WEBVTT

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 I want to start off this evening by asking you a question.

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 What is your house like when you have guests?

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 So we've just finished the few days of Christmas celebrations.

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 Thousands upon thousands of houses across the UK would have been entertaining guests.

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 Shopping done days in advance.

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 Time taken to perfect the meal plan.

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 Cleaning and tidying non-stop right up until the minute the doorbell goes.

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 Restrictions maybe on which room occupants of the house can go into and which they can't.

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 Does any of that sound familiar for you guys over the last few days?

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 So when we have guests, my wife Sabina and I usually cook and tidy the house together.

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 So we do the hoovering, the dusting, we fold the blankets on the couches in the living room,

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 we puff up the pillows and then we set the table and so on.

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 And once all of those preparations are done, we can't really sit on the couch just in case we make it look untidy again.

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 Because everything needs to be in perfect order for our guests arriving.

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 That's what it's like when we have guests, isn't it?

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 We want to have a nice home.

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 We want our guests to feel welcome.

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 We want our guests to feel appreciated and things to go as well as possible.

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 But if that's how we act when we have friends and family around for dinner,

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 imagine how different the preparations would be and even more they would be

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 if we had Jesus coming around to share a meal with us.

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 Our preparations would be more than a hundred times that, wouldn't they?

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 Well, that's the scene that we get an insight into this evening as we look at Luke chapter 10 together.

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 And tonight we're going to see two different people, two different sisters,

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 and how they respond to having Jesus as a guest in their home.

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 So if you have a Bible, please turn with me to Luke chapter 10,

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 and we'll start reading from verse 38.

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 Luke chapter 10, verses 38 to 42.

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 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way,

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 he came to a town, to a village,

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 where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

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 She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.

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 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations 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 to do all 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 few things are needed, 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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 Let's pray.

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 Father, may the meditations of our hearts and the words of my mouth be pleasing to you,

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 our rock and our redeemer.

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 Amen.

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 These verses are part of the traveling narrative of Jesus.

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 So his public ministry has begun,

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 and he's gathered a bit of a following now.

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 His disciples are with him,

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 and he has a big, big crowd.

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 And you see that from the beginning of chapter 10,

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 as he sends out the 72.

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 But this is still early on in Jesus' ministry,

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 and journey towards Jerusalem.

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 Luke mentions that in chapter 9, verse 51,

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 that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem.

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 Meaning that every step he took,

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 he was walking towards the cross.

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 All the while teaching his disciples,

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 preparing them for the day that he would no longer be with them.

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 And calling them to live lives which glorify God.

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 And that's where our verses come in this evening.

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 They're sandwiched between two exemplary sections of Luke's gospel.

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 Directly before it, we have the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan,

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 where Jesus is teaching his disciples,

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 and calling them to love their neighbors.

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 Calling his disciples to be caring,

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 attentive, loving, and sacrificial to those around them.

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 And then directly after our little passage,

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 is the Lord's Prayer,

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 where Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray,

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 saying that we pray to God and God alone.

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 That we come before him with genuine hearts and rely on him.

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 And that we come before him with reverence,

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 because he is God and we are not.

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 And we come before him in humility,

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 acknowledging that all things come from him.

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 And so maybe you're sitting there thinking,

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 well, why on earth is he going on about all of this?

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 Well, I'm mentioning all of this

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 because it gives us the important context

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 that we need to look at and understand our passage for this evening.

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 Knowing the context helps us see

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 the main point and focus of our passage,

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 which is the priorities of a disciple.

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 The priorities of a disciple.

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 Now, I chose this passage this evening

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 because I think

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 that going into a new year,

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 how different would our lives be?

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 What are our goals?

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 What are the things that we want

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 to give our time to in 2020?

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 The best thing for us to do

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 is to have the priorities of a disciple, isn't it?

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 The best we can do,

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 the best way we can live

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 is according to God's word

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 and how it sets out the priorities of a disciple.

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 So tonight we're going to see

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 those two different responses

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 to Jesus in this passage.

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 So Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem

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 and comes to the village

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 where Mary and Martha live

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 with their brother Lazarus.

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 And we know that from other gospels.

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 But Lazarus doesn't really appear

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 in this section.

