WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.060 Have your Bibles turned with me this morning to Luke chapter 10. 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:09.759 This morning we come to the third in this series of sermons on the enemy of prayer. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:16.039 And this morning, if I was giving this enemy a name, I would call it busyness. 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:18.920 Not business, but busyness. 00:00:19.620 --> 00:00:23.100 Or misplaced priorities. 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:32.380 The doctor that I've had for 30 years is a friend of mine, was a neighbor for 11 of those years. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:40.960 And like most of the doctors I go to, you go to his office, you sit there for 4, 5, 6, 7 minutes, 10 at the most. 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:42.040 They call you back. 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:46.140 Within another 5 or 6 minutes, he sees you and you're on your way. 00:00:47.079 --> 00:00:48.939 But have you ever been to a doctor's office? 00:00:48.939 --> 00:00:51.420 Because recently we've had this experience in our household. 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:52.940 My wife had to see this specialist. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:55.200 And we've been there about 6 times. 00:00:55.820 --> 00:00:59.480 And you think it might be that way one time, but it's been that way every 6 times. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:01.560 You go in, they tell you to come 15 minutes early. 00:01:02.040 --> 00:01:04.480 And you get there and they take care of that in about 2 minutes. 00:01:04.579 --> 00:01:07.780 So you sit there about 13 minutes waiting for your actual appointment time. 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:11.040 And then they let you wait another 45 minutes or an hour. 00:01:11.740 --> 00:01:15.020 And then they carry you back to this little room and say the doctor will be right in. 00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:17.740 Which means he's going to be there in about 40, 45 minutes more. 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:22.859 And you spend about 2 1⁄2, 3 hours at the doctor's office. 00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:27.199 Now, I'm not on doctors this morning because that's the exception rather than the rule. 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:32.219 But we probably all had that kind of experience at some point in our life. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:33.939 And they'll come out. 00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:36.299 If you say anything about it, you know what they're going to tell you. 00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:38.500 We had some emergencies today. 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:41.980 But you've been there five days in a row and every day is an emergency. 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:44.299 So after a while, that emergency is not really an emergency. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:48.180 It's just you're not planning for the emergency, right, that you know is already going to happen. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:51.980 And what really has happened is they've overbooked those appointments. 00:01:51.980 --> 00:01:53.420 And we all know that, right? 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:54.599 That's yes and no. 00:01:54.700 --> 00:01:55.579 Yeah, we all get it. 00:01:55.620 --> 00:01:57.099 We know they've overbooked that. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:01:58.859 And so it irritates you. 00:01:59.539 --> 00:02:01.640 But let me just warn you about something. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:09.479 Before you get too hot and bothered with a doctor or that kind of office, whatever it is, it's something we all do. 00:02:10.180 --> 00:02:11.280 You do know that, right? 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:14.099 We all have a tendency to overbook. 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:20.800 And the busier, the more active a lifestyle you have, the more apt you are to overbook. 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:28.439 For instance, at work, how many of you right now have got stuff on your calendar that you just say, I can't possibly get all that done, right? 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:31.719 But you go ahead and agree to do it anyway because they ask you to do it. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:34.599 And so you put it on your calendar of to-do things. 00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:38.560 Or socially, you accept this invitation. 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:40.579 Somebody says, would you do such and such? 00:02:40.620 --> 00:02:42.479 And you say, oh, I'd love to. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:44.860 And on the inside, you're going, I can't do that. 00:02:44.900 --> 00:02:45.699 I don't have time. 00:02:46.419 --> 00:02:47.699 But you do it anyway, right? 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:50.560 And so you overbook that slot. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:52.300 We do it with our families. 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:54.759 How many of you are grandparents in this room? 00:02:55.659 --> 00:02:56.939 Right, a lot of you. 00:02:56.939 --> 00:03:00.560 You'll say, I'll be glad to keep the child, right? 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:03.699 But you meant like one day out of seven. 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:07.460 And they're thinking five days out of seven, right? 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:14.259 And so after a while, you just think, man, I don't have time to do anything. 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:20.960 Now, I know because you're so spiritual minded and all that this would never happen here at First Baptist Church Pickens. 00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:25.140 But have any of you ever overbooked your church calendar? 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:30.200 You ever find yourself saying yes to this committee and yes to that committee? 00:03:30.640 --> 00:03:34.719 And you teach Sunday school and you're a deacon and you're on this committee and that committee. 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:38.659 And you're singing the choir and you're cutting the grass and you're cleaning the bathroom. 00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:41.020 And I could just go on and on and on, right? 00:03:41.400 --> 00:03:45.219 They ask you to serve on the bereavement committee and they ask you to serve on the benevolent committee. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:49.560 And so you're just doing all these things and you meet yourself going and coming. 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:55.319 Have you ever been tempted to think this when a guy stands up here like me and he preaches on prayer? 00:03:55.740 --> 00:03:58.020 And you say, preacher, I wish you'd get off my back. 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:00.340 I'm going to beat 90 miles an hour. 00:04:01.319 --> 00:04:02.500 I just don't. 00:04:02.579 --> 00:04:03.319 You ready for this? 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:05.240 Have time to pray. 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:08.780 I'd like to pray. 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:11.740 But when would I get around to that? 00:04:12.920 --> 00:04:16.120 You got me running, doing all these things for the church. 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:22.000 And so, to be honest, I really just don't have time to pray. 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:24.259 Well, I want you to look at this story. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:25.740 Great, great, great story. 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:27.800 Luke chapter 10, verse 38. 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:31.780 While they were traveling, that's Jesus and his disciples, 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:35.179 he entered a village, we know to be Bethany, 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:40.579 and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:42.859 Now, let me give you the inside track. 00:04:43.159 --> 00:04:46.099 You go back and you read the context of this 00:04:46.099 --> 00:04:50.059 and you understand Jesus has just come off a missionary campaign. 