Sitting at The Feet of Christ

Grace Bible Church of Conway's Podcast

This sermon by Jeffrey Johnson begins with a reflection on the value and power of communal prayer within the church, emphasizing the unique and sacred space the church provides for believers to come together, uplift one another, and experience God's presence. Johnson underscores the church as the collective dwelling place of God, where the faithful gather not only in a physical building but as a spiritual family, highlighting its preciousness and the importance of gratitude towards it.
The sermon then delves into the story of Martha and Mary from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus visits their home. Johnson paints a vivid picture of Martha's hospitality and diligence, as well as the anxiety and frustration she feels when overwhelmed with the tasks of serving Jesus and His disciples, contrasted with Mary's choice to sit and listen to Jesus' teachings. This narrative serves as a backdrop to explore themes of service, distraction, and the priority of spiritual nourishment over physical or temporal concerns.
Johnson reflects on Martha's service as commendable but also as a source of unnecessary stress and distraction from the one thing deemed necessary: being served by Christ through spiritual engagement and listening to His word. He argues that active service, while important, should not eclipse the foundational aspect of Christian faith, which is receiving grace and truth from Jesus.
Expanding on the theme of "sitting at Jesus' feet" as Mary did, Johnson outlines several practices for deepening one's spiritual life, including engaging with Scripture, seeking stillness and solitude, meditating on God's word, and delighting in the Lord's presence. He emphasizes the transformative power of immersing oneself in scripture and the importance of creating space and time to listen to God, free from the distractions of daily tasks and anxieties.
Johnson concludes the sermon with practical applications, urging believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ above all forms of service and activity. He stresses that while serving Christ and others is a vital expression of faith, it should flow from a place of being nourished and filled by Christ's own service to us. Through personal anecdotes and biblical insights, Johnson calls for a balanced approach to Christian living that honors both service and devotion, ensuring that one's spiritual health and connection with God are maintained as the foundation for all other aspects of faith life.