Sermons on San Lucas 10:40:

One Thing Needful

Contributed by Andrew Schroer on Aug 5, 2001

With the story of Mary and Martha, God teaches us spiritual priorities.

About seventy years ago a fascinating interview took place between a Mr. Charles Schwab, then president of Bethlehem Steel Company, and Ivy Lee a motivational speaker and self-help advisor. Lee was a confident, aggressive man who through perseverance had acquired this interview with Schwab, one of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Isaiah 49:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus At The Front Door

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Aug 11, 2001

A sermon for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost Mary Martha

7th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 11 Luke 10:38-42 What would you do if when you left church this morning and upon arriving home found out Jesus was waiting at your door? Would you invite him in? Probably you would. Then the man of the house would try to make him feel at home, and most likely the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Lutheran

Welcome Jesus Into Your Home

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 28, 2001

The familiar story about Jesus visiting Mary and Martha serves as an encouragement for us to clear the clutter that keeps Jesus out of our homes and lives.

“For Christian homes, O Lord we pray.” Hymn 500 in our hymnal begins with those words. Whether we are married or single, whether we have children or not, whether we live in a home or an apartment that is our prayer isn’t it? We want our homes to be Christian homes. But what makes the place ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Lutheran

Doing A Day With God Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on May 5, 2003

Three principles from the classic Mary/Martha story in Luke 10 to help us slow down the pace of life and learn to walk with God day-by day.

Futurist David Zach called what we do “hyperliving.” We want to do more and more things in less and less time. Some of us carry around planners as tall as Terminal Tower. We say things like. “OK kids, let’s see who can take a bath fastest!” We buy time saving gadgets and don’t have the time to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

A Tale Of Two Sisters

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

In Christian life, it is easy to be distracted. As we consider the story of Jesus at Mary and Martha's, we see the causes and cure for distraction.

Introductory Considerations 1. Opening dialogue from person of Martha showing anticipation and excitement of Jesus coming to town, desire to give best, the work and the anger she felt - the story from her perspective. Teaching 1. I wonder if Martha were here to today, would this be how she would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Mary Or A Martha Christmas

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Oct 18, 2000

Many Christians work hard for Jesus but, they neglect the more important task of spending time with the Master.

WILL YOU HAVE A MARY OR A MARTHA CHRISTMAS? TEXT: Luke 10:38-42 INTRODUCTION: A. MARTHA AND MARY HAD A HOME IN BETHANY 1. It seems probable that Martha being the older sister was the owner of the house. 2. Martha’s younger sister, Mary lived with her. 3. Martha definitely ran ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Martha, The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 23, 2000

Looks at Martha’s response to Mary

She was a little steamed, actually she was a lot ticked and who could blame here. Sure she had been the one who had invited the company over, but it wasn’t just her home, I mean her sister could do a little bit to help out. Instead she just sat there staring up at their guest as if it was the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Wesleyan

Choices: When Ministry Is Cumbersome?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 13, 2006

Do we work for God? Or with God? Martha teaches us a powerful lesson, she had Jesus in her house, but her ministry cumbered her, and she missed an opportunity of being at Jesus’ feet.

CHOICES --- WHEN MINISTRY IS CUMBERED? ATTITUDES --- ELEVATED SELF OPINIONS? MARTHA IS A TATTLETAIL! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. CHOICE: THE ACT OF CHOOSING OPTION CREAM OF THE CROP CARE IN SELECTING DIFFERENT AVAILABLE COURSES OF ACTION Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-41

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Most Important Thing

Contributed by Victor Nazareth on Oct 8, 2005

The world has gone crazy! Everything has to be instant and we want things to be done yesterday! What was meant to save time now takes up our time (email, cell phones). Jesus tells us above all the noise of life: “What is the most important thing?”

Introduction: The world has gone crazy! Everything has to be instant and we want things to be done yesterday! What was meant to save time now takes up our time (email, cell phones). We have heard two messages: ‘Sabbath’ and ‘Feet of Jesus’. I want to reinforce today so that it is heard above ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Charismatic

Dangerously Busy: Learning From Mary And Martha

Contributed by Dan Grubbs on Oct 18, 2005

An over-crowded life can be a hinderance to our relationship with God and lead us into falling into the deceit of Satan.

Why do we value our time so preciously? It’s an intriguing question with which we all should try to come to terms. In answering the question, we should evaluate the most relevant word. Many would say the word “time” is the most relevant or most important word in the question. However, I say, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Working It Out

Contributed by Jane Willis on Oct 18, 2004

Work gets overwhelming. The people we work with seem hurtful and self serving. Yet, work is a place where we live out our faith--a setting where we must learn to be more Christlike.

This passage about Mary and Martha is familiar to many of you. It is fairly well known. It is a story about one women working in the kitchen and making preparations to entertain guests while her sister is involved in spiritual pursuits and assisting directly in the ministry of Jesus. And, when the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Congregational

Listening To God Series

Contributed by Joe Holman on Oct 20, 2004

Part 2 of a series designed to help us hear the voice of God in our lives.

Can You Hear Me Now? Listening To God Luke 10.38-42 Intro: New series about listening to God. Many times, people will ask questions like…”How can I know the will of God?” They are looking for an answer to a challenge, direction at a fork in the road, or whether or not to take an opportunity. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Martha And Mary Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Nov 1, 2004

How being a ’martha’ can distract you from sitting at the feet of Christ and hearing his voice.

MARTHA – LUKE 10.38-42 I want you to note right at the beginning of this sermon the context in which Luke records this incident in the home of Martha and Mary. Luke places it immediately after Jesus has taught the parable of the Good Samaritan. I think that is significant because in that parable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Supper With Sister Series

Contributed by Marc Bertrand on Nov 5, 2004

I heard God calling me the other night. It wasn’t something powerful or amazing, it was just a quiet questioning in my spirit saying, ‘Do you have some time for me today?’ Of course part of my mind says, ‘Lord, what do you think I’ve been doing all week

Introduction: I heard God calling me the other night. It wasn’t something powerful or amazing, it was just a quiet questioning in my spirit saying, ‘Do you have some time for me today?’ Of course part of my mind says, ‘Lord, what do you think I’ve been doing all week? I’ve been preparing sermons ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Many Things Vs. One Thing Series

Contributed by Clark Sneed on Jul 27, 2005

Short Bible Study - Focus: That ONE thing God wants you to do.

Title: Martha, Martha Text: Luke 10:38-42 I. Introduction a. John wanting some time, but I am too hurried II. Exegesis a. Martha Received Him b. Mary Heard Him c. Much Work was Possible, but III. Conclusion a. One Thing was needful i. Notice this is countercultural, for Jesus’ time and ours as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist