Are You Martha Or Mary an E a Johnston Classic
E.A. Johnston challenges listeners to examine whether they are like Martha, distracted by many tasks, or like Mary, focused solely on Jesus, urging total surrender to Christ's lordship.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston explores the biblical story of Martha and Mary to highlight the importance of focusing on Jesus rather than being distracted by many tasks. Johnston encourages believers to examine their lives for anything that may be hindering their full devotion to Christ. Through heartfelt prayer and biblical insight, he calls listeners to surrender completely to Jesus' lordship for true transformation.
Full Transcript
Are you a Martha or are you a Mary? Well, today we saw Martha in his face and Mary at his feet. We saw Martha occupied about many things and Mary occupied with one thing. Let me close this in prayer.
Oh Lord, what a privilege, dear blessed King, to handle your Word and to speak your Word by your Holy Spirit, Lord God, to your people, Lord God. I pray, Lord, that this message is a transforming message, Lord. I pray that there is a dear brother here or a dear sister here, Lord, who still has something, one comportment in their life that they haven't fully given to you, Jesus, in total Lordship, that they give that to you now, Lord, that they settle it this week.
And it doesn't have to be a bad thing, as I learned, like a moral issue or a sin issue. It could be your pride, brother. It could be your attitude.
It could be a good thing that maybe is keeping you from the main thing, something that has taken up too much of your time. You should be spending more time at the feet of Jesus. I pray right now that the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart and that you will surrender all, all to Him in total Lordship, because if He's not Lord of all, He's not Lord at all.
And I pray this in Jesus Christ's name. Amen.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction of Martha and Mary
- Contrast between being occupied and being focused
- Setting the scene at Jesus' feet
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II
- The danger of distraction by many tasks
- The value of focusing on the one thing
- Examples of distractions including pride and attitude
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III
- Call to total surrender to Jesus' lordship
- Encouragement to evaluate personal priorities
- Prayer for transformation and commitment
Key Quotes
“Are you a Martha or are you a Mary? Well, today we saw Martha in his face and Mary at his feet.” — E.A. Johnston
“It could be a good thing that maybe is keeping you from the main thing, something that has taken up too much of your time.” — E.A. Johnston
“If He's not Lord of all, He's not Lord at all.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Evaluate your daily activities to identify distractions that keep you from focusing on Jesus.
- Surrender any attitude, pride, or good thing that competes with your devotion to Christ.
- Commit to spending intentional time at the feet of Jesus in prayer and worship.