WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.120 Well friends, welcome to another short time of worship here from Buclew, where we're continuing 00:00:10.120 --> 00:00:15.880 to look at some of the encounters Jesus has with various women to see how his grace changes 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:22.660 everything today. The familiar story perhaps, for some of us anyway, of Martha and Mary 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:27.500 from Luke chapter 10. But before we get there, I'm very much connected to the theme of that, 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:35.159 we're going to read Psalm 119 verse 9 to 16, then pray and then we'll get to Luke 10. 00:00:57.500 --> 00:01:03.759 I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:10.879 in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:21.640 I will not neglect your word. Let's pray together. Lord our God, this is a wonderful picture from your 00:01:21.640 --> 00:01:31.620 word of the value, the life-giving value of the Bible, of the word of God for our lives. We thank you that 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:38.959 through reading your word, we can discover your way for us to live, your way that is good and pure and 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:46.619 life-giving. That it would keep us from straying from your commands. Lord, that the more that we 00:01:46.619 --> 00:01:54.719 read, the more our appetite is whetted to discover you and your truth and your plan of salvation. 00:01:56.159 --> 00:02:02.619 So that you would give us that same heart that would be seeking you with all our heart. That we 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:09.020 would hide your word in our hearts, that we might not sin against you. That our great desire would be 00:02:09.020 --> 00:02:17.900 to be taught by your decrees, by your laws, by your gospel, by your promises. That we would rejoice to be 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:26.219 followers of Jesus and his word. That that would be our great treasure. That in the middle of our busy 00:02:26.219 --> 00:02:32.840 lives and schedules and timetables and pressures, that we wouldn't neglect your word. Because we 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:38.879 would know that in your word we find life. And so as we think about those themes today, we ask that you 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:47.060 would help us to reflect on our own lives and to reflect on the value of listening to Jesus and being 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:55.159 taught by him. We pray in his name. Amen. So we're going to turn now to Luke chapter 10. 00:02:55.159 --> 00:03:03.840 And we're going to read, we'll actually read from verse 25 to verse 42. But we'll be thinking about 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:14.000 the Martha and Mary story. So let's hear Luke chapter 10. Verse 25. On one occasion, an expert in the law 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:20.859 stood up to test Jesus. Teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? What is written in the 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:25.380 law? He replied, how do you read it? He answered, love the Lord your God with all your heart and with 00:03:25.380 --> 00:03:30.320 all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbour as yourself. 00:03:30.820 --> 00:03:36.780 You have answered correctly, Jesus replied, do this and you will live. But he wanted to justify 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:43.620 himself. So he asked Jesus, and who is my neighbour? In reply, Jesus said, a man was going down from 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:48.620 Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:53.520 away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:58.480 man, he passed by on the other side. So too a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:04.659 passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was, and when he saw 00:04:04.659 --> 00:04:10.099 him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, poured on oil and wine. Then he put the 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:14.920 man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two 00:04:14.919 --> 00:04:20.139 denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. Look after him, he said, and when I return, I will reimburse 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:25.699 you for any extra expense you may have. Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man 00:04:25.699 --> 00:04:30.339 who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, the one who had mercy on him. 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:38.719 Jesus told him, go and do likewise. As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village 00:04:38.719 --> 00:04:44.099 where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's 00:04:44.100 --> 00:04:48.620 feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:52.760 be made. She came to him and asked, Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work 00:04:52.760 --> 00:04:58.860 by myself? Tell her to help me. Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many 00:04:58.860 --> 00:05:06.100 things, but few things are needed, or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:16.180 be taken away from her. So this is what I want us to think about together, the need to be listening 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:25.780 to Jesus in a crazy busy world. Time. Time is the one resource we all get an equal share of, 24 hours 00:05:25.780 --> 00:05:31.720 every day, but doesn't it so often feel that we never have enough? That's why we speak in the West 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:37.840 of being time poor. We may have lots of resources, but time is the one that often feels so pressurised. 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:44.720 We feel a constant time pressure. There are bills to pay. There are deadlines to meet. There's family 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:51.540 schedules to keep up. We have to eat and sleep and exercise. There are phone calls that come. There 00:05:51.540 --> 00:06:00.440 are emails to be responded to. How do we fit it all in? I can't remember where I came across it, 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:07.620 but I find it really helpful to think about a triangle and to imagine our day, our 24 hours 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:12.019 in that triangle. So we have work life and we have social life and we have spiritual life, 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:20.779 and our 24 hours are fixed. We can't expand. We don't have a superpower. I'm going to have a 30-hour 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:28.480 day. Our 24 hours are fixed. Our time is fixed. So if we expand one of these, others shrink. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:33.800 And we've got all these pressures and they're pushing and they're pulling. And for Christians, 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:39.640 one of the pressures that we face, perhaps one of the temptations that we feel, 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:47.860 is for our time with God to be squeezed out, to make room for the other things that we see as 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:56.060 essential. Perhaps we begin to see that in Martha's story. For every Martin Luther of the world who said, 00:06:56.060 --> 00:07:02.399 you know, I am so busy, I must spend the first three hours in prayer. Or Brother Lawrence, 00:07:02.399 --> 00:07:08.079 who learned to practice the presence of God. So whether he was washing dishes or cleaning shoes, 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:13.980 he was praying to God and enjoying fellowship in the hustle and bustle of life. For every one of those, 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:18.019 there's hundreds of us who find ourselves on the treadmill of life and we're working and we're 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:24.620 serving and we're doing and it's fast and it's exhausting. And it can often be hard to find time 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:31.639 for God, for Jesus and his word. So today we have this simple but powerful family story. We've got 00:07:31.639 --> 00:07:35.919 Martha. She's crazy busy at the tasks of her hospitality. And remember, hospitality is a good 00:07:35.919 --> 00:07:41.899 thing. And we've got Mary and she's sitting at Jesus' feet. And we hear Jesus and his views. 