WEBVTT

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 Let's hear God's word together.

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 But mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days.

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 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient

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 to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control,

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 brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather

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 than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power, have nothing to do with

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 such people.

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 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women who are

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 loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but

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 never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

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 Just as Janes and Jambres oppose Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth.

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 They are men of depraved minds who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.

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 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be

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 clear to everyone.

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 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience,

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 love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings.

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 What kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra?

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 The persecutions I endured, yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

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 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while

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 evildoers and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

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 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know

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 those from whom you learned it.

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 And how from infancy you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise

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 for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

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 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training

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 in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good

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 work.

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 Amen.

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 Let's once again take some time to pray together.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father God, as we read that sobering account of life in the last days, we would begin our

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 time of prayer confessing our sin before you, acknowledging that we have sinned against you

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 in thought, in word, and in action, in the things that we have done and in the things we have

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 left undone.

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 Lord, we have not loved you with our whole heart.

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 We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves.

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 Lord, as we stand under your word, under your law, we would confess and we would repent.

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 And we would ask that for the sake of your son Jesus, you would have mercy on us.

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 Lord, we thank you for the promise, for the assurance that if we confess our sins, you are faithful

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 and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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 Lord, we pray for ourselves as a church and we pray for our wider community today.

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 Lord, we pray for anybody here who feels a sense of loneliness, perhaps far from home, far from family

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 and friends, those who are feeling a sense of isolation, perhaps because of the struggles of life.

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 Lord, we thank you for that promise that in Jesus we have a friend who sticks closer than any brother,

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 that we have the promise from Jesus, that he will never leave or forsake any of his people,

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 that wherever we are we go with your spirit if we belong to you.

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 And so we pray for comfort and encouragement and strength that comes from yourself.

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 We also pray that this church would be a place of real community and family for many people,

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 whether they're from Scotland or for people all around the world.

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 Lord, we pray for any here today who have particular burdens that they are carrying, anxieties for themselves or for others,

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 stress because of any number of factors.

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 Lord, we thank you again for Jesus, the one who invites us to lay our burdens down,

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 to find rest from him and to find rest in him.

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 Lord, we thank you for the gift of prayer,

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 that when we find ourselves anxious and perplexed and confused,

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 and sorrowing,

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 that we can turn our eyes to the God who made the heavens and the earth,

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 the God who is higher than us,

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 the God who promises to be a rock,

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 a source of strength and refuge.

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 And so we pray that for any who are particularly anxious,

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 that they would know to turn to you,

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 and that they would find comfort and strength from you,

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 this day and this week.

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 Lord, we pray for those who are suffering because of ill health.

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 We think of those who are undergoing treatments of various kinds,

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 for those who are awaiting results of tests and surgeries.

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 Lord, again, in those moments of fear and those doubts and questions come,

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 Lord, may your spirit come and draw near and give hope and give peace.

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 Lord, that sometimes the waves seem to break over and over.

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 We thank you that Jesus is the one who could speak to the storm and say,

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 be still.

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 Lord, we pray that you would quiet stormy hearts today because of your great grace and your goodness.

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 Lord, we pray today for those who are here who may be searching to find you as the one true God.

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 We pray that as we spend time together reading the Bible and thinking about it,

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 as we pray, as we sing,

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 Lord, that you would be revealing yourself,

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 you'd be revealing Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life,

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 that you would be pleasing to draw people to faith and to know you as their God.

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 We pray for your people as we seek to live for you in the world,

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 as you call us to be salt and light.

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 We thank you that you know each one of us.

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 You know where we spend our time.

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 You know the people that we spend time with.

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 You know the opportunities that we have to speak about Jesus.

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 You know the challenges we have to live for Jesus.

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 And so we pray for each one of your people that we would be depending on you as our Father,

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 that we would be looking to Jesus our Savior,

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 that we'd be finding strength that comes from the Holy Spirit within us,

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 so that we might bear witness to the hope that we have,

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 and that you might be pleased to bring into our lives those who need that hope,

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 those who need living truth,

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 and that you might work salvation in their hearts also.

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 Lord, we pray as we have thought from your word about the importance of your word,

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 and we pray for your word as it goes into the world today,

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 as people will be preaching it in churches all around the world,

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 as people will be speaking truth together around the world,

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 and may you cause faith to be strengthened,

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 and may you cause faith to come to life all around this world.

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 And what we pray for our world, we pray for our country.

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 Lord, will you strengthen your church and your people?

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 Will you renew and revive?

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 And Lord, as we realize how important your word is,

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 we pray for the work of a Bible translation,

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 and we thank you for those who use their gifts

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 to help to translate the Bible into different languages,

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 so people can hear good news for themselves.

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 And we thank you for the work of Bible societies all around the world,

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 as they look to make the Bible available

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 to people who long to read it,

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 who need to read it.

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 And so Lord, we pray that your word,

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 which is living and active,

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 would be living and active around the world today,

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 and it be living and active in our hearts today,

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 that you would speak,

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 and that we would listen,

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 and that we would be changed.

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 We pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Now we're going to sing a section of Psalm 119 together,

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 sometimes described as the great love song to the Bible

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 that we have in the Bible.

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 We're going to sing the section from Psalm,

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 from verse 105.

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 And again, as we're able,

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 let's stand together so we can sing.

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 Your word's a lamp that shines before my feet.

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 It is a light that guides me on my way.

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 The oath that I have taken,

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 I've confirmed,

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 that all your righteous laws I will obey.

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 Oh, Lord, you know that I have suffered much.

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 Preserve my life according to your words.

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 Accept the willing praises of my mouth.

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 Instruct me in your righteous laws, O Lord.

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 I will not disregard your holy law,

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 though constantly my life is in my hands.

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 Although the wicked set a snare for me,

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 I have not left the path of your commands.

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 Your statutes are my heritage always,

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 grace.

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 And every day they make my heart rejoice.

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 My heart is set on keeping your decrees.

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 And to the very end they are my choice.

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 Now, can you turn with me to Luke's gospel

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 and chapter 10.

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 Again, if you're using your church Bibles,

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 you'll find on page 1042.

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 And we're going to read this short section

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 at the end of chapter 10,

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 where Jesus enters the home of Martha and Mary.

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 And we'll think together about listening

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 to God's words.

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 So let's hear God's word.

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 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way,

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 he came to a village where a woman named Martha

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 opened her home to him.

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 She had a sister called Mary,

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 who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.

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 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations

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 that had to be made.

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 She came to him and asked,

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 Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me

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 to do the work by myself?

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 Tell her to help me.

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 Martha, Martha, the Lord answered,

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 you are worried and upset about many things,

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 but a few things are needed,

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 or indeed only one.

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 Mary has chosen what is better,

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 and it will not be taken away from her.

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 Amen.

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 So there's a wonderful little section here,

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 which we'll get to.

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 But before we get to it,

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 I want to talk just for a couple of minutes

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 about a chap by the name of Carl Newport.

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 Now, some of you maybe have heard of him.

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 He writes and speaks about deep working

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 and about digital minimalism.

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 So this is a key guy for thinking about deep working,

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 thinking about making space

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 to have uninterrupted time to read,

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 to think, to research, to write.

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 He examined his own life,

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 probably recognizes the challenges

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 that belong to many of us,

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 the challenge of disruptive and distracting social media,

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 the problem of constant interruptions,

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 because of technology,

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 and also the pull of shallow work,

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 those other tasks that are not the main tasks

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 that can pull us away from deep working,

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 deep thinking.

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 And so the answer for Carl Newport

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 was to begin to practice digital minimalism,

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 to maximize focus by minimizing the time spent

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 with technology and on social media.

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 And he writes and speaks about that process

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 of retraining one's brain

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 to be able to focus deeply

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 on whatever is being read and researched.

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 Now, why talk about this?

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 Well, we talk about it

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 because probably it's an experience

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 many of us recognize.

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 But there is something in this

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 for us as disciples,

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 as followers of Jesus too.

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 As we get into this text,

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 we understand that Mary and Martha

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 and we too are being called to deep listening,

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 to be devoted to Jesus' words.