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 We know the village as Bethany.

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 It's on the main road

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 between Galilee and Jerusalem,

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 just a few miles away

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 from Jesus' destination.

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 And this was a family

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 that Jesus held very dear.

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 And so we can assume

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 that he was a frequent guest

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 at their table.

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 Both of these sisters,

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 Mary and Martha,

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 are disciples of Jesus.

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 Both of them seem to understand

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 to an extent who he is.

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 So Jesus walks into the town

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 in verse 38.

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 And you can already imagine

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 the hustle and bustle

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 as the news spreads

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 like wildfire of his arrival,

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 can't you?

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 Jesus,

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 the one who's been teaching

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 and doing many signs

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 and wonders through the whole of Israel,

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 has now come to our little town

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 of Bethany.

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 All the people are wanting to gather

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 and hear this famous teacher.

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 And so he arrives

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 and in verse 38,

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 he's invited back

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 to Mary and Martha's house

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 by Martha.

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 So let's think a little bit

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 about Martha

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 and her response

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 to having Jesus

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 as a house guest

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 and see what it teaches us

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 about the priorities

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 of a disciple.

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 Now having people around

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 for dinner naturally means

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 there's work to do,

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 doesn't it?

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 You've got all the preparations

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 beforehand,

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 the need doing,

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 the cooking and the tidying,

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 but on top of that,

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 you've got the work

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 that you need to put in

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 when the guests

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 are actually in the house.

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 And remember that

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 in Jesus' day,

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 you couldn't exactly

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 pick up the phone

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 and tell people

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 you were leaving the house

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 so they knew

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 approximately when you'd arrive.

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 And you couldn't drop

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 a text saying

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 that you're five minutes away

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 to do the last minute preparations.

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 And so in this time,

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 when the guests arrived,

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 it would be straight

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 into hostess mode.

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 And that's what Martha does.

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 She's willing to serve.

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 She's maybe the hospitable type

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 and enjoys making her guests

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 happy and catered for.

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 So she's running around

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 getting things ready.

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 But then the situation

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 turns a little bit awkward

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 in verse 40,

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 doesn't it?

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 Look what it says.

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 But Martha was distracted

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 by all the preparations

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 that had to be made.

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 She came to him,

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 that is Jesus,

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 and asked,

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 Lord, don't you care

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 that my sisters left me

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 to do all the work

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 by myself?

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 Tell her to help me.

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 Now at this point,

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 people can be quite harsh

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 on Martha

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 and say that she was wrong

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 because she was preparing

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 things for Jesus

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 and his followers.

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 But the fact

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 that she was preparing

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 things is not bad at all.

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 The negative thing

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 about this situation

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 is that she's let

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 her preparations

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 distract her

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 from Jesus

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 and his teaching.

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 That's what Matthew

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 draws our attention to

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 in verse 40.

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 The problem isn't

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 that she's preparing things.

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 The problem is

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 that she's distracted.

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 Martha is working

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 so hard for Jesus

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 that she's actually

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 distracted from

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 his presence

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 in the house.

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 So the problem

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 isn't service.

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 It's that she's

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 been engulfed in it

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 and she's taken

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 her eyes off of Jesus.

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 Now there obviously

00:09:58.219 --> 00:09:59.179
 isn't a direct

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 line of application

00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:01.279
 here because

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 I can't imagine

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 any of us

00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.039
 are having Jesus

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 around for a meal

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 in the new year.

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 However,

00:10:07.459 --> 00:10:08.419
 many of us

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 are in Christian service

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 to a degree.

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 Maybe it's preaching.

00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:16.159
 Maybe it's leading services.

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 Maybe it's helping

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 with children's work.

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 Maybe it's leading

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 the music.

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 Maybe it's on the

00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:25.179
 welcome team

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 or tea and coffee.

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 Maybe it's part of

00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:28.100
 the food and events team.

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 Whatever it is.

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 Whatever kind of role

00:10:30.939 --> 00:10:32.039
 you have in church

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 you probably know

00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:35.419
 how easy it is for us

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 to get so involved

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 in that service

00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:39.939
 that we actually

00:10:39.939 --> 00:10:40.720
 seem to forget

00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:41.299
 that we're doing

00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:42.179
 all of it for Jesus.

