Distracted By Good

Luke 10:38-42

As Christians, we have many responsibilities that are proper.... As parents, spouses, or children – (see 1 Ti 5:8; Co 3:18-21). As employees, or employers – (see Co 3:22-4:1). Yet sometimes what is good can get in the way of what is better when we fail to properly prioritize our activities, allowing ourselves to be distracted by what is good, missing out on what is better.

A good illustration of this is seen in the story of Martha and Mary, two sisters who along with their brother Lazarus were loved by Jesus (see Jn 11:5). Turning to our text (Lk 10:38-42), let’s examine the example of Martha and Mary. Martha was distracted. She had invited Jesus to her house - Lk 10:38 “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.” That it was her house leads most to think she was the eldest, head of the household. Her hospitality is certainly commendable, a noble trait - Isa 58:7 “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”; He 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” She became distracted by much serving - Lk 10:40 “But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."’ The Son of God, the Messiah, had come to her house - what an honor! There were likely others beside Jesus: His disciples, her family, neighbors. She naturally wanted her sister Mary to help - Lk 10:40. She began to worry and be troubled by many things - Lk 10:41 “But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,” These were not things that were wrong in of themselves, but they took priority when they should not have. These things caused anxiety of mind and distress of spirit! -- Martha allowed that which is good to get in the way of that which is better!

Mary was disciplined. She sat at Jesus feet and heard His word - Lk 10:39 “And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.” Sitting at His feet was the ancient posture of disciples or learners - Ac 22:3 ‘"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” It indicates she was His disciple, she wanted to learn from Him. She was more concerned about being a good disciple, than a good hostess. She chose the one thing needed - Lk 10:42 “but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."’ In the end, there is one thing that is really necessary. That would be seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness - Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”; 1 Ti 4:7b-8 “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” She chose that which had eternal consequence - Lk 10:42 “but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."’ She chose “that good part, which will not be taken away from her” for Jesus offered blessings that would last - Jn 4:14 “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”; 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”; 10:27-28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Of which even her sister Martha was aware - Jn 11:21-27 “Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."’ -- Mary had the discipline to seek first things first, putting the better before the good! From the example of Martha and Mary, what lesson can be drawn and applied to our lives...? When we continue this lesson in a second part, we draw some lessons from their example for our personal lives.

The “Me First” Mentality - Cont.

Luke 9:57-62

Let’s consider some ways we can be guilty of the “me first” mentality in our family relationships. Christians have duties to members of their physical families - Co 3:18-21 “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” ; Ep 5:22,25,33 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” – “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” – “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

Many families suffer when people seek their own interests above another:

1.) When husbands and wives are selfish in their dealings with each other.

2.) When parents divorce without regard to the impact on their children.

3.) When children fail to honor and obey their parents.

-- Dysfunctional families abound where the “me first” mentality exists

Our service to the Lord, His church and our families is greatly hindered by the “me first” mentality, and is detrimental to our souls and those around us. How much better, for us to learn and practice the “others first” principle. This principle was taught and exemplified Christ when he came to this earth because He put others first - 2 Co 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”; Mt 20:28 “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."’ We are called upon to adorn the same mind or attitude - Ph 2:3-8 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” We are to do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit. We are to esteem others better than ourselves. We are to look out for the interests of others. -- Jesus exemplified the principle of “others first” that He desires in us as well.

This principle was exemplified by the Macedonians. Note their great liberality despite their own poverty - 2 Co 8:1-4 “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--.” Note why they were able to be so gracious in thinking of others first - 2 Co 8:5 “and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” They first gave of themselves to the Lord, then to others! The mentality of “Lord first” instead of “me first” enabled them to put “others first”. Their liberality continued in supporting Paul to preach the gospel – see Ph 4:10-18. Putting God and others first ensured that their needs would be met - Ph 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” -- The Macedonians exemplified the true value of putting “others first”.

