Life's Number One Priority (Luke 10:38-42)
We often face a tension between our desires and our duties, especially when it comes to spiritual life. This sermon looks at a familiar New Testament story to identify what Jesus truly considers the most important priority for every believer.
The sermon reveals that spending dedicated time alone with Jesus is life's ultimate priority, exemplified by Mary's choice. This intimate relationship brings profound spiritual and emotional benefits, transforming a believer's life.
Overview
The sermon begins by exploring the common tension between what people want to do and what they feel they should do, and how this internal struggle often reveals the strength of one's character. It introduces the idea that there is one crucial area of life where this tension is profoundly felt, which has the most significant impact on a believer's existence.
The central biblical passage is Luke 10:38-42, detailing Jesus' visit to the home of Mary and Martha. While Martha is "distracted with all her preparations," Mary chooses to sit at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. Martha, overwhelmed, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus gently rebukes Martha, affirming Mary's choice as the "good part" that is necessary.
The preacher highlights Martha's commendable traits, describing her as industrious, organized, and courageous, even in a time when associating with Jesus was dangerous. However, Mary's unconventional act of sitting at Jesus' feet, which was not the expected role for a woman, demonstrated her deep love and desire to learn from Him. Jesus' response clarifies that while Martha's service was good, Mary's focus on intimate time with Him was the superior priority in that moment.
Making this personal, intimate relationship with Christ the number one priority yields significant results. These include a quieted spirit, renewed energy, strengthened faith, refreshed emotions, an enlarged view of God, and a purified heart. Additionally, it provides insights and instruction from His Word, prepares one for life's conflicts, anchors them during storms, offers comfort in pain, and brings a unique, deep abiding joy that is independent of circumstances.
Key points
- Life often involves tension between personal desires and what one knows is right, which reveals inner strength.
- The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 illustrates life's number one priority.
- Martha was distracted by many preparations, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, listening to Him.
- Jesus affirmed Mary's choice, stating that "only one thing is necessary," prioritizing the relationship over busy service.
- Spending time alone with Jesus is identified as the number one priority for a believer, demonstrating genuine love for Him.
- Benefits of this priority include a quieted spirit, renewed energy, strengthened faith, and refreshed emotions.
- Making Jesus first also purifies the heart, provides divine instruction, prepares for conflicts, and brings deep, abiding joy.
In Charles Stanley's words
“Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
“The most important thing in your life and my life today, tomorrow, next month, next year, every year till the moment we die, is our personal intimate relationship with Him, with Christ.”
“Happiness is dependent upon our circumstances. Joy is dependent upon a relationship.”
Outline
- I. The Tension Between Desire and Duty
- II. Life's Number One Priority: Luke 10:38-42
- A. The Setting: Jesus visits Mary and Martha's Home
- B. Martha's Character and Actions
- 1. Industrious and Organized
- 2. Courageous (John 12:10 cited for context)
- C. Mary's Choice and Devotion
- 1. Sitting at Jesus' Feet (a departure from social norms)
- D. Jesus' Affirmation: "One thing is necessary."
- III. What Jesus Means by the Number One Priority
- A. Our Personal, Intimate Relationship with Christ
- B. Spending Time Alone with Him (meditating on His Word, listening, learning, loving)
- C. The Evidence of Love: The Time We Give
- IV. The Benefits of Making Time with Jesus the Number One Priority
- A. Quiets Your Spirit
- B. Renews Your Energy
- C. Strengthens Your Faith
- D. Refreshes Your Emotions
- E. Enlarges Your View of God
- F. Purifies Your Heart
- G. Provides Insights and Instruction from His Word
- H. Prepares You for Conflict and Anchors You for Storms
- I. Offers Comfort When Hurting
- J. Brings Deep Abiding Joy
- V. A Call to Prioritize Jesus in All Aspects of Life
- VI. An Invitation to Receive Jesus as Savior
Scripture references
38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Insights
Genuine love for God is often revealed by the time we choose to give Him.
Life's deepest fulfillment arises from an intimate relationship with Christ.
Quiet moments spent with God can calm the most troubled spirit.
Questions & answers
What is identified as "life's number one priority" in this sermon?
According to the sermon, life's number one priority is our personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, specifically the time we spend alone with Him.
How does the story of Mary and Martha relate to this priority?
The story highlights Martha's distraction with many preparations versus Mary's choice to sit and listen to Jesus. Jesus' affirmation of Mary's choice underscores that intimacy with Him is more important than even good service or hospitality.
What does the preacher say about Martha's character?
Martha is described as industrious, organized, and courageous. Jesus did not say her actions were bad, but rather that her priorities were misplaced in that moment.
What are some practical outcomes of making Jesus the number one priority?
Making time with Jesus a priority quiets one's spirit, renews energy, strengthens faith, refreshes emotions, enlarges one's view of God, and purifies the heart. It also brings instruction, prepares for conflict, provides comfort, and leads to deep joy.
What is the sermon's distinction between happiness and joy?
Happiness is presented as dependent upon circumstances, whereas joy is dependent upon a relationship with God, making it a deeper and more fulfilling experience.
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Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.