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 We forget the very person

00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.699
 we should be serving.

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 It's so easy

00:10:48.579 --> 00:10:49.000
 isn't it

00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:49.719
 to dive into

00:10:49.719 --> 00:10:50.699
 serving God

00:10:50.699 --> 00:10:51.579
 and the church

00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:52.740
 that we can become

00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.199
 grumpy

00:10:53.199 --> 00:10:55.079
 and grumble

00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:55.679
 at those

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 who don't serve

00:10:56.459 --> 00:10:57.559
 as much as we do.

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 But what exactly

00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:00.699
 is the problem

00:11:00.699 --> 00:11:01.579
 in that situation?

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 Well often the problem

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 is found

00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:05.500
 in our own hearts

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 because it reveals

00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:08.399
 that we're

00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:09.240
 maybe serving

00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:09.899
 for the sake

00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:10.500
 of serving

00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:13.059
 rather than serving

00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:14.019
 out of an act

00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:15.779
 of devotion

00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:16.759
 and worship

00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:17.519
 to the Lord.

00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:19.899
 Now don't get me wrong

00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.399
 this is not an excuse

00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:22.460
 for laziness

00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.559
 in regards

00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:24.559
 to serving God.

00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:26.079
 This isn't a call

00:11:26.079 --> 00:11:26.759
 for all of us

00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.759
 to put down tools

00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:28.500
 and do nothing

00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:31.159
 but it is a call

00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:31.659
 for us

00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:32.759
 to ask ourselves

00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:34.120
 the very important question

00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.819
 in my service

00:11:35.819 --> 00:11:36.360
 for Jesus

00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:38.620
 what are my priorities?

00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:42.759
 Am I serving Him

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.560
 out of love

00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:44.279
 and devotion

00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:46.560
 or am I serving Him

00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:47.159
 because I want

00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:47.820
 to be seen

00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.600
 because I want

00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:50.659
 to be recognized

00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:52.419
 or out of some

00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:53.600
 unwilling sense

00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.159
 of duty?

00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:58.600
 The reality is

00:11:58.600 --> 00:11:59.539
 that all of our service

00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:00.019
 for God

00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.560
 and the church

00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:01.179
 should be done

00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:01.919
 out of devotion

00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:02.399
 to Him

00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:03.799
 out of a love

00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.580
 for Him

00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.320
 and His people.

00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:09.460
 Martha's frustration

00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:09.960
 with Mary

00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:10.440
 is normal

00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:11.820
 for those

00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:13.280
 who so sacrificially

00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:14.180
 serve with very

00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:15.220
 good intentions

00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:17.460
 but who sometimes

00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:18.320
 forget that they too

00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:18.860
 need to sit

00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.320
 at the feet

00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:19.780
 of Jesus.

00:12:21.260 --> 00:12:22.540
 I read a missionary

00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:23.500
 book a while back

00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.360
 and in it

00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:24.740
 the missionary

00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.480
 was explaining

00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:26.260
 how his ministry

00:12:26.260 --> 00:12:26.960
 was growing

00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.620
 and growing

00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.260
 and thriving

00:12:28.260 --> 00:12:28.980
 people coming

00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:29.460
 to faith

00:12:29.460 --> 00:12:30.260
 and it was wonderful

00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:33.179
 but then he

00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:34.779
 became really sober

00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.439
 and he said

00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:37.539
 ministry became

00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.000
 an idol.

00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:39.799
 He focused

00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:40.639
 on the ministry

00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.419
 as opposed

00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.059
 to the master.

00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:44.480
 He was so focused

00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:45.340
 on doing things

00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:46.220
 that it distracted

00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.200
 him from Jesus

00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:49.860
 and I think

00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:50.319
 that that is

00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:51.080
 a real danger

00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:52.740
 that all of us

00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.779
 need to be

00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.340
 on the lookout

00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:54.740
 for.

00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.519
 Sometimes we need

00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.159
 to take a step

00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:58.559
 back

00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:59.919
 and look

00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:00.379
 at the big

00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:00.839
 picture

00:13:00.839 --> 00:13:02.500
 because we can

00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.099
 keep ourselves

00:13:03.099 --> 00:13:03.639
 so busy

00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.439
 with church life

00:13:04.439 --> 00:13:04.919
 can't we?