Do we have the “me first” mentality...? If we do, we cannot be Jesus’ disciples. If we do, the church and our own spiritual lives will suffer. Do we want to be rid of the “me first” mentality...? The “me first” mentality will be destroyed when we adopt the “others first” principle. The “others first” principle will be developed as we make “the kingdom of God first” - Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When we truly put the kingdom of God and others before ourselves, then the Lord will see to it that we have the things that we need...! – see Mt 6:30-33; Ph 4:19.

The “Me First” Mentality

Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus went about His earthly ministry, people either wanted to follow Him, or were invited by Him; yet some desired to do so on their own terms - Lk 9:57-62 “As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."’

Note these “me first” terms given. “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” “Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” This “me first” mentality was fundamentally opposed to Jesus’ concept of following Him.... He demanded that one “deny himself” to follow Him - Lk 9:23 “And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” He required that one “hate...his own life also” - Lk 14:26 ‘"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

Living in a culture that praises putting self first and then “Looking Out For #1”, it is easy for Christians to adopt this “me first” mentality. Let’s consider some ways we can be guilty of the “me first” mentality. Let’s start with our attendance of congregational services. The Scriptures reveal the example and value of assembling together with other Christians - Ac 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”; 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”; He 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Yet many will often put personal interests before opportunities to attend services:

1.) Recreational outings.

2.) Family gatherings.

3.) Elective work or school related activities.

4.) Staying home to read or watch TV.

-- Haphazard attendance is a sign of the “me first” mentality.

Let’s consider some ways we can be guilty of the “me first” mentality in our contribution. Christians are instructed to give of their prosperity to meet certain needs - 1 Co 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”; 2 Co 9:7-9 “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."’

Yet many will give sparingly because:

1.) They want to spend as much as possible on things for themselves.

2.) They have failed to properly budget their contribution to the Lord.

3.) They are burdened with bills for things that are not necessities, but actually luxuries.

-- Negligent giving of our prosperity is a sign of the “me first” mentality.

Let’s consider some ways we can be guilty of the “me first” mentality in our service to one another. God has blessed each of us with gifts to serve one another - Ro 12:3-8 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”; 1 Pe 4:10-11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Yet many make little effort to do their part in the work of the local congregation:

1.) They do not learn the names of the other members.

2.) They do not seek to find their “gift” or ability God has given them.

3.) Men do not attend the business meetings; women do not teach classes.

4.) They may attend church, but only to receive, not to give of themselves.

-- Lack of involvement in the local church is a sign of the “me first” mentality.

When we continue this lesson we will consider some ways we can be guilty of the “me first” mentality in our family relationships.

Nevertheless At Your Word I Will - Cont.

Luke 5:1-11

What is our willingness to do the Lord’s will in being His disciple? The Lord may ask us to do things we don’t think will work. Such as laying up treasure in heaven, instead of for self - Lk 12:15-21 “And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Luk 12:16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."’ Such as seeking first the kingdom of God - Lk 12:22-34 “And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”; Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

The Lord may ask us to do things we don’t yet understand.

Why be baptized for the remission of our sins? - Mk 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”; Ac 2:38 “And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Why observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week? - Ac 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”

Why not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together? - He 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Why singing is commanded, and not playing instruments? - Ep 5:19 “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,”; Co 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Why women are not permitted public roles in worship? - 1 Co 14:33-37 “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.”

Why churches are not to be burdened by familial responsibilities? - 1 Ti 5:16 “If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are really widows.”

For those willing to obey Him, the rewards are great. Our labor is not in vain - 1 Co 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” We can look forward to a great reward (“inherit the kingdom”) - Mt 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”; 2 Pe 1:11 “For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” -- Is our mindset that of being a disciple (“Nevertheless at Your word I will”)?

Are you willing to become a disciple of Jesus...? Are you heeding His call to follow Him? Are you putting Him before family, work, self? Are you willing to adopt the mindset of a disciple by obeying the Word of the Lord, even when it may seem futile or unreasonable? Though it may defy common sense, may we ever say “Nevertheless at Your word I will”...