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:48.679 Mary chose the better portion. So we need to think about that. Martha, she was busy preparing a feast, 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:55.099 but Mary, oh, she was already enjoying a feast from Jesus and his word. So our purpose today is 00:07:55.099 --> 00:08:01.620 quite a simple one, really. But it's so vital for us as Christians to remind one another that the 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:07.879 Christian's first priority, our first priority and amongst all our priorities, all our to do, 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:18.000 is to be listening and worshipping. And so we need to think carefully for ourselves how that fits into 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:25.279 our crazy busy lives. And I want to connect that with discipleship in the church. You know, 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:30.259 we are called to be disciples. We are called to be followers. We are called to be listeners and doers 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:37.639 of God's word. I am especially sort of to build on what we were saying midweek about our women's 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:46.580 ministry team, recognising that priority that Jesus says that women learn from God's word, that men 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:53.519 also, that we're all learning from God's word, that we're sitting at Jesus' feet, as it were. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:09:00.100 So let's look at the story together and let's draw some applications after that. So the story begins, 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:08.379 in verse 38, where Jesus and his disciples arrive at Martha and Mary. So it says in verse 38, 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:14.759 as Jesus and his disciples were on their way. And I think it's important for us to recognise the 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:22.460 journey that Jesus is on. In Luke chapter 9 and verse 51, we read, as the time approached for Jesus to 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:31.420 be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. So he's on this journey towards Jerusalem, 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:38.180 towards the cross, towards the resurrection, towards the return to the glory of heaven. And in that 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:45.160 context, it makes listening to the suffering servant and to the saviour of the world all the more 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:52.259 important. So Jesus and the disciples arrive. And what do we discover about Martha? In verse 38, 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:58.839 Martha offers hospitality. A woman named Martha opened her home to her. It seems perhaps likely that 00:09:58.839 --> 00:10:05.240 Martha is the elder of the two sisters, but she's certainly the hostess. And it's really important 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:10.360 to recognise she does a good thing. We read it maybe just a couple of weeks ago, 1 Peter chapter 4, 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:18.360 verse 9, offer hospitality without grumbling. We will see grumbling creep in, but it's a good thing. 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:25.340 She's using her spiritual gift to serve. She loves Jesus and she expresses it by opening her home and 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:34.039 offering him a meal. And that's a good thing. And then we meet Mary. And Mary listens and Mary learns. 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:39.720 Verse 39, she had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. And don't 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:48.180 miss this. Jesus has arrived with his male disciples, the 12 disciples, and here's Mary sitting with them. 00:10:49.160 --> 00:10:55.840 And this is striking both because most first century women were regarded as not worth teaching. 00:10:57.420 --> 00:11:04.720 It was one of the realities of the culture in which Jesus lived. Women were seen as of lesser 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:12.899 importance and not worth investing in teaching and not worth having as disciples. And again, 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:16.920 it's one of those ways where Jesus is radically different. He gives honour. He gives dignity. 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:26.340 He expects his followers, whether they're male or female, to be learners of him. So cultural expectations 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:31.420 are being ignored by Mary because she's desperate to learn from Jesus, her Lord, her Saviour. 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:36.659 And those expectations are being ignored by Jesus because she is invited in to sit at his feet, 00:11:37.099 --> 00:11:44.740 to listen, to learn, to worship. We're back to Martha again in verse 40. What we discover of Martha 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:50.959 is that she is distracted. Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:59.500 This is the crucial part. She is distracted. The good thing of serving, of hospitality, has turned to grumbling. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:07.519 She's looking at her to-do list and I suppose we can wonder, was it over the top? Was her hospitality 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:14.780 extravagant? Was she expecting like a perfectly clean house and a wonderfully elaborate meal? 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:20.299 And in that context, she's seeing her sister slacking, as it were. And it's not just the meal 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:25.899 that begins to boil, but Martha's blood begins to boil. She has been distracted. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:34.019 Busyness has created anxiety. Busyness has caused her to lose focus on loving and serving Jesus. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:39.939 And it's turned to self-pity. Lord, don't you care that my sister's left me to do the work by myself? 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:44.940 She interrupts Jesus in the middle of his teaching. Wants Jesus to intervene and to deal with this apparent unfairness. 00:12:45.640 --> 00:12:51.380 For Martha, she's thinking, well, my thing, sort of lavish hospitality, should be Mary's thing. 00:12:53.020 --> 00:12:59.500 I'm serving, so should she be. And that leads to resentment. Tell her to help me. 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:08.000 It's not fair, Jesus, that she's just sitting while I'm like busy with a hundred things and I'm dealing with pots and pans 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:13.480 and washing dishes and cleaning. She's distracted from serving Jesus. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:17.220 She's distracted from listening to his words. 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:22.539 Somewhere along the line, Martha's attitude to hospitality has gone wrong. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:28.460 And Jesus recognises this. And in verses 41 and 42, Martha is lovingly corrected. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:33.399 Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you're worried and upset about many things. 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:37.620 Here's tender emotions. Martha, Martha, this is gentle love, gentle love. 00:13:37.699 --> 00:13:40.019 It corrects. You're worried and upset. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:43.899 Busyness has led to anxiety. Your life has got out of balance. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:47.939 You're slaving away. But you're not slaving away for what's best. 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:52.259 Verse 42, few things are needed, or indeed only one. 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:56.000 Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her. 00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:59.299 Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:06.699 What's that better portion? The better portion is choosing devotion to Jesus. 00:14:07.579 --> 00:14:11.579 To sitting and hearing his words of grace. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:17.000 To showing dependence on Jesus as a disciple. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:23.840 Jesus is not looking for a five-star meal from his followers. 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:27.440 Rather, he wants followers who will be fed by him. 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:30.340 Fed by his word. 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:34.080 That they will feast on his words of truth and life and love. 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:36.899 And so Jesus says, that's not going to be taken from Mary. 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:41.679 She will continue to enjoy what is best and necessary in the life of a disciple, 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:45.059 which is listening and worshipping. 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:48.939 So there's the principle. 00:14:49.119 --> 00:14:50.179 Very simple story. 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:53.039 But what's the application then? 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:55.119 For crazy busy disciples? 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.099 For a crazy busy church? 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:59.659 What can we learn from this family scene? 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:02.919 For following Jesus, however we are wired. 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:07.199 And however we find our life and our schedules now. 00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:08.279 So remember this. 00:15:08.979 --> 00:15:09.959 Before we get into it. 00:15:10.219 --> 00:15:11.639 Jesus loved Mary. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:13.319 Absolutely Jesus loved Mary. 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:15.100 And Jesus loved Martha. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:17.500 Absolutely Jesus loved Martha. 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:21.300 Jesus loves Mary types. 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:25.840 Those who think and reflect and listen. 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:28.620 And Jesus loves Martha types. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.840 Who showed their love by serving. 00:15:31.260 --> 00:15:32.740 And by caring in a practical way. 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:35.680 It's not a judgment on different temperaments. 00:15:35.760 --> 00:15:39.260 That's not the point of the story and the contrast between the two sisters. 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:44.860 But it is a lesson that whoever we are and however God has designed us to be, 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:49.299 time and devotion to Jesus and his word is absolutely essential. 00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:54.939 Because here is Jesus on the road to save his people. 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:59.660 To die in our place for our sin. 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.980 To bring us atonement. 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.660 To bring us peace with God. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:05.260 To bring the gift of salvation. 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:07.160 To give the gift of eternal life. 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.540 To give the hope of eternal glory. 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:10.100 As he will return to the glory of heaven. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:13.100 He's going to bring eternal life to his people. 00:16:13.160 --> 00:16:14.380 He's going to build his church. 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.440 He's going to pour out his love. 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.940 He's going to send his spirit. 00:16:17.880 --> 00:16:19.600 He is the one we need to listen to. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:23.139 We all have a desperate need of Jesus and his word. 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.379 Mary understands that. 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.940 Martha needs to re-understand that. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:30.220 So by way of application one. 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.420 Most basic. 00:16:32.560 --> 00:16:34.680 We should all be learners. 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:39.440 I don't know if you saw that recently the G7 countries made a commitment. 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:52.020 That they would all sort of invest money in providing for the educational needs for an extra 40 million girls who would be in poverty. 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:54.440 And otherwise wouldn't have the chance to go to school. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.780 The priority of education and learning. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.440 Do you know. 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:00.760 And for women as well. 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.280 And for girls. 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.440 And that matches Jesus. 00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:04.059 Principle and priority doesn't it. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:08.600 We can very much say that Jesus in his own day raises the bar for women. 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:10.839 It's against Martha's expectation. 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.939 Mary should be in the kitchen serving. 00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:17.480 And it's against culture's expectation. 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:21.679 Where women were regarded as relatively unimportant. 00:17:23.159 --> 00:17:24.579 As Darrell Bock puts it. 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:28.659 Grace that comes from Jesus knows no boundaries of gender. 00:17:29.699 --> 00:17:33.019 Our need then whoever we are is to learn from Jesus. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:37.879 To recognise that we are all theologians. 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:43.560 We all have a set of beliefs about God. 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:48.160 Things that we discover from God's word. 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:50.340 And we need to embrace that reality. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:53.800 And we need to grow in our learning. 00:17:54.020 --> 00:17:54.800 In our knowledge. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.560 In our theology. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.960 Here's one way to think about it. 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:04.180 I just started reading a book by Kevin Van Hooser. 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.860 About discipleship. 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:09.140 And he makes the really interesting point. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:14.700 He says even to answer the sort of fundamental question that Jesus asks of his disciples. 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:16.079 Who do you say I am? 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:19.480 To answer that sort of well from the Bible. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:23.759 Well we need to know the identity of Jesus. 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.220 We talk about Christology. 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.000 Who is Jesus? 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:29.059 That he is both fully God and fully man. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:33.720 To answer that we need to understand why the cross. 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:36.240 We need to recognise the problem of sin. 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:39.860 Leading to the need for the cross. 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:43.899 We need to understand what the death of Jesus achieved. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:47.899 In terms of atoning for sin. 00:18:48.219 --> 00:18:50.559 And removing sin and its guilt. 00:18:50.979 --> 00:18:54.579 And giving the gift of salvation to those who put their faith in Jesus. 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.359 But to answer that question. 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:57.079 Who do you say I am? 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.719 We also need to understand the Trinity. 00:18:59.719 --> 00:19:01.519 But not that we'll ever fully understand. 00:19:01.679 --> 00:19:03.740 But to know that there is one God. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.960 Who eternally exists in three persons. 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.359 Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.640 We need to know about creation. 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:13.359 That Jesus is the agent of creation. 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.420 That before creation. 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:17.440 Jesus existed in that eternal fellowship. 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:21.319 But he then entered into his creation. 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:24.240 There are so many truths that we need. 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.259 And we need to learn. 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:28.700 If we're to understand who Jesus is. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:30.660 So that we might serve him well. 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:32.680 So this is a call from Jesus. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.180 To learn. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:36.720 To be hearers and doers of God's word. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:39.580 And that's why our discipleship groups matter. 00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:42.140 That's why our women's ministry matters. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:44.779 That's why our women's Bible study is so important. 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:49.039 To understand that learning and growing together. 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:51.700 In God's word and in prayer. 00:19:52.060 --> 00:19:53.400 Builds strong disciples. 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:55.420 And builds a strong church. 00:19:55.580 --> 00:19:56.680 And that's what God wants. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:20:01.620 God wants to establish the church as the new Israel. 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.440 The new people of God. 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.740 A new holy nation. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:06.100 Who are worshipping and serving and representing him. 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.680 And if we're going to do that. 00:20:07.820 --> 00:20:11.160 We need to be learners of Jesus. 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:11.980 So practically. 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:14.039 Think about your diary. 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:16.680 Think about your timetable for this week coming. 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:22.059 Is that priority reflected in your calendar. 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:22.680 In your diary. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.380 In your timetable. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:23.900 And if not. 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:26.279 Something needs to change. 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:29.220 Because our best portion. 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.799 The portion that Jesus wants to give. 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:32.660 Is that we would feast on God's word. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.379 And the truths of God. 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.960 And that would equip us to love. 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:36.879 And to serve. 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:39.500 And to live our busy lives. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:42.079 For the glory of God. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.180 Following on from that. 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:46.900 Our second point of application. 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:49.279 Is that devotion to Jesus. 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:51.240 Loyalty to commitment to Jesus. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:53.940 Is the foundation for service. 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.500 Whoever we are. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.140 Now. 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:58.020 Perhaps you have done. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:21:00.900 One of the many personality tests out there. 00:21:01.320 --> 00:21:01.880 Enneagram. 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.220 Or any of the others. 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:05.420 And you found out where you fit. 00:21:05.540 --> 00:21:06.360 On the spectrum. 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:08.320 And a whole list of. 00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:09.360 Different. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.660 Sort of assessments. 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.720 Of temperament. 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.900 And personality. 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.600 We are wired differently. 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:17.220 By God's design. 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:20.000 And so we read the story of. 00:21:20.560 --> 00:21:21.780 Mary and Martha. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.759 And we discover Mary's chosen. 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:25.020 The better portion. 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.579 This is not. 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.779 Sort of a judgment. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.160 On sort of all of life. 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.400 You know. 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:30.160 This is not a call to life. 