Spoken at SGBC

3-23-97

Luke #91

10:38-42

Choosing the Good Part

(Luke 10:38-42 NASB)

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; (Bethany) and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. {39} And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. {40} But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." {41} But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; {42} but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

As soon as Jesus was seated in Martha's home He began to teach God's truth. Immediately we see Martha's sister, Mary, seated at Christ's feet in order to hear His teaching. Martha, on the other hand, went about preparing food and whatever else she thought necessary for the occasion. This makes good sense seeing that there were suddenly a good number of people in her home that had to be fed and entertained.

There was Jesus, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, plus Peter and Andrew. There was James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and of course Thomas. There was James the Less and Judas the Greater, Simon ;the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the soon to be traitor. There were at least sixteen people in Martha's home assuming that Lazarus was there at the time. Surely we can understand the content of verse forty.

{40} But Martha was distracted with all her preparations. . . The word "Distracted" means to be drawn away. It speaks of being concerned with or worried about one or many things to the neglect of something else. In this case she was distracted from Christ by her concern with being a good hostess.

There is something in this to be commended. No doubt Martha's busyness had to do with her love of Christ, she wanted things to be just right during Her Lord's stay. This is normal. Those who love Jesus never feel put out in their bestowment of love or wealth upon Him. Further, she is to be commended in that she did not neglect her guests. A good Hostess, Mother or Wife sees to all the needs of her household. But for all that might be commendable there is something very seriously wrong with Martha's behavior. She was drawn away from the worship of Christ to the doing of things. She was burdened with excess anxiety over food, drink, perhaps the cleanliness of her home. So much so she had no time to hear Christ's teaching and no patience with those who thought they did, namely her Sister.

So, she goes about her busyness calmly at first gradually becoming more and more disturbed as she sees her Sister just siting there. Finally she can't stand it anymore and gives both her Sister and Christ a piece of her mind. Luke 10:40 NASB) ". . . and she came up to Him, and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."

Here is something of remaining sin in our Sister. As we often are she is overly concerned with temporal things. True the guests must be fed, the house must be in a comfortable and acceptable condition but to allow such secondary things to take you away from that which is of first importance is sinful. Martha was excessively anxious over things of little importance. Because of this she had no time for Christ. In fact she is angry with Him and her Sister! "I have been doing all this work she declares, tell her to get up and help me!"

We can all identify to some degree with Martha's frustration. I remember a man some years ago who loved Church Dinners. There was only one problem. When dinner was over and the clean up began he would rush to the Organ and begin to play. Every time, without fail, he would play while we worked. When everything was cleaned up he would declare, "This sure was fun let's do it again soon!" One had to work hard to keep his attitude right as concerned this lazy individual.

There is a very important difference between the situation in our text and the story I've just told. Martha's frustration was not with a person playing an Organ to get out of work but with one sitting at the feet of Jesus learning the Word of God. Martha was in such frenzy she could not discern the difference between that which was really necessary and that which is not. All she could think of at the moment was that she was doing something very important and Mary didn't seem to care. She just didn't get it. So, she insists that Christ make Mary join her.

In the world of Religion it is common to find people consumed with UNNECESSARY RELIGIOUS BUSYNESS. Those who are thus occupied often have little patience with those who aren't. Many, so called, "Ministries," are not content to go on with what they perceive to be God's call on their lives without pressing the rest of us to be involved as well. They insist that every one who names the name of Christ fall in with them and be just as concerned as they are about their work. In other words some "Arms" in the Body of Christ think that all of us ought to be an "Arm" doing what they think "Arms" ought to do.

Some years ago a well meaning young lady called me on the phone. She was quite excited and wanted to involve me in an out reach endeavor. A group from her Church was going to gather on the Court House steps to witness to passers by. She just knew I would be over joyed to join them. As courteously as I could I declined saying simply I appreciate your call but no thank you, and I hung up the phone. Immediately the phone rang again. The young woman wanted to know exactly why I wasn't concerned about the souls of the lost in our city. I explained that I was concerned to see the lost saved but that I did not have the time to be involved. I went on to say that I did not believe the method they had chosen for Evangelism was Biblical. I said goodbye again and hung up. Immediately the phone rang. This time the young lady was yelling at me. She said I ought to be ashamed of myself being a Pastor and all. I hung up in the middle of her fit and after many repeat calls I had to ask her not to call again. Years later, with a blush on her face, she apologized for her rudeness.

Martha's thinking was just like that of the young lady in my story. When Martha was doing what she thought important she couldn't stand the fact that Mary was not equally concerned and busy. She was quite put out with her Sister and let both her and Christ know it.

Christ's reply takes the form of a loving rebuke. Further it contains important lessons for the Church of Jesus Christ.

