Good morning to the blessed of the Lord! You are God’s hope in this world! Praise God!
If you are like me, and I believe most of you are, when I stand before Jesus on my day of judgment and He pulls out the book of life and sees my name written therein, He will look up, smile and say “Welcome home Barry. You were a good and faithful servant. Now, take My hand. We’re going to the throne of grace. I want to introduce our Father to His son who just arrived home!”
I smile just thinking about this.
The path to our names being written in the book of life is a simple one: we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and by His grace we receive eternal salvation. But the path to “a good and faithful servant” requires something on our part.
Turn with me to John 13. Here we find Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and drying them with His clothes. Let’s pick the record up in verse 12.
(12) So after He had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
(13) Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
(14) If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
(15) For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
(16) Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. (John 13:13-16)
The lesson that Jesus is teaching the disciples is that they must love each other – those in the household of faith – so much that they quickly and freely forgive them no matter what they have done. Jesus knew what Judas was going to betray Him and yet, He still chooses to wash his feet. What an absolutely astounding teaching about love and forgiveness – for us!
Ladies and gentlemen, Jesus could teach the disciples this lesson because they were with Him – they were in His presence.
As I read this passage, it reminded me of the record about Martha and Mary in Luke 10. In five short verses we see the heart of a servant for Jesus. Let’s pick the record up with verse 38. We’re going to read to the end of the chapter.
(38) Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.
(39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word.
(40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.
(41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (anxious) and troubled (disturbed) about many things:
(42) but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
This is a powerful passage ladies and gentlemen because it very succinctly identifies the two primary relationships that the Church, the Body of Church, has with Jesus today.
The two relationships are
• A relationship that is intimacy focused, or
• A relationship that is service focused.
It’s interesting to me that the first thing scripture records about Martha in this passage is her status as the homeowner. But the first thing the passage points out about Mary is that she is sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to what He is saying, to what He is teaching.
What this tells me is that Mary is accustomed to being told what to do while Martha is the one who gives the instruction. Just an observation. But we see how it plays out when Jesus comes to visit.
For Mary, there was a peacefulness in Jesus’ presence, being at His feet and listening to the “lesson” He was teaching. But Martha - she was far from peaceful. Look again at verse 40. “But Martha was cumbered about much serving…” The word “cumbered” means “to draw around.” It paints the picture of a person being pulled in different directions at the same time and becoming frustrated in the process.
Now, what was it that was pulling Martha in so many different directions? It was her mind. She was thinking about all the things that she believed she had to do to serve Jesus and those who traveled with Him.
Ladies and gentlemen, serving Jesus is a good thing, but not if it causes us to lose sight of the one we are supposed to be serving. When Martha asks Jesus to make Mary help her, He tells her that she is anxious and disturbed about many things. But what we’re going to read next is what I refer to as the “teaching moment” in this passage.
Jesus says in verse 42, “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Jesus tells Martha, “Mary has chosen the one needful thing. She has chosen to spend time with Me. She has chosen intimacy, but you have chosen to serve Me rather than spend time with Me.”
That’s the “teaching moment” ladies and gentlemen! Martha chooses service over intimacy. She chooses to serve Jesus based on what she believes He needs and wants while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet to hear what He has to say. Martha, who does not choose intimacy, represents most of the Church today. Very few are like Mary.
Now, let’s take a look at Jude, where we’re also going to see the word needful used again. We’re going to read the first three verses.
(1) Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
(2) Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
(3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
When Jude initially put pen to paper, his plan was to write about the salvation that is common to all of us who are born again. But instead, he realizes that the more needful for him to write at that moment was for us to earnestly contend for the faith – to aggressively fight to maintain the truth of the gospel that we have received.
If we were to continue reading Jude, we’d learn that false prophets and teachers had come into the church and were teaching things that were contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to go back and read the book – more than once.
Now, I want you to hear how the Amplified Bible translates verse 3 of Jude. It really brings out some of the nuisances in the Greek.
“Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God.]”
Like the false prophets and false teachers in Jude, many churches are teaching things that are not in agreement with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For example, today we’re hearing that we can have receive God’s grace without repenting for our sins.
Today, we’re hearing a gospel that is focused on self rather than bringing the lost to Jesus.
Today we’re hearing that once we have receive salvation, Jesus free gift, we can never lose it even if we choose to live a life of sin and rebellion.
And the last example I want to draw your attention to is the notion that God is in controls of everything and that nothing happens without His permission or Him allowing it.
Ladies and gentlemen, you cannot find anything in scripture that support these teachings – IF YOU LEAVE THE SCRIPTURE IN CONTEXT.
If we are going to earnestly contend for the faith, we must be on solid doctrinal footing whenever we face such damnable heresies that Second Peter talks about. Let’s read verse one of chapter two.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you – (what we are reading mirrors nearly word for word what we will find in the book of Jude) – who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
The false prophets and false teachers are in the Church now ladies and gentlemen.