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:51.979 He sent his disciples out. 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:52.919 They've come back. 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:54.299 They're dead tired. 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:58.000 Another passage tells us Jesus wants to get away. 00:04:58.119 --> 00:05:00.179 He tells his disciples, let's go to a remote area. 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:02.100 They try going to the remote area, 00:05:02.180 --> 00:05:04.160 but when they get there, as I preached a few weeks ago, 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:06.220 there are already people there who have anticipated 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:08.340 they're going to this remote location. 00:05:09.160 --> 00:05:11.060 So, Jesus doesn't get any rest. 00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:12.519 Finally, he gets to Bethany. 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:17.399 These are three of his dearest social friends, 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:20.139 Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:23.079 We read a couple of stories in the scripture about them. 00:05:23.340 --> 00:05:25.740 On this occasion, Jesus gets to town. 00:05:26.180 --> 00:05:27.980 Martha sees him apparently and says, 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:29.800 Jesus, so good to see. 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:30.800 They're tired. 00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:31.420 They're exhausted. 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:32.160 They've been on the road. 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:34.420 Probably hadn't had a good meal in a long, long time. 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:37.040 And she says, I want you to come to our house. 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:39.540 Well, you've been to people's houses 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:41.360 and then you've been to people's houses 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:43.800 where they really have the gift of hospitality, right? 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:46.639 And you just are able to let your hair down. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:47.840 You're able to relax. 00:05:47.960 --> 00:05:49.180 You're able to have a good time. 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:52.139 And it's just a wonderful, wonderful experience. 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:54.480 I believe it was this kind of experience 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:57.340 for Jesus in Bethany at Martha's house. 00:05:57.340 --> 00:05:58.240 He knew her. 00:05:58.700 --> 00:06:02.259 He was, I think, excited about going to her house. 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:03.120 So I want to tell you something. 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:05.200 Martha has done a good thing. 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:06.100 Jesus, come home. 00:06:06.460 --> 00:06:08.360 Now, let's, this is really important. 00:06:09.340 --> 00:06:12.100 Ask yourself, what is it she's wanting to do 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:13.819 in this moment when she sees Jesus 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:15.520 and invites him to her house? 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:18.240 Is she thinking, I'm wanting him to go away 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:20.220 thinking I am the new Martha Stewart? 00:06:20.220 --> 00:06:20.700 No. 00:06:23.020 --> 00:06:24.900 Is she thinking, I'm going to impress him 00:06:24.900 --> 00:06:27.460 because this is going to be like a French restaurant, 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:28.860 five-star restaurant? 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:29.300 No. 00:06:30.200 --> 00:06:32.340 Is she thinking, I want to impress him 00:06:32.340 --> 00:06:34.840 with how well I keep my house? 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:35.780 No. 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:37.680 She's got one thing in her mind. 00:06:38.200 --> 00:06:40.180 I'm doing something good for Jesus. 00:06:40.740 --> 00:06:41.560 You don't look at his face. 00:06:41.820 --> 00:06:42.580 He's tired. 00:06:42.880 --> 00:06:43.740 He's wore out. 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:45.840 We're having him in the disciples. 00:06:45.960 --> 00:06:47.160 It's going to be a great time. 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:48.640 We're going to have a wonderful time 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:50.259 just seeing Jesus. 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:52.779 That's mostly what she's got in the back of her mind. 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:54.199 Doing something good for Jesus. 00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:55.599 Having a wonderful time. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:59.000 You've had people like that in your life 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:01.360 who just said, look, I want you to come to the house 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:02.939 and you get there, have a great time. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:05.099 A few weeks ago, the Whitworths here in your church 00:07:05.099 --> 00:07:07.019 invited me and my wife to come over. 00:07:07.099 --> 00:07:08.599 They had a few of their friends, some family. 00:07:08.979 --> 00:07:09.839 Have a huge table. 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:10.500 Let me tell you something. 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:12.279 If you ever get a chance to go to Vic 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:15.199 and Sharon Whitworth's home, go. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:18.899 That gal can put out a spread, right? 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:21.939 And they're so hospitable and warm and friendly. 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:23.519 We just had a great, wonderful time. 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:25.399 So that's what Jesus is looking forward to. 00:07:25.539 --> 00:07:28.560 He's looking forward to going to like the Whitworth's house, okay? 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:31.199 Look at next verse, verse 39. 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:33.519 She had a sister named Mary 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:36.019 who also sat at the Lord's feet 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:38.800 and was listening to what he said. 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:41.039 Now here's Mary. 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:44.660 Mary, they're flesh and blood brothers and sisters, 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:46.480 Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. 00:07:47.900 --> 00:07:48.960 Same gene pool, 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:52.700 but she couldn't be any more different than Martha 00:07:52.700 --> 00:07:54.400 if she tried. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:57.180 How many of you got people like that in your family? 00:07:57.540 --> 00:07:59.520 You got two kids, a boy and a girl, 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:02.379 two girls, two boys, multiple children. 00:08:03.200 --> 00:08:05.000 One's an A and the other's a Z, right? 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:07.620 I've got a daughter who's a fashionista. 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:10.680 I mean, she loves clothes. 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:12.860 I got a boy that owns about three pair of pants. 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:17.639 I mean, he goes to barber about once a year 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:19.639 if he needs to or not, long hair, beard. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:22.060 He's outdoorsman, loves to hunt in the woods. 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:23.759 That's just who he is. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:26.180 They couldn't be more different. 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:28.379 Both have loving hearts, both good people, 00:08:28.780 --> 00:08:31.060 just different people all together. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:32.919 Things he cares about, she don't give a nickel about. 00:08:33.060 --> 00:08:36.919 Things she cares about, he don't give a nickel about, right? 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:41.319 Well, Martha and Mary, or Mary, Martha and Mary, 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:43.779 I should have said, are all together different. 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:45.699 Martha is a housekeeper. 00:08:46.459 --> 00:08:47.500 She's a cook. 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:49.259 Mary may do some of these things, 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:53.099 but she's really a people person. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.899 And so when she sees Jesus, 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:58.500 she's equally glad to see Jesus come into the house, 00:08:58.819 --> 00:09:00.839 but what she does is she just plops down there, 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:01.980 as we say in our house. 00:09:02.219 --> 00:09:03.419 She plops down there, 00:09:03.419 --> 00:09:06.899 and she soaks up Jesus like a sponge. 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:08.639 Now let me just ask you, 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:10.799 who wouldn't? 00:09:12.179 --> 00:09:14.819 I mean, you've got the son of God in your house. 00:09:15.699 --> 00:09:17.699 You've got this guy who's doing miracles 00:09:17.699 --> 00:09:19.860 and teaching like no one's ever taught. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:21.719 And just, you look at him, 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:23.439 you just say there's something special about him. 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:27.319 And so she's able to ask him all those questions 00:09:27.319 --> 00:09:29.179 you've asked your pastor in the past, 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:30.899 and he hasn't had an answer for you, right? 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:33.399 You remember coming up to your pastor and said, 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:34.759 pastor, I just want to know. 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:37.679 And then he looks at you with a deer in the headlight look 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:39.419 and says, you're going to have to wait 00:09:39.419 --> 00:09:40.220 until you get to heaven, right? 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:40.879 Because I don't know. 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:42.379 And he doesn't know. 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:43.799 And he's just honest about it. 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:45.860 Well, Jesus knows. 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:48.519 And you've got him right here in your living room. 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:51.000 And so you're asking, bombarding him with questions, 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:51.819 and he's answering. 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:53.379 And it's just a great time. 00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:57.220 And she's just having the ball just soaking up Jesus, right? 00:09:57.939 --> 00:10:00.179 Well, look at verse 40. 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:07.079 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks. 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:11.479 First sign of anything going wrong here. 00:10:12.359 --> 00:10:13.819 But Martha. 00:10:15.319 --> 00:10:17.039 In grammar, English grammar, 00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:21.319 that's considered a conjunction of contrast. 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:25.459 Conjunctions are words that tie two ideas together. 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:28.919 Here's idea A, Martha inviting Jesus to the home. 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:32.639 Idea B, Mary sitting here soaking him up like sponge. 00:10:33.719 --> 00:10:35.939 The writer is tying these two ideas together, 00:10:36.679 --> 00:10:39.479 but he uses a conjunction, not and, but, but, 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:41.059 which means there's a problem. 00:10:41.959 --> 00:10:43.939 There's some kind of conflict here, right? 00:10:44.579 --> 00:10:50.319 So he says, but Martha was distracted by her many tasks. 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:54.200 That word distracted is a good word. 00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:54.980 It's a strong word. 00:10:55.040 --> 00:10:56.620 It paints a picture for us, right? 00:10:57.320 --> 00:10:59.340 Because every one of us, if you think about it, 00:10:59.400 --> 00:11:02.480 you know exactly what a distraction is. 00:11:03.280 --> 00:11:05.480 How many of you are one task at a time people? 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:06.040 Can I see you? 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:07.000 A lot of people are multi. 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:08.660 I'm a one task at a time person. 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:11.520 I mean, especially the older I get, 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:13.860 I had better be a one task person, right? 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:16.720 Because I can walk from this room to that room and get there, 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:18.519 and I don't have a clue what I'm there for, right? 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:20.379 Anything can distract me. 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:22.639 I'm as ADD as they come, right? 00:11:23.300 --> 00:11:27.180 So Martha is trying to get this meal ready, 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:29.159 set the table, put everything out there, 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:31.159 got the roast in the oven. 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:32.940 She's got her pie made. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:36.899 She's got to set the table, get the dishes on the table, 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.800 and the forks in place, and the napkins, 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:41.659 and the tea poured, and everything's going to be ready to go, 00:11:42.099 --> 00:11:44.139 and not to mention a hundred other things 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:45.799 that she wishes were in place. 00:11:46.359 --> 00:11:50.359 Well, she gets distracted because every time she walks through, 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:51.879 guess what she sees? 00:11:52.979 --> 00:11:53.620 There's Mary. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.899 Mary is not helping. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:59.359 Mary is sitting listening to Jesus. 00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:01.819 I wish somebody would let me listen to Jesus. 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:04.799 I've got to do all this stuff 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:06.439 while you sit there listening to Jesus. 00:12:06.440 --> 00:12:13.560 And so she's distracted by her many, many tasks. 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:15.980 Now, I want to just warn you, 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:19.140 people who have a lot of tasks who are doers, 00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:22.120 you have a bigger problem than this 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:24.680 than people who know how to relax. 00:12:26.140 --> 00:12:27.780 I'm in that Martha category. 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:30.220 I always got a lot going on. 00:12:30.300 --> 00:12:31.560 I always got a lot to do. 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:33.440 I'm scurrying about. 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:36.320 And I'll just tell you something about those of us 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:36.960 who scurry about. 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:39.440 When we scurry about, if we're honest about it, 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:42.700 we want everybody else scurrying around with us, don't we? 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.720 You ever seen that? 00:12:45.280 --> 00:12:47.740 I mean, you're getting this meal on the table. 