(Luke 10:41-42 NASB) But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried (Anxious) and bothered (In an uproar) about so many things; (Perhaps Martha thought an extravagant meal was in order and was therefore preparing many things. This could be why Christ says . . ) {42} but only a few things are necessary, really ONLY ONE, (That is, a simple meal would be fine, in fact, food is not required at all. The only necessary thing is that you sit down and listen to Me like Mary is doing.) for MARY HAS CHOSEN THE GOOD PART, which shall not be taken away from her." Or, "No, I won't tell her to get up and help you!

There is no limit to that which can take us away from what is of first importance in our lives. We are prone to be anxious, worried and in an uproar about so many things. Rarely, however, does our anxiety have to do with how we are going to make time to sit at Jesus feet or, in our case, attend the next Bible Study. For most that is on the back burner and any excuse for keeping it there will do. Here are some of the ones I have heard. "I have my job you know, I don't have the time or the energy to attend the Worship Services." "I have children and a house to keep." "I have company coming." "I have to feed the pigs and delouse the chickens." (I've never really heard that one, but it is pretty good!) "You know I tried the Bible Studies once and there are people there who make me uncomfortable." Or, "There are things discussed which I don't what to hear." "After all, I study on my own and that is enough."

Then there are those so busy "Serving" God they don't have time to listen to Him. They might say,"Oh, you don't understand, I am at Choir practice three times a week. Plus, I am involved with the youth group, were on our way to Sun Splash again this Saturday you know." "Then there is the Woman's Society, we meet once a month to make quilts." Or, "You know I am busy with the Mens Brotherhood, we're studying foreign missions and how we might be of service there." Then there's this and that and something else that sounds and looks Christian but it still misses the point. It still falls into the category of Religious Busyness, or of concentrating on secondary things. It still comes down to that which distracts from what is of first importance in the Christian's life. That is sitting at the feet of Jesus learning His word. There is no end to the Religious Busyness Christians have come to accept as necessary to being a Christian. However, Jesus declares THERE ARE ONLY A FEW THINGS NECESSARY AND REALLY ONLY ONE. There is only one thing that is indispensable for a church to be a real, living, productive Church. That is the gathering of the people of God at the feet of Jesus to hear His word taught and explained. The Church or the individual who has chosen this as the central thing in their lives has made the best choice. Those who give their time and attentions to secondary issues will be quite busy, they will be admired by many, but they will be depriving themselves of that which is of first importance.

Fourteen years ago when we established Sovereign Grace Baptist Church one of our goals was to set God's people free to rest and be with their families. We all came from Churches where "Meetings" ruled your life at least once a month. Business meetings, Youth meetings, Women's meetings, Deacons meetings, Brotherhood Meetings, Missionary Society Meetings, Deaconess Meetings, Vacation Bible School Meetings, Choir Practice Meetings, Sunday School meetings and so on and so forth. As we began to organize the Church we asked ourselves why? Why is it necessary to have all these meetings? More importantly, what Biblical warrant is there for all this Religious Busyness? These questions are answered by Christ's reply to Martha. (Luke 10:41-42 NASB) But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; {42} BUT ONLY A FEW THINGS ARE NECESSARY, REALLY ONLY ONE, FOR MARY HAS CHOSEN THE GOOD PART, which shall not be taken away from her."

Mary chose the good part and that was sitting at the feet of Jesus to learn His word. I tell you the individual or Church who will not make this their first priority will never minister effectively to his fellow Christians or to unbelievers either. Look with me to a text which reveals that the teaching, preaching, learning, and application of the Word of God is to be central in your life and in the life of the gathered Church. (Ephesians 4 NASB) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you (Christians) to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, {2} with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, {3} being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. {4} There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; {5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism, {6} one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Christians) {7} But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

All Christians are gifted for ministry TO THE BRETHREN. We will look at that ministry in a moment. For now the Apostle speaks of special gifts GIVEN BY GOD TO THE CHURCH FOR ITS OWN SANCTIFICATION AND GROWTH. What I want you to notice is that all the gifts given to the Church focus on the Church and have as their central concern, THE WORD OF GOD.

The first gift God gave the Church was the Apostles. . . . {11} And He gave some as apostles, The Apostles were concerned with teaching God's word and the establishment of the New Testament Church. However, this gift was a one time bestowment to only a few men and it no longer exists. I will offer more explanation on the issue of Apostles if asked.

The second gift mentioned is the Prophet. {11} . . . and some as prophets, A Prophet was one who proclaimed to the people of God what he had learned by direct revelation from God. Out of His mouth came God's word without error. There are no Prophets today in the sense that God reveals NEW TRUTH to a man and sends him out to proclaim it. God's revelation to man is complete in the Bible to which nothing is to be added or taken away. The gift of Prophet, by this definition, has passed away.

