“One Thing is Needed”

23 October 2011

1. Introduction

• We cannot live out of yesterday’s experiences with God.
• Every generation must discover how God is moving and move in that direction.
• Success comes from staying in the flow of God’s purpose/revelation (Mt.4:4).
• 1 Sam 16:1 “How long will you mourn for Saul? Seeing I have rejected him from reigning”.

At age 40 Saul was yesterday’s man –no longer hearing God 1. Sam. 28:7.

At age 80 Moses was today’s man – hearing God and raising a generation.

• Don’t yearn for yesterday’s experiences with God – move forward to new.
• Globally, God is speaking to the church “Go”!

2. Hearing God is a choice

• Lk.10:38-42 Mary and Martha.

(a) Both Mary and Martha received Jesus – made Him welcome (v38).

(b) Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard His word (v39).

- sit at feet = humble self to be a disciple – to learn.

      - heard His Word         = desire for intimacy

                                          = willing to obey

      - ‘Hearing’ is foundational to relationship, it is a heart issue.

• Rev.2:7 “He that has ears to hear what Spirit is saying..”
• Mk.4:24 “To you that hear more shall be given.”
• We can become “dull of hearing” Heb. 5:12
• Become “deaf” 1 Sam.28:7

- NT church constantly experienced revelation – direction from the Holy Spirit e.g. Act.8:26 Philip e.g. Act.16:6 Paul.

(c) Martha was “distracted” with much serving.

• “Distracted” =4049= burdened, draw away, over occupied, too busy.
• She was preoccupied with what she viewed as important.
• She was preoccupied with the urgent, pressing needs.
• She had a different set of priorities in her life.
• Note Jesus warning Mk.4:17-19 – become ‘unfruitful’.

(d) Impact of Loss of Intimacy with the Lord

• Loss personal value – ‘Lord you don’t care’.
• Resentment – anger – ‘My sister has left me’.
• Loneliness/self pity – ‘serve alone’.
• Blame – you don’t care! My sister has left me.
• Manipulation – Lord bid her to help me.

(e) Intimacy with God is a choice

• One thing is needed (v42)
• It is a personal choice/priority (v42)
• Jesus exposed Martha’s condition – personally confronts.

(i) Affirms value – Martha, Martha

(ii) Exposes heart – worried and troubled

(iii) Identifies priority – one thing is needed

(iv) Refuses to be manipulated by Martha.

3. Revelation must lead to Serving

• Jn.12:1-2

(a) Bethany = Place of resurrection (v1)

• Very easy to live in joy of past miracles, past victories, past experiences.
• Don’t live in the past – see what God is doing now.
• God is always moving forward.
• Key issue in this story is current revelation.

      (b) Mary had current revelation (v3)

§ She understood what God was doing now and about to do.

§ Lazarus sat at the table – relax, enjoying the experience.

§ Mary in touch with what God is about to do.

§ Jesus about to surrender His life – go to the Cross – salvation of the World.

§ Their comfortable relationship was about to be up heaved for sake of Global harvest.

§ God always has eye on harvest of souls.

      (c) Mary flowed with what God was doing (v3)

            (i) Generosity  - Very costly anointing oil

                                    - Paid price to purchase the oil

                                    - Oil =presence and manifestation of the Holy Spirit

                                    - Willing to give generously, extravagantly

            (ii) Humility      - Willing to serve

                                    - Stooped down to the feet of Jesus – knelt

                                    - Stooped to minister to feet

                                    - Mt.25:34-40 – “Do to least of brethren = do to me”

                                    - Bring presence of the Holy Spirit to people in need.

            (iii) Love          - Willing to give of herself totally

                                    - No concern for opinions of people, image, appearance

                                    - Hair became matted, dirty. (1 Cor.11:15)

      (d) House filled with the fragrance of oil

                                    - one person’s generosity impacted atmosphere of the house.

                                    - one person’s generosity exposed offence, theft, hypocrisy.

· We need to hear the call to the harvest of souls!