Prioritizing God's Presence: Transformative Engagement with Scripture

 

Summary

In today's message, I emphasized the importance of personal engagement with God's Word and the transformative power it holds for individuals and the church as a whole. Reflecting on the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10, I highlighted how Mary chose the "one thing" necessary—sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to Him. This choice is echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in Psalm 27 and Psalm 1, where the priority is to dwell in God's presence and meditate on His Word. Our modern churches often resemble Martha, busy and anxious, rather than Mary, who prioritized being with Jesus.

I shared the story from Exodus 19, where Moses ascends the mountain to meet God, illustrating the awe and anticipation of being in God's presence. This should be the experience of every believer, not just a select few. When we gather as a church, it should be a collective sharing of our personal encounters with God, rather than relying on one person's experience. Last year, our congregation committed to reading the entire Bible together, which fostered daily discussions about God's Word and created a community deeply rooted in Scripture.

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. In a world where personal opinions often take precedence, we must seek God's thoughts through His Word. This pursuit unifies us as believers and strengthens our faith. I challenged us to return to the biblical model where the Word of God is central, and every believer is equipped to study and understand it for themselves. This will lead to a stronger, more resilient church, grounded in truth and not swayed by fleeting emotions.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Necessity of Sitting at Jesus' Feet: Like Mary in Luke 10, we must prioritize being in Jesus' presence, listening to His Word. This is the "one thing" necessary for spiritual growth and fulfillment. In a world full of distractions, choosing to sit at Jesus' feet brings peace and clarity. [00:41]

2. Personal Encounters with God: The story of Moses in Exodus 19 illustrates the power of personal encounters with God. Each believer should seek these experiences, bringing their insights to the community, enriching the collective faith journey. [02:46]

3. Unity Through Scripture: When a congregation commits to reading the Bible together, it fosters unity and deepens understanding. This shared journey in God's Word strengthens the church and encourages individual spiritual growth. [03:36]

4. God's Thoughts vs. Our Thoughts: Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God's thoughts are higher than ours. We must seek His wisdom through Scripture, rather than relying on our limited understanding, to guide our lives and decisions. [04:38]

5. Empowering Believers: Encouraging believers to engage with Scripture personally empowers them to stand firm in their faith. This approach builds a resilient church, grounded in truth and less susceptible to being swayed by emotions or external influences. [07:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - The Story of Mary and Martha
- [00:41] - Choosing the Good Portion
- [01:09] - The Priority of God's Presence
- [01:44] - Rooted in the Word
- [02:16] - Moses' Encounter with God
- [03:05] - Sharing Personal Experiences
- [03:36] - Congregational Bible Reading
- [04:07] - Freedom from Performance Pressure
- [04:38] - God's Higher Thoughts
- [05:21] - Seeking God's Wisdom
- [06:08] - Unity Through Shared Scripture
- [06:41] - Longing for God's Presence
- [07:13] - Empowering the Church
- [07:39] - Becoming People of the Word

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 10:38-42
2. Psalm 27:4
3. Isaiah 55:8-9

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10, what was the "one thing" that Jesus said was necessary, and how did Mary exemplify this? [00:41]

2. According to Psalm 27:4, what is the one thing David seeks, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on dwelling in God's presence?

3. How does Isaiah 55:8-9 describe the difference between God's thoughts and our thoughts, and why is this significant in the context of the sermon? [04:38]

4. What was the congregation's experience when they committed to reading the entire Bible together, and how did it impact their Sunday gatherings? [03:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might Jesus have emphasized the importance of sitting at His feet, as Mary did, over being busy with tasks, like Martha? How does this apply to modern church practices? [00:41]

2. In what ways does the story of Moses in Exodus 19 illustrate the power of personal encounters with God, and how can this be applied to individual believers today? [02:16]

3. How does the concept of God's thoughts being higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) challenge the way believers should approach decision-making and understanding in their lives? [04:38]

4. What are the potential benefits and challenges of a congregation committing to read the Bible together, as described in the sermon? [03:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you prioritize "sitting at Jesus' feet" amidst your busy schedule, similar to Mary in Luke 10? [00:41]

2. Think about a recent decision you made. How might seeking God's thoughts, as described in Isaiah 55:8-9, have influenced that decision differently? [04:38]

3. How can you create opportunities for personal encounters with God in your life, similar to Moses' experience in Exodus 19? What practical steps can you take this week? [02:16]

4. If your church were to commit to reading the Bible together, what role could you play in fostering discussions and unity within your community? [03:36]

5. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on God's Word. What steps can you take to minimize this distraction and deepen your engagement with Scripture?