Jesus says Mary chose the one needful thing, which was to sit at His feet and be in His presence and to hear what He was teaching. Jude says it is needful for the Church to aggressively hold on to the doctrinal foundation that was given to us by the apostles and prophets. And we find this referenced in Ephesians 2. We’re going to read verses 19 through 22.
(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God:
(20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.
(21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
(22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit.
Now, taking all of this into consideration, what is the one needful thing for us today? What is it that God needs from us more than anything else?
We see the answer in 2 Corinthians 3:18.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord.”
The word changed is the Greek word metamorphoo and means “transform.” The more we do the things that will help us grow spiritually – to go from glory to glory – the more we will change and see Jesus in the mirror and not ourselves. We see this same word, metamorphoo, used in Romans 12:2.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed (metamorphoo) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (for you).”
If we are going to change from glory to glory, what we think about who we are and why we are here must change. And that starts with our minds. You see, when we are born again, our minds are not changed, only our spirits. As long as our minds remain unchanged and is not forced to align itself with our new nature, we cannot go from glory to glory because it is our minds that will keep us from conforming to the image of Jesus.
It is our minds, ladies and gentlemen, that keep us from living in “the glory” Jesus says is available to us in John 14:12.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.”
But here’s the catch ladies and gentlemen – the one thing most in the Church don’t believe:
Most Christians don’t believe that Jesus cannot force us to believe what He believes. They believe He can do whatever He pleases.
He will not override our free will. He wants us to love Him so much that we freely choose Him. So much for being in control, right? ? When what’s on the inside of us governs how we think and what we do, we’re going to see John 14:12 manifest in our lives. We’re going to see that glory! And that’s why we must make the decision to do, on purpose, the things that will help us align our thoughts and actions with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) that lives inside of us.
If you have not done so, make the decision to block out uninterruptable time with Jesus. And let me suggest some things for your consideration
• Begin by sitting quietly and, if you need to (and you probably will ?), force your mind to stay focused on Jesus. The first part of Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God.” You may not feel anything. You may not believe anything is happening, but it is. When we choose to sit quietly in His presence – when we choose intimacy – it gives God a chance to spend time with that new creation on the inside of us that is just like Him.
• After a time of stillness, praise and worship Him. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye saints. ... Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:1, 4) Worship songs are not necessary to do this. For example my times of praise and worship include saying “I love you Lord. You alone are worthy of my praise. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for dying for me. I love you. I glorify you. I bless your holy name.”
• Prayer is also very important. Talk to Jesus like He’s sitting next to you. Let Him know what’s on your mind and how you’re looking to Him for guidance during the day. And don’t forget to pray in the spirit (tongues). First Corinthians 14:2 says “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him, howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” When we pray in tongues we are having a conversation with our Father, the Creator of the universe!
• To wrap up your time in His presence, read His Word. Why is this so important? Romans 10:17 says “So then faith cometh by (ek, out of) hearing, and hearing by (dia, through) the word of God.” If we are not spending time reading the Bible, then we are hindering faith’s opportunity to “come” into our lives.
Now you may be thinking, Bro. Barry, I don’t have a lot of time to do all of this. Well, let me ask you this: are you willing to commit the first 40 minutes of your day to Jesus? The first 10 minutes sit quietly. The second 10 minutes in praise and worship. The third 10 minutes pray in tongues. And the last 10 minutes read the Word. The first 40 minutes of your day at Jesus’ feet.
The one needful thing for us? Being in Jesus’ presence.
I want to leave you with a passage from John 4. Jesus is having a conversation with the disciples after they have urged Him to eat something. We’re going to read verse 31 through verse 34.
(31) In the mean while His disciples prayed Him, saying, Master, eat.
(32) But He said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
(33) Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought Him ought to eat?
(34) Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.
Do you remember what Jesus said to Satan when he tried to get Him to turn stones into bread? “But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
When we take a step back and examine Martha’s choice and Mary’s choice, we see that Mary chose the one needful thing – intimacy with THE Word of God! Hearing the words of Jesus and feeding on them was the most important thing to her in that moment.
What about us?
If we are going to conform to the image of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18), it’s going to require a re-prioritizing of our time. It’s going to require us to make sacrifices. And it’s our choice.
So is it worth sacrificing some of our time to conform to the image of Jesus?
• Is it worth conforming to the image of Jesus to give sight to the blind?
• Is it worth conforming to the image of Jesus to give strength to lame legs?
• Is it worth conforming to the image of Jesus to be a beacon of light to a dead soul to give that soul life?
• Is it worth conforming to the image of Jesus so that on your day of judgment He will say “Well done good and faithful servant?”
Yes, it’s worth it!
Please stand.
