This Sunday I had the privilege of teaching the youth in Sunday school. We looked at the account of Martha and Mary from Luke 10. All the preparations surrounding hosting Jesus distracted Martha from actually listening to Jesus. When Martha expressed her frustration that Mary was not helping, Jesus assured Martha that Mary had chosen what was better.
I read a devotional on this passage a few weeks ago that really struck me. Martha was doing something good, but that good thing nonetheless distracted her from something better. In the midst of all that we do, sometimes very good things (service, fellowship, etc.) we can be distracted from the Best, Jesus Christ himself.
Sunday morning was the last in our series through 2 Thessalonians. In these closing verses Paul tackles the topic of idleness. Some in the church were refusing to work, instead being supported by Christians in the church. I made two points. First, idleness undermines the Gospel. Jesus worked hard his entire ministry. He is an example of diligence. That diligence is most evident in his final days when he earned our salvation through his death. Paul wanted to model diligence for that church (he refused to be paid for preaching) so that they would better understand the ministry of Jesus Christ; a selfless, pour-yourself-out-for-others ministry. Such a ministry is not reflected in a life of idleness. Second, the idle must be warned by the church. Refusing to obey the commands of Scripture may be a reason for church discipline. Paul talks about it in verses 14 and 15. This is a hard text but an important reminder to local churches that we must take unrepentant sin seriously. I was very helped in thinking through this by an article written by Jonathan Leeman. He asked when sin should be brought before the church as a whole. He gave three rules of thumb: when the sin is outward, serious, and unrepentant. For more, look here.
In the evening, Brad Thayer delivered a terrific devotional from Numbers 6:26. He urged us to look to the One who is able to bless, to long for the Day when we will see the Lord, and to know that we have and can experience peace. Good words and great preparation to celebrating the Lord's Supper.
Sunday are full. My prayer on Monday is that we live out what we've learned.
Comments