6. How can you encourage others in your church or small group to engage with Scripture personally, and what impact do you think this could have on your community's spiritual growth? [07:26]

7. Consider a time when you relied on your own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom. How can you change your approach in similar situations in the future? [05:21]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing Presence Over Performance
In a world filled with distractions and demands, the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10 serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of prioritizing time with Jesus over the busyness of life. Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, listening to His words, while Martha was consumed with serving. This choice reflects a deeper spiritual truth: being in Jesus' presence is the "one thing" necessary for true spiritual growth and fulfillment. In our modern lives, we often find ourselves like Martha, anxious and distracted by many things. Yet, the peace and clarity we seek are found in choosing to be like Mary, sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to His Word. [00:41]

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 steps can you take today to prioritize time in Jesus' presence, setting aside distractions and focusing on His Word?


Day 2: Experiencing God Personally
The story of Moses ascending Mount Sinai in Exodus 19 illustrates the awe and anticipation of encountering God personally. This experience is not reserved for a select few but is available to every believer. Personal encounters with God are transformative, providing insights and revelations that enrich our faith journey. When believers share these experiences within the community, it strengthens the collective faith and encourages others to seek their own encounters with God. Each believer is invited to ascend their own "mountain" to meet with God, bringing back insights that can inspire and uplift the entire congregation. [02:46]

Exodus 33:11 (ESV): "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent personal encounter with God. How can you share this experience with someone in your community to encourage their faith journey?


Day 3: Unity Through Shared Scripture
When a congregation commits to reading the Bible together, it fosters a sense of unity and deepens the collective understanding of God's Word. This shared journey creates a community that is deeply rooted in Scripture, strengthening the church and encouraging individual spiritual growth. As believers engage with the Bible together, they are united in purpose and vision, creating a resilient church that stands firm in truth. This unity through Scripture is a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of God's Word in the lives of His people. [03:36]

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: How can you actively participate in a community Bible reading plan, and what steps can you take to encourage others to join you in this journey?


Day 4: Seeking God's Higher Thoughts
Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. In a world where personal opinions often take precedence, believers are called to seek God's wisdom through His Word. This pursuit of divine wisdom unifies believers and strengthens their faith, guiding their lives and decisions. By aligning our thoughts with God's, we are better equipped to navigate the complexities of life, making choices that reflect His will and purpose. This alignment with God's higher thoughts leads to a life of peace, purpose, and fulfillment. [04:38]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been relying on your own understanding. How can you seek God's wisdom in this area today?


Day 5: Empowering Believers Through Scripture
Encouraging believers to engage with Scripture personally empowers them to stand firm in their faith. This approach builds a resilient church, grounded in truth and less susceptible to being swayed by emotions or external influences. When believers are equipped to study and understand the Bible for themselves, they become active participants in their spiritual growth, contributing to a stronger, more vibrant church community. This empowerment through Scripture is essential for developing mature, discerning believers who can navigate the challenges of life with confidence and grace. [07:26]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to deepen your personal engagement with Scripture, and how can you encourage others in your community to do the same?

