CREATURES OF HABIT: Worry v. Worship 1-19-25

CREATURES OF HABIT: Worry v. Worship 1-19-25

INTRODUCTION

Welcome everyone to week three of our sermon series called Creatures of Habit. We have been talking about how every person’s life is largely made up of the routine choices that they make each and every day. The habits that we choose determine the trajectory of our life and who we will become. The question is, are we becoming the person that we want to be?

 

The first week, we learned that developing a habit of reading and meditating on God’s word can protect us from internalizing negativity. Rather than listening to poison, we can listen to the promises of God. Last week we confronted the habit of always wanting more. The healthier habit for our lives is choosing to put God’s Kingdom first and living simply. By doing this we discover contentment and fulfillment in God alone. This week we will be encouraged by scripture to choose a habit of worship rather than a habit of worry.

 

One of the most common habits that people can fall into has to be biting their nails. The thought of all the stuff that lives under a person’s nails ought to be enough to curb the habit, however, it, like many temptations, are really hard to break. Nail biting is a struggle for many people. They do it when they are bored. They do it when they are anxious. As is often the case, there is a product on the Internet created for this challenge. It is a nail polish. Colorless but when placed in the mouth, delivered the worst bitter taste imaginable. Surprisingly, after about 2 weeks, people no longer feel the urge to bite their nails.

 

Some of the habits that we develop are bad for us - they damage us, our families and our future. And yet, for some reason, many of us continue to partake in them. Whether it is believing negative things about ourselves or exerting energy to collect more and more stuff, we must pay attention to the habits in our lives that harm us. I have heard it said that “Bad habits are like comfortable beds – easy to get into, but hard to get out of”. That is about right.

 

The Bible offers to us a story about two women with different approaches to life. It takes place as Jesus comes to visit their home.

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38‬-‭40a‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Two sisters, Mary and Martha, graciously open their home to Jesus as he is passing through town. Surely by this point in the book of Luke, Jesus’ name was well known and his fame would have preceded Him. After the many healings and teachings that he was performing, it would have been a pretty big deal to have Him come to visit. Right away, the differing responses to Jesus’ visit become the focal point of the passage. Mary takes a seat at Jesus’ feet. This was the posture of a student to a teacher. It was an expression of reverence and worship. Martha, however, is busy doing other things. She is distracted, the passage says, by making preparations for Jesus’ visit. She is worried and anxious about the food being ready, the house being clean, and anything else that may seem out of order.

 

I.  STRESS IS THE GREAT REVEALER

 

We are really getting a glimpse into the personality and personal habits of each woman. More than likely, this is Mary and Martha’s mode of operation in life. This story puts on display two different habits that many of us have in our lives, as well. They are most often revealed during times of difficulty, stress, or challenge. For Mary and Martha, the present situation was a visit from the Messiah, but in our lives, it is things like a diagnosis, a job loss, a tragedy or a relational conflict. Some of us are like Mary; we make a habit of worship. Others, like Martha, have a habit of worry. The difference between the two routines seems to be what we allow ourselves to focus on.

 

A.  Stress affects us all.

In today’s world of extreme sports, there is a popular method of skiing referred to as “Tree-skiing”. Tree-skiing may sound like a death wish, but some skiers love the risk of skiing brand new, fresh powder lying in a stand of aspen or spruce trees. The key, of course, is not hitting the trees! In Outside magazine, writer and skier Tim Etchells lays out the challenge:

“Even more so than in deep snow or moguls, what you focus your eyes on becomes critical in the woods. Look at the spaces between the trees—the exits where you hope to be traveling. Or as extreme-skiing world champion Kim Reichelm states rather matter-of-factly, ‘Don’t stare at what you don’t want to hit.’”

B.  Stress can cause us to worry.

Worry, as a habit, is the act of focusing on the trees of life. There are some people I have come across that are looking for something to be worried about because they don’t know how to exist without it. Worry is a habit that reveals who or what we have placed our trust in. Martha was focused on the trees rather than the hope that was sitting in her home.

Worship, as a habit, is the act of focusing on where our hope comes from. Mary understood the opportunity before her. Rather than getting worked up and anxious by distractions, she allowed herself to center on simply being present with Jesus.

II.  WORSHIP IS THE ONE THING

One of the greatest habits we can cultivate in our lives is a routine of worship. Whether it is listening to music in your car, sitting silently in nature or creating art on a canvas, worship takes place when Jesus receives our time, attention, energy and affection. Making a habit of doing these kinds of exercises allows us to navigate the roller coaster of life.

