Prioritizing Jesus: Transformative Encounters and Spiritual Hunger

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound significance of being in the presence of Jesus, as exemplified by Mary and Zacchaeus. Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet, chose the "good portion" by prioritizing His presence over the distractions of life. Her actions broke cultural norms, demonstrating a deep hunger for spiritual connection. This story challenges us to evaluate what we deem important and to prioritize time with Jesus above all else. Similarly, Zacchaeus, a wealthy yet spiritually bankrupt man, climbed a tree to see Jesus, illustrating the desperation and determination required to encounter Him. Despite his wealth, Zacchaeus recognized his spiritual emptiness and took radical steps to see Jesus, which led to a transformative encounter that restored his identity.

The message also highlighted the obstacles that often hinder our spiritual journey. Like Zacchaeus, we face barriers—whether they be societal, personal, or spiritual—that we must overcome to experience revival and transformation. Revival is not for the complacent; it requires a relentless pursuit of God's presence, pushing through distractions and societal norms. The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that Jesus responds to our hunger and desperation, offering a new identity and purpose.

Furthermore, the message emphasized the importance of remembering our past "chapter 11" moments—times of spiritual bankruptcy and darkness—so that we can fully appreciate and engage in our "chapter 12" moments of praise and worship. Our past experiences of God's grace and deliverance fuel our present worship and devotion.

In conclusion, being people of His presence means prioritizing time with Jesus, pushing through distractions, and maintaining a deep hunger for more of Him. It involves a willingness to break through barriers and societal norms to encounter His transformative power.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prioritizing His Presence: Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, prioritizing His presence over life's distractions. This choice challenges us to evaluate what we consider important and to ensure that time with Jesus is our top priority. [02:33]

2. Breaking Cultural Norms: Mary's actions broke cultural and societal norms, demonstrating a deep hunger for spiritual connection. Her example encourages us to push through societal expectations to prioritize our relationship with Jesus. [07:21]

3. Desperation for Jesus: Zacchaeus' determination to see Jesus, despite societal and personal barriers, illustrates the desperation required to encounter Him. This desperation leads to transformation and a restored identity. [22:31]

4. Overcoming Obstacles: Revival requires overcoming obstacles and distractions that hinder our spiritual journey. Like Zacchaeus, we must push through barriers to experience God's transformative power. [29:28]

5. Remembering Our Past: Our past experiences of spiritual bankruptcy and God's deliverance fuel our present worship and devotion. Remembering our "chapter 11" moments helps us fully engage in our "chapter 12" praise. [17:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:33] - Mary at Jesus' Feet
- [03:12] - Cultural Context of Women
- [05:43] - Jesus' Impact on Women
- [07:21] - Mary Breaks Cultural Norms
- [11:28] - Importance of Jesus' Presence
- [14:53] - Chapter 11 and Chapter 12
- [18:50] - Secret of Sitting at His Feet
- [20:51] - Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree
- [22:31] - Desperation for Jesus
- [27:44] - Obstacles to Revival
- [30:40] - Restored Identity
- [34:35] - Revival Changes Identity
- [38:14] - Pressing Through for Revival
- [45:19] - Call to Be People of His Presence

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 10:38-42 - The story of Mary and Martha, where Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet.
2. Luke 19:1-10 - The story of Zacchaeus, who climbs a tree to see Jesus.

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Mary take to prioritize Jesus' presence over distractions, and how did Jesus respond to her choice? [02:33]
2. How did Zacchaeus' actions demonstrate his desperation to see Jesus, and what was the outcome of his encounter? [22:31]
3. What cultural norms did Mary break by sitting at Jesus' feet, and why was this significant? [07:21]
4. What obstacles did Zacchaeus face in his pursuit of Jesus, and how did he overcome them? [29:28]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet challenge modern believers to evaluate their priorities? [11:28]
2. In what ways does Zacchaeus' story illustrate the concept of spiritual bankruptcy despite material wealth? [23:26]
3. How can remembering our "chapter 11" moments of spiritual bankruptcy enhance our current worship and devotion? [17:39]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between desperation for Jesus and personal transformation? [22:31]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific distractions that prevent you from spending time with Jesus? How can you adjust your schedule to prioritize His presence? [19:37]
2. Have you ever felt spiritually empty despite having material wealth or success? How can Zacchaeus' story inspire you to seek a deeper connection with Jesus? [23:26]
3. Think of a time when you broke societal norms to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith journey? [07:21]
4. Identify a "chapter 11" moment in your life. How can remembering this experience fuel your current worship and devotion? [17:39]
5. What are some obstacles you face in your spiritual journey? How can you overcome them to experience revival and transformation like Zacchaeus? [29:28]
6. Consider the level of desperation you have for Jesus' presence. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper hunger for Him? [22:31]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to break through distractions and societal norms to encounter Jesus' transformative power? [45:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing the Good Portion
Mary's decision to sit at Jesus' feet exemplifies the profound choice of prioritizing His presence over the distractions of life. In a world filled with endless demands and noise, her actions challenge us to evaluate what we truly consider important. By choosing the "good portion," Mary demonstrates a deep hunger for spiritual connection, breaking away from societal expectations. This choice invites us to reflect on our own lives and consider how we can make time with Jesus our top priority, ensuring that His presence is the foundation of our daily lives. [02:33]

Luke 10:41-42 (ESV): "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: What are the distractions in your life that keep you from prioritizing time with Jesus? How can you intentionally create space to sit at His feet today?