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.019 Of reflection. 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.759 And meditation. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.200 Over service. 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.059 This is not saying. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.000 Monastery good. 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.359 Mega busy bad. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.200 It's not that. 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.779 But we do need to hear Jesus. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.279 When he says. 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.599 Only one thing. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.559 Is needed. 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.819 Is necessary. 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:48.160 And maybe the setting. 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.379 For this is helpful. 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:49.700 So. 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.879 Earlier on. 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.700 In Luke chapter 10. 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:54.139 Jesus sends out the 72. 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:54.799 And they are. 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.660 They are busy. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.639 Serving him. 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.660 And they are preparing the way. 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.799 For his arrival. 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.920 In these towns and cities. 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.879 And then we meet the good Samaritan. 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:04.000 The good Samaritan story. 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:05.059 Here is the one who serves. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:06.039 And who shows mercy. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.119 And so perhaps the question. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:07.819 Might come to. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.319 The readers of Luke's gospel. 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.259 Perhaps it comes to us then. 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:10.480 So. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.500 Do I need to be a super server? 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.759 Is that what I need? 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.579 And do I need to be excellent. 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.579 At showing mercy. 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:19.059 In order to be. 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:20.420 In God's kingdom. 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.900 And Jesus is reminding us. 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.800 That strictly speaking. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.880 The only thing that is necessary. 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.120 Is listening. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:28.140 To Jesus' words of saving grace. 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.340 We cannot be. 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.480 A follower of Jesus. 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.200 Without hearing. 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:34.259 The word of the gospel. 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.180 And believing. 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:37.140 To understand. 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:38.279 That we are saved. 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.259 By grace. 00:22:39.320 --> 00:22:39.980 Through faith. 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:40.279 Not. 00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:42.299 Of our works. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:44.200 But it's the gift of God. 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.980 And Jesus has come to be that saviour. 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.480 On the road. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.779 To the cross. 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:49.080 To save us. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:49.680 And so. 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:50.840 The one thing that's needed. 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:54.000 Is the gospel word. 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.799 It's the word of God. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:57.160 How is a person saved? 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.820 It's not by us serving Jesus. 00:22:59.060 --> 00:23:01.500 It's by Jesus serving us. 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.759 And laying down his life for us. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.799 So then. 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:07.019 In our crazy busy schedules. 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.519 Serving kids. 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:10.039 Of serving clients. 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.920 Of serving patients. 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:12.539 Of serving colleagues. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.660 Of serving flatmates. 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.059 Etc. 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:14.440 Etc. 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:14.799 Etc. 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.900 We need. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.059 Devotion to Jesus. 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:20.279 And devotion to his word. 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:23.099 That must be the foundation. 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:26.259 Where we draw strength. 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:28.039 From which our service flows. 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.680 I like the way Paul Tripp. 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.559 Puts it in one of his books. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.980 That every day. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:37.339 We should be coming to God's word. 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.640 Admitting our need. 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.500 Of God. 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.339 And his help. 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.960 And his wisdom. 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.539 We should every day. 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.640 Be meditating. 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:48.420 On God's grace. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.740 We should be preaching the gospel. 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.619 To ourselves. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.000 Allowing ourselves. 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.920 To bask. 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.799 In the love of God. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.940 In the sending of Jesus. 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.700 To be our saviour. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.579 We should be daily feeding. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.319 On God's words. 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.319 Because. 