LOC #37: SISTERS (Luke 10:28-32)

(This message may be used as an individual sermon or as part of the series.)

LUKE 10:28-32 – SISTERS

LIFE OF CHRIST #37

There has always been an affinity between sisters, as this song sung by Rosemary and Betty Clooney indicates. There are times, however, when even the closest of sisters don’t see eye to eye. Such is the case as we continue to look at the life of Christ.

The last event we saw in our Lord’s life was the healing of a man who had been born blind. Some time after that event Jesus made a visit in a little village called Bethany, which not far from Jerusalem.

This is where two sisters, Martha and Mary, lived with their brother, Lazarus. In the story before us this morning, Martha is depicted as somewhat of a villain, and Mary a heroine. They were both human. They were both Christians. Both had some very good qualities about them, especially if you look at the other stories about them found in the Gospel of John. We’ll get to them later on in our study.

WHAT THEY HAD IN COMMON – Vs. 38

JESUS WAS WELCOME

Evidently Martha was the oldest sister, and it was considered her home.

When Jesus came the door was always open.

Martha showed that Jesus was welcome by serving Him.

Mary showed that Jesus was welcome by sitting at his feet and hearting his Word.

But Jesus was more than just welcome in their home.

Jesus was welcome in their hearts.

Both of them had made a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus as their Messiah, their Savior.

Jesus was not only welcome to Martha and Mary as Savior, but He was also their Master. As you read the accounts about these sisters, you will see that He was boss in their lives.

You claim to be a Christian. You have welcomed Jesus as your Savior. Is He welcome to tell you what to do? Is He welcome to “call the shots” in your life? John 13:13, 12:26

If Jesus is welcome as your Master, He is your Lord. And as someone has well said, “If Jesus isn’t Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all!”

Jesus was not only welcome to Mary and Martha as their Savior, and Master, but he was also welcome as their friend for fellowship. Both Mary and Martha would have communed with Jesus in the course of His visit. They would have talked with Him.

Even during Martha’s business she would have had opportunity to talk with the Lord. She could have done better as we’ll see in few minutes, but nonetheless she had some fellowship with Him as a friend.

How aware of Jesus’ presence in your life are you?

Is He such a welcome guest that you spend time talking with Him and learning from Him as a friend? Revelation 3:20

JESUS WAS LOVED!

It is obvious that Jesus was loved by the warm reception He received. It is obvious that Jesus was loved by the way that he was treated both in this passage and in John 11.

You who call yourself a Christian, do you love the Lord Jesus?

When you love someone you think about them.

When you love someone you try to please them.

When you love someone you try to fulfill their wishes.

When you love someone who is in a superior position over you, you obey them.

If you love the Lord Jesus you will worship and adore Him.

If you love the Lord Jesus you will obey Him. John 14:21

JESUS LOVED THEM

John 11:5 – Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

Just as Jesus loved Mary and Martha, he loves you and I.

He loved us when He died for us.

He loves each one who has trusted Him as Savior.

How strong is His love for you? Romans 8:39

So, these sisters had at least three things in common:

Jesus was welcome as Savior, Master and Friend

Jesus was loved.

Jesus loved them.

WHAT THEY HELD IN CONTRAST – Vss. 39-40

Mary and Martha surely had their differences. One such difference comes to light here.

Vs. 39 – Mary was Word oriented.

Mary had a unique opportunity and she took it.

Mary had the opportunity as a woman to sit at Jesus feet and hear His Word. In the Jewish culture of that day, it was unheard of.

Other chores were set aside so Mary could hear the Word of God. This does not mean that Mary was lazy or not a worker. And it doesn’t mean that Mary never helped in the kitchen.

It does mean that God’s Word had a high priority!

Why should God’s Word be a high priority? Jeremiah 15:16, Mark 13:31, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:11

The Word of God is so important. Shouldn’t you be as Word Oriented as Mary was? The Word was available and she sat and listened to it!

The Word of God is available to you every day for reading, memorization and meditation.
The Word of God is available to you every day through Christian Television and Radio, although you must be discriminating to know who to listen to and who to avoid.
The Word of God is available to you in Sunday School, Sunday Morning, Sunday Night, and Wednesday night.

People starve when they do not eat! Sometimes food is not available. Other times it is.

Christians starve when they do not eat. You and I have no excuse. The Word of God is available.

Mary was Word oriented.

Martha was Work oriented.

