Spending Time with Jesus | Luke 10

So Jesus, to create this flourishing life, the same way a plant needs sunlight plus water plus the right kind of soil to flourish, a Jesus shaped life of flourishing is one that looks like Jesus, where there is a upward life connected to God, an inward life connected with a faith community, and an outward life connected with the community around you. [00:04:29] (22 seconds)  #RootedWholeLife

And so what we're gonna talk about today is how in the world do we begin living the first part of that life, the upward dimension of the life, a life connected to Jesus. One of the ways Jesus says it in John chapter 15 is that it's like he's the vine and we're the branches. And if we want to survive, we need to be connected to the root. [00:04:51] (23 seconds)  #ConnectedToTheVine

That's kinda where the rubber meets the road, isn't it? I'd love to know Jesus more. He's for me. He loves me. He's crazy about me. That's great. How do I actually get connected to that? Do you know what my schedule looks like? Do you know the kids that I live with? Do you know how chaotic my house is? Do you know how shameful I feel even trying to come and talk to Jesus? [00:05:31] (23 seconds)  #JesusWelcomesTheMess

But I think that this story teaches us something really important about connecting with Jesus. And it's not necessarily that bad things are the main things keeping us from Jesus. According to what it says in scripture, Jesus is taking care of all of our sin on the cross. The book of Colossians says he took care of once and for all our wrongdoings on the cross. Last I checked the Greek, once and for all means once and for all. [00:12:24] (30 seconds)  #SinTakenCareOf

``You don't need to be a scholar to figure that out. On the cross, Jesus is taking care of our sin, our shame, and every wrong thing we've ever done, and every wrong thing that has ever been done to us. What does that mean? That means for those of us who accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus has offered us, sin is not something that is keeping you from connecting with Jesus. Jesus shows up and hangs out with sinful people before they've even repented. Jesus has taken care of it and his grace is more powerful than your sin and shame. [00:12:54] (34 seconds)  #GraceOverShame

Life just doesn't work that way. The whole point of what Jesus says in in what he's saying here and what he says in John chapter 15 is that if you're not connected to me, you can't do anything. And can I just say your job is not to grow the fruit? That is the Holy Spirit's work. Our job is to make sure that the environment is right where that fruit can grow. [00:23:53] (24 seconds)  #StayRootedGrowFruit

It's kinda what Mary is doing here with Jesus. And when Martha starts to spin out, Jesus really kinda tells us something important. He says, Martha, Martha, you're worried and you're upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her. I think this language is super important. He's not saying what Martha has done is bad. He's just saying that what Mary has chosen is better. [00:25:52] (30 seconds)  #SitAtHisFeet

To spend time with Jesus is like getting the sleep you need. It's like drinking water. It's like breathing air. It's not a good idea. It's not a life hack. It's what you were made for. And when we spend the time connecting with Jesus, we find out that he actually delights in us. He doesn't just love you, he likes you. And it gives us the strength we need to carry on. [00:27:38] (30 seconds)  #SoulNeedsJesus