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:49.100 Have you ever walked by and seen your husband 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:50.680 just sitting there with his hands behind his head, 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:52.780 laid back, watching the ball game in the recliner? 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:54.780 You don't want to say, 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:56.900 hey, jerkwad, get up and come in and help me, right? 00:12:56.900 --> 00:13:00.800 I mean, you don't have feet. 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:03.840 Especially when you walk by and they say, 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:04.820 hey, if you get a chance, 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:06.000 could you give me a glass of tea? 00:13:06.660 --> 00:13:06.879 You know? 00:13:09.280 --> 00:13:10.900 I'll get you a glass of tea. 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:12.940 Right? 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:17.640 And so Martha is distracted 00:13:17.640 --> 00:13:20.940 because she's got so many things going on. 00:13:22.020 --> 00:13:24.320 Look at verse 40, the middle of the verse. 00:13:25.320 --> 00:13:26.420 And she came up and asked, 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:28.780 Lord, don't you care that my sister 00:13:28.780 --> 00:13:31.640 has left me to serve alone? 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:33.779 Can you see Martha? 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.519 Man, I can. 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.799 I've been Martha before. 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:39.279 I try to conceal it better than Martha, 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.139 I think, did here. 00:13:40.319 --> 00:13:42.059 But I've been Martha before. 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.439 Where you're just running around 00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:44.919 like a chicken with your head cut off 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:47.340 and you look around and others in the room 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.659 who you thought would be helping you 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.399 aren't helping you 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:51.340 and you keep dropping hands. 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:54.000 I could use a hand here, you know? 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:56.700 Boy, I'll get the meal on the table 00:13:56.700 --> 00:13:57.680 as soon as I can. 00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:02.280 And they're just not taking the hint. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:05.500 And so after a while, 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.300 she comes up and says, 00:14:06.400 --> 00:14:08.420 Lord, don't you care that my sister 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:10.940 has left me alone to serve? 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:13.780 She's mad with Mary. 00:14:14.680 --> 00:14:15.800 But I want to let you in on something 00:14:15.800 --> 00:14:17.280 if you haven't ever thought about this before. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.980 Seems sacrilegious to say, 00:14:19.040 --> 00:14:19.560 but it's true. 00:14:20.660 --> 00:14:22.100 She's mad with Jesus too. 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:26.620 Because Jesus is occupying Mary 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:29.259 and Mary is listening to Jesus 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:31.460 and she in her mind thinks, 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:33.680 why don't you tell her to come help me? 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:34.879 Do you not care? 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.820 Do you not see? 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.420 I'm just busy as a beaver 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:38.740 and I'm doing all these things 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:42.800 and Mary just keeps sitting there. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.740 Do you not care? 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:50.580 Well, look at the very next part of that verse, 00:14:50.660 --> 00:14:51.560 verse 40c. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:55.800 So tell her to give me a hand. 00:14:57.060 --> 00:14:59.320 Now here's Ralph Carter's translation of that, right? 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.899 You won't find this in the Greek, 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.740 but this is Ralph Carter. 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.800 You know what she's saying? 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:05.519 Tell her to get off her backside 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.300 and come help me. 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:09.019 When she says give a hand, 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.379 what she's wanting her to do 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:12.480 is to get up and get moving 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.720 and come to her aid 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:17.620 and assist her in preparing for this meal. 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:20.519 So she's thinking to herself, 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.840 Jesus, she'd listen to you. 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.940 You can fix this. 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:25.379 All you gotta do is give the word, 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:29.460 hey, Mary, Martha's really busy here 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:31.480 and if you'd go help her, 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.580 it'd help her out. 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:35.300 But notice Jesus' response, 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.000 verse 41. 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:38.019 The Lord answered her 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:39.920 with just two words, ready? 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:42.079 Martha, Martha. 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:47.659 Now, I can picture my mom saying that to me. 00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:48.419 I don't know about you. 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.319 And I gotta figure, 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:52.179 and I know exactly how Jesus said it. 00:15:52.339 --> 00:15:54.120 He said it probably like my mom would have said it. 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:55.959 He turns around. 00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:59.959 He's involved in a great spiritual conversation with Mary. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.240 They're having a great time of it. 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:02.500 And he hears Martha, 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:04.019 and she's taking off the gloves. 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.959 Why don't you tell her to come give me a hand? 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.860 And he turns and he looks at her 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:10.139 and probably folds his arms the way my mama used to. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:12.100 And he says, 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:14.559 Martha, Martha. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.019 Right? 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:18.159 When they say your name twice, 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.259 that's not a good thing. 00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:22.980 You remember what that was like at home? 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.980 If they say it one time, 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.179 okay, they want your attention. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.939 But when they put it together twice, 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.139 not a good thing. 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.819 Martha, Martha. 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.039 In other words, 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:34.340 Martha, you are a piece of work. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:36.460 And then he says, 00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:40.379 you are worried and upset about many things. 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:41.780 In other words, 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:44.600 you're in a tizzy over so many things. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:48.899 And busy people see lots of things to do, 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.340 don't they? 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:52.200 Have you ever noticed how 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:53.340 when you invite somebody over, 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.080 it starts, 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:56.019 remember what we said about Martha in the beginning? 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:57.320 What she wanna do? 00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:59.680 She wants to have Jesus come to her house 00:16:59.680 --> 00:17:00.900 and just show him a good time. 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:04.279 But this has turned into something else. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:06.720 It's taken on a life of its own. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.240 Have you ever done that? 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.539 Ever had a good intention 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.420 about somebody in your home? 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.680 You're just gonna have a good meal. 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.759 You're just gonna have a good time. 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:15.559 But somebody needs to polish the furniture. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.160 Somebody needs to vacuum the floor. 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:21.019 Somebody needs to wax the floor. 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.839 Somebody needs to wash the windows. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:25.019 Somebody needs to change the sheets 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:25.700 in there in the bedroom. 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.059 You think, 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.579 they're not gonna go lay down on that bed. 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.220 You know? 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.819 But we need to do those things. 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:32.359 We need to clean the toilet back there. 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:32.779 Right? 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:34.359 We need to do all those. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.420 Cut the grass. 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:37.299 Get the weeds out of the flowers. 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:40.019 And folk are like that. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:43.240 You see lots and lots and lots of things to do. 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:46.099 Here's the sad part. 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:48.879 Martha lost sight of her initial priorities. 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:51.960 She wanted to show Jesus kindness. 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.799 Get this now. 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:55.859 But now she's insulting him. 00:17:55.859 --> 00:18:00.859 And what was important became secondary. 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:04.599 And what wasn't even on the radar 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:07.939 has become primary. 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.879 You get where I'm going with this? 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.599 In our spiritual lives, 00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:14.479 a lot of times, 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.219 we get to hurrying about 00:18:16.219 --> 00:18:17.939 and so busy and doing things 00:18:17.939 --> 00:18:20.199 that those things that at one time 00:18:20.199 --> 00:18:21.919 we didn't even know were on the radar, 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:24.320 they become primary. 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.580 And those things 00:18:26.580 --> 00:18:29.080 that at one time were primary to us, 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:31.620 they become secondary 00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:34.720 and even further removed than that. 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:37.180 I want you to think back to the day 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:39.440 that you invited Christ into your heart and life. 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:43.340 When you first established a relationship with God, 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:49.140 did committee work have anything to do with that at all? 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:51.060 Was that on your agenda? 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:54.380 Did you think about being elected 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:55.980 to this office or that office? 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.380 Did you think about how good 00:18:58.380 --> 00:19:00.720 the choir at First Baptist Pickens sang? 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.700 Or how good the sermon was? 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:07.320 When you first got right with Christ, 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.060 I'm going to tell you something. 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.020 Everybody in this room 00:19:09.020 --> 00:19:10.200 who's had that experience, 00:19:10.280 --> 00:19:12.220 you know the only thing that really mattered 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.840 was your relationship with God. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:15.620 You just wanted to be right with God. 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:16.500 Period. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:19.039 You just wanted to hear from God 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.460 and know God's will for your life 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:22.339 and to be able to communicate with God. 00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:23.660 And that was primary 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:25.319 and that was so clear 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:27.960 you could see it every day. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.920 But then as time passed, 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.500 things kind of got cluttered 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.740 because this came into your life 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.740 and that came into your life 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.640 and this came into your life. 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.519 And after a while, 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.839 you're running like a chicken 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.799 with your head cut off 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:42.400 and you don't have time even to pray. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:45.380 We spend way too much time 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.900 rearranging the chairs 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.320 on the deck of the Titanic. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.940 Do you understand what I'm saying by that? 00:19:52.060 --> 00:19:53.380 That ship's hit the iceberg. 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.720 It's going down. 00:19:55.040 --> 00:19:55.720 Matter of minutes. 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:58.700 We're still trying feverishly 00:19:58.700 --> 00:20:00.100 to get those chairs 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:01.980 in the right place. 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:05.000 I was on the personnel committee 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:08.280 for a Baptist association 00:20:08.280 --> 00:20:09.860 many, many years ago 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.900 when I first went in ministry. 