Prioritizing Jesus: Embracing His Presence Over Productivity

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of welcoming Jesus into our lives and the importance of prioritizing His presence over our productivity. We began by reflecting on Psalm 100, which calls us to enter God's presence with thanksgiving and praise, acknowledging His goodness and everlasting faithfulness. This sets the tone for our worship and our lives, reminding us that we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

I shared a personal story about my daughter, who gave me a note to remember her while I was away. This simple act served as a spiritual reminder of the importance of remembering Jesus and His sacrifice for us. As we partake in communion, we are called to remember not just what Jesus has done, but why He did it—out of love and to meet our deepest need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

We then turned to the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. This narrative illustrates the contrast between Martha's focus on production and Mary's focus on presence. While Martha was busy with preparations, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, prioritizing His presence and teachings. This story challenges us to refocus our lives around knowing Jesus, emphasizing that a life shaped by His presence is more fulfilling than one driven by productivity.

As we enter a new year, we are invited to make space for Jesus in our lives, to welcome Him fully, and to practice abiding in His presence. This involves setting aside distractions and choosing to be with God, whether through prayer, meditation, or simply being still in His presence. We are encouraged to practice this regularly, recognizing that Jesus goes where He is welcomed and that His presence is transformative.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Welcoming Jesus: Jesus goes where He is welcomed. Like Martha, we must open our hearts and homes to Him, giving Him full access to our lives. This openness allows us to experience His transformative presence. [44:03]
• 2. Presence Over Production: Mary chose to focus on Jesus' presence rather than being consumed by tasks. A refocused faith prioritizes being with God over merely doing for God, recognizing that His presence is more important than our productivity. [51:24]
• 3. Abiding in God's Presence: A Jesus-shaped life regularly practices abiding in God's presence. This means intentionally setting aside time to be with Him, allowing His presence to shape and guide us in all aspects of life. [54:11]
• 4. Invitation to Refocus: As we enter a new year, we are invited to refocus our lives on Jesus, setting aside distractions and choosing to abide in His presence. This involves welcoming Him into every area of our lives and allowing His presence to transform us. [56:20]
• 5. Practicing the Presence of God: Inspired by Brother Lawrence, we are encouraged to practice the presence of God in every moment, whether in worship or daily tasks. This practice helps us remain connected to God and aware of His presence in all we do. [57:17]
  ** [57:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [06:29] - Invitation to Worship
• [12:01] - Remembering Through Communion
• [14:38] - The Significance of Communion
• [16:57] - Our Deepest Need
• [22:09] - The Cross and Grace
• [28:34] - Thanksgiving and Faithfulness
• [29:25] - Gratitude and Reflection
• [30:55] - New Year Reflections
• [35:27] - Making Space for Jesus
• [36:48] - Practicing Faith
• [39:07] - The Story of Mary and Martha
• [42:14] - Refocused Faith
• [44:03] - Welcoming Jesus
• [51:24] - Presence Over Production
• [54:11] - Abiding in God's Presence
• [56:20] - Invitation to Refocus
• [57:17] - Practicing the Presence of God

1. In Psalm 100, what are the specific actions the psalmist encourages us to take as we enter God's presence? How do these actions set the tone for worship? [06:29]
2. Reflecting on the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, what were the different focuses of Mary and Martha when Jesus visited their home? [39:54]
3. How did the pastor's personal story about his daughter serve as a reminder of the importance of remembering Jesus and His sacrifice? [12:01]
4. What does the pastor suggest is the significance of welcoming Jesus into our lives, as illustrated by Martha's actions? [44:03]

1. How does the psalmist's call to enter God's presence with thanksgiving and praise in Psalm 100 relate to the idea of prioritizing presence over productivity? [06:29]
2. In the story of Mary and Martha, why might Jesus have commended Mary for choosing to sit at His feet rather than helping Martha with the preparations? [39:54]
3. The pastor mentioned that Jesus goes where He is welcomed. What might this imply about the nature of our relationship with Jesus and how we invite Him into our lives? [44:03]
4. How does the concept of abiding in God's presence, as discussed in the sermon, challenge our modern understanding of productivity and success? [54:11]

1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific activities or distractions that prevent you from welcoming Jesus into your life? How can you create space for Him this week? [35:27]
2. Consider the balance between productivity and presence in your life. How can you prioritize being with God over merely doing for God in your daily activities? [51:24]
3. The pastor shared a story about his daughter giving him a note to remember her. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of Jesus' presence and sacrifice throughout your day? [12:01]
4. As we enter a new year, what specific steps can you take to refocus your life on Jesus and set aside distractions? How can you make this a regular practice? [56:20]
5. The sermon mentioned practicing the presence of God in every moment. What are some ways you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine, whether at work, home, or during leisure time? [57:17]
6. How can you ensure that Jesus is welcomed into every area of your life, not just the parts you feel comfortable sharing? What might be holding you back from giving Him full access? [48:46]
7. Reflect on the idea of a Jesus-shaped life. What changes can you make in your daily habits to regularly practice abiding in God's presence? [54:11]