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 That in this text,

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 we find the challenge of distractions,

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 that even good things in our lives

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 can take us away from Jesus' words.

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 And we hear the call from Jesus himself

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 to refocus,

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 to choose the one necessary thing,

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 to sit at Jesus' feet.

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 So we're going to see that today.

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 Again, before we get into the text directly,

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 there's something we need to recognize

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 that Luke has done in his gospel.

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 He's pulled this meeting with Mary and Martha

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 out of its expected sequence.

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 So Mary and Martha live in a place called Bethany.

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 We know Jesus is on a journey to Jerusalem,

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 but by this stage in Luke 10,

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 he hasn't actually reached Bethany yet.

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 So what Luke is doing

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 is he's taking a later story

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 and he's pulling it back in time

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 to place it here.

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 And so we need to ask ourselves,

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 why is he placing it here?

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 I want to give us two suggestions

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 and we'll come back to these.

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 One suggestion.

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 So last week, if you remember,

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 Jesus has a discussion

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 about keeping the two great commandments

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 about love for God

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 and love for our neighbor.

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 And last week,

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 we thought about the Good Samaritan.

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 What does it look like to love our neighbor?

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 It looks like showing mercy,

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 being sacrificial,

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 with our time,

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 with our energy,

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 with our resources.

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 This week,

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 and next time we come back

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 to Luke chapter 11,

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 the focus is going to be,

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 how do we grow in our love for God?

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 The focus this week,

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 listening to the words of God,

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 listening to the words of Jesus.

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 Next week,

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 next time,

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 it's going to be about prayer.

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 So there's a nice balance here

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 that's created.

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 There's balance for the follower of Jesus.

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 Last week,

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 good works,

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 activity,

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 caring for God's world.

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 This week,

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 good listening,

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 and reflection,

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 and spending time in God's word.

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 And as followers of Jesus,

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 we need both.

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 And we need that balance.

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 But our focus,

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 this time,

00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:04.259
 is going to be on listening to God's word.

00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.220
 And there's three portraits

00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.660
 that we have here in this chapter,

00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.420
 in this little section,

00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.940
 that will help us to see

00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:11.840
 that since Jesus is Lord,

00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.680
 we must listen to him.

00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:14.700
 Okay,

00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.440
 first portrait

00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:19.440
 is that of a stressed out servant.

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.980
 Let's look at Martha

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.100
 for a few moments.

00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.140
 Verse 38,

00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:26.759
 As Jesus and his disciples

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.740
 were on their way,

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.280
 he came to a village

00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:30.440
 where a woman named Martha

00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.960
 opened her home to him.

00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:32.460
 Okay,

00:18:32.520 --> 00:18:32.680
 so,

00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:33.340
 Martha,

00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.259
 we're being presented

00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.220
 to someone who is

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.800
 most likely the elder sister

00:18:36.800 --> 00:18:37.500
 in this family.

00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:38.900
 She's being presented

00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:40.360
 as the hostess.

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.820
 And she's being presented

00:18:41.820 --> 00:18:42.640
 positively,

00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.600
 because what does she do?

00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:46.060
 She welcomes Jesus in.

00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:48.360
 When Jesus sent out

00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:49.560
 his 72 disciples,

00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.840
 he spoke about the importance

00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:52.640
 of welcoming Jesus

00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:53.900
 and his people in.

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.480
 She is a follower.

00:18:55.800 --> 00:18:57.660
 She's enjoying the peace of God.

00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.440
 She receives him well.

00:19:00.040 --> 00:19:01.900
 But it doesn't take long

00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:04.940
 before stress begins to develop.

00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.400
 Verse 40,

00:19:06.520 --> 00:19:07.880
 Martha was distracted

00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:10.060
 by all the preparations

00:19:10.060 --> 00:19:11.240
 that had to be made.

00:19:11.320 --> 00:19:12.320
 Here is a picture of someone

00:19:12.320 --> 00:19:15.040
 who has become crazy busy,

00:19:15.040 --> 00:19:16.960
 looking to do a good thing,

00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:19.680
 to show hospitality to Jesus,

00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:22.160
 to serve Jesus a nice meal.

00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:24.900
 She has now become distracted.

00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.720
 She is over busy.

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:29.220
 She's going round in circles.

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.820
 And with that

00:19:30.820 --> 00:19:33.180
 comes frustration.

00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:36.160
 She came to Jesus

00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:36.560
 and asked,

00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:36.920
 Lord,

00:19:37.040 --> 00:19:37.980
 don't you care

00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:39.300
 that my sister's left me

00:19:39.300 --> 00:19:40.800
 to do the work by myself?

00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.460
 She's frustrated with Jesus.

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.759
 She's judging her sister.

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:46.980
 Maybe just sitting there

00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.580
 doing nothing

00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:48.220
 while I'm busy

00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.300
 getting the meal ready.

00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.579
 And her solution,

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.379
 get Mary to come help me

00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:53.059
 in the kitchen.

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.339
 Now,

00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.919
 how does Jesus respond

00:19:55.919 --> 00:19:57.159
 to Martha?

00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.680
 Notice,

00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.399
 first of all,

00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.539
 that he responds

00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.659
 tenderly

00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.740
 and kindly.

00:20:03.419 --> 00:20:03.899
 Martha,

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.059
 Martha,

00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.579
 the Lord answered.

00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:07.659
 You're worried

00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.159
 and upset

00:20:08.159 --> 00:20:09.399
 about many things.

00:20:10.659 --> 00:20:10.879
 Martha,

00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:12.180
 you're being disturbed

00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.740
 and distracted.

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.420
 Why?

00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:17.519
 Because you've lost focus.

00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.200
 Few things are needed

00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.779
 or indeed,

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.680
 only one.

00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.660
 Jesus didn't come

00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:26.820
 needing a fancy meal.

00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.440
 Martha does need

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:32.340
 to listen to Jesus.

00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.440
 And in all her busyness,

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.900
 she's lost that focus.

00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:37.840
 So,

00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.980
 Jesus has been welcomed in,

00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:41.680
 but at the same time,

00:20:41.780 --> 00:20:43.120
 Martha is in danger

00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:44.259
 in this moment

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.360
 of missing out

00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.740
 on fellowship

00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.640
 and friendship

00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.780
 with her Lord

00:20:48.780 --> 00:20:49.620
 and her King.

00:20:51.080 --> 00:20:51.360
 And so,

00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.840
 Jesus kindly,

00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:53.860
 wisely

00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:54.660
 says to her,

00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:54.920
 Martha,

00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.200
 it's time to put the pans down.

00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.180
 It's time to put

00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.560
 the to-do list away.

00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.180
 It's time to come

00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.019
 and listen

00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.420
 and learn

00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:05.100
 and to receive

00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:06.400
 and to receive

00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:06.860
 my love.

00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.440
 Jesus speaks

00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.180
 to Martha,

00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:12.300
 this stressed out servant,

00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:12.920
 and says,

00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.360
 you know what?

00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.259
 It's time for you

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.820
 in this moment

00:21:14.820 --> 00:21:16.460
 to stop serving.

00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:17.960
 Instead,

00:21:18.060 --> 00:21:19.140
 it's time to be served.

00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.759
 Receive grace

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.300
 from me

00:21:21.300 --> 00:21:23.620
 and from my words.

00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.000
 So,

00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:26.580
 as we come into

00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:27.800
 Luke's portrait gallery

00:21:27.800 --> 00:21:28.660
 and as we examine

00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.180
 Martha,

00:21:29.820 --> 00:21:30.600
 as we stop

00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:31.980
 and look at her life,

00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:34.140
 do we see something

00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:35.160
 of ourselves there?

00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:38.120
 In our busyness,

00:21:38.560 --> 00:21:39.100
 maybe we feel

00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:39.600
 that we're chasing

00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:40.680
 ourselves in circles,

00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.200
 pulled away,

00:21:42.800 --> 00:21:43.400
 distracted

00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.660
 from the best thing,

00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.340
 time with Jesus

00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.279
 and his word,

00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.320
 by the many things,

00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:50.519
 by the many good things

00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.200
 that we're doing.