00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:06.539
 We can fill

00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:07.219
 our diaries

00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:08.000
 and run around

00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.899
 non-stop

00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:09.939
 but how often

00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:11.619
 do we recognize

00:13:11.619 --> 00:13:12.399
 that we too

00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.239
 need to sit

00:13:13.239 --> 00:13:13.739
 at the feet

00:13:13.739 --> 00:13:14.179
 of Jesus

00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:15.239
 and just learn?

00:13:17.359 --> 00:13:18.459
 The priorities

00:13:18.459 --> 00:13:19.359
 of a disciple

00:13:19.359 --> 00:13:19.939
 shouldn't be

00:13:19.939 --> 00:13:20.439
 busyness

00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.019
 and distraction

00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:21.679
 from Jesus

00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:23.639
 but they should

00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.259
 be devotion

00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:26.679
 to him

00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.759
 and service

00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.659
 out of a love

00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.399
 for him.

00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:32.639
 And that's

00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.100
 what Jesus

00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:33.899
 says to Martha

00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.360
 in the most

00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:35.539
 loving and gentle

00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:36.980
 rebuke in verse 41.

00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:39.100
 Jesus says

00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.580
 Martha

00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:40.419
 Martha

00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.179
 you're worried

00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:41.779
 and upset

00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.000
 about many things

00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.580
 but few things

00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.039
 are needed

00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.299
 or indeed

00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:47.120
 only one.

00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.500
 Mary has chosen

00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:50.220
 what is better

00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:51.179
 and it will not

00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:52.179
 be taken away

00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:52.799
 from her.

00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:55.139
 Now Jesus

00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:56.379
 isn't rebuking

00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:57.740
 Martha harshly

00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:59.059
 for not sitting

00:13:59.059 --> 00:13:59.620
 at his feet

00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.019
 and learning

00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:00.419
 but he's

00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:01.259
 encouraging her.

00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.360
 You can imagine

00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:03.899
 the scene

00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.279
 can't you?

00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:04.939
 Jesus sitting

00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.439
 on a wooden

00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:05.899
 bench

00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.500
 in the garden

00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.100
 surrounded

00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:08.279
 by people

00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:08.939
 keenly

00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:09.799
 listening

00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:11.279
 intently

00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:11.899
 hanging on

00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:12.720
 every single

00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.220
 word that

00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:13.679
 comes out

00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:14.439
 of his mouth

00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:15.860
 and then he

00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.779
 sees Martha

00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:18.019
 working away

00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.600
 in the background

00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:20.840
 and he catches

00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.299
 her eye

00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:21.600
 and says

00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:21.960
 Martha

00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.180
 everything's

00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:23.540
 fine.

00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:26.540
 Don't worry

00:14:26.540 --> 00:14:27.040
 about the

00:14:27.040 --> 00:14:27.639
 to-do list

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.060
 that you've

00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:28.440
 set for

00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:28.680
 yourself

00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:29.200
 just come

00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:29.540
 here

00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:29.960
 sit

00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:31.320
 join us

00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:31.879
 I've saved

00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.480
 you a seat.

00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.440
 It's so easy

00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.080
 for us to

00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:38.000
 become engulfed

00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:38.740
 in our working

00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.540
 and serving

00:14:39.540 --> 00:14:40.960
 that we become

00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:41.620
 distracted.

