I. Introduction
Good day to all! The topic for today is an excellent one: Choose the Better Portion! Many presume that merely sitting and listening to sermons constitutes the better portion. This stems from the scripture featuring Martha and Mary, where Martha was busy serving while Mary listened to Jesus’s teachings. However, I've come to realise that the passage isn't fundamentally about this. Today, I will share my insights with you.
Know that I am a person of considerable latitude. To what extent? Many matters simply do not weigh heavily on my mind. Initially, I intended to speak on Many Things Are Unimportant this week, having mentioned it to my colleagues last week. But I reconsidered, thinking Choose the Better Portion might be more fitting. Yet, as I delve deeper, I find myself gravitating back towards Many Things Are Unimportant. Regardless, let's proceed as planned and refrain from unnecessary adjustments. The reason for my ambivalence? This topic has been extensively discussed and perhaps overdone.
Today, I want to stress the criticality of this matter. Having listened to several sermons on choosing the better portion, I found myself no clearer. My perspective is that many things are, in essence, not that crucial. Indeed, only one or two things truly matter. Grasping these would resolve an array of issues. The challenge lies in the difficulty many face in understanding even these fundamental aspects, leading to ceaseless toil and subjugation by numerous concerns. A flurry of activity often ends in a state of frazzled nerves. But I assure you, many things genuinely lack significance.
Today, be aware that when I avow my freedom and nonchalance, many smile at me. I inquire, Why the amusement? I recount how, despite once consistently excelling in exams, occasionally plummeting to the lower rankings held no gravity. They responded with laughter, exclaiming that achieving such a rank would be a feat in itself. You see how the point is missed. My detachment is perceived as something deeply significant. Reflect for a moment—is that not the case?
When I assert the unimportance of something, two reactions emerge: one being, Of course, it's unimportant to you, but to me, it's critical. Why this juncture? Because you consider it crucial and subsequently fumble it. It is our perception of importance that constrains and manages us, grinding us down. How can one flourish under such circumstances?
I have ministered to many, with some achieving little by their late twenties, thirties, or even forties. I posit that the root of the issue lies in the frenetic activity, the exaggerated significance attributed to matters. Are they truly important? Not substantially. Though, if ensnared, one may perceive them as so. Suppose you're pursuing accounting certification; its importance is undeniable. However, perceiving it as critical may result in consistent near misses, by a margin of a few points. The tension experienced during exams mirrors that of Chinese football—why their struggles? Because of the excessive weight placed upon it.
Generally, people do not witness my being flustered. When have you seen me in such a state? I am usually composed. Since embracing God, even more so. What could possibly be so critical? Nothing weighs that heavily. Even ministry itself does not take precedence. I possess acute self-awareness. Some resist guidance, heading west when directed east, chasing chickens instead of dogs, adhering to their own course. I declare: consign them to God. Do you grasp the meaning of this? Let them seek whomever they will. Even if they turn to temples, so be it. Perhaps there they will find some efficacy. Let us not interfere.
Ah, a sister voiced dissent: How can you, as a pastor, exhibit such apathy? Where is the love? I considered it, and then delegated this loving task to her. Take the reins and let me observe and learn from you what true love entails. Thus, brethren, if the fundamental matter is not addressed, all else is futile. Why? Because they elect not the better portion. Can I force it upon them? I seek those who do. Elect the better portion and we shall embark on the Mingding Destiny together. If the love of the world is your calling, embrace it fully. Even without initial qualification, slowly acquire the credentials, perhaps a certificate.
Today, what significance do love and apathy hold? Little. If criticism arises, I am unperturbed. Many, hearing of its insignificance, may question why they should care for it. Some suggest my stance could lead to demise. Yet, if I disregard my own demise, why should I concern myself with theirs? Sooner or later, all return to dust. Be it through one path or another, the end is similar. If one chooses the better portion, the state of ash and non-ash bears no difference. Likewise, if one neglects this choice, the same applies.
A while ago, during my sermons, I often made revisions. One sister sternly approached me post-sermon, we still had physical gatherings then, and remarked, Reverend, I recall your sermon from five years ago differing from today's teaching. Was it erroneous then, or is it now? It was as if this would stymie me. Even if I were mistaken five years prior, it would not shame me. Do you know my rejoinder? Foolish child, I have matured. My comprehension was at that level then. Do you think I am perturbed? I am not.
Many struggle with admitting past errors. My response to such claims can be quite cutting. She thought she had me cornered, but was she ready to be enlightened? I retorted, Has Apple not advanced to version fourteen? Are you still rooted in version two? I have upgraded, I have grown. Acknowledging a mistake is not a burden. Furthermore, the church profession encompasses a spectrum of occurrences.
Once, I mentioned a church where the senior pastor position was bequeathed to his son. A hereditary succession. Not without merit. What could be better? In this epoch of second-generation officials and the well-to-do, we now have a pastor second-generation! This particular congregation was a megachurch. Before I could finish, an unexpected reaction: Oh, how blessed! Some time ago, a friend posted on social media how fortunate the wealthy are. Yet, the well-to-do I have encountered are often not content. Many second generation officials are also not happy. Then, the pastor second-generation, deemed so blessed, succumbs to cancer!
Some urge me to expand and strengthen my ministry. But for what purpose? I will contribute where I can, otherwise, I am content. The lure of expanding and strengthening my ministry means little. It would be challenging to constrain me, as I consider many things unimportant. Do you comprehend? Choosing the better portion likely boils down to one or two things.
