THE HEART OF WORSHIP (PART 7)

MARTHA KNOWS HOW - MARY KNOWS HIM (PART A)

"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." 

(Luke 10:38-42 NIV)
I would like to approach this passage of scripture in the perspective of a worshiper ...
(1) Martha Served But Mary Sat At The Feet Of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42):

We are all familiar with this one story when Jesus visited the home of the two sisters. Martha came to Him to complain about her sister, Mary. God used the story of two well-known women in the Bible to demonstrate to us the type of relationship He wants with each of us.
I get the image of a house busy with people engaged in numerous conversations around the house. Martha is running about trying to figure out how everybody is going to get fed and coordinating the logistics of cooking for all the people. Somewhere in a secluded corner the Lord Jesus Christ is calmly teaching a handful of people who are intently listening to His every word. Mary is sitting at His feet, very content and very settled.
Martha frantically rushes over to interrupt the intimate gathering. Everyone casually looks up at her as the Lord easily sets the record straight. Feeling compassion for Martha, He reassuringly says, “Martha, Martha … you are worried and upset about many things, but only ONE THING is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." After all, if Jesus could feed the 4,000 (Matthew 15:32-39) and the 5,000 (Matthew 14:14-21), then certainly He could handle supper for a house full of people.
Jesus said:
"ONE THING is needed ..." As worshipers, especially if you are in the ministry of worship (i.e worship minister, worship leaders, musicians, singers); RELATIONSHIP with Jesus is the foundation for worship.
King David said:
"ONE THING I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4). David's primary occupation was to seek God and His beauty. God declared David to be a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Imagine that? Wouldn't you love for God to say that about you? I know I would.
(2)Martha's Emotion vs Mary's Comfort (John 11:32)
In another story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, the two sisters had different reactions to the news that Jesus was coming to see them after their brother Lazarus had died. There are many lessons that Jesus prepared us to see in this whole scenario. Herein we focus on the differences between the two sisters’ approaches to Jesus before He brought Lazarus back to life (kindly read John 11:17-40)
In verse 20 - Jesus was coming
- Martha took off quickly to find Jesus (impatient and anxious)
- Mary stay at home (probably waiting for Jesus)
In verse 25 and 26 - Jesus spoke to Martha but
- Martha did not really hear Jesus(verse 21-22). She was focused on what she had to say to Him. - Mary only went to see Jesus after Jesus called her (verse 28). She went without delay (at the right time). 
In Verse 30 - Jesus met Mary in the same place as Martha
- Mary said the same thing as Martha, but unlike Martha complaining to Jesus, Mary worshipped at Jesus' feet(verse 32). Consequently Mary got a different response from Jesus(verse 33).
- Martha had not spent the time in God’s presence (just as in Luke 10) was overcome by her feelings did not believe. Her faith was not at a high level. Even when Jesus was ready to raise Lazarus from the dead, Martha was filled with unbelief(verse 39). Our unbelief can block God's miracles in our lives but, again Jesus lovingly corrected the situation (just as in Luke 10), when He said, “if you believed, you would see the glory of God ” (verse 40).
Both Mary and Martha were believers in the one true God. But, their walk were not the same. Martha knows how ... whereas Mary knows HIM ...

Martha's Syndrome:                   Mary's Solution:           

Fret and Worry                                 Quiet 

Complain                                          Peaceful

Focus on feelings                             Prayerful

Anxious                                            At Jesus' feet

Unbelief                                            Faith

THE HEART OF WORSHIP (PART 6)