00:14:43.780 --> 00:14:44.700
 But imagine

00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:45.600
 if going into

00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.420
 this new year

00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:49.019
 our priority

00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.879
 wasn't filling

00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.540
 our time

00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:54.139
 with things

00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.599
 that need

00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:55.079
 doing

00:14:55.079 --> 00:14:56.480
 imagine if

00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.439
 we didn't

00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:58.079
 have another

00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:58.459
 year

00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.219
 where we're

00:14:59.219 --> 00:14:59.759
 distracted

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.980
 from Jesus

00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.740
 because we're

00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.259
 too busy

00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:03.339
 to sit

00:15:03.339 --> 00:15:03.759
 and learn

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.899
 imagine if

00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:06.000
 we went

00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.459
 into this

00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:06.639
 year

00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.339
 deliberately

00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:09.199
 making time

00:15:09.199 --> 00:15:09.679
 to sit

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.199
 at the feet

00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:10.659
 of Jesus

00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.240
 and learn

00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.419
 that's what

00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.019
 Mary did

00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.799
 that's what

00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:15.240
 the second

00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.019
 sister did

00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.419
 so let's

00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.039
 think about

00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:17.419
 Mary

00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:20.139
 and what

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.519
 she can

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.019
 teach us

00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.439
 about the

00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:21.939
 priorities

00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:22.479
 of a

00:15:22.479 --> 00:15:22.879
 disciple

00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:24.740
 now two

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.259
 things are

00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.839
 mentioned in

00:15:25.839 --> 00:15:26.399
 this passage

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.679
 about Mary

00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:28.860
 firstly in

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.759
 verse 39

00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.699
 we're given

00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:31.279
 the detail

00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:31.959
 that she's

00:15:31.959 --> 00:15:32.679
 sitting at

00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:33.139
 the Lord's

00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.740
 feet listening

00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.399
 to what he

00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:34.779
 said

00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:36.259
 and then

00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.219
 secondly in

00:15:37.219 --> 00:15:38.360
 verse 41

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.779
 Jesus says

00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.379
 Mary has

00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.240
 chosen what

00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:41.839
 is better

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:44.660
 and none

00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:45.060
 of it will

00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:45.540
 be taken

00:15:45.540 --> 00:15:46.240
 away from

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.500
 her

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:49.139
 now Mary

00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.560
 is sat

00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:49.840
 at the

00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:50.220
 feet of

00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.560
 Jesus

00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.220
 a position

00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:51.720
 of a

00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.220
 student

00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.060
 learning

00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:53.680
 from their

00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.100
 master

00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:56.960
 this is the

00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.500
 posture of a

00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.180
 disciple who's

00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:58.740
 learning from

00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.340
 their Lord

00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:01.340
 have you ever

00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:02.139
 watched little

00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.600
 children

00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.700
 and how they

00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:05.460
 copy those

00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.180
 around them

00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:07.820
 children learn

00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:08.600
 to do everyday

00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.280
 things by

00:16:09.280 --> 00:16:09.820
 watching their

00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:11.240
 parents in

00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.139
 action all

00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.620
 the time

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.840
 sure they need

00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.340
 a little bit of

00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:14.899
 help in the

00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.519
 beginning in the

00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.279
 early years but

00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:16.940
 as time goes

00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:18.060
 on they become

00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:18.759
 more and more

00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.399
 independent they

00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.200
 become competent

00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:22.060
 and able to

00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:22.899
 copy what their

00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.480
 parents have

00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.240
 done that's how

00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:26.259
 we learn that's

00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.960
 why when children

00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.500
 are young parents

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.220
 are even more

00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:29.840
 careful than

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.720
 normal not to

00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.360
 show any bad

00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.340
 habits in front

00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.580
 of them because

00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.399
 they soak up

00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.419
 everything like a

00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:37.840
 sponge we're

00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:38.539
 born with that

00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.799
 natural instinct to

00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:41.039
 sit and learn it

00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:41.959
 is how we learn

00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:43.199
 by default it

00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:43.919
 is how we grow

00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:46.579
 and develop and

00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:47.379
 that's why one of

00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:49.039
 the priorities of

00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.639
 a disciple should

00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.559
 be to sit at the

00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:52.259
 feet of Jesus

00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.319
 like a child

00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:55.259
 listen to every

00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.219
 single word that

00:16:56.219 --> 00:16:56.860
 he says

00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:59.480
 imitate at him

00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.219
 as we live

00:17:00.219 --> 00:17:01.179
 according to his

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.019
 priorities

00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:04.180
 like children we

00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.359
 need to soak in

00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:06.559
 the word of God

00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.759
 so that we can

00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.899
 grow into mature

00:17:08.899 --> 00:17:09.759
 believers whether

00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.019
 you're nine or

00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.259
 ninety there is

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.440
 always growth

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:16.980
 and that's what

00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.640
 Mary's doing

00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:19.759
 she is sitting at

00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.500
 the feet of Jesus

00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.299
 with the rest of

00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.279
 his followers soaking