There was a period when I was involved in certain circles. The pastoral community demands networking. One must conform and uphold the unwritten rules. I was often disruptive. They organised meetings and somehow I got roped into one. Assuming it was a space for mutual cheerleading, I participated accordingly.
Feeling obliged, they invited me to speak. I demurred, knowing my candidness often offends. They insisted, assuring me it was acceptable. On stage, I began to speak, only to be met with desperate halt signals from below, curtailing my message. My topic: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. It was received poorly: this association was untenable. Subsequently, I was ushered into a room and admonished for violating protocol and the proper way to network. Little did I know I was operating within such parameters. I am unconcerned with adhering to those rules.
There being but one better portion, I elected to accept the occasional offence. But listen closely, if you are a preacher, a Christian, there exists only one matter of gravest importance: do not offend God! Offend anyone else, but not Him. I then informed them of my inability to belong in their circles. Later, I ceased to see the point of associating in that manner. It was a distraction.
Thus, I articulate my detachment from these matters. Why? I am unambiguous in my conviction: never offend God! Privately, I observe a human tendency to fear offending anyone but God. A tragedy, is it not? Instead, let us elect the better portion. Proceed with life as intended. I recall managing a server in my youth which would trigger alarms upon failure. I was often in worship. These things happen.
My manager would then ask: “Why are you not taking care of it?” “I’m in worship”. “Is worship that important?” “My God is the most important!” “Why is He so important?” “Because He gave me this job, so He must be the most important!” They would be out of ideas to deal with me, and after worship, there was more opportunity to do so. So something died, it would die, so what, still have to get on with life. After all, I did not want the computer network to keep dying, but as long as worship was protected I trusted God would keep watch. Dying after worship was acceptable.
Now most understand, much is not important. Why do some, amidst their busyness, find themselves under a curse, and others, in their leisure, find themselves under blessings? Because prioritizing the foundational matter is vital. Many reside in a cursed state. Despite busying themselves with real and tangible activities, this doesn't change the fact that cursed things are still tangible cursed things. From my earliest days as a believer, I sought to understand what matters most, what yields the highest return, what is indispensable, and what can be deferred.
Please know, I merely convey my inner thoughts and adherence to religious precepts, it does not imply compulsion. Within me lies a deep love for God, the source of my cherishment from the day of my conversion. From that moment, I knew without question that serving Him and drawing close to Him was paramount above all things. Why seek anything else? It would be foolish to look for others. The better portion can never be taken away!
We must think hard about the things, and I urge it. If God is always being pushed aside, then that’s the choice made. Even if Small Group does not achieve much, if I go, it is for God, because I know this is the time I give to God and belongs to Him. I can decide, who can take this away? I have made my decision, so who can take it away? If there is a business to settle, it can wait! Some people get anxious and misunderstand opportunities, and end up scammed.
I’ve known for a long time already, there is a commandment of the Bible, which is: love the Lord your God with all our heart, soul and mind! That’s where things begun for me, to learn how to love God. So let’s think through the services, which are carried-out because of love! Why create this church, all for God. I tell you, is very pleasant! Many say that being a pastor is very difficult, even possibly the most difficult in the whole world! It is because something is neglected, which is the important, the best, the necessary; and to this day, what is not necessary has been neglected to this day; tragic! Why? Because this is being seen as heavy, but in reality, it is not important at all, so people are neurotic.
People are not doing well, and this is because they see things as too important. Say, if they need to take an exam, they may think that that need is important, and the person still goes ahead and gets it wrong. There are questions worded in a certain way, and there are similar questions in the reversed way, and the person gets it wrong then. You can’t just blame it on tension. If you are neurotic, then your dog will look down on you. If your dog looks at you with disdain, well, that’s it.
If someone has a very good relationship with the dog, then it must not be neurotic. You know there are such dog programmes, and it is teaching people instead of dogs, but it’s because the master does not do the job well. The dog has become the head, and the master becomes the slave.
I have a habit, the most important is just one, which is not lacking, and after that we will talk about other things! Do people get it? This is very difficult to execute, even though it is very simple to understand. Does it take a lot to give time to God? Not so much, of course, I don’t want to be constrained by the religious rites, but is simply done because of loving God. People do not have this kind of blessings, so it happens. If there is suddenly a contract, it is a swindle. How unlucky you must be, and if you ask me, please settle the unluckiness first!
Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you being an unlucky man. There’s no need to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. Just love whatever you like, and love up to the point of being unlucky. Just look at the eager ones who want to generate wealth, be eager, then there’s no point! Begin to know that the important portion should be the better! Also, do not choose curse, but good choice! Good curse is very powerful, by the way! Then there is a mess when choosing. Let’s study Luke, the important point here is exactly about this!
I can boldly prophesy to one person, it will definitely be wiped eventually! God will demolish it for sure, because it is under curse! Today, we must know, to have a good life, must have something to do with God; mix or no mix, this is not so important. What is the point of the circle? To this extent, let’s read the verses form Luke 10:38-42.
II. Scripture
Now it happened as that they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.(《Luke》 10:38-42)
III. Prayer
God ah! Save us from this kind of busyness; God ah! Let us know what is very good blessings? Today, open our mental acuity, let us simple the most complex question, which is loving You with all our heart, soul and mind! God ah! Save us from every busyness and tensioned things; God ah! Let us acknowledge that a lot of things are not important. Today, release us from busyness and bondage, let us become a free man inside You, and let us acknowledge that You have the highest place and authority; God ah! May we receive the blessings! In Jesus name!
IV. Scripture Background
We need to have to explain the Scripture background today. Luke