00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:53.080
 Perhaps it's easy

00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:55.140
 to see ourselves here.

00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.140
 Where do distractions

00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.980
 come from?

00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.400
 For Martha,

00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:01.779
 it was cooking,

00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.779
 it was hospitality,

00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.859
 I was looking

00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:05.759
 to serve Jesus there.

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.559
 Where do distractions

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.720
 come from for us?

00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.359
 Maybe first and foremost,

00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:12.220
 they come from our culture.

00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.799
 People say we live

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:16.259
 in the age of distraction

00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:18.960
 because of technology,

00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:21.099
 because we're always connected,

00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:23.039
 because we're surrounded

00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.940
 by entertainment

00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:25.000
 and by noise.

00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.599
 Do we find that

00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.579
 that distracts us

00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.139
 from time

00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.700
 spent with Jesus?

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:32.080
 Maybe it's because

00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:33.360
 of career.

00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.940
 Like Martha,

00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.980
 she was a homemaker,

00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:36.840
 she was a hostess,

00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:37.319
 she took that

00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.700
 really seriously,

00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.440
 but that distracted her

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:40.960
 in that moment

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.880
 from the best thing,

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.140
 time with Jesus.

00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.500
 Maybe that's the challenge

00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:46.779
 for us,

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.440
 high pressure,

00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:48.319
 long hours,

00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.600
 the need to always

00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.259
 be available

00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.940
 where we find it

00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:52.039
 hard to switch off.

00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:55.160
 Maybe it's concerns.

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:57.160
 That word

00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.660
 in verse 41

00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.660
 that Jesus uses,

00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.400
 you are worried

00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:00.880
 and upset

00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.660
 about many things.

00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.480
 That word worried

00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.180
 comes up again

00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.180
 in chapter 12.

00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.560
 The worries

00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:07.779
 that can come.

00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:08.900
 Chapter 12,

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.740
 verse 11.

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:10.980
 When you are brought

00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.960
 before synagogues,

00:23:12.040 --> 00:23:12.940
 rulers and authorities,

00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.880
 do not worry

00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:15.140
 about how you'll

00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:15.880
 defend yourselves

00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:17.500
 or what you'll say.

00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.519
 So we can be concerned

00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:22.100
 about spiritual opposition.

00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:24.879
 or further on

00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.459
 in the chapter,

00:23:25.959 --> 00:23:26.559
 chapter 12,

00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.199
 verse 22.

00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:28.179
 Therefore I tell you,

00:23:28.459 --> 00:23:29.039
 do not worry

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.859
 about your life,

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.899
 what you'll eat

00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:32.119
 or about your body,

00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.579
 what you'll wear.

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.439
 Our daily needs,

00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.119
 what we need

00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.859
 for each day,

00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:39.139
 those concerns

00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:41.000
 can distract us

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.240
 from our time

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.039
 with Jesus.

00:23:43.719 --> 00:23:44.480
 Without care

00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.299
 and protection,

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.899
 as Martha shows us,

00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.579
 time with Jesus,

00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.879
 time in God's word,

00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:51.399
 can get swallowed up.

00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:53.859
 And we can miss

00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:55.000
 that wonderful truth

00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.399
 of a quiet heart

00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:59.099
 still before our God.

00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:03.139
 How do we fight distraction

00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:05.719
 so we can hear God's word?

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:09.399
 Let me make three suggestions

00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:11.059
 for us.

00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:13.659
 The first is about depending.

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.719
 Again, I suspect

00:24:16.719 --> 00:24:17.879
 I'm not alone in this,

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.379
 recognizing that the temptation

00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.840
 for busy Christians,

00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:23.060
 if we have a lot

00:24:23.060 --> 00:24:24.020
 on our plate,

00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:25.160
 a lot of tasks

00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:25.820
 to perform,

00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.720
 the first thing

00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.360
 that's likely

00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:28.180
 to get dropped

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:29.060
 is either

00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:30.240
 Bible reading

00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.020
 or prayer

00:24:31.020 --> 00:24:32.140
 or maybe both.

00:24:33.780 --> 00:24:35.160
 We know what we're doing.

00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:37.780
 God has resourced us

00:24:37.780 --> 00:24:38.260
 so we work

00:24:38.260 --> 00:24:39.040
 in our own strength

00:24:39.040 --> 00:24:40.240
 and we're self-reliant.

00:24:42.300 --> 00:24:43.440
 Maybe we need to learn

00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.060
 from Martha

00:24:44.060 --> 00:24:44.660
 that first,

00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:46.700
 Jesus must serve us.

00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.560
 In the word of God,

00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:50.040
 we must receive grace

00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:50.940
 from him

00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:53.140
 if we are to serve well.

00:24:54.540 --> 00:24:55.540
 We depend

00:24:55.540 --> 00:24:57.160
 like children

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.400
 before our Father

00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.019
 in heaven

00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.519
 and so we are

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.540
 to come hungry

00:25:01.540 --> 00:25:03.240
 knowing that

00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.700
 Jesus promises

00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:06.540
 to satisfy.

00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:10.460
 How else

00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:10.839
 to fight

00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.399
 distraction?

00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.599
 Let's think

00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:12.960
 about

00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:14.420
 dropping.

00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.879
 First of all,

00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:17.000
 dropping the pace

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.639
 of life

00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:19.420
 so that we have

00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.720
 time with God.

00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:24.059
 Being crazy busy

00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.700
 can almost seem

00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.579
 like a badge of honour

00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.299
 in our culture

00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.079
 and society

00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.460
 but it's not good

00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.539
 for the people of God

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:31.259
 to live without margins,

00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.079
 to live without time

00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.220
 that we can give

00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:36.019
 to unhurried time

00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:37.039
 with our God

00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.799
 and our Saviour.

00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.700
 Maybe you've heard

00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.500
 of John Wesley,

00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.319
 famous preacher

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.500
 in the 18th century.

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.900
 He had a band

00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:46.059
 of travelling preachers

00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.599
 under his care

00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.460
 and he gave them

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.379
 a wonderful piece

00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:49.819
 of advice.

00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.579
 He said to them,

00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:52.180
 when you travel,

00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:54.680
 travel with a slack rein.

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.920
 So they're riding horses,

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.259
 don't be going

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.059
 full pelt,

00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.279
 slow down.

00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:01.539
 Why did he tell them that?

00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.240
 It was so that

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.680
 as they journeyed,

00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:06.039
 they could be thinking

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:07.480
 about God's word of truth

00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.200
 and they would have time

00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.360
 to pray.

00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.799
 In the 18th century,

00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:15.060
 Wesley was thinking

00:26:15.060 --> 00:26:16.400
 about how do we

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:17.900
 redeem our commute?

00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.039
 How can we use

00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.279
 our travelling time

00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.840
 so that we can be fed

00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:23.799
 by God's word

00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.560
 so that we're not

00:26:24.560 --> 00:26:25.560
 always hurried

00:26:25.560 --> 00:26:26.279
 so that we can have

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.000
 a tranquil,

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.720
 peaceful heart?

00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:31.900
 What will that look like

00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:33.480
 for you and I today

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:35.380
 living in the 21st century

00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:37.700
 to ride with slack reins

00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:39.160
 so that we have time

00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:39.779
 with God

00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:41.500
 so that our hearts

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:43.620
 are not stirred up

00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:45.279
 with so much noise?

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.660
 We need to drop

00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.680
 the pace of life

00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:50.360
 and we need to drop

00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.460
 some of the noise

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:53.120
 out of our time,

00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.900
 out of our lives

00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.720
 so that we can hear

00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:57.000
 the word of God.

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:58.539
 Maybe that will mean

00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.539
 quite literally,

00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.920
 I've been trying to do this

00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.279
 this week,

00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.400
 find it super helpful,

00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.640
 if I'm reading my Bible

00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.240
 in this room,

00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.980
 I'm going to drop

00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.700
 my phone and my laptop

00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:08.039
 in that room over there.

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.359
 We need to think

00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.460
 really carefully

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.680
 to make sure

00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.440
 that we have

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.819
 undivided time

00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.460
 with our God.