00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.339
 in his teaching and

00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:23.660
 wisdom

00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:26.240
 so what does this

00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.299
 convey about Mary

00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:29.259
 well it shows us

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:30.220
 that she had faith

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.140
 and some kind of

00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.640
 understanding of who

00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.480
 Jesus is

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:36.140
 it shows us that

00:17:36.140 --> 00:17:37.099
 she was willing to

00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.039
 submit to his

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:39.059
 teaching and act

00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.659
 on it

00:17:39.659 --> 00:17:41.000
 willing to live

00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.079
 out his teaching

00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:44.779
 and it shows us

00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.420
 that she loved

00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.460
 Jesus and wanted

00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.339
 to serve him

00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.079
 she was one of

00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:48.639
 his followers

00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:52.980
 her posture

00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.980
 sitting at the

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.700
 feet of Jesus

00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.460
 shows us that

00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.299
 Mary loved the

00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:56.619
 Lord

00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:58.099
 loved his word

00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:59.299
 and wanted to be

00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.319
 the best disciple

00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.299
 that she could be

00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:04.700
 now imagine if

00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.259
 that was our

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.359
 priority as we

00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:06.920
 look into the

00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:07.380
 new year

00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:09.740
 imagine if

00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.680
 from the very

00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.560
 beginning of

00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:12.820
 2020 we make

00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:13.360
 a conscious

00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.220
 decision to

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.000
 submit to the

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.539
 word of the

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.400
 Lord as revealed

00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.060
 in the Bible

00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:19.220
 and live in

00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.019
 such a way that

00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.700
 we give God

00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.519
 all the glory

00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:24.240
 imagine if we

00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:24.860
 had just an

00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:27.019
 ounce of what

00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.800
 we see in

00:18:27.800 --> 00:18:28.519
 Mary as she

00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.259
 left all of her

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.080
 worries behind

00:18:30.080 --> 00:18:31.480
 and just sat

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.100
 at the feet of

00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:32.380
 Jesus

00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:35.720
 if we did

00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:37.600
 this I think

00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:38.340
 our devotional

00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:39.060
 lives would be

00:18:39.060 --> 00:18:40.780
 healthier because

00:18:40.780 --> 00:18:41.500
 we wouldn't be

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.240
 trying to squeeze

00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.020
 in that five

00:18:43.020 --> 00:18:43.680
 minute Bible

00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.360
 reading and

00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:45.080
 prayer in the

00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:46.600
 morning but we

00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.900
 consciously take

00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.180
 time to reflect on

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:51.120
 God's word and

00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:52.100
 submit to it even

00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:53.220
 though it will make

00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.060
 us uncomfortable

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:57.440
 if we actually

00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:59.519
 take time to be

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.720
 listeners and doers

00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.139
 of God's word then

00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.879
 we will be more

00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:04.720
 open and available

00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.859
 for the Lord to use

00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.639
 us to share the

00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:07.599
 gospel to share the

00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.659
 good news of Jesus

00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:10.419
 with people to be

00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:12.339
 his witnesses to

00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:14.179
 the world and we

00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:15.019
 will be more joyful

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.980
 in our service

00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:19.940
 if we took a leaf

00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:21.019
 out of Mary's book

00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:22.259
 and invest time in

00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.039
 listening to the

00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.460
 Lord then I think

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.319
 we'd be more devoted

00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:25.900
 to him

00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:28.799
 again this doesn't

00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.940
 mean that we only

00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.960
 listen and do

00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.360
 nothing

00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:34.420
 it doesn't mean

00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:36.480
 that we can sit

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.400
 back and relax

00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:39.039
 but it means that we

00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:39.860
 become active

00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.740
 listeners of the

00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.500
 word of the Lord

00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:43.059
 though we come

00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:43.980
 under the authority

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.960
 of the Bible and

00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.339
 live

00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:47.859
 life in such a

00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.679
 way that glorifies

00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:49.419
 him the life that

00:19:49.419 --> 00:19:50.079
 we're called to

00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.980
 live we are called

00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.619
 to be perfect

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.720
 because he is

00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.240
 perfect

00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:56.559
 by doing that

00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:58.139
 Jesus says we're

00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:59.259
 doing a good thing