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:05.299 It's as we do that. 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.700 That we find grace. 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:08.399 To then share with others. 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.720 And to serve others. 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:10.919 And without that. 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:13.920 We're going to start running on empty. 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:17.759 We're going to be running on our own natural resources. 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:20.000 And at some point we will run dry. 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:21.600 We will be distracted. 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:24.019 From focusing on Jesus. 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.759 And loving him. 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.460 And then. 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:26.539 We'll. 00:24:27.300 --> 00:24:28.400 Sort of fall into that pattern. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.140 That we see in Martha. 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:29.860 Of self-pity. 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:30.580 Of resent. 00:24:30.800 --> 00:24:32.200 Of responding wrongly. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.559 To others. 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:37.259 So moving from there. 00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.319 Application number three. 00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:42.720 The Bible would ask us to serve like Martha. 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.319 With a heart like Mary. 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:46.480 Because we are told to serve. 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:48.620 To offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:50.080 So we are to serve like Martha. 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:51.319 With a heart like Mary. 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.680 It's really helpful. 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.160 I think. 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.640 To recognise that. 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:59.019 There is a significant advantage. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.599 We have over these systems. 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.680 Often we think. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.180 Oh man. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.099 It would be amazing to be. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.799 Sort of at the time of Jesus. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:06.940 And we could listen to him. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.400 And we could. 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.500 Watch him. 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:11.119 But what if we weren't in the same room. 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.879 Or the same town. 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.740 Or the same city. 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.879 Then we wouldn't have that. 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:15.139 Would we? 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:17.259 So our advantage. 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:20.160 Is that we have constant fellowship. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.440 With the Lord Jesus. 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.980 Thanks to the spirit. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.160 In our hearts. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.839 Bringing us. 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:25.680 The knowledge. 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.980 Of Jesus. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.920 Martha and Mary. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.940 They had to be in the same room. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.519 To enjoy it. 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.299 But now by the spirit. 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.940 You can enjoy fellowship with Jesus. 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.119 As you work. 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:33.660 As you serve. 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.099 Whether you're. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.500 Your desk at home. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.319 And whether you're able to. 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.460 To go out to work. 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.879 Whether you're. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.619 Sort of. 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.319 Running to do the. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.279 The family shopping. 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.059 Do the school run. 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:44.759 Whatever it is. 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.379 You can enjoy fellowship with Jesus. 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:46.980 As you work. 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.579 As you serve. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:50.119 So it's not an either or. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.240 It's not what either. 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.519 Serving. 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.639 Or we're. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.139 Sort of enjoying fellowship with. 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.680 With Jesus. 00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.839 It's a both and. 00:25:59.879 --> 00:26:00.980 We're called to. 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.920 Sit at Jesus feet. 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.839 To enjoy time in his word. 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.980 To meditate on it. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.839 To store up. 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.960 His word in our hearts. 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.619 So that we wouldn't sin. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.039 As Psalm 119 said. 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.740 But to store up his word in our hearts. 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.299 So that we would. 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.579 Rejoice in. 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.400 The gospel. 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.119 Rejoice in grace. 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.799 And. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:18.619 We are to serve. 00:26:18.959 --> 00:26:20.419 As Jesus's hands and feet. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:24.159 I came across this from C.S. Lewis this week. 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.419 He said. 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:26.539 The church exists for nothing else. 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:29.079 But to draw people into Christ. 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.259 Christ. 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:32.099 We can think about sitting at Jesus feet. 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:33.159 Draw them into Christ. 00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:35.619 To make them little Christs. 00:26:36.699 --> 00:26:39.579 So that we then go out representing Jesus. 