00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.619
 Depending and dropping,

00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.180
 if we want to fight

00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:18.819
 distraction,

00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:19.980
 we need to learn

00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.180
 delighting as well.

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.920
 One and only time

00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:25.420
 I tried scuba diving

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.860
 when we had family

00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.779
 living in the Philippines

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.060
 was an absolute disaster.

00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.279
 I discovered

00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:32.160
 that I am freakishly buoyant.

00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:33.940
 Everybody else

00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.560
 was getting down

00:27:34.560 --> 00:27:35.140
 to the bottom,

00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:36.039
 no problemo.

00:27:36.580 --> 00:27:38.259
 Even when they put weights

00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.759
 on my wetsuit,

00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.800
 I would still bubble

00:27:40.800 --> 00:27:41.580
 up to the top.

00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.940
 And so I found myself

00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.600
 stuck paddling

00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:44.160
 on the surface.

00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:45.060
 I don't know why.

00:27:46.560 --> 00:27:46.980
 But you know,

00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:48.220
 that often describes

00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.920
 my faith.

00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.039
 And I wonder

00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.399
 if that describes

00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:53.200
 the faith of you

00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.779
 as well.

00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.440
 Where we find

00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.359
 ourselves content

00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.279
 with a little bit

00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.339
 of paddling

00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.759
 rather than really

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:01.279
 diving into

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.859
 the rich treasures

00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.740
 that we have

00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.799
 in God's Word.

00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.559
 The world

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.420
 crowds in

00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.420
 and disrupts.

00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.319
 And we find

00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.440
 that we're grabbing

00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:10.879
 a minute

00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.960
 or two minutes.

00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:13.200
 We don't have

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.399
 quality time

00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:16.079
 to really sink

00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.720
 and settle

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.879
 into how wonderful

00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:19.520
 God's Word is.

00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:21.920
 We need to fight,

00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.360
 discipline ourselves

00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.260
 in order

00:28:25.260 --> 00:28:26.360
 to find

00:28:26.360 --> 00:28:27.280
 that delight

00:28:27.280 --> 00:28:28.600
 of meeting

00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.400
 with God

00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.940
 in His Word.

00:28:32.040 --> 00:28:32.280
 See,

00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:32.980
 Martha had this

00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.960
 amazing moment.

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.000
 Here is the

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.620
 King of the Universe

00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:39.200
 sitting in her

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.200
 front room.

00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:41.760
 Her teacher

00:28:41.760 --> 00:28:42.800
 and her Lord

00:28:42.800 --> 00:28:43.380
 who would share

00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.800
 unhurried time

00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:45.360
 with her

00:28:45.360 --> 00:28:46.720
 and her family.

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.980
 this Savior

00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:49.140
 who would speak

00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.720
 words of love

00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.220
 and truth

00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.620
 and life

00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.420
 into her heart

00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:52.720
 and her mind

00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.200
 but she almost

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.900
 missed it.

00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.039
 Because she was

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.740
 caught up in

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:58.380
 preparing a fancy

00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:58.700
 meal,

00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.400
 caught up in the

00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.519
 stress of serving.

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:03.700
 We also have

00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:05.319
 an incredible

00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:06.160
 privilege.

00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:09.079
 Jesus meets

00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.120
 with us today

00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:11.839
 by His Spirit.

00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.920
 God would speak

00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:15.160
 to us today

00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:16.920
 in His living

00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:18.360
 Word of God.

00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:20.759
 Jesus invites us

00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:22.140
 into fellowship

00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:23.920
 to be served

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.500
 by Him

00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.759
 as we gather

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.420
 together

00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:28.040
 in His presence.

00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:30.540
 Let's not miss it.

00:29:31.580 --> 00:29:32.340
 Let Jesus

00:29:32.340 --> 00:29:33.120
 speak

00:29:33.120 --> 00:29:34.740
 verse 41

00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.940
 and verse 42

00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.900
 directly

00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:38.660
 to your heart

00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:39.180
 today.

00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.340
 James,

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:41.900
 James,

00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.120
 you are worried

00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.579
 and upset

00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.319
 about many

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.019
 things,

00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:46.339
 but few

00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:46.799
 things are

00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:47.199
 needed,

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.699
 or indeed

00:29:48.699 --> 00:29:50.119
 only one.

00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.819
 Don't miss it

00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.259
 when Jesus

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.319
 offers us Himself.

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.119
 That's the first

00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:56.619
 portrait.

00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.539
 Second portrait

00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.859
 is that of Mary.

00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:00.939
 Here is a portrait

00:30:00.939 --> 00:30:01.479
 of someone

00:30:01.479 --> 00:30:02.479
 who is listening

00:30:02.479 --> 00:30:04.979
 to the Lord.

00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:07.400
 And as we look

00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:08.079
 at this portrait

00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.940
 that Luke draws

00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.440
 of Mary,

00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:10.860
 two details

00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:12.319
 are in view.

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.200
 First of all,

00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.019
 her posture.

00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:17.019
 Look at verse 39.

00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:19.860
 She had a sister

00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.940
 called Mary

00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.460
 who sat

00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.700
 at the Lord's feet

00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.720
 listening

00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:26.500
 to what He said.

00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.460
 This is restful.

00:30:30.120 --> 00:30:30.660
 This is

00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:32.180
 quiet trust.

00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:33.640
 This is sitting

00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.539
 to listen

00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:36.120
 and to learn.

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.340
 But it's also

00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.100
 radical.

00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:39.779
 And we shouldn't

00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.600
 miss this.

00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.299
 Because in the

00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:43.360
 first century,

00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:44.519
 it would have

00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.400
 been a shocking

00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:47.160
 thing that the

00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:48.460
 model disciple

00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.420
 being presented

00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.140
 to us

00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:51.299
 is a woman.

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.420
 Notice this

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.080
 wonderful truth

00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:55.580
 that Jesus

00:30:55.580 --> 00:30:56.740
 rejects the

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.620
 sexism of the

00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.360
 first century

00:30:58.360 --> 00:30:59.299
 just as He

00:30:59.299 --> 00:30:59.940
 would reject

00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:01.200
 the 21st century

00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:02.019
 abuse of

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.660
 power that we

00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.139
 are hearing

00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:03.799
 about all

00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:05.119
 too often.

00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.700
 We have the

00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.299
 wonderful,

00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.139
 gracious,

00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:08.920
 welcoming

00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:10.220
 Savior who

00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.160
 invites anyone

00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.160
 to come and

00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:12.619
 listen.

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:13.960
 There is

00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.660
 humility in

00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.240
 this posture,

00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:15.799
 isn't there?

00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.240
 Sitting at

00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.799
 Jesus' feet

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.559
 like a servant

00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.660
 before her

00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.319
 master and

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:20.879
 her king.

00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.400
 There's a

00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.639
 tension in

00:31:23.639 --> 00:31:24.220
 her posture.

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.059
 She's listening

00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:25.779
 in like a

00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.579
 student before

00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.639
 her teacher,

00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.759
 her master.

00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.740
 The Lord

00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.480
 of the universe,

00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.220
 the eternal

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.000
 Son of God,

00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:34.160
 the Savior of

00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.500
 the world,

00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.480
 has rung

00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.700
 their doorbell

00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:38.259
 and Mary

00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.779
 takes full

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.200
 advantage.

00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.539
 And there's

00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.220
 this wonderful

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.640
 gift.

00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.299
 Here is the

00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:45.480
 Savior on

00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.220
 his journey

00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.420
 to save

00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:47.700
 her,

00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.299
 to go to

00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:49.700
 Jerusalem,

00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:50.539
 to die for

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:50.779
 her,

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.519
 and he sits

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.860
 to talk with

00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.079
 her.

00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:55.900
 And she

00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.440
 gives full

00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:56.940
 attention.

00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:57.980
 She's listening

00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.299
 to the

00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.579
 Lord.

00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.799
 So there's

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.599
 her posture

00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:00.980
 there,

00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:02.200
 but also we

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:02.480
 need to

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.200
 recognize that

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.259
 Jesus draws

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.099
 attention to

00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:06.120
 her priority

00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:06.779
 also.

