•4:15 PM
INCREASING YOUR SPIRITUALITY BY MAINTAINING THE PROPER BALANCE: MARY & MARTHA REVEALED
Scriptural References: (a) Luke 10:38-42 (b) John 11:1-45 (c) John 12:1-8
FOCUS: If you do not serve others with the right attitude, you will find yourself growing resentful of the time and effort you must devote to God’s kingdom. As long as the spiritual part of your nature is in tune with God, the outward manifestations will follow without a conscious effort. (Proverbs 23:7)
SPIRITUALITY: caring more for things of a spiritual nature than material possessions (Romans 8:5-6)
BALANCE: focusing on spiritual and physical matters simultaneously
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Aside from the services on Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening, how many hours do you spend thinking about spiritual matters?
MARTHA OF BETHANY
- Martha was very warm-hearted. She invited Jesus and his disciples to visit her home.
- She worried about entertaining her guests, making sure there was enough food, however; she missed out on the most important thing: JESUS WAS TEACHING IN HER HOME AND SHE DID NOT HEAR A WORD!
WHAT WE LEARN FROM MARTHA: We have a great desire to serve God and we open ourselves to service – then we get bogged down in the little things that don’t mean much to ministry. God shows us where the important things are – in our relationship with Christ, not in the busyness of doing things for Him.
MARY OF BETHANY
- Mary was very faithful. She chose the “good part” – what was better for her soul.
- She relaxed at Jesus’ feet and listened to him speak. While bodies were receiving physical food, Mary’s soul received sustenance. Though a meal would be consumed for an hour, Mary’s food lasted an eternity.
WHAT WE LEARN FROM MARY: Don’t settle for the good things of this world and ignore the more valuable spiritual matters – Only the relationship we have with Christ will last!