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:12.840 I was the young guy on the committee 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:15.880 and we met at the associational office. 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.620 We were going to evaluate the employees, 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.980 talk about how they're doing 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.280 in their job performance. 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:23.640 So we get with the DOM, 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.160 the director of missions, 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.300 and we say to him, 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.280 tell us about your work. 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.460 Tell us what has happened 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.680 in the last year. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.440 Now, I was excited about it. 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.580 First year on the personnel committee, 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.180 young preacher. 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.620 I think he's going to tell us 00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:38.500 about mission efforts. 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:40.259 He's going to tell us about people 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.119 he's witnessed to, 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.980 people he's brought into the church. 00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:45.400 He's going to tell us about pastors 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.279 who he's helped 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.379 who are having difficult times, 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.579 maybe their marriage is in trouble, 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.140 and he's helped rescue them. 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.759 Or he's going to tell us about churches 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.759 that are having problems 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.900 and how he's intervened 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:55.240 and giving them solutions 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.640 and answers and suggestions, 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:58.160 and those congregations 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.200 are stronger today. 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.000 You know what he did? 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.019 You're not going to believe 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.720 what I'm going to tell you. 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.900 I hope you won't believe 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.599 what I'm going to tell you. 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:07.140 But this is exactly what he did. 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.420 Now, I've changed the numbers 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.660 because I can't remember the numbers, 00:21:10.020 --> 00:21:10.820 but the categories 00:21:10.820 --> 00:21:12.520 are exactly as he said them. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.980 He pulls out his long sheet of paper 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.680 from his desk, 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.960 and this is what he said. 00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:19.420 Well, it's kind of like this. 00:21:20.080 --> 00:21:21.880 This year, I was involved 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:24.680 in 15,846 phone calls. 00:21:26.020 --> 00:21:28.360 2,139 pieces of mail 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:30.020 were received into our office. 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:33.140 1,282 pieces of mail 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.520 were sent out by our office. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:36.920 We had 139 meetings 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.879 here in this building 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:38.759 at our office. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.660 I had 57 meetings, 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.639 personal encounters 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.259 with pastors 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.920 across the association, 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.119 and that was his report. 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.500 And you know what I thought 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.259 when I sat there 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:52.119 as a 28, 29-year-old guy? 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.359 Who has the time 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.980 to count how many times 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.240 you answer the phone? 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:02.700 Who keeps a list of that? 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:04.700 Who says, 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.180 well, today, 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.500 that's six more pieces of mail. 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:09.759 Who says, 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:10.440 every time they go 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.039 to meet a pastor, 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.400 okay, I mail that pastor. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:13.519 Put that one down. 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.860 You see what had happened? 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:18.340 The little things, 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.759 the meaningless things 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:22.240 had become the primary thing, 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.799 and the primary thing 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:25.640 was lost. 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.340 And I'm fearful 00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.360 in our spiritual lives. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.200 That's what many of us 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:30.700 do as well. 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.720 Look at verse 42, 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.539 and I close. 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.279 Mary has made 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.259 the right choice, 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.920 and it will not be 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.920 taken away from her. 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:43.259 Here's what Jesus is saying. 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.700 No, Martha, 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:46.680 I won't ask Mary 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.980 to stop what she's doing 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.000 to come help you, 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:51.000 because what could be 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.900 more important 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:53.759 than what Mary 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.720 is doing right here? 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.420 She's sitting, 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.519 she's having conversation 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.000 with me, 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:00.880 she's given me 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:02.079 a wonderful opportunity 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:02.720 to share with her 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.579 the things of the kingdom. 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.559 We're having fellowship. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.940 It's just great. 