00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:07.940
 To read

00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.299
 again,

00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:09.339
 verse 42,

00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:11.359
 few things

00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:11.859
 are needed,

00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.779
 or indeed

00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.500
 only one.

00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.639
 Mary has

00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.220
 chosen what

00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.859
 is better,

00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:18.299
 and it will

00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.039
 not be taken

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.859
 away from

00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.119
 her.

00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.559
 That one

00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:22.359
 thing necessary

00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.639
 was not a

00:32:23.639 --> 00:32:24.319
 fancy meal,

00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:25.319
 it was not

00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.399
 frantic activity,

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.259
 it was to

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.480
 sit at

00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:28.819
 Jesus'

00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.139
 feet and

00:32:30.139 --> 00:32:30.559
 to learn

00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.000
 from him.

00:32:32.919 --> 00:32:33.919
 The better

00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:35.299
 portion that

00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:35.839
 Mary has

00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:36.419
 chosen,

00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:38.259
 quality time

00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:38.539
 with the

00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.119
 Lord Jesus,

00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:40.680
 listening to

00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.819
 his word.

00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:43.900
 Now again,

00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.299
 think about

00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.799
 those two

00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.339
 details.

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:45.980
 Think about

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.420
 her posture,

00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:46.859
 think about

00:32:46.859 --> 00:32:47.500
 her priority.

00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:49.839
 How would

00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.839
 our portrait

00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.339
 look?

00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:52.660
 Honestly,

00:32:53.379 --> 00:32:54.200
 as we sit

00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.920
 here today,

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.400
 and how does

00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.220
 God want

00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:57.940
 our portrait

00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.579
 to look?

00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:00.099
 Think about

00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:00.759
 our posture.

00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:02.940
 I know

00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.460
 some of us,

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.440
 we know

00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.059
 pain,

00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:06.240
 regularly or

00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.759
 occasionally,

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.720
 of a body

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.180
 that gets

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.700
 out of

00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.160
 alignment.

00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.299
 And the

00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.799
 truth is that

00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:12.160
 the same

00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.560
 thing can

00:33:12.560 --> 00:33:12.860
 happen

00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.519
 spiritually.

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.340
 And we

00:33:15.340 --> 00:33:15.759
 need the

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.100
 word of

00:33:16.100 --> 00:33:16.519
 God to

00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:16.920
 do that

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.620
 spiritual

00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.660
 physio

00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.279
 work to

00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.980
 realign us

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.220
 so that

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.860
 our posture

00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:23.500
 is right.

00:33:25.320 --> 00:33:25.920
 Think about

00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.299
 what the

00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.060
 Bible says

00:33:27.060 --> 00:33:27.980
 about itself.

00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.400
 So in

00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:30.600
 Psalm 119,

00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:31.820
 we read,

00:33:31.820 --> 00:33:32.860
 your word

00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:33.680
 is a lamp

00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.620
 to my feet.

00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.240
 Is

00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.559
 God's word

00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:40.720
 what directs

00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.740
 our lives,

00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:43.440
 what directs

00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:44.720
 our decisions,

00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.599
 our attitudes,

00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.400
 our actions?

00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.140
 God's word

00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:49.700
 is described

00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:51.039
 as sweeter

00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.900
 than honey.

00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.279
 It is

00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:53.779
 supposed to

00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.500
 give joy

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.400
 and delight.

00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.279
 Do we

00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.980
 approach it

00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.339
 with that

00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:58.880
 sense of

00:33:58.880 --> 00:33:59.359
 joyful

00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:00.160
 expectation

00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:00.980
 and anticipation?

00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:03.460
 Jesus

00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.099
 said that

00:34:04.099 --> 00:34:05.099
 him and

00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:05.740
 his words

00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.279
 are like a

00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.279
 solid rock

00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.179
 foundation.

00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.280
 So when

00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:10.460
 the storms

00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:11.079
 of life

00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.880
 come,

00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:12.960
 when the

00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.539
 storm of

00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.079
 judgment

00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.800
 would come,

00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:15.539
 we would

00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.480
 stand firm.

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:17.880
 Is

00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:18.619
 God's

00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.219
 word the

00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:19.980
 foundation

00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:21.300
 your life,

00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:22.139
 my life,

00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:23.320
 is built

00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:23.659
 on?

00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:25.579
 The Bible

00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.480
 describes

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.240
 itself as

00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:28.480
 the sword

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:28.980
 of the

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.420
 spirit.

00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:30.840
 When we

00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.320
 face

00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.179
 spiritual

00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:32.860
 battle

00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.920
 and trial

00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.699
 and temptation,

00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:35.380
 do we

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:36.199
 take it

00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.119
 up and

00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:37.800
 read it

00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:39.199
 and rely

00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:40.099
 upon it?

00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.059
 Do we

00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.300
 have a

00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:42.980
 posture of

00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.519
 humility

00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:45.119
 towards the

00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:45.440
 Bible?

00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:46.719
 Are we

00:34:46.719 --> 00:34:47.300
 ready to

00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.199
 submit to

00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:48.460
 it,

00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:49.679
 even when

00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:50.380
 it challenges

00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:50.840
 us,

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:51.920
 even when

00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.679
 it exposes

00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.320
 sin in our

00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:53.780
 lives?

00:34:54.780 --> 00:34:55.260
 Do we

00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:55.639
 let it

00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.519
 judge us

00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.099
 rather than

00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.960
 us seeking

00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.460
 to stand

00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.000
 in judgment

00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.579
 over

00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.460
 God's

00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:00.860
 word?

00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:03.740
 Is it

00:35:03.740 --> 00:35:04.659
 our rule

00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:05.440
 for a

00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:06.380
 life of

00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.380
 godliness?

00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:09.980
 Do we

00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.300
 have that

00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:10.960
 posture of

00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.579
 attention

00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.960
 where we're

00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.579
 letting it

00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.000
 do its

00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.300
 work?

00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:14.619
 Remember

00:35:14.619 --> 00:35:15.760
 what Paul

00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:16.360
 wrote to

00:35:16.360 --> 00:35:16.800
 Timothy,

00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:17.760
 that God's

00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:18.400
 word teaches

00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:19.079
 and rebukes

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.740
 and corrects

00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:20.220
 and trains

00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:20.940
 in righteousness.

00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.340
 Do we

00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.199
 allow God's

00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.659
 word to

00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.019
 do its

00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.360
 work?

00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:25.460
 Do we

00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:25.940
 do what

00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:26.500
 it says?

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.920
 Are we

00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.599
 meditating

00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.300
 upon it

00:35:29.300 --> 00:35:29.719
 day and

00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:29.980
 night?

00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.280
 Are we

00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:31.039
 seeking to

00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:32.179
 find Christ

00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:33.119
 in all

00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.539
 of

00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.039
 scripture?

00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:36.800
 And what

00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:37.119
 about when

00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.559
 it comes

00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.579
 to our

00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:39.300
 priority?

00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:39.760
 We see

00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.159
 clearly

00:35:40.159 --> 00:35:40.699
 Mary's

00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:41.340
 priority

00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:43.699
 in our

00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:44.159
 crazy

00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:44.440
 busy

00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:44.920
 world,

00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.380
 with our

00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:46.019
 busy

00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:46.480
 lives,

00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:47.360
 where does

00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:47.840
 the word

00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:48.300
 of God

00:35:48.300 --> 00:35:48.619
 fit?

00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.139
 Does

00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:49.820
 the word

00:35:49.820 --> 00:35:50.360
 of God

00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:50.960
 fit?

00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:54.059
 remember

00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:54.480
 what we

00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.059
 have

00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:56.400
 when we

00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:56.920
 pick up

00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:57.119
 our

00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:57.539
 Bibles.

00:35:58.300 --> 00:35:58.960
 We have

00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.400
 what so

00:35:59.400 --> 00:35:59.960
 many people

00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.500
 are looking

00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:00.860
 for.

00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:01.139
 They're

00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:02.139
 looking to

00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:02.740
 connect

00:36:02.740 --> 00:36:03.260
 with God.