Day 2: Breaking Through Societal Norms
Mary's actions in choosing to sit at Jesus' feet broke cultural and societal norms, demonstrating her deep hunger for spiritual connection. In a time when women were often relegated to the background, her boldness in prioritizing her relationship with Jesus serves as a powerful example for us today. This story encourages us to push through societal expectations and norms that may hinder our spiritual growth. It challenges us to consider what cultural barriers we need to break through to deepen our relationship with Jesus and live out our faith authentically. [07:21]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What societal or cultural norms are you allowing to dictate your spiritual life? How can you break through these barriers to prioritize your relationship with Jesus?


Day 3: Desperation Leads to Transformation
Zacchaeus' determination to see Jesus, despite societal and personal barriers, illustrates the desperation required to encounter Him. His story is a powerful reminder that true transformation often begins with a deep hunger and desperation for Jesus. Zacchaeus, a wealthy yet spiritually bankrupt man, recognized his emptiness and took radical steps to see Jesus, leading to a transformative encounter that restored his identity. This narrative challenges us to examine our own level of desperation for Jesus and consider what steps we are willing to take to encounter His transformative power. [22:31]

Luke 19:3-4 (ESV): "And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually empty? What radical steps can you take today to seek Jesus and experience His transformative power?


Day 4: Overcoming Obstacles to Revival
Revival requires overcoming obstacles and distractions that hinder our spiritual journey. Like Zacchaeus, we must push through barriers—whether societal, personal, or spiritual—to experience God's transformative power. This relentless pursuit of God's presence is not for the complacent but for those who are willing to push through distractions and societal norms. The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that Jesus responds to our hunger and desperation, offering a new identity and purpose. [29:28]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Reflection: What obstacles are currently hindering your spiritual journey? How can you actively work to overcome these barriers and pursue a deeper relationship with God?


Day 5: Remembering Our Past to Fuel Our Worship
Our past experiences of spiritual bankruptcy and God's deliverance fuel our present worship and devotion. Remembering our "chapter 11" moments—times of darkness and emptiness—helps us fully engage in our "chapter 12" moments of praise and worship. These experiences remind us of God's grace and deliverance, encouraging us to live lives of gratitude and devotion. By reflecting on our past, we can better appreciate the transformative power of God's presence in our lives today. [17:39]

Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV): "I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual bankruptcy and God's deliverance. How can this memory fuel your worship and devotion today?

Quotes

Mary has chosen the good part. Mary has chosen what she should have chosen. And Jesus said, you will not take it from her. He was saying to her, that's not important. I've come to tell somebody this Sunday morning, you got too many things going on that you walked into church with that Jesus might just be saying, that's not really important. [00:11:30]

The reason some of us can't give Jesus a chapter 12 kind of praise is because we done forgot what he brought us from in chapter 11. The reason some of us can't break open the oil in chapter 12 is because we done forgot I once was dead, but now I'm alive. [00:15:32]

Mary sat at his feet. Martha was distracted. She was distracted by good things, serving. We have to serve. We have to do the ministry, but not until we sit at his feet first. We cannot be so distracted in this life that it keeps us from his presence. [00:19:14]

People of his presence push through distractions. People of his presence push through the things that's trying to keep them. I'm telling you, the minute you wake up, what's the first thing you do? Do you spend time with Jesus or do you go to social media? [00:19:37]

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector who was, the Bible says, very wealthy, but can I submit to us today, spiritually bankrupt. He was a wealthy man, yet spiritually he was seeking because his life was empty. He was wealthy, but spiritually bankrupt. That's America. [00:23:04]

Despite Zacchaeus, despite his position, despite his wealth, Zacchaeus knew that something was missing in his life when he heard that Jesus, was coming through his town. When he heard that Jesus was passing through Jericho, his desire to see this man, his desire to see Jesus was so intense that our Bible tells us he did something radical. [00:24:54]

Until you reach that level of desperation, you'll keep going through the motions and you'll leave empty. Until you get to that place of radical intensity where you're willing to do whatever it takes. I'm going to push through whatever crowd I've got to push through. I'm going to break open whatever jar I've got to break open. [00:27:01]

When you, when we become people of his presence, when you become people of his presence, your identity is restored. Zacchaeus had been identified by his sin, his profession, and his wealth. But after he encountered Jesus, his identity, he was given a new identity. [00:30:40]

Revival will change your identity and I'm telling you revival will change who you are with an encounter in the presence of God you may have come in one way but you my God I can't get no help in this way revival restores identity his presence restores identity. [00:31:40]

Revival often begins when people recognize their need for divine intervention and they turn to God in desperation seeking a fresh encounter with him that's the birth of revival just as Zachary had to go through the barriers and he had to climb a tree this woman had to she had to go through physical barriers. [00:38:14]

Revival is for people who refuse to settle. That's who revival is for. And if you don't want it, I'll take as much of the pie that you don't want. I'll take as much of revival as you don't want. That's revival. People willing to break through the barriers. [00:42:27]

I want my church to be the kind of church that heaven has to stop and say, who's pushing through the crowd, and who just touched me? I want my church to be the church that says, that heaven says, who is that that climbed the tree? When everybody else was just good for me to pass by, who is it that climbed the tree? [00:44:48]

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Transcript
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