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:10.339 And what Mary is doing 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.279 is going to pay 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:13.680 lasting benefits. 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.420 She's creating memories 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.480 that are going to last her 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.240 a lifetime, 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.180 and she would. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.259 Can you imagine 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.400 any of us in this room, 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:23.000 you have a chance 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:24.220 to sit and personally 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.360 talk with Jesus. 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.340 He's going to be 00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:27.440 crucified later on, 00:23:27.840 --> 00:23:28.460 arise, 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:29.880 return to heaven, 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:31.300 and you're going to have 00:23:31.300 --> 00:23:31.920 that memory 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:33.080 in your mind and heart. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.940 I talked with Jesus. 00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:37.040 We spoke about this 00:23:37.040 --> 00:23:37.560 and this 00:23:37.560 --> 00:23:38.060 and this 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:38.740 and this. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.680 Five years later, 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.259 somebody says, 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.060 you remember when 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:43.240 Jesus came to Bethany? 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:43.720 Uh-huh. 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.339 What was it 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:45.940 Martha cooked 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.460 that day? 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.000 I mean, 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.480 do you remember 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:52.460 that pie we had? 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.259 No. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.200 Do you remember 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.779 how clean 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.600 the house was? 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:58.799 Uh-uh. 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.559 But I remember 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.259 that conversation 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.039 I had with Jesus. 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:05.120 I remember 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.600 that thing 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.539 he said. 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.259 And that made 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.120 all the difference 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.700 in the world. 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.839 Let me ask you, 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.619 in all the stuff 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.240 you're doing 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:17.119 in your spiritual life, 00:24:17.199 --> 00:24:18.339 so-called spiritual life, 00:24:19.459 --> 00:24:20.720 how much of it 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:22.379 is communion 00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:24.559 actually with God? 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.579 And how much of it 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:29.599 is church work 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:31.899 versus the work 00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.619 of the church? 00:24:34.179 --> 00:24:35.339 Because I hope you know 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.079 there's a difference 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:37.119 in those two things. 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.720 You're looking at somebody 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:41.699 who was in ministry, 00:24:41.939 --> 00:24:42.759 has been in ministry, 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.959 now 50 years. 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.339 And somewhere 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.220 along the way, 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.659 I recognized 00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:49.539 a good while back, 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:52.179 there's a huge difference 00:24:52.179 --> 00:24:54.179 in church work 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:54.819 and the work 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.419 of the church. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.000 The work of the church 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.859 will run you down, 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.039 and church work 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.519 will invigorate you, 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.500 or the work of the church 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.339 will invigorate you. 00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.480 But church work, 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.859 it's pretty tiring, 00:25:08.939 --> 00:25:09.500 it's pretty boring. 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:11.900 It's draining. 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.359 It doesn't charge 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:13.819 your battery. 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:17.319 My mom died 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:24.380 June the 1st, 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.299 2014. 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:28.240 We were real tight. 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.799 She was 80 years old. 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:38.259 Those last three or four years, 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.159 I'd go to her house. 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.879 I'd go about once a week 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:41.279 to see her. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.619 My dad's still living. 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.759 I'd go see my dad's 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.619 Energizer money. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.700 He was up, 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.359 he could get around. 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.740 But my mom had become 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.359 less and less mobile. 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.720 Now she could walk, 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.319 she could get around, 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:53.220 we could go places. 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.759 But she'd just gotten 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.500 to that point in life 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.779 where she preferred to sit 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.859 rather than go and do. 00:25:58.619 --> 00:26:00.199 I've always been a person 00:26:00.199 --> 00:26:01.179 who didn't know how to relax 00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:01.939 and just always wanted 00:26:01.939 --> 00:26:02.500 to be on the go. 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.639 And so I'd go to her house 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.159 and I'd think, 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:05.959 it'd be good for her 00:26:05.959 --> 00:26:06.539 if I could get her up 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.000 out of the house. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.299 And I'd say, 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.599 Mama, 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:10.179 we all called her Ma, 00:26:10.979 --> 00:26:11.759 my kids and all. 