00:36:03.340 --> 00:36:03.460
 They're

00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:03.900
 looking to

00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:04.679
 find where

00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.039
 can I

00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:05.440
 meet with

00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:05.679
 God?

00:36:05.740 --> 00:36:06.220
 We meet

00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:07.139
 God in

00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:08.199
 his word.

00:36:08.280 --> 00:36:08.519
 This is the

00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:08.880
 place where

00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.240
 God would

00:36:09.240 --> 00:36:10.099
 speak to

00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:10.599
 us,

00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:11.659
 where we

00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:12.220
 can actually

00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:13.059
 meet with

00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.699
 Christ

00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:14.460
 Jesus,

00:36:14.619 --> 00:36:15.340
 to understand

00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:15.760
 that we

00:36:15.760 --> 00:36:16.519
 have the

00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:16.980
 same

00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:18.139
 privilege as

00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.720
 Mary.

00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:19.599
 Every time

00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:19.920
 we open

00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.420
 our Bible,

00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:22.280
 that should

00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:22.960
 help us to

00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.380
 make it a

00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:23.940
 priority,

00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:25.380
 that we

00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.079
 can sit

00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.780
 at Jesus'

00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:28.579
 feet every

00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:29.699
 time we

00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.260
 come to

00:36:30.260 --> 00:36:31.559
 church or

00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:31.940
 we open

00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.380
 a Bible.

00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:34.940
 Think about

00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.199
 that.

00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:35.740
 When we

00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:36.159
 come to

00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:36.559
 church,

00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:37.860
 this is no

00:36:37.860 --> 00:36:38.519
 ordinary

00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.099
 thing.

00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:39.820
 We have

00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:40.820
 a standing

00:36:40.820 --> 00:36:41.820
 weekly

00:36:41.820 --> 00:36:44.119
 invitation to

00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:45.940
 fellowship with

00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:46.380
 the Lord

00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:46.760
 Jesus,

00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:48.340
 the King

00:36:48.340 --> 00:36:49.619
 and Savior.

00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:51.119
 that privilege

00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:51.719
 that Mary

00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:52.400
 enjoyed,

00:36:52.759 --> 00:36:53.380
 we get to

00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:54.000
 enjoy every

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.440
 week.

00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:55.539
 We can

00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:56.159
 listen to

00:36:56.159 --> 00:36:56.819
 him every

00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:57.059
 week.

00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:57.359
 We can

00:36:57.359 --> 00:36:57.900
 meet him

00:36:57.900 --> 00:36:59.380
 together as

00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.299
 we worship.

00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:03.819
 So as we

00:37:03.819 --> 00:37:04.920
 understand that,

00:37:05.819 --> 00:37:06.440
 let's not

00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:07.279
 let lesser

00:37:07.279 --> 00:37:08.059
 things,

00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:10.039
 even when

00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:10.500
 like Martha

00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:11.079
 they're good

00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.739
 things,

00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:12.799
 take us from

00:37:12.799 --> 00:37:13.339
 the bigger and

00:37:13.339 --> 00:37:15.059
 better joy of

00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:15.759
 knowing Jesus

00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:17.080
 in his

00:37:17.080 --> 00:37:17.460
 word.

00:37:19.020 --> 00:37:19.460
 Last

00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:19.900
 portrait,

00:37:21.020 --> 00:37:21.360
 and it's

00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:21.720
 the portrait

00:37:21.720 --> 00:37:22.220
 of Jesus

00:37:22.220 --> 00:37:22.880
 himself.

00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:24.320
 Jesus as

00:37:24.320 --> 00:37:24.800
 he shows

00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:25.280
 and brings

00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:25.780
 the grace

00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.400
 of God.

00:37:27.260 --> 00:37:27.700
 Now remember

00:37:27.700 --> 00:37:28.220
 this is all

00:37:28.220 --> 00:37:28.760
 happening in

00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:29.400
 the context

00:37:29.400 --> 00:37:30.500
 of hospitality

00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.100
 and of

00:37:31.100 --> 00:37:31.580
 sharing a

00:37:31.580 --> 00:37:31.820
 meal,

00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:32.600
 and that

00:37:32.600 --> 00:37:32.880
 kind of

00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:33.400
 imagery is

00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.360
 helpful for

00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:35.560
 us as we

00:37:35.560 --> 00:37:36.360
 consider Luke's

00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:36.980
 portrait of

00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:37.320
 Jesus.

00:37:38.040 --> 00:37:38.660
 Think first

00:37:38.660 --> 00:37:39.800
 of all about

00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:40.460
 an open

00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:41.060
 table.

00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:43.040
 Recognize in

00:37:43.040 --> 00:37:43.720
 this little

00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:44.600
 section we're

00:37:44.600 --> 00:37:45.220
 being reminded

00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:45.559
 that there

00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:45.839
 are no

00:37:45.839 --> 00:37:46.439
 boundaries,

00:37:46.919 --> 00:37:47.219
 there are

00:37:47.219 --> 00:37:47.980
 no limits

00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.599
 to God's

00:37:48.599 --> 00:37:49.119
 grace.

00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:50.500
 Just as we

00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:50.980
 said a few

00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:51.799
 moments ago,

00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:53.919
 the model

00:37:53.919 --> 00:37:56.319
 disciple would

00:37:56.319 --> 00:37:56.779
 have shocked

00:37:56.779 --> 00:37:57.239
 people in

00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:57.739
 Jesus' day

00:37:57.739 --> 00:37:58.099
 because it

00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:58.539
 was Mary.

00:38:00.659 --> 00:38:01.739
 All of the

00:38:01.739 --> 00:38:02.339
 Gospels are

00:38:02.339 --> 00:38:02.819
 telling us

00:38:02.819 --> 00:38:03.419
 Jesus will

00:38:03.419 --> 00:38:04.579
 teach anyone,

00:38:05.279 --> 00:38:05.719
 Jesus will

00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.539
 share friendship

00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.459
 with anyone

00:38:07.459 --> 00:38:08.379
 who will

00:38:08.379 --> 00:38:08.899
 listen,

00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:09.279
 who will

00:38:09.279 --> 00:38:09.779
 follow,

00:38:09.899 --> 00:38:10.119
 who will

00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.399
 believe.

00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:10.959
 Nothing has

00:38:10.959 --> 00:38:11.579
 changed on

00:38:11.579 --> 00:38:11.819
 that.

00:38:13.039 --> 00:38:13.719
 Jesus is on

00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:14.419
 his journey

00:38:14.420 --> 00:38:14.840
 to the

00:38:14.840 --> 00:38:16.200
 cross to

00:38:16.200 --> 00:38:17.059
 extend the

00:38:17.059 --> 00:38:17.860
 grace of

00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:20.059
 forgiveness so

00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:20.539
 that whoever

00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.619
 believes in

00:38:21.619 --> 00:38:22.780
 him should

00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.579
 not perish but

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.639
 have everlasting

00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:25.139
 life.

00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:26.579
 Whoever we

00:38:26.579 --> 00:38:26.900
 are,

00:38:27.539 --> 00:38:28.180
 wherever we're

00:38:28.180 --> 00:38:28.599
 from,

00:38:29.059 --> 00:38:29.940
 Jesus invites

00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:33.200
 us to meet

00:38:33.200 --> 00:38:33.659
 with him,

00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:35.079
 to receive God's

00:38:35.079 --> 00:38:36.119
 love from him,

00:38:36.320 --> 00:38:37.200
 to be welcomed

00:38:37.200 --> 00:38:38.079
 into friendship

00:38:38.079 --> 00:38:39.000
 and fellowship

00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:40.019
 by him.

00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:41.800
 He has an

00:38:41.800 --> 00:38:42.480
 open table.

00:38:44.719 --> 00:38:45.360
 Let's think

00:38:45.360 --> 00:38:46.019
 also about a

00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:46.860
 balanced diet

00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:49.300
 to put those

00:38:49.300 --> 00:38:50.059
 two stories

00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.800
 together, the

00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:51.519
 Good Samaritan

00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:52.280
 and Martha and

00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:52.940
 Mary, on the

00:38:52.940 --> 00:38:53.980
 way of Jesus.

