties we can be found by God. Set aside time for silence and solitude. Set aside purposeful time, like literally schedule it into your calendar." [01:44:27]
4) "Are you here for entertainment or are you here to encounter the one true God? We do not want to be a consumer church where people show up just to have their needs met, just to be entertained, just to, you know, have a nice little show on the weekends." [01:18:30]
5) "God, in this moment of solitude, I don't want to just have my mind going a million miles an hour and all the things that I'm worried about. God, I wanna ask you to silence those things so that you can speak to me. God, I wanna disconnect from anything else, any other lies, any other discouragement." [01:46:24]
6) "The truth is we can't really decide, okay, I'm done. Like, I hear this, and I'm like, cool. I'm done. I'm going to sit at the feet of Jesus. I'm not going to make any more meals. But the truth is if all of us did that, if we quit everything else just to sit at the feet of Jesus every day, guess what? Your boss would fire you." [01:11:14]
7) "The truth is, sometimes we're trying everything we can. We're using every tool that he's given us, and we're going, God, I've got my toolbox. I've got my weapons. I've got my arsenal. God, which, okay, let's go. But we get tired. And then we get disappointed, and we get discouraged, and we're like, God, I'm doing all that I can. Please. God, I give up." [01:25:09]
8) "But the truth is, it's so often, in the noise that the enemy keeps us distracted, and it's in the silence that we hear the still, small voice... Isaiah 30 verse 15 says, In repentance and rest is your salvation. In quietness and trust is your strength. How many of you guys need strength?" [01:42:58]
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