Sermon

The Most Important Thing

Theme

Keeping ourselves centered on what is most important in our life.

Object

Go to MacDonald's or a similar place and get a small paper bag, napkin, straw, packet of catsup, and a paper cup with a lid on it.

Scripture

As they went on their way, they came to a town where a woman named Martha lived. She cared for Jesus in her home. Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to all He said. Martha was working hard getting the supper ready. She came to Jesus and said, 'Do You see that my sister is not helping me? Tell her to help me.' Jesus said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. Only a few things are important, even just one. Mary has chosen the good thing. It will not be taken away from her.' Luke 10: 38-42 (NIV)

Do you ever get hungry during church? Sometimes I get so hungry that I just don't think I can make it through the sermon. This was one of those mornings, so I went to MacDonald's and got a hamburger. If you will excuse me, I am going to eat it right now. (Start removing the items from the paper bag one at a time, commenting on each one as you take it out. When you have removed all of the items from the bag, show surprise and concern that something seems to be missing -- the hamburger.)

Can you imagine that? I got so interested in getting all of these things to go with my hamburger, that I forgot the most important thing. I forgot to get the hamburger!

You probably think I am pretty foolish to have forgotten the hamburger, after all, that was the most important thing. Well, I am not the only person to ever do something so foolish. That is what our Bible lesson is about this morning.

As Jesus and his disciples were traveling, they came to a town where Martha lived with her sister Mary. The sisters welcomed Jesus into their home and Martha immediately began to work very hard to get supper ready for Jesus. While Martha busied herself in preparing the meal, Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his teaching.

Martha was upset that her sister was not helping her, so she went to Jesus and said, "Do you see that my sister is not helping me? Tell her to help me."

Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about too many things. Only a few things are important, perhaps just one. Mary has chosen that one thing and I will not take it away from her."

Many of us make the same mistake that Martha made. We get so busy working, going to school, playing, or watching television that we often forget the most important thing. We forget to spend time with Jesus! We must be very careful that we don't get so busy doing good things that we leave out the best! After all, Jesus is the most important thing!

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that you are the most important thing in our lives. Don't let us get so busy with other things that we forget to spend time with you. Amen.