BUSY MARTHA, WISE MARY

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42

Mary and Martha, famous sisters of the Bible, shows us great truths about worship and the significance of A LOVING AND ADORING HEART. Even if we are partially acquainted with the brief story in Luke 10:38-42, we are aware that Martha was definitely a busy person. She wanted the house clean, the food just right, and details taken care of to make her guests feel comfortable. We could say Martha was much like many of us.
In this passage, we see that Martha's sister Mary was unconcerned with all that had to be done. We are sure Mary completely frustrated her sister. After all, isn't it the polite thing to do to help with the most pressing task? There is a vital truth at work here. Mary was able to distinguish the important (priority) from the urgent.
(Do we give in to the urgent before considering what is most important?) Mary was aware that the moment with Jesus was precious. She was in tune with the fact that God was present. Jesus, the Messiah, was in her home, and she wanted to give her undivided and focused attention to the LORD
Martha couldn't stand it any longer! She exclaimed, "'LORD, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.' But the LORD answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her'" (Luke 10:40-42).
True, we all have special gifts and abilities that God uses for His glory. Martha could have had the gift of hospitality, while Mary had another. What most concern about this Scripture is that very few will let pressing or urgent details be set aside momentarily to focus on the most important concern:
- to love and worship God, 
- to sit at His feet, 
- to be in His presence, 
- to spend time with Him, and 
- to know Christ more intimately. 
Very few have nurtured their relationship with God to have such discernment. 
God desires our love and worship. When our lives are full of busyness, or responsibility, it hinders us, and we are guilty of not choosing what is best, what God wants for us. Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Mary chose what was best. She chose to set her gaze on God; she had A LOVING AND ADORING HEART.
Let us chose to make the important, rather than the urgent, a priority. Set our gaze upon God. Look into His eyes. Feel His presence. Know His love for us. WORSHIP HIM!
(an extract from: A Seeking Heart - Rediscovering True Worship by Alicia Williamson & Sara Groves)

THE HEART OF WORSHIP (PART 5)

LYDIA - A WORSHIPER OF GOD

"One of those listening was a women named Lydia.

a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira,

who was a worshiper of God. 

The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message"

(Acts 16:14)

The Bible tells us that Lydia was a businesswoman, a dealer of purple cloth. She must have been successful since, as we see later, her home was large enough to house Paul, his three companions, Lydia's family and servants. The Bible tell us that she was a worshiper of God. She was a Gentile who believed in the True God but she had not yet become a believer in Christ.

Lydia's attendance at the prayer gathering demonstrated her hunger for God and willingness to respond to as much about God as she knew. God responded to her heart quest by providing her with more truth  (John 4;23 - "the kind of worshiper the Father seeks"). When she heard the Gospel message about Jesus Christ, she listened and believed. She is remembered as Paul's first European convert. Actually it wasn't Paul's dynamic preaching that caused Lydia's conversion even though he may have been dynamic. The Bible says that the LORD opened her heart to respond to the message. 
Luke (the author of the book of Acts) described with swift strokes the first two steps in Lydia's life as a disciple:
(1) She was baptized, (2) She brought the rest of the members of her household to Paul and they apparently believed and was baptized as well. We also learned that Lydia's house had become a meeting place. When Paul and Silas were released from a Roman prison, they went to her house where they met with and encouraged believers.
This Woman of the Bible is mentioned in only two short passages, both in the book of Acts, but what is said tells us a lot about her as a True Worshiper:
a) A successful businesswoman but one who is passionate and hungry for God (Acts 16:14) - this is a great example of one who has been blessed and yet passionate for the Kingdom of God
b) A woman whose heart God opened (Acts 16:14) - Listened to God's WORD, responded in faith and obedience in following the WORD in water baptism
c) A generous and willing servant (Acts 16:40) - in good deeds and not afraid of the opposing authority who has prison Paul and Silas when she hosted them after their released
As soon as Lydia believed, she served the LORD. She shared her faith with her family and servants. She opened her home to God's people and continued being of service to the church - Lydia's worship to the LORD was both inward and outward.

THE HEART OF WORSHIP (PART 4)

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the LORD, 

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."