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:41.720 Not being ashamed to bear the name Christian. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.659 Little Christ. 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:45.500 For the sake of others. 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.220 Serve like Martha. 00:26:47.300 --> 00:26:48.460 With a heart like Mary. 00:26:50.820 --> 00:26:53.400 And so really to pull this all together. 00:26:53.800 --> 00:26:56.800 And to make this what I hope is practical for us. 00:26:56.800 --> 00:26:57.500 In our business. 00:26:58.300 --> 00:26:58.860 Number four. 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:03.000 Daily devotional time with Jesus is essential. 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:09.619 I imagine a good number of people listening to this will feel time poor. 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:13.920 And will feel time pressure significantly and daily. 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:19.660 And one of the things that we can do when we've got a huge to-do list. 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:23.900 Is we can think Bible reading and prayer is another one of those on our to-do list. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:28.299 Let me urge you to reflect and to reconsider. 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:32.539 Bible reading and prayer is not another tick box exercise. 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:34.139 It's not a duty. 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:37.000 Rather it's an act of devotion. 00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:40.220 It's an expression of worship. 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:44.519 We do it because we believe it is essential. 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:46.740 It is life-giving. 00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:50.920 I need this to live and serve and love well. 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:56.159 To understand that the antidote to so much of our anxiety. 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:58.639 Is to spend time with God and his word. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:02.200 To reset our focus when we find ourselves distracted. 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.799 From Jesus. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:04.580 To be in his word. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:11.400 To take his promises as true as the answer to our self-pity. 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:16.160 To remind ourselves of grace. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:18.900 When we find resentment building up. 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:21.400 Whatever your timetable. 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:23.380 Whatever your temperament. 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.640 How will you. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.800 How will I. 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:28.400 Build in time. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.880 For God's word. 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.100 And for prayer. 00:28:31.780 --> 00:28:32.740 For listening. 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.400 And for worship. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:37.000 We have times. 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.019 We have times. 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:38.540 That we set aside. 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.500 Together. 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.380 Sunday morning. 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.759 Sunday evening. 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:44.080 Will you make those a priority? 00:28:45.360 --> 00:28:46.320 Community groups. 00:28:46.820 --> 00:28:48.040 Women's Bible study. 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:50.140 Different discipleship opportunities. 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.320 Take them. 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.460 Sit together. 00:28:53.800 --> 00:28:55.900 With your brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:58.280 To grow strength. 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.000 Together. 00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.079 Together. 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.420 In understanding. 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:02.359 In applying God's word to our heart and life. 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.460 And when you're alone. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.799 Find the time. 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.539 Find the times. 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.640 Regularly. 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:12.200 To be sitting as it were. 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:13.099 At Jesus feet. 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:14.899 I love the advice. 00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:17.939 That a lady called Abigail Dodds. 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:19.519 Gave this week. 00:29:19.959 --> 00:29:20.699 In an article. 00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:21.879 Young mum. 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.899 You can read the Bible. 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:27.000 If anybody has crazy busy schedules. 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:27.959 It's young mums. 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:30.679 I don't know if you saw the story about the mum from Mali. 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:32.039 Who had nine kids. 00:29:32.219 --> 00:29:32.339 Wow. 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:35.240 But young mums. 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:35.740 Mums. 00:29:35.919 --> 00:29:36.779 So much pressure. 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.879 And the chaos of parenting. 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:40.240 When does a mum get time with God? 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:42.559 Maybe you're not a young mum. 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.899 But in your particular chaos. 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:45.899 How will you find time? 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:51.200 Well here's the good advice from Abigail Dodds. 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.099 Be flexible. 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:54.259 And be consistent. 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.259 Be flexible. 00:29:56.919 --> 00:29:58.720 Learn to use the gaps well. 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.899 You and I know as much as we're busy. 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:03.220 There's also moments where we have downtime. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:06.980 Where we do have time to make choices about how we use our time. 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:11.179 Use that time to invest in reading God's word. 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.059 Pray. 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:15.019 Be flexible. 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.039 She says. 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:20.960 Delay those lesser duties to prioritise. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:24.539 Time with Jesus as life-giving necessity. 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.679 Those dishes can wait. 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:29.759 Meeting with God and his word can. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.759 Find the time. 