00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.839
 in verse 42

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.759
 Jesus says of

00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.519
 Mary Mary has

00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.279
 chosen what is

00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.980
 better and it

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.019
 will not be taken

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.059
 away from her

00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:10.579
 now again this is

00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.500
 part of that loving

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.720
 and gentle rebuke

00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.399
 of Martha but it

00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.099
 tells us a little

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.039
 bit about Mary's

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:17.759
 priorities and the

00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.679
 priorities that

00:20:18.679 --> 00:20:19.759
 Jesus wants for his

00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:23.039
 disciples Mary chose

00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.839
 what was better

00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:25.319
 meaning that her

00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:26.679
 decision to sit to

00:20:26.679 --> 00:20:27.919
 listen and to learn

00:20:27.919 --> 00:20:30.019
 from Jesus was a

00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.779
 better choice than

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.740
 preparing him a meal

00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:34.439
 it was better because

00:20:34.439 --> 00:20:36.159
 Jesus was only with

00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.899
 them for a short

00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:39.519
 while because soon

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.419
 the day would come

00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:41.199
 when he wouldn't be

00:20:41.199 --> 00:20:42.399
 around anymore and

00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:43.419
 the opportunity to

00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.340
 learn from him would

00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:47.820
 be gone it was

00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:48.680
 better because Mary

00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.740
 was spending time in

00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.759
 the presence of Jesus

00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.779
 God in the flesh and

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.700
 learning from him

00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:57.259
 we've just come through

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.759
 a few busy days of

00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:00.779
 celebration and we're

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.800
 going into what will

00:21:01.800 --> 00:21:03.320
 undoubtedly be another

00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:06.800
 busy year so why not

00:21:06.800 --> 00:21:08.320
 take time take a few

00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.420
 minutes this evening or

00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:11.480
 tomorrow or whenever you

00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:13.320
 get a chance and just

00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:14.460
 sit under the Lord's

00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:16.759
 teaching sit under the

00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:18.120
 authority of the Bible

00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:20.460
 ask for God to be at

00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:22.100
 work in your life ask for

00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:23.580
 his spirit to continue

00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:25.740
 that transformational work

00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:28.519
 in you and ask that God

00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:29.759
 would help you submit to

00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:33.700
 him ask for strength to

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:35.680
 live as a good disciple

00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:37.140
 whose desire is to see

00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:40.740
 God glorified pray for

00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.580
 spiritual growth and

00:21:42.580 --> 00:21:45.039
 maturity pray that you'd

00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.560
 prioritize God and his

00:21:46.560 --> 00:21:48.240
 kingdom in the year that

00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:50.259
 is coming just take that

00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:52.279
 little bit of time before

00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:54.820
 the mayhem begins to sit at

00:21:54.820 --> 00:21:58.680
 the Lord's feet and Jesus

00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.900
 says that it will not be

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:02.600
 taken away now we can assume

00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.920
 based on the context that

00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.320
 Jesus is speaking about

00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:08.100
 Mary listening to him and

00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:09.220
 the relationship that she

00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:12.080
 has with him he is saying

00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:13.960
 that Mary isn't wasting her

00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:16.120
 time because she is

00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:18.200
 investing in her relationship

00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:19.080
 with the Lord and that

00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:20.279
 relationship will never be

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:23.620
 taken from her Mary's

00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:24.860
 focusing and learning from

00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:27.440
 Jesus and the things that

00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:29.160
 she is learning are the

00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.580
 very truths that will carry

00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.720
 her through the difficulties

00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:33.759
 of life they are the

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:35.240
 truths that point her to

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.960
 Jesus as God in the flesh

00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:40.519
 and the truths these truths

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.700
 are the words of eternal

00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:44.960
 life nobody can take that

00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:47.180
 away from her and friends as

00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:48.319
 you sit under the teaching

00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.440
 of Jesus no one can take

00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:54.220
 that from you either when we

00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:56.339
 sit under the truths of the

00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:59.000
 word of God as we sit at the

00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:01.079
 feet of Jesus they are the

00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:02.819
 truths that change our hearts

00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:07.119
 they are the truths that fuel a

00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:09.599
 life of devotion and service of