Luke 1: 46-47 (NKJV)

Manificat

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS - A TRUE WORSHIPER

A young woman, really a teenage girl, is perhaps one of the best examples in Scripture regarding the HEART of WORSHIP. Mary learned that God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus. In response to this news, Mary exclaimed one of the most beautiful prayers of PRAISE and ADORATION in Scripture. Luke 1:47-55 is known as the "Manificat."Her response to God's call in her life was not one of unwillingness or of giving excuses. While she probably and naturally had fears and concerns, she focused upon the truth that God called her and that He was in control. Her response was TRUE WORSHIP of God with an open and adoring HEART.
Mary's song reveals to us a picture of a WORSHIPING HEART. She declared her WORSHIP of GOD as she glorified the LORD, rejoiced in God, exclaimed who God was, and declared the wonderful works that God had done and continued to do. Look at the declarations she made about God:

God is her Savior (V 47)

God has regard for her (V48)

God is mighty (V49)

God has done great things for her (V49)

God's name is holy (V49)

God has mercy on those who fear Him (V50)

God demonstrates His strength (V51)

God scatters the proud (V51)

God dethrones the mighty (V52)

God exalts the humble (V52)

God satisfies the hungry (V53)

God sends the rich away empty (V53)

God helps His servant (V54)

God remembers to be merciful (V54)

Mary's HEART was open to God and loving toward God; she was committed to serving, worshiping, and obediently following Him.
Take some time to express our WORSHIP to GOD. Examine our HEART. Are we sincere and honest with God? Do we love and adore Him? Are we open to Him and to how He wants to use our lives, our unique personality and gifts? Is obedience to God's work in our lives difficult? Are we willing to follow Him even if none go with us?  
(an extract from: A Seeking Heart - Rediscovering True Worship by Alicia Williamson & Sarah Groves)

THE HEART OF WORSHIP (PART 3)

"Yet a time is coming and has now come

 when the true worshipers will worship the Father  

in the Spirit and in truth, 

for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." 

John 4:23

What kind of worship is God looking for? Our answer is found in John 4:23. Here Jesus speaks specifically of TRUE WORSHIPERS. Does Jesus' statement implies that there are also false/vain worship? Yes it is possible to be "doing worship" and yet not meeting what God is looking for. So what then is TRUE WORSHIP? 

1) TRUE WORSHIPER WORSHIPS THE FATHER.
Jesus did not walk up to the Samaritan woman to ask her to sing two fast songs and three slow songs or clap and raise her hands in worship. TRUE WORSHIP is about having a deep personal relationship with the Father. The Samaritan woman thought she knew about worship when she told Jesus about worshiping on a certain mountain while the Jew must worship in Jerusalem (John 4:20). Similarly today, we may define worship worship as a certain style or platform. But Jesus said, " True worshipers will worship the Father." This is the HEART OF WORSHIP! 
Jesus gives us a warning when He directed Matthew 15:8-9 to religious leaders:
"These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their HEART is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandment of men."
The Greek word for "vain" means fruitless and egotistic. Worship based on the traditions of men while ignoring the commands of God. Everything may looks good outwardly but they are just performances without HEART!
2) TRUE WORSHIP - WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN THE TRUTH
What does it means to worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth?
a) IN SPIRIT: 
- To worship God from the HEART - Deuteronomy 6:5-6
"Love the LORD your God with all your HEART and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be in your HEARTS."
- To engage our spirit in worship because God is a spirit  - John 4:24
"God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
This means that we can engage worship with our spirit in worshiping God (more that our physical body or dependence of musical instruments or comfortable environment) anywhere and anytime.
"Regardless of how magnificent the musical moment are, unless your HEART is fully engaged in the worship expressed, it is still only music." - Darlene Zschech
b) IN TRUTH: 
- To worship God as He directs in His WORD - Deuteronomy 5:32-33
"So be careful to so what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside the right or to the left. Walk in OBEDIENCE to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land you possess."
God is looking for a people who will live a LIFESTYLE OF WORSHIP walking in OBEDIENCE in accordance with His WORD
"If you cannot worship God in the midst of your responsibilities on Monday, then it is very unlikely you were worshiping God on Sunday!" - A.W. Tozer
"A worshiper is one who is intimately acquainted with and have a daily relationship with God exhibited through OBEDIENCE." - John W. Stevenson