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A Recap from Sunday's Sermon

Preaching Text: Luke 10:38-42

E.Q. or “emotional quotient” is the ability to identify, assess and manage ones emotions. When this is lacking, depth of community will suffer. Since Christians are called to love one another in real relationships, emotional health is a must.   Furthermore, God wants his people to love him with their entire person, which includes our feelings.

In today’s text, Martha is having a bad day. She is internally in turmoil, which is affecting her relationships both with her sister and with Jesus. The way Jesus responds is typical of other such interactions he had with people in conflict (cf. Luke 12:13).

Jesus exposes and heals our negative emotions.

Martha’s problem was not that her sister wasn’t helping her, as she seems to have thought. Instead, it was that she was “anxious and troubled about many things.” Her comments to Jesus have the potential to create what counselors call an emotional triangle. Instead of allowing this, Jesus stays connected in the relationship but maintains his own non-anxious presence and clear boundaries. He then addresses Martha, helping her reflect on her turmoil, rather than taking sides against her sister. He then tells Martha that only one thing is needed, from which we can infer that the one thing is a life centered on Jesus or his kingdom.

Anxiety is a constant threat to all people. We can experience it building up without even being aware. Since our feelings are influenced by our thoughts, we have the choice to study the problems or study the promises. For example, God’s kingdom is never in trouble because he is the King. As we worship, worry fades.  

Taking it home: Name some of the clear promises of God in Scripture and discuss the feelings these promises cause you to have.