BREAKING FREE Week 11

Freedom From Busyness

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Luke 10:38-42 ESV
³⁸  Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  ³⁹  And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.  ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”  ⁴¹   But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,  ⁴²   but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Hurts Caused by Busyness

1. Resentment

   
   Luke 10:40 ESV
   But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 




2. Reversed Results

   
   Luke 10:41 ESV
   But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 




3. Relational Damage

   
   Luke 10:41-42 ESV
   ⁴¹     But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴²    but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”




4. Regrets

   
   Luke 10:42 ESV
    but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Busyness is not our business.

Jesus said our business is found in the…

1. Great Kingdom

   
   Matthew 6:33 NIV
   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.




2. Great Commandment

   
   Matthew 22:36-40 NIV
   “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”




3. Great Commission

   
   Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
   Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How do I break the habit of busyness?

• Remind yourself of God’s position and promises daily.
• Reestablish your values.
• Refuse to say yes to everything.
• Request help from others.
• Rely on God’s power in your life.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Next Steps:

1. This week I will take time to sit at Jesus’ feet by reading my bible in a quiet place
2. This week I will write down what I currently value and go to God with the results.
3. This week if I am overwhelmed, I will ask for help from my friends, family or church.