Thirdly God gave Evangelists to the Church. {11}. . . and some as evangelists. There are differing opinions on this one. I am among those who believe that there are no Evangelists today as there were in the early Church. Rather I believe that the work of an Evangelist is now carried out by all God's children when they are given opportunity to share the Gospel with someone.

Fourthly and at last God gave to the Church the Pastor-Teacher. {11} and some as pastors and teachers. God continues to give these two special gifts to His Church. The Pastor is, above all other things, to be a teacher of the Scriptures. His gift and function has as its focus the Word of God. There are teachers who are not Pastors but there cannot be a Pastor who is not a teacher of God's Truth. These gifts are given to the Church for the following reasons. {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. Here, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the reason for my existence. I have been called by God to teach, preach and explain the Word of God in such a way that you can understand and apply it to your lives. God's, Word, when it is learned, equips YOU for what is called the "Work of Service." The focus of this, "Work of Service" is, the building up of the Body of Christ. So then, the Pastor-Teacher has been given to the Church to labor in the Word and Doctrine with Prayer. Then, at the stated meeting times of the Church, we assemble together to hear, learn, and apply what the Pastor-Teacher has prepared for our souls. Then we are to take what we have learned and use it to build up of the Body of Christ which is the Church.

In other words, the Gifts God gave the Church are NOT first and foremost for the purpose of Evangelism or Outreach. These gifts enable US to turn in upon OURSELVES for the performance of the "Work of Service.". This sort of self-centered ministry results in the whole Church becoming Christlike. Notice please that the Word of God, its teaching, and application is at the center of it all. It is of FIRST IMPORTANCE. Just like Jesus says in our text, "FEW THINGS ARE NECESSARY, REALLY ONLY ONE.", "Sitting at the feet of Jesus to hear and apply His word!

We are to continue this routine. That is, submitting ourselves to the teaching and application of the Scriptures until {13} . . . we all attain to the unity of the faith, (That is, until all the members of the Body are brought up to speed on what the Bible teaches about everything.) and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.

We are to submit ourselves to the Pastor's instruction and its application to our lives. We are to use what we lean in the service of the Brethren until we are all just like Jesus. Just like Him as concerns the knowledge of God. Just like Him in love for His children. Just like Jesus in every way. That is the goal and purpose of the Church. That is the reason for the gifts God gave to the Church. The goal is to make His people just like Christ. For this, few things are necessary and really only one, sitting at the feet of Jesus learning His word. When God's people will do this and do it faithfully they will become strong and stable. Listen to more of the passage. {14} As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (In other words, when Christians submit themselves to an honest and faithful Pastor's teaching they will be established in the faith. False ideas and beliefs will be done away with. They will no longer be tossed about by erroneous Doctrines.) {15} but speaking the truth in love, (The truth we have learned together in the Church.) we are to GROW UP in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, {16} from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, CAUSES THE GROWTH OF THE BODY FOR THE BUILDING UP OF ITSELF IN LOVE. . . . ! At this point the concern is not the special Gift of Pastor-Teacher but the many and varied gifts given to all God's children individually. We are to exercise these gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ.

Brothers and Sisters when the body grows up, by its learning and application of the Word of God, MINISTRY TO THE OUTSIDE WILL TAKE PLACE! As God's people become more and more Christlike their light shines more brightly to the world. Therefore, they will have more and more opportunity to share the Gospel with the lost. When the church is constantly found at the feet of the Savior learning from Him She will also be found in the service and love of even her enemies. This extraordinary love translates into real Evangelism. When the church chooses that which is of first importance the secondary things She is involved in will glorify God. Her Choir will sing only that music which is true to the scripture. Her missionary money will support only people who honor God's word. Her outreach ministries will not pander to popular tastes. She will not be taken in by the current Religious fad that happens to be sweeping the country. Why? Because She knows the truth and the truth has set Her free to rest in the finished work of Christ.

If I were to ask you this morning, "If you want to grow up as a Christian?" You would answer yes. "Do you want to see your Brothers and Sisters become more Christlike?" "Do you want to help the Church be what She is designed to be?" "Would you like to have the Peace of God in your heart that passes all human comprehension?" If you've answered yes to all these questions I must ask you one more. "Are you willing to do the one thing necessary to obtain these great treasures? Jesus said,". . . only a few things are necessary, really only one,. . ." That one thing is faithfully sitting at the feet of Jesus to learn and apply His Word. That one thing is submitting yourself to your Pastor's teaching at every opportunity. For it is His assignment to equip you for the Work of Service. Your assignment is to come and get the equipment and go to work. There are more than enough sitting places available on Sunday Morning, Sunday Night and Wednesday Night. What could there possibly be to distract you from this?

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