00:38:54.239 --> 00:38:54.559
 These are

00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:55.980
 stories taking

00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:56.539
 place while

00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:57.420
 Jesus is on a

00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:57.760
 journey.

00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:58.800
 While we are

00:38:58.800 --> 00:38:59.539
 on the journey

00:38:59.539 --> 00:39:00.179
 of following

00:39:00.179 --> 00:39:00.980
 Jesus, there is

00:39:00.980 --> 00:39:01.900
 to be service,

00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:03.099
 like the Good

00:39:03.099 --> 00:39:03.820
 Samaritan showing

00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:04.300
 love for

00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:05.139
 neighbor, and

00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:05.860
 there is to be

00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:06.820
 silence,

00:39:06.820 --> 00:39:09.400
 quiet hearts,

00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:10.640
 listening to

00:39:10.640 --> 00:39:12.140
 Jesus, slowing

00:39:12.140 --> 00:39:12.960
 down to listen

00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:13.240
 in.

00:39:13.660 --> 00:39:14.580
 We are called

00:39:14.580 --> 00:39:15.660
 to love God's

00:39:15.660 --> 00:39:17.260
 world, to meet

00:39:17.260 --> 00:39:18.420
 people's needs, and

00:39:18.420 --> 00:39:19.680
 to show mercy, and

00:39:19.680 --> 00:39:20.400
 we're called to

00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:23.120
 love God's word, to

00:39:23.120 --> 00:39:24.860
 hear Jesus, to

00:39:24.860 --> 00:39:26.100
 obey Jesus.

00:39:27.300 --> 00:39:28.039
 This is the

00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:28.840
 wonderful balance

00:39:28.840 --> 00:39:29.680
 we see in Jesus'

00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:30.940
 own life.

00:39:31.640 --> 00:39:32.320
 To read the

00:39:32.320 --> 00:39:33.200
 Gospels, we read

00:39:33.200 --> 00:39:33.720
 there are some

00:39:33.720 --> 00:39:34.420
 days where Jesus

00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:35.059
 seems to spend

00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:35.740
 all his time

00:39:35.740 --> 00:39:36.800
 healing people,

00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:37.600
 and teaching

00:39:37.600 --> 00:39:38.519
 people, but we

00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:39.500
 also discover he

00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.120
 spends whole

00:39:40.120 --> 00:39:41.500
 nights of quiet

00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:43.160
 time, a prayer

00:39:43.160 --> 00:39:43.620
 with his

00:39:43.620 --> 00:39:44.080
 father.

00:39:45.160 --> 00:39:45.980
 Jesus loved to

00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:47.059
 bring in the

00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:47.720
 kingdom through

00:39:47.720 --> 00:39:48.700
 his miracles, and

00:39:48.700 --> 00:39:49.300
 he loved to

00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:51.539
 teach, and show

00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:52.120
 that he is the

00:39:52.120 --> 00:39:52.880
 king bringing the

00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:53.760
 kingdom of God.

00:39:56.580 --> 00:39:57.360
 So while the

00:39:57.360 --> 00:39:58.120
 emphasis on our

00:39:58.120 --> 00:39:59.059
 text today is on

00:39:59.059 --> 00:39:59.880
 the priority of

00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:00.680
 time with God in

00:40:00.680 --> 00:40:02.240
 his word, we can

00:40:02.240 --> 00:40:02.760
 understand that

00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:03.480
 that's also of

00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.160
 relevance as we

00:40:04.160 --> 00:40:04.800
 think about going

00:40:04.800 --> 00:40:05.400
 out into the

00:40:05.400 --> 00:40:05.900
 world and of

00:40:05.900 --> 00:40:06.360
 serving.

00:40:06.820 --> 00:40:08.960
 as we meet

00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:12.019
 with Jesus, as

00:40:12.019 --> 00:40:12.940
 he would change

00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:14.800
 our heart, as

00:40:14.800 --> 00:40:15.780
 we would receive

00:40:15.780 --> 00:40:18.539
 spiritual power, as

00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:19.100
 we would know

00:40:19.100 --> 00:40:20.340
 God's will for how

00:40:20.340 --> 00:40:21.800
 to please him, that's

00:40:21.800 --> 00:40:22.780
 going to help us

00:40:22.780 --> 00:40:24.240
 as we look to

00:40:24.240 --> 00:40:25.280
 help others.

00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:28.039
 One last thing as

00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:28.580
 we think about this

00:40:28.580 --> 00:40:29.440
 portrait of Jesus,

00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:31.440
 is to recognize

00:40:31.440 --> 00:40:33.460
 that because Jesus

00:40:33.460 --> 00:40:35.740
 is so gracious, we

00:40:35.740 --> 00:40:36.559
 have an invitation

00:40:36.559 --> 00:40:37.420
 to a feast.

00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:39.179
 See, we could

00:40:39.179 --> 00:40:40.300
 finish a sermon

00:40:40.300 --> 00:40:41.579
 like this with a

00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:42.679
 call to duty.

00:40:43.400 --> 00:40:45.119
 Christians, you

00:40:45.119 --> 00:40:45.960
 should read your

00:40:45.960 --> 00:40:46.340
 Bible.

00:40:47.639 --> 00:40:48.460
 Christians, you

00:40:48.460 --> 00:40:50.079
 should be in

00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:50.519
 church.

00:40:51.639 --> 00:40:52.619
 And of course, those

00:40:52.619 --> 00:40:54.500
 things are true, and

00:40:54.500 --> 00:40:54.940
 we don't want to

00:40:54.940 --> 00:40:55.900
 miss that.

00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:57.639
 But there's a

00:40:57.639 --> 00:41:00.539
 better way, by

00:41:00.539 --> 00:41:01.460
 reminding ourselves

00:41:01.460 --> 00:41:02.539
 of the privilege we

00:41:02.539 --> 00:41:03.380
 have, that we're

00:41:03.380 --> 00:41:05.579
 invited to a

00:41:05.579 --> 00:41:06.679
 wonderful, joyful

00:41:06.679 --> 00:41:07.340
 feast.

00:41:08.019 --> 00:41:08.840
 As God's word

00:41:08.840 --> 00:41:10.219
 says, taste and

00:41:10.219 --> 00:41:12.179
 see that the

00:41:12.179 --> 00:41:13.019
 Lord is good.

00:41:14.519 --> 00:41:15.920
 Sunday by Sunday,

00:41:16.699 --> 00:41:17.619
 recognize and

00:41:17.619 --> 00:41:19.159
 enjoy the fact that

00:41:19.159 --> 00:41:20.179
 Jesus comes to

00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:21.500
 meet with us as

00:41:21.500 --> 00:41:23.079
 his people, that

00:41:23.079 --> 00:41:23.699
 he comes to

00:41:23.699 --> 00:41:25.059
 feed us from

00:41:25.059 --> 00:41:26.260
 his word, that

00:41:26.260 --> 00:41:26.800
 he wants to

00:41:26.800 --> 00:41:28.420
 satisfy our

00:41:28.420 --> 00:41:29.260
 hearts' desires

00:41:29.260 --> 00:41:30.239
 with himself and

00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:31.079
 to increase our

00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:32.119
 delight in him.

00:41:33.780 --> 00:41:34.780
 And recognize

00:41:34.780 --> 00:41:36.000
 again, every time

00:41:36.000 --> 00:41:36.860
 you and I open

00:41:36.860 --> 00:41:37.360
 our Bible,

00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:38.280
 whenever we do

00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:39.760
 that, we're

00:41:39.760 --> 00:41:40.800
 invited to the

00:41:40.800 --> 00:41:42.800
 joy of hearing

00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:43.400
 from the living

00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:45.159
 God, of meeting

00:41:45.159 --> 00:41:46.340
 with our God

00:41:46.340 --> 00:41:47.400
 and Savior.

00:41:48.780 --> 00:41:49.719
 So together,

00:41:49.719 --> 00:41:51.959
 will we slow

00:41:51.959 --> 00:41:52.399
 down?

