Serving In Jesus’ Presence

How I love worshiping with you all on Sundays. We had such a beautiful one last week on Father's Day!

Watch last Sunday's sermon "The First Thing" from our Seek Ye First series

We're studying Jesus' words from Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."

And, admittedly, it's difficult to seek first anything but what we want.

We have a “Seek Ye First” faith, but...

We live in a “Seek Me First” world.

And this Sunday, we'll be looking at a premiere story where, in a heated moment, Jesus reveals the best thing for our souls to choose, in Luke 10:40-42:

"Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” Luke 10:40.

Martha is stuck in a mindset. 

And it's not wrong. 

Things need to get done. 

And someone needs to do them. 

I mean, we just last Sunday studied how important the second great commandment is, "love your neighbor as yourself."

And here is Martha, literally fulfilling that command!

Being obedient.  

Loving others well.

And, honestly, she should be celebrated. 

Most of us struggle to love others. 

We experience service-burn-out.

Or a variety of frustrations in hosting and loving people well.

And when we’re irked, we usually stuff it. 

Or leak it.

And that’s where, for many of us, even our love for others can become a “Seek Me First” issue.

But Martha actually brings that problem to Jesus!

“She went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care?’”

This is exactly what all of us who struggle with service, loving, or the second commandment need to do!

And Jesus responds:

“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” Luke 10:41-42.

What Martha doesn’t realize is the singular invitation of Jesus’ presence.

She brings one care to Jesus…and Jesus reveals her heart, she actually is “anxious and troubled about many things.”

What a gift that He sees that this one issue with her sister is the fruit of her many anxieties and troubles. 

This shows us that Jesus sees Martha’s heart.

And yet He doesn’t want her to be stuck only in second commandment struggles.

It’s not that Jesus didn’t think Martha should serve….

It’s that Martha didn’t realize what was readily available now in Jesus’ presence.

This moment is really a massive invitation for all those who feel socially obligated, religiously ostracized, or relationally separated from God’s team…

“One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus invites all of us who feel like we don't fit, not to neglect our duties...

But to realize the massive welcome of His presence.

That amidst our doing we can be a presence-led people.

That we can be closer to Jesus than we think.

That “Seek Ye First” pursues Jesus and includes me.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Dave