It's been dubbed the "21st century equivalent of the Black Death." In the

U.K., it's the most common reason employees take long-term sick leave. It costs American companies $300 billion

a year. In Japan, it's a fatal epidemic. What is it?

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Luke 10:38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!“

Luke 10:41 Martha, Martha,“ the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,”

Luke 10:42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

1. Essential over the urgent.

Luke 10:41 Martha, Martha,“ the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,”

Three realities about urgent living:

1.Urgent living is self-perpetuating.

You will never finish everything you have to do.

2. Urgent living affects your priorities.

3. Urgent living affects your personality.

The name Martha comes from the same root as Mara, Miriam and Maria, namely the verb (marar),

meaning to be bitter. This verb comes with no less than twelve derivatives, all pretty much meaning the same thing: bitterness, bitterly, etcetera. However, in

the Hebrew experience, the concept of bitterness was closely akin to the idea of being strong. A bitter taste

was consider a strong taste.

Stop. Worship. Rest.

Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested

from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had

done.

Stop. Worship. Rest.

Exodus 16:29 They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why

he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the

seventh day.”

2. Best over the good.

Luke 10:42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

1. We have been taught the difference between good and bad. But, how about between

good and better?

2. Don’t settle for good when best is available.

*Genesis- God rested, called it holy and blessed it. (Genesis 2:1-3)

*Exodus- Sabbath is commandment #4. The link. (Exodus 4:8-11)

*Jesus- “as was his custom” (Luke 4:16)

*Mary- rested on the Sabbath (Luke 23:46)

*The disciples- worshiped after the resurrection. (Acts 13:42)

*Paul- worshiped on the Sabbath. (Acts 17:2)

*New earth- the tradition continues… (Isaiah 66:22-23)

 

Stop. Worship. Rest.

Isaiah 58:13 “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s

holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.

14 Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I

promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

3. Permanent blessing over missed opportunity.

Luke 10:42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

1. It’s a grace oriented.

Deuteronomy 5:13 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your

household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your oxen and

donkeys and other livestock, and any foreigners living among you. All your male and female servants must rest as you do. 15 Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the LORD your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful

arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.

2. It’s permanent.

Psalm 119:160 All your words are true; all your

righteous laws are eternal.

Unstoppable?

Stop. Worship. Rest.