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.079 And I said, 00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:12.379 Ma, 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:14.019 why don't we go do 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.759 such and such? 00:26:15.199 --> 00:26:16.159 I heard about this thing 00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:16.699 going over there 00:26:16.699 --> 00:26:17.439 in Pumpkin Town 00:26:17.439 --> 00:26:18.339 or I heard about this thing 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.439 over in Greenwood. 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.439 Why don't we get in the car 00:26:20.439 --> 00:26:21.379 and I'll run you over there 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:21.919 and we'll see you 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:23.240 and we'll have a big time. 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:23.919 And we would have had 00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:24.419 a big time. 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:28.160 And about 95% of the time, 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.960 here's what she'd say, 00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:29.380 son, 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.700 that sounds like 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.660 it'd be a lot of fun. 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.279 But you know what 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.120 I really like to do? 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.180 No, 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.380 Mom, 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:35.860 what's that? 00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:36.640 I always knew 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.420 what she was going to say. 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.259 Why don't we just sit 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.800 and talk? 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:50.660 I'm sorry. 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:50.700 I'm sorry. 00:26:54.420 --> 00:27:01.279 I don't know why 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.940 I'm so emotional. 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.320 She, 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.840 about six months 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:06.700 before she died, 00:27:08.080 --> 00:27:10.700 she got multiple myeloma. 00:27:13.060 --> 00:27:14.500 She went down real quick. 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.800 And I'd see her 00:27:17.800 --> 00:27:18.640 several times a week 00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.460 and we'd just sit 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:21.340 and we'd just talk. 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:23.559 Well, 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:23.759 you know, 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.599 I'm not a singer 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.439 like Georgia 00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:25.859 and Jimmy, 00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:26.799 Brian. 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.859 But a couple times 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.720 I'd say, 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:30.959 Mom, 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.240 why don't me and you sing? 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.240 And we'd sing 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.579 his eyes on a sparrow. 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.059 We'd just have 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.819 a good time. 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:43.099 We went a lot of places 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:43.779 in our lifetime 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.679 and I want to tell you something. 00:27:45.679 --> 00:27:46.859 Those conversations 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.539 are the thing 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.199 that I remember 00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:50.619 that last six months 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.419 talking with her, 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.000 sitting there 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.959 having fellowship with her. 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.619 And I just wondered 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.639 so many times 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:58.979 as a preacher 00:27:58.979 --> 00:27:59.639 and a pastor, 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:02.839 we come to church 00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:03.959 and we want 00:28:03.959 --> 00:28:05.000 a huge crowd 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.139 and it's good 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:06.959 to have a big crowd 00:28:06.959 --> 00:28:07.199 and all, 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.919 but I just wonder 00:28:07.919 --> 00:28:08.339 at times 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:09.059 if God says, 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:09.739 hey, 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.000 hey, 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.239 hey, 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.479 hey, 00:28:10.479 --> 00:28:10.679 hey, 00:28:10.679 --> 00:28:10.939 hey, 00:28:10.939 --> 00:28:11.239 hey, 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:11.579 hey, 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:11.959 hey, 00:28:11.959 --> 00:28:12.000 hey, 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.019 hey, 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:14.699 talk to me. 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:18.199 Just talk to me. 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.699 Choir's good, 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.139 but would you talk to me? 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:26.019 Preaching's okay, 00:28:26.159 --> 00:28:28.019 but would you talk to me? 00:28:29.219 --> 00:28:29.459 Hey, 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.039 you there around 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.799 that conference table 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.519 having that meeting, 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:34.399 how about talk to me? 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:37.119 How about talk to me? 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.719 Let's bow in prayer. 00:28:46.719 --> 00:28:47.939 Don't leave church today 00:28:47.939 --> 00:28:49.019 without talking to God. 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:51.559 I'm not even 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.639 going to ask you to stand. 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:53.480 I want it to be 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.379 more personal than that. 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.099 If you want to come 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:55.879 and kneel here at the altar, 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.460 you do that. 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.359 I welcome you to come. 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.960 Ryan's going to sing 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:00.400 the hymn of invitation, 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:03.000 but whether you come 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.799 or whether you sit there 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.259 in the pew, 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.839 talk to him. 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.359 Right now, 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.240 just talk to him. 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.740 Just have a conversation 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.359 with him. 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:11.700 Would you do that 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:13.079 while he sings?