A.  Worship should be our priority.

 

Martha comes to speak to Jesus about the way Mary had responded to His visit.

 

“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!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””

‭‭ Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭40‬b-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Martha was convinced that Mary was in the wrong. She should have joined Martha in her busyness and done what was right in Martha’s eyes. You see, she believed that trying to make things right on her own was the correct thing to do, so much so that she pleaded with Jesus to tell Mary to quit sitting around and get to work. But Jesus doesn’t do that. Rather, He points out the unhealthy habits that Martha was displaying. He tells her not to be worried about all of the things going on around her. In fact, he says, there is really only one thing to worry about right now and her sister had it right: Mary had chosen worship.

B.  The allure of the other things.

 

You see, there are many of us in the Church today that busy themselves with all kinds of things, many of which are good things. We serve in multiple ministries; we take care of our families; we work hard at our jobs and coach the little league team. We are a busy, anxious, distracted culture. Like Martha, it has become our mode of operation. But I want you to hear Jesus say in this passage that sitting at his feet is the “one thing”. Turning our attention to Him should be our first response and not our last resort.

 

Pastor and author, Jim Cymbala, said it this way, “If our churches don’t pray, and if people don’t have an appetite for God, what does it matter how many are attending the services? How would that impress God? Can you imagine the angels saying, ‘Oh, your pews! We can’t believe how beautiful they are! Up here in heaven, we’ve been talking about them for years. Your sanctuary lighting – it’s so clever. The way you have the steps coming up to the pulpit – it’s wonderful…’ I don’t think so. If we don’t want to experience God’s closeness here on earth, why would we want to go to heaven, anyway? He is the center of everything there.” 

Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, pg. 58-59.

C.  The habit of worship keeps us centered on Jesus.

 

A habit of worship is the conclusion that Jesus is the center of everything in our lives. He will receive our attention when things aren’t going as planned. He will receive our thanks when blessings come. Rather than allow our hearts to become troubled, we will trust in Him.

 

III.  NOTHING COMPARES TO BEING IN JESUS’ PRESENCE

 

The apostle Paul teaches about this kind of habit in other places within the New Testament. As he writes to the church in Philippi, he longs to see them leave behind their habits of worry and take up a routine of worship.

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A.  Spiritual habits relieve anxiety.

When we find ourselves overwhelmed with things to do and situations outside of our control, we often become anxious. But Paul says, rather than give into the anxiety, sit at the feet of Jesus and let Him know your requests. Though this may seem like a worthless endeavor, or that you should be trying to solve problems on your own, we can become so fixated on everything else rather than Jesus, that we lose our peace in the process.

B.  Focus on Jesus keeps us in peace.

Joni Erickson Tada had a terrible accident that left her a quadriplegic. In spite of her physical limitations, she became an accomplished author and artist. Over 40 years ago, she married her husband, Ken. For her wedding, she had planned to come down the center aisle in her motorized wheelchair. Just before her grand entrance, she noticed two distressing problems. First, she had rolled over her beautiful gown and made a big grease spot and tear in it. Then, the flowers in her lap had slipped and had lodged between her leg and the chair. She was filled with disappointment, and then suddenly the doors to the auditorium opened, and she saw her husband to be.

Here was the man who was committing his love and his life to her. Joni later said, “Once I saw Ken's face, all I could think of was him.  Everything else—the people in the church, the flowers that were sitting a little askew on my lap, the fact that my dress didn't fall right because I was sitting in a wheelchair, the grease marks, the rip in my gown all of it paled in comparison.” 

Ministry127.com

As creatures of habit, we must intentionally steer away from our propensity to worry about all of the aspects of our life. Instead, we must make conscious efforts to cultivate a life of worship. Consider some of the following ways to sit in the presence of Jesus.

 

1. As you drive in the car make the decision to only play positive Christian music as a way of focusing on Jesus.

2. Schedule 10 minutes a day to pray or read scripture – set up an appointment on your calendar. Make that commitment as immovable as you would with an important appointment for work or a Doctor.

3. Keep a daily journal of the prayers and blessings that turn your heart toward God. Date each page so you can go back and see what God has done.

4. Share with someone today what God has been teaching you or ways you have been growing.

 

Worship is a habit that can transform our lives. The more that we focus on Jesus, the easier it becomes.

 

CONCLUSION

Stress reveals our habits.  We fall into familiar and comfortable patterns.  Worship is the one thing that matters: no matter the circumstances.  Nothing compares to being in Jesus’ presence.  Nothing.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins     and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.