00:41:53.719 --> 00:41:54.679
 Will we switch

00:41:54.679 --> 00:41:56.439
 off so that we

00:41:56.439 --> 00:41:57.599
 can spend time

00:41:57.599 --> 00:41:59.959
 with Jesus and

00:41:59.959 --> 00:42:01.639
 receive the bread

00:42:01.639 --> 00:42:02.359
 of life from

00:42:02.359 --> 00:42:02.599
 him?

00:42:03.919 --> 00:42:05.239
 Let me pray for

00:42:05.239 --> 00:42:05.519
 us.

00:42:05.879 --> 00:42:06.500
 Let's pray.

00:42:10.859 --> 00:42:12.779
 Lord, our God,

00:42:13.399 --> 00:42:14.599
 we thank you for

00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:15.899
 this little story

00:42:15.899 --> 00:42:17.719
 which is so

00:42:17.719 --> 00:42:20.000
 revealing of

00:42:20.000 --> 00:42:20.739
 us and for

00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:21.159
 us.

00:42:22.059 --> 00:42:22.559
 Lord, so

00:42:22.559 --> 00:42:23.919
 often we can

00:42:23.919 --> 00:42:24.739
 find ourselves

00:42:24.739 --> 00:42:25.679
 so busy,

00:42:26.599 --> 00:42:27.599
 busy with

00:42:27.599 --> 00:42:28.619
 necessary things,

00:42:28.759 --> 00:42:29.259
 busy with

00:42:29.259 --> 00:42:30.579
 good things,

00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:32.579
 that time with

00:42:32.579 --> 00:42:33.219
 you can be

00:42:33.219 --> 00:42:34.139
 squeezed out.

00:42:35.839 --> 00:42:36.500
 Now, that time

00:42:36.500 --> 00:42:37.179
 reading the

00:42:37.179 --> 00:42:38.099
 Bible, time to

00:42:38.099 --> 00:42:38.919
 pray, time to

00:42:38.919 --> 00:42:39.599
 worship with

00:42:39.599 --> 00:42:40.379
 God's people,

00:42:40.959 --> 00:42:41.679
 can seem like

00:42:41.679 --> 00:42:42.219
 an optional

00:42:42.219 --> 00:42:43.980
 extra, rather

00:42:43.980 --> 00:42:45.480
 than being the

00:42:45.480 --> 00:42:46.459
 air we need to

00:42:46.460 --> 00:42:47.480
 breathe, the

00:42:47.480 --> 00:42:48.639
 food and the

00:42:48.639 --> 00:42:49.400
 water that we

00:42:49.400 --> 00:42:50.679
 need in order

00:42:50.679 --> 00:42:52.800
 to live well

00:42:52.800 --> 00:42:53.300
 and to

00:42:53.300 --> 00:42:53.619
 flourish.

00:42:55.300 --> 00:42:55.980
 Lord, will

00:42:55.980 --> 00:42:56.599
 you make us

00:42:56.599 --> 00:42:58.220
 wise as we

00:42:58.220 --> 00:42:58.940
 think about our

00:42:58.940 --> 00:42:59.860
 own lives and

00:42:59.860 --> 00:43:00.880
 situations, make

00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:01.679
 us wise to

00:43:01.679 --> 00:43:03.539
 see how we

00:43:03.539 --> 00:43:04.900
 might make

00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:07.000
 changes, how

00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.980
 we might find

00:43:07.980 --> 00:43:09.720
 the time to

00:43:09.720 --> 00:43:10.559
 spend with

00:43:10.559 --> 00:43:12.220
 you, to be

00:43:12.220 --> 00:43:13.059
 served by

00:43:13.059 --> 00:43:14.119
 you, to

00:43:14.119 --> 00:43:15.119
 receive grace

00:43:15.119 --> 00:43:17.179
 from you, and

00:43:17.179 --> 00:43:17.960
 not just for a

00:43:17.960 --> 00:43:19.159
 moment, but

00:43:19.159 --> 00:43:19.619
 you might give

00:43:19.619 --> 00:43:19.940
 us the

00:43:19.940 --> 00:43:20.599
 privilege of

00:43:20.599 --> 00:43:21.839
 unhurried time

00:43:21.839 --> 00:43:23.179
 with Jesus

00:43:23.179 --> 00:43:23.859
 our Savior.

00:43:25.159 --> 00:43:25.940
 Lord, as we've

00:43:25.940 --> 00:43:26.659
 heard Jesus

00:43:26.659 --> 00:43:28.119
 say that

00:43:28.119 --> 00:43:28.819
 listening to

00:43:28.819 --> 00:43:29.460
 him is the

00:43:29.460 --> 00:43:30.579
 better portion,

00:43:31.179 --> 00:43:31.900
 it's the one

00:43:31.900 --> 00:43:32.500
 thing that's

00:43:32.500 --> 00:43:34.199
 necessary, will

00:43:34.199 --> 00:43:34.960
 you help us to

00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:35.639
 pay attention

00:43:35.639 --> 00:43:37.079
 when we read

00:43:37.079 --> 00:43:38.460
 the Bible and

00:43:38.460 --> 00:43:38.980
 when we come

00:43:38.980 --> 00:43:40.639
 to church, that

00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:41.199
 we would be

00:43:41.199 --> 00:43:43.099
 shaped by what

00:43:43.099 --> 00:43:44.880
 we read, that

00:43:44.880 --> 00:43:45.339
 we would be

00:43:45.339 --> 00:43:46.199
 growing to be

00:43:46.199 --> 00:43:46.900
 more like

00:43:46.900 --> 00:43:47.719
 Jesus our

00:43:47.719 --> 00:43:49.400
 Savior, that

00:43:49.400 --> 00:43:50.179
 we would allow

00:43:50.179 --> 00:43:51.099
 your word to

00:43:51.099 --> 00:43:52.119
 do its work

00:43:52.119 --> 00:43:53.440
 in our lives.

00:43:55.480 --> 00:43:55.860
 And Lord, will

00:43:55.860 --> 00:43:57.360
 you keep showing

00:43:57.360 --> 00:43:58.719
 us more grace

00:43:58.719 --> 00:44:00.179
 through Jesus our

00:44:00.179 --> 00:44:01.119
 wonderful Savior.

00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:02.559
 We thank you

00:44:02.559 --> 00:44:03.339
 that he is so

00:44:03.339 --> 00:44:05.039
 kind, that he

00:44:05.039 --> 00:44:05.739
 would meet with

00:44:05.739 --> 00:44:07.259
 us, to speak

00:44:07.259 --> 00:44:08.639
 to us, to

00:44:08.639 --> 00:44:09.579
 give us strength

00:44:09.579 --> 00:44:10.339
 for our journey

00:44:10.339 --> 00:44:10.940
 of faith.

00:44:10.940 --> 00:44:12.700
 help us to

00:44:12.700 --> 00:44:13.679
 choose wisely.

00:44:14.440 --> 00:44:14.960
 Help us to

00:44:14.960 --> 00:44:15.780
 choose for our

00:44:15.780 --> 00:44:16.780
 ultimate good.

00:44:17.780 --> 00:44:18.559
 We pray in

00:44:18.559 --> 00:44:19.300
 Jesus' name.

00:44:19.840 --> 00:44:20.099
 Amen.

00:44:22.179 --> 00:44:23.139
 Now, we'll

00:44:23.139 --> 00:44:26.200
 close singing

00:44:26.200 --> 00:44:26.659
 the hymn,

00:44:26.940 --> 00:44:28.260
 Speak, O

00:44:28.260 --> 00:44:29.860
 Lord, reminding

00:44:29.860 --> 00:44:30.720
 us again of

00:44:30.720 --> 00:44:31.320
 what God would

00:44:31.320 --> 00:44:32.659
 do for us in

00:44:32.659 --> 00:44:33.079
 his word.

00:44:33.159 --> 00:44:33.840
 So let's stand

00:44:33.840 --> 00:44:34.940
 as we're able

00:44:34.940 --> 00:44:36.519
 to sing, Speak,

00:44:36.740 --> 00:44:37.220
 O Lord.

00:44:40.940 --> 00:44:43.039
 or

00:44:43.039 --> 00:45:08.280
 Be your