Vs. 40 – Martha had a servant’s heart.

She evidently wanted Jesus to have the best and was preparing an elaborate meal. She wanted to serve Jesus the best!

Martha became distracted with her service.

The project of the meal became so big in her mind that was all she could think about. The Son of God had come to dinner and she was distracted!

It was good that Martha serve.

It is good that we serve. Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 4:10

The problem with Mary was that the work so distracted her that she not only rebuked Mary, but rebuked the Lord Himself in verse 40.

As for learning anything from Jesus she was too busy serving.

We have the same problem sometimes. We get so busy serving ourselves, others, and even the Lord that we don’t have time for Jesus!

WHAT THEY HEARD IN COMMENTARY – Vss. 41-42

It was now time for the Lord and Master to speak.

When He did, he put things in perspective.

Martha was not wrong to serve, but Martha became so distracted in service that she missed God’s best, His Word.

Vs. 41 – Martha you’re uptight about a lot of things. I think it was more than just the meal that would distract Martha. Whatever she chose to do probably got her worked up, and I think she chose to do much.

So often we are just like Martha, distracted about what we have to get done, about how we are going to serve.

Vs. 42 – In that given moment, with Jesus present in their home, there was only one thing that was truly needful. That was to take advantage of learning at the feet of Jesus.

All of the things Martha did to serve would be there to be done at another time. But right at that moment, Mary’s priorities were in order and Martha’s weren’t.

I don’t know for sure, but I think that right then and there Martha stopped and listened, and when Jesus had finished speaking, I think that they both went and got the meal. Martha matured as John 11:20-28 indicates.

I have a feeling that if we could hear Jesus talking, we might here Him, saying, “You are anxious and troubled about many things. Chose the good part which can not be taken away from you.”

Mary had the opportunity to learn the Word of God from the Son of God. That was to be her priority. What she learned from the Word of God nobody could take away from her.

There is no value in anxiety and worry.

There is great value in God’s Word.

You have many opportunities to learn from God’s Word.

Are you availing yourself of these opportunities?

SISTERS:

WHAT THEY HAD IN COMMON – Vs. 38

Jesus was welcome – as Savior, Master, Friend
They loved Jesus
Jesus loved them

WHAT THEY HELD IN CONTRAST – Vss. 39-40

Mary was Word oriented
Martha was Work oriented

WHAT THEY HEARD IN COMMENTARY – Vss. 41-42

Martha was troubled
Mary received lessons for a lifetime that could not be taken away.

(This message may be used as an individual sermon or as part of the series.)

MATTHEW 9:23-27 – STORMY WEATHER

LIFE OF CHRIST #24

We all face trials and troubles often. It is what Cole Porter called “Stormy Weather” in a song that he wrote.

There were a couple of times when the disciples faced storms on the Sea of Galilee.

As we look at this story about literal storm, we also learn lessons about the figurative storms that cause trials and troubles in our lives. Let’s see what lessons we can learn this morning about stormy weather.

STORMY WEATHER IS BEST FACED WHEN JESUS IS IN THE BOAT

Vs. 23 – Think of the boat as our lives.

Although God is present everywhere, there is a special sense in which God is present in our lives. When He indwells us, He has taken up special residence inside of us. John 14:16-17

God the Holy Spirit dwells inside of the Christian.

He is there to guide us, protect us, keep us, teach us, and comfort us.

And God has promised the Christian that this presence is unending! Hebrews 13:5-6

You have heard people say, and might have said yourself, “I wouldn’t want to face this problem without the Lord!”

How true! If God is willing to take up residence in our lives through his Holy Spirit it would be dumb not to avail ourselves of His presence.

When you trust Christ as your payment for sins, you are what the Bible calls, born again, by the Spirit of God. And God the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your life. Romans 8:9

If you have truly trusted Christ as your Savior, you have God’s presence in your life no matter what the storm may be. Make sure that you have Christ in the boat that is your life!

STORMY WEATHER RESULTS FROM OBEDIENCE

Vs. 23 – The Lord Jesus entered the boat. The disciples followed Him into the boat. It was the Lord Jesus who decided where they were going. Luke 8:22

The disciples ended up in a storm on the Sea of Galilee because they were following Jesus in obedience.