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.900 Find the time. 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.559 Find the times that work for you. 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:36.519 Perhaps that might mean getting up that little bit earlier. 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:38.000 Going to bed that little bit earlier. 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:43.779 So you can get up a bit earlier to spend time reading the Bible before the busyness of the day begins. 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.779 Be flexible. 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.420 Be flexible. 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.480 But also be consistent. 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.299 Recognise. 00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:49.960 We need to recognise we need God's word. 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.539 Appetite. 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:55.940 Sometimes, I guess, when we think about food. 00:30:57.319 --> 00:31:00.779 Our appetite grows before we eat. 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:06.879 But when it comes to the Bible, it's different because our appetite comes as we are reading. 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:09.339 Saw this today. 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.399 This week, rather. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.960 Reading the Bible with someone. 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.119 And we read a bit. 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:15.500 And then it's like, well, have we got time to read some more? 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:17.660 Our appetite was growing. 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:24.539 And we need to build our life around this foundation habit. 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:30.900 We would understand, as Jesus says, this is the best thing that we can do. 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:37.039 So if you find today, you think about your life, that you're crazy busy. 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:41.819 Let Jesus' words both challenge you and encourage you. 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.220 Let's read them again. 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:49.480 In verse 41, as he speaks to Martha, Martha, Martha, you're worried and upset about many things, 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:52.380 but few things are needed, but indeed only one. 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:56.920 Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. 00:31:57.559 --> 00:32:01.720 Fight distraction to be with Jesus. 00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:04.220 Let's pray briefly. 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:12.220 Lord Jesus, we pray, thanking you for you showing us and reminding us of the priority 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:18.819 of spending time in the Word of God, spending time in prayer to meet with you. 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:24.180 We pray that you'd help each one of us to be learners, 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:33.299 to devote ourselves to reading and studying and meditating on your Word for when we serve, 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:42.779 for how life is busy, that we would have that flexibility, but also consistency to be feasting on your Word. 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.659 May it do us good. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:50.700 May it be transforming us as a whole church as we are learners of the Lord Jesus. 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.899 We pray in his name. 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:52.900 Amen. 00:32:54.900 --> 00:33:05.420 And now we'll finish with the hymn, Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God, and then Psalm 1, the whole psalm. 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:25.700 Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God, 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:32.039 Breathe new life into my willing soul. 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:46.819 Bring the presence of the risen Lord to renew my heart and make me whole. 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:55.159 Cause your Word to come alive in me. 00:33:55.159 --> 00:34:02.179 Give me faith for what I cannot see. 00:34:02.659 --> 00:34:08.199 Give me passion for your purity. 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:15.059 Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:29.400 Holy Spirit, come abide within. 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:36.239 May your joy be seen in all I do. 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:43.920 Love enough to cover every sin. 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:49.099 In each thought and deed and attitude. 00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:58.579 Kindness to the greatest and the least. 00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:05.500 Gentleness that soars the path of peace. 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:11.840 Turn my striving into works of grace. 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:18.140 Breath of God, show Christ in all I do. 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:20.139 Holy Spirit, from creation's birth. 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:33.039 Holy Spirit, from creation's birth. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:40.599 Giving life to all that God has made. 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:46.599 Show your power once again on earth. 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:54.500 Cause your church to hunger for your ways. 00:35:54.500 --> 00:36:01.819 Let the fragrance of our prayers arise. 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:08.820 Lead us on the road of sacrifice. 00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:21.820 That in unity the face of Christ will be clear for all the world to see. 00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:37.820 Blessed is the one who turns away from where the wicked walk. 00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:51.820 Blessed is the one who turns away from where the wicked walk. 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:53.820 foot of God, the wicked walk. 00:36:53.820 --> 00:37:06.820 Who does not stand in sinners' paths or sit with those who mock. 00:37:06.820 --> 00:37:19.360 Instead he finds God's holy law, his joy and great delight. 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:36.360 He makes the precepts of the Lord his study day and night. 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:52.180 He prospers ever like a tree that's planted by a stream. 00:37:52.180 --> 00:38:06.220 And in due season yields its fruit, its leaves are always green. 00:38:06.820 --> 00:38:18.820 Not so the wicked, they are like the chaff that's blown away. 00:38:18.820 --> 00:38:34.820 They will not stand when judgment comes or with the righteous stay. 00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:48.820 It is the Lord who sees and knows the way the righteous go. 00:38:48.820 --> 00:39:03.820 But those who live an evil life, the Lord will overthrow. 00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:05.820 No. 00:39:05.820 --> 00:39:06.820 No. 00:39:06.820 --> 00:39:08.820 No. 00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:09.820 No. 00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:10.820 No. 00:39:10.820 --> 00:39:11.820 No. 00:39:11.820 --> 00:39:12.820 No. 00:39:12.820 --> 00:39:13.820 No. 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.820 No. 00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:15.820 No.