00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:11.460
 God because if we know who he

00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:14.579
 is then we will want to serve him

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:17.439
 then we will want to be the best

00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:19.379
 disciples we can be for his

00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:23.980
 glory a good indication of

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.460
 someone sitting at the feet of

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:28.639
 Jesus is someone who's being

00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:31.580
 transformed by those words by the

00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:34.600
 teaching and someone whose life is

00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:39.040
 being changed you can never really

00:23:39.040 --> 00:23:41.960
 know the scriptures until you're

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.380
 willing to be changed by them

00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:48.620
 everyone seems to have a theory of

00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:50.060
 what the problems are with the

00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:52.900
 global church every Christian has had

00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.500
 conversations about what the church

00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:57.920
 needs to be a better place and every

00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:00.619
 Christian has pondered how we can

00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:02.619
 reach more people how we can be

00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:04.960
 better equipped to live life in a

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:08.119
 fallen broken world but friends the

00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:10.559
 answer is not in the newest strategy

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:14.359
 from the celebrity pastors it's not in

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.940
 the new ministries by the biggest

00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:18.119
 churches around the answer is not

00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:20.500
 found in programs or busyness the

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:23.839
 the answer is that we need to sit at

00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:25.480
 the feet of Jesus and learn

00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:32.140
 service is good but disconnected from

00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:35.720
 fellowship it's useless we don't

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:37.859
 invite people over or go to people's

00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:39.720
 houses to sit at their kitchen tables

00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:41.700
 for them to be running around

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:46.079
 constantly making foods do we no we go

00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:48.359
 there and we invite people so that we

00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:52.359
 can have fellowship enjoy company build

00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:56.039
 on relationships and it's the same

00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.059
 with service

00:24:57.059 --> 00:25:02.219
 without sitting at the feet of Jesus

00:25:02.219 --> 00:25:09.139
 service is meaningless we can do all

00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:11.839
 if we want but unless we have a

00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.779
 meaningful relationship with the Lord

00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:15.839
 and we're devoted to him then we're

00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:18.839
 just ticking off our own checklist of

00:25:19.439 --> 00:25:23.579
 to-dos service is important but it

00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:26.199
 must come from a healthy relationship

00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:29.399
 with the Lord and it must be born out

00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:31.000
 of time sitting at his feet and

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:34.879
 learning friends as we draw to a close

00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:37.319
 the thing that these two sisters teach

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:39.720
 us about the priorities of a disciple

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:42.639
 are that we should serve out of a

00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:45.960
 devotion to the Lord but not let the

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:49.400
 busyness of life distract us from him

00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:53.580
 and we need to sit under the teaching

00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:55.120
 of Jesus and hear his word

00:25:55.120 --> 00:26:00.060
 let me tell you that there is no better

00:26:00.060 --> 00:26:03.360
 way to spend your time than in the

00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:06.340
 presence and word of our wonderful

00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:09.620
 savior Jesus Christ let's pray

00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.380
 together

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:16.540
 father as we think of this new year

00:26:16.540 --> 00:26:17.540
 coming our way

00:26:17.540 --> 00:26:22.660
 we pray that you would be our

00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.140
 priority

00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:28.740
 we pray that we would be humble

00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:32.259
 and Lord that we would submit to your

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.640
 word

00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:36.540
 that we would set aside time to invest

00:26:36.540 --> 00:26:39.340
 in our relationship with you to grow in

00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:42.279
 our understanding of who you are of who

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:44.279
 we are in you because of the wonderful

00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.819
 gospel of Jesus Christ

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:52.240
 father help us look to you help us

00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:55.959
 focus on you and help us be good and

00:26:55.959 --> 00:26:58.740
 better worshipers of you for your

00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:00.839
 glory and for the upbuilding of your

00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:03.839
 kingdom in Jesus name amen

00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.459
 love you

00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:08.819
 let's gather and

00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.579
 help us

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.419
 guys

00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:11.379
 we

00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.399
 love you

00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:12.439
 we

00:27:12.439 --> 00:27:12.819
 love you

00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:12.939
 you

00:27:12.939 --> 00:27:13.339
 grace

00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.480
 you

00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.459
 the

00:27:14.459 --> 00:27:15.579
 amazing