OVERFLOW || The Father’s Heart for His House
Luke 10:38-42 New King James Version
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
In the Year of OVERFLOW, Choose the GOOD PART
Don’t Lose the FATHER’S HEART for His House
What Is the Father’s Heart?
Father God’s Thoughts, Feelings, and Desires
Genesis 6:6 New King James Version
6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
Leb (H3820)
inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
seat of emotions and passions
seat of appetites
What Grieved God’s Heart?
Instead of filling the earth with the glory and knowledge of God, His children corrupted the earth
Genesis 6:11-12 New King James Version
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
God’s Heart is for the Earth to Know and Encounter His Glorious Presence!
Numbers 14:21 New King James Version
21 but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord—
Habakkuk 2:14 New King James Version
14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
Psalm 72:19 New King James Version
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
Ezekiel 39:7 New King James Version
7 So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.
John 17:3 New King James Version
3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
The Father’s House is Marked by ENCOUNTER
We Have Over-Complicated and Intellectualized the Faith and Our Relationship with Jesus
Acts 4:13 New King James Version
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Information, Apologetics, and Education are a Great Benefit to the Body, However…
We are transformed as we come to know and encounter Holy Spirit
This is the HEART behind the VISION of East Gate
This is the HEART behind the values of HEALTH and FELLOWSHIP at East Gate
Memories of My Father’s House
God’s Heart for East Gate is for Us to Know and Enjoy Him as His Beloved Children
Ezekiel 43:7 New King James Version
7 And He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places.
Never Stop Encountering Him
Encountering Lives, Families, and Cities in an Ephesians 3:20 Year
Luke 10:38-42 New King James Version
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Before God Takes a City, He Looks for A House
Luke 10:5-8 New King James Version
5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.
Martha Welcomed Jesus in Her House
As A Result Mary ALSO Sat As Jesus’ Feet And Heard His Word
For a time, both Martha and Mary (and perhaps Lazarus) enjoyed simply being in His Presence
Do You Remember Your First Experiences In the Presence of God?
Nothing gave YOU joy like hearing His voice for YOURSELF in His presence
Nothing gave YOU courage like revelation jumping out of His word in His presence
Nothing healed YOUR soul like weeping in His presence
Nothing delivered YOU from temptation and the demonic like worshiping in His holy presence
Nothing transformed YOUR marriage and family like YOU confessing and repenting in His presence
But Martha was Distracted with MUCH Serving
I am sure, per usual, that as Jesus remained in a place, large crowds gathered
I imagine Martha so excited to see Jesus’ following growing within her house
She wanted to serve Jesus, His people, and His purposes
Service is a GOOD thing, when it is done in fellowship with Holy Spirit
It is Terrifyingly Easy to Become Distracted with Much Serving
Being distracted BY something stops you, being distracted WITH something corrupts you
Encountering God’s Presence becomes second to serving His people
Encountering God’s Presence become second to to facilitating our programs
Encountering God’s Presence become second to establishing our preferences
Five Signs that You Might Be Distracted with Much Serving
You can no longer hear God’s voice or connect with Him daily, but still think you’re walking in obedience
You start burning out, becoming frustrated and bitter—doing things for Him, rather than with Him
You feel isolated and blame it on others
Your time with the Lord is spent complaining rather than enjoying and receiving
You think the answer to your frustration is more help, time, sleep, finances—rather than ENCOUNTER
Jesus Calls Martha Back to the Heart of the Father
He calls her by name, “Martha, Martha”
He identifies the condition of her heart, “You are worried and troubled about many things”
Her heart didn’t reflect His thoughts, feelings, and desires [Health]
He points her back to His heart, “but one thing is needed”
Psalm 27:4 New King James Version
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
God’s Presence is the “Good Part” that Mary CHOSE
Jesus said the GOOD PART would never be taken away
God will NEVER take away your ability to ENCOUNTER Him
But you can be distracted with much serving
Martha and Mary are not dispositions or personality types, but choices
People choose to hear God’s voice, connect with Him daily, and walk with Him in obedience
People choose daily secret place
4 Ways to Practice CHOOSING the Good Part [INVITE WORSHIP TEAM UP]
Discover what His Presence Feels Like [Corporate Encounters]
Welcome His Presence in Your Home [Daily Secret Place & Presence Driven]
Read Scripture with the Intention of Discovering what Pleases Him
Acknowledge His Presence Immediately, Physically, and Verbally Whenever You Feel Him
In the Year of OVERFLOW, Choose the Good Part
God’s Heart for East Gate is to Encounter and Know His Presence
Nothing Will Transform You, Your Household, or Your City like the Presence of God
Nothing will give YOU joy like hearing His voice for YOURSELF
Nothing will give YOU courage like revelation jumping out of His word
Nothing will heal YOUR soul like weeping in His presence
Nothing will deliver YOU from temptation and the demonic like worshiping in His holy presence
Nothing will touch YOUR marriage and family like YOU confessing and repenting in His presence
Nothing will transform YOUR city like hearing His voice, connecting with Him daily, and walking with Him in obedience.
