The Ideal Sister
Luke 10:38-42
Introduction: The narrative of Jesus as a house guest of Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters in their home in Bethany (about 2 miles from Jerusalem) gives us some special direction as to the roles of service and worship.
- Distraction(s) – Luke 10:40-41
Martha’s Place/Position = Martha’s dilemma was service.
Luke tells us that …. [Martha was cumbered] Periespato, perplexed, from peri, about, and
spaoo, I draw.
Application: She was harassed/preoccupied with different cares and employments at the same time; one drawing one way, and another, another:
A proper description of a worldly mind.
Positive: But in Martha’s favour it may be justly said, that all her anxiety was to provide suitable and timely entertainment for our Lord and his disciples; for this is the sense in which the word diakonian, serving, should be taken.
Martha’s Character: And we should not, on the merest supposition, attribute earthly-mindedness to a woman whose character stands unimpeachable in the Gospel; and who, by entertaining Christ and his disciples, and providing liberally for them, gave the highest proof that she was influenced by liberality and benevolence, and not by parsimony or covetousness.
Question: Do you not care or think it wrong to leave it all to me?
[Dost thou not care] Dost thou not think it wrong, that my sister thus leaves me to provide and prepare this supper, alone?
Tell her / bid her …. [Help me.] Sunantilabeetai, from sun, together, and antilambanomai, to support.
The idea is taken from two pillars meeting together at the top, exactly over the center of the distance between their bases, and thus mutually supporting each other.
Order her to unite her skill and strength with mine, that the present business may be done with that speed and in that order which the necessity and importance of the case demand.
Answer: Jesus did not answer with a yes or no but rather emphasises what is at the heart of the matter.
[Thou art careful and troubled] Thou art distracted, merimnas, thy mind is divided (see the note at Matt 13:22), in consequence of which, turbazee, thou art disturbed, thy spirit is thrown into a tumult.
[About many things.] Getting a variety of things ready for this entertainment, much more than are necessary on such an occasion.
Application: When we don’t make it a point to have a balance of service with worship, it is easy to become distracted to the point of having our priorities skewed.
It is not unusual, even as Christians to be divided, doubtful and defensive when we don’t spend time with God, His Word, His teachings and His ways!
Application: I find myself most at peace when I’ve prayed and spent time in the Word.
Transition: Let me move us from the distractions to the important / significant.
- Important / Necessary – 10:42
Question: What is indicated as important?
[Sat at Jesus’ feet] This was the posture of the Jewish scholars, while listening to the instructions of the rabbis. It is in this sense that Paul says he was brought up at the FEET of Gamaliel, Acts 22:3.
Jesus describes what is important as:
- Needful / Necessary – duty, business
- Good – of good constitution and nature. Useful, pleasant, joyful, happy, excellent, honurable.
Question: So what does the Ideal Sister look like?
- Recognizes role and place of service
- Values the place
M.H. ‘I would argue that the ‘ideal sister’ is balanced in both area.
Only Serve = absence of intimacy.
Only Sit = miss opportunity to bless / provide.

Post Resurrection Options
John 11:25-26 Introduction: Now that Resurrection Sunday is behind us, what’s next? Question: What happened with the people and the disciples after the ‘dust had settled?’ “Doubting Thomas” refers to Thomas the Apostle, one of Jesus’ disciples who famously doubted the resurrected Jesus’s presence. He initially refused to believe the other apostles’ claims of seeing…

Resurrection Life
Easter Sunday 2025 John 11:25-26 Introduction: The Power of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is seen as a powerful affirmation of God’s victory over death and sin. What we need to understand is that there was a tremendous demonstration; a magnificent display of God’s power at the resurrection of Christ from the dead, which…

On His Way
Palm Sunday 2025 John 12:12-16 Jesus On His Way Introduction: This message provides a detailed account of significant events leading up to Palm Sunday 2025, emphasizing the miracles performed by Jesus, His teachings, and the importance of Bethany in His ministry. Miracles and Blessings: Jesus performed numerous miracles, including raising Lazarus from the dead and healing…

By His Stripes
Isaiah 53:4; James 5:13-15 In the context of Christian faith, the command to “lay hands on the sick” refers to the belief that believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can participate in healing through prayer and the laying on of hands, as seen in verses like Mark 16:18 and James 5:14-15. NLT Mark 16:17-18 ‘These…

New Every Morning
Lamentations 3:22-24 Introduction: (NLT) ‘Because of the Lord’s Covenant Faithfulness, we do not perish. His Mercies never end; they are new every morning, how great is your faithfulness oh God, “the Lord is my inheritance, I will put my hope in Him”’. NKJ – ‘that we are not consumed’ Deuteronomy 4:31 ‘For the LORD your…

Hold On Tight
Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12 NKJ Isaiah 35:3 ‘Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees’. NLT Isaiah 35:3 ‘With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees’. NKJ Hebrews 12:12 ‘Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees’, NLT Hebrews 12:12 ‘So take…

Called and Appointed
John 15:12 John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, than1 to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you servants,…

Onesimus – The NT Hobo
Book of Philemon Introduction: For some, especially the young, the word or term ‘hobo’ might not be familiar. Growing up there was an understanding in my mind that there were actually hobos who would jump onto trains to get them to and from wherever they were going. What is the history of the hobo? They…

Me and My Church
Introduction: There is the Church Universal And then there is the Local Church. Question: What is the Local Church. Place of gathering; The Location (could be at the beach), the structure or the building or the facility where one gathers for: • Worship and teaching: A place to regularly gather for worship, prayer, and hearing…