Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing Series

KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING

By: Wah Lok

Text : Luke 10:38 – 42

Verse 42 “One thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good part which will not be taken from her”.

Introduction.

There are many things in life which we consider important. Yearly, I would review my goals for the year and it could go like this.

a) Exercise more

b) Read 5 books

c) Take my family for a holiday.

d) Write 5 songs

e) Win 2 souls

f) Learn Mandarin.

All the above goals are good but one of the most important goals we must set every year is that we must improve in our prayer and worship. Personally I find that prayer is the deepest form of worship. Prayer and worship are almost inseparable.

Ps 141:2 Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Incense – prayer

Lifting of hands – worship

In this passage, we see that Mary kept the main thing the main thing. Martha did not.

1. MARTHA WAS SERVING BUT MARY WAS WORSHIPPING

Verse 38 shows that Martha was busying welcoming Jesus and setting up everything that will make him comfortable. But Mary just sat at Jesus’ feet.

Illustration 1 - Friend visits you.

What will your friend think he visits you, and you end up going in and out of the kitchen bringing refreshments for him ? All your friend wanted was to sit down and talk with you. But you were busy serving your friend food and drinks. Do you think that was what your friend really wanted ?

Illustration 2 – Last day on earth

If you had 24 hours to live, what will you do ? Most people will spend that precious time with their loved ones. You will not be in the stock market trying to make another million or checking your bank accounts to see how much money you are leaving behind. Its shows that the things we value most in life are our relationships with our loved ones.

It is the same with our relationship with God. When we finally realize we will be meeting God in 24 hours, one of our greatest regret will be that we don’t know Him well because we did not spend enough time in His presence in prayer and worship.

MANY ARE BUSY, SOME ARE BUSY BODIES BUT FEW ARE BUSY IN PRAYER

Col 4 :2 Devote your selves in prayer, being watchful and thankful

The word “devote” means the following :-

a) Adhere to – like super glue

b) To persist in

c) To busy one self in

IF WE ARE TOO BUSY TO PRAY, WE ARE TOO BUSY.

I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO DO, I MUST SPEND AT LEAST

2 HOURS A DAY IN PRAYER

2. MARTHA WAS DISTRACTED BUT MARY WAS FOCUSSED

V40 But Martha was distracted with much serving………….

One of the greatest distraction in worship is music itself. Many have made an idol of praise and worship songs. Much of church worship today has degenerated into a performance rather than seeking the presence of God.

SOME FOCUS ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE SERVICE MORE

THAN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

Matt Redman is one of UK’s top song writers. In his song “The Heart of Worship”, he shares about what God spoke to him. They were so distracted with their music that for several weeks, they worshipped God without any music. I wonder how many people will leave the church if we decide one day to throw away all the musical instruments.

The Heart of Worship by Matt Redman

When the music fades and all is stripped away

And I simply come

Longing just to bring something that’s of worth

That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself

Is not what You’re looking for

You search much deeper with,

Through the way things appear

You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship

When its all about You, Jesus.

MUSIC IS THE VEHICLE THAT BRINGS US INTO GOD’S PRESENCE. BUT WE HAVE GLORIFIED THE VEHICLE MORE THAN WE HAVE GLORIFED GOD.

In Amos 5:23, God rejected all the songs that Israel brought to Him because their lives were not right. They were worshipping idols and at the same time worshipping God.

23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. 24But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.

God was more interested in lives changed than beautiful songs.

Seek God’s presence. Keep the main thing the main thing.

3. MARTHA WAS WORRIED AND TROUBLED. MARY WAS CONTENTED.

V41 Martha, Martha, You are worried and troubled about many things.