Of course, being obedient to God as a Christian and following Jesus’ leadership in our lives is the right thing to do. Luke 9:23-24

Following Jesus after trusting Him for forgiveness does not mean that it will be an easy life. In fact, we will have storms. 2 Timothy 3:12, James 1:2-4

The storms that Jesus leads through will make us strong and mature. And I’d rather follow Jesus in the middle of a storm than to not follow Jesus. Being in the center of the Lord’s will is always the safest place to be.

But you’ll also face storms if you’re not obedient to God.

Would you rather face storms being in the center of God’s will, or out of God’s will? Which makes the most sense?

STORMY WEATHER IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS

Vs. 24 – I don’t have to tell you how dangerous storms can be. Just consider last year’s tsunami and hurricanes Ivan and Rita.

This storm was a very violent storm, and even seasoned fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John were having trouble with it.

The storms of life which we face are also dangerous.

Sometimes we will be in physical danger because of persecution, accidents or illness.

Other times we are in emotional danger with our “storms” threatening to overwhelm us with fear and/or depression.

Other times we are in Spiritual danger, with Satan’s attacks challenging us to give up or to sin.

And this verse alludes to another danger. We might be concerned because in the midst of the storm God appears to be asleep. He does not seem to be responding to our problems during the storm. He seems to be silent.

Our Lord Jesus was able to sleep because He had a human body that got tired. He was also able to sleep because, being sinless, He had a clean conscience. He was also able to sleep, because He quietly allowed Himself to rest in the hands of His loving Heavenly Father.

If you are doing what is right before the Lord, confessing your sins as a Christian, and striving to live for Him, don’t panic when God appears to be asleep. He’ll show Himself to be very much alive at just the right time.

STORMY WEATHER INVOKES FEAR AND PANIC

Vs. 25 – When storms come we tend to fear. And sometimes when storms come we will go into a panic. The situation seems to be absolutely hopeless!

Humans tend to be fearful. If we didn’t tend to be fearful, God would not have put so many verses in the Bible telling us not to be afraid. I’ll just give you two samples, but there are many more “do not fear” verses in the Bible. Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 41:10

We tend to fear and worry about what might happen but hasn’t happened.

We tend to fear and worry about the future.

We tend to fear and worry about the opinions of others.

We tend to fear and worry about our children, our parents, our spouses.

Then comes the times our problems are so real to us that they tend to overwhelm us. We hit the panic mode.

Yes, many fears are justified. But there is a proper way to handle fear.

These seasoned fishermen were literally in over their heads and they knew it, coming to Jesus in panic.

STORMY WEATHER REQUIRES PRAYER AND FAITH

Vs. 25 – The disciples awoke the Lord Jesus.

Their anxious prayer was an indication that they had come to the end of themselves, and that they had at least a little faith that Jesus could help.

I personally think that they waited too long to ask Jesus for help. The moment things got a little stormy, I think they should have come to Him.

We are like that. If things seem to be just a little stormy or troublesome, we’ll just worry over it and try to solve it ourselves, instead of bringing it to God right away.

But when problems get full blown, we come in a panic with a little, but not much faith that God can help. Philippians 4:6, James 1:5-8

Vs. 26 – Note that Jesus did not rebuke the disciples for waking Him up. Like I said, I feel that He would have welcomed being woken up sooner.

Notice our Lord’s calm rebuke in the midst of the storm.

He was not in a panic. He’s totally under control. He can even take the time to rebuke the disciples before He did anything. He is master of the situation.

Let’s remember when we give our stormy problems to God He is not in a panic. He can solve the problem leisurely if He chooses to. There is no reason to get in a dither or bent out of shape.

STORMY WEATHER REVEALS THE GLORY AND POWER OF GOD

Vs. 26 – Jesus said the word and there was perfect calm. It was like there had been no storm. There was no rocking of the waves that normally follow a storm. There was perfect peace.

When Jesus speaks the Word there is perfect peace.

Sometimes the problem totally disappears, but more often than not the place where the greatest miracle has occurred is inside of us.

We are at peace.

God has calmed the ragging in our souls.

Vs. 27 – The disciples were absolutely amazed! The Lord Jesus had done what they had never seen before. A human being told the storm to cease and it did. The winds obeyed Him! The waves obey Him.

They had a new appreciation for the power of Jesus!

They had a new appreciation for the glory of Jesus!

And when Jesus calms our storms, we too, should have a new appreciation for the power and glory of the Lord Jesus.

We should be amazed!

We should be filled with praise and worship.

We should be ready to trust Him when an even bigger storm comes.