Quotes


when I read the word I really take it as God's word I'm praying before I read and I'm asking the Lord to show me like if I've never read before and let me experience him in that time there's a story in Luke 10 where Jesus enters his house of Mary and Martha and Mary's just sitting at his feet glued like listening to him Martha's running around doing all this stuff preparing and she actually gets angry and tells Jesus hey can't you tell Mary to help me she's just sitting there and Jesus answers and says Martha Martha you're 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 [00:01:48]

when I read that story I'm like gosh our churches are filled with marthas that are anxious about so much stuff and I'm not hearing about the people that are just sitting at the Lord's feet every day doing the one thing that Jesus says is necessary I mean don't you think that's a big deal when Jesus says one thing is necessary what Mary's doing sitting at my feet it's the same thing that David says in in Psalm 27 he goes one thing have I asked of you that which I'll seek after and and that's to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life and to gaze upon his Beauty [00:46:16]

all through scripture people saw this as the priority I just want to be alone in the presence of God we've lost this art of meditating day and night on the word of God like Psalm 1 says where we become these trees that are just rooted but instead we just blown and tossed by the wind we're not rooted we're not strong we're not deep and the church needs to get deep in the word and that happens when individuals get alone with the word of God instead of going to the word for answers for my problems I need to just continue to learn more about who God is and what he says for me and that shines a light on everything in my life and gives me a lot of perspective [00:87:40]

in Exodus 19 you have this amazing story where Moses walks up the mountain to meet with God himself and everyone else is standing at the base of the mountain cuz they're not allowed to go up and they see fire they see smoke the ground is shaking and every time God speaks they say it's like thunder like a trumpet can you imagine being down there and just going I can't wait till Moses comes down I can't wait to hear what it was like to be in the presence of God can you imagine how excited Moses was to come down and tell the people go man I just was with God [02:12:36]

see the church should be a bunch of people who spent time on that mountain top alone with God and then we gather together to talk about it excited going man I was in the presence of God this is what he said to me this is what he said to me and we share our experiences but nowadays that's not what the church is like instead it's just everyone coming to hear about one person's experience think about how powerful the church would be if we all read the word of God together and had these experience of God then we came together [02:45:32]

this last year we had the whole congregation commit to reading through the entire Bible and we used the read scripture app so that we'd all be on the same passages and it was so cool because you saw people talk about the word of God every day like they were talking to each other about the passage they read that morning so then when we would gather on Sunday it wasn't like they were starving and needed a word from the one guy that came came to the presence of God know everyone was dwelling on this all week long [03:31:00]

in Isaiah 55: 8 and 9 God says my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord for as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts yeah getting quiet it matters for everything I do whether it's a small task or something really large and impactful for the kingdom I have to be centered on his truth or I tend to make up my own and we live in a time where everyone goes hey I think this I think this I feel this I feel this and God's saying it doesn't matter [04:35:20]

do you understand like you see the heavens up there see how it's so much higher than the earth he goes that's the way my thoughts are so why do we spend all day looking inside and trying to figure out what we feel and what we think if God tells us right there that his thoughts are not the same as ours but there're infinitely higher doesn't it make sense that all of us should be then searching go well then what are those thoughts what does God think and so when you see a congregation all searching the word of God because we love the thoughts of God and we see them as far superior to our own that's what bonds us together [05:14:12]

how amazing would it be if we saw Believers all over the country commit make the effort and say we're going to read through the Bible together and what if we really did read the same passages of scripture every day and then every believer you came in contact with you could Fellowship over God's thoughts how we could be unified as a church and people would learn to discover truth not just by listening to what everyone says but by studying the word for themselves [05:52:00]

like I don't get it like how have we've gone so far from from what we see in scripture where people say this is the one thing I want and where the Son of God says is the one thing that is necessary and meanwhile we have these churches and people who call themselves Christians and they don't even long for the one thing that Believers have longed for for all of history to hear from the Lord to to to understand him to come into His presence man pastors it's time that we step up and get our people to get into the word [06:26:12]

I mean push them to get into God's presence for themselves it's going to make our churches so much stronger we can't just allow people to come and just just hungry all week waiting for this word from us because we came into the presence of God and and we as pastors studied the word of God no it's when they Fellowship over it and it's when they can stand on their own two feet because they know how to read the scriptures that's when the church is going to be strong again that's when there's going to be a depth and that's when our people will no longer be tossed by every feeling that they get because we'll look at the word of God and we'll be people of the word of God because we read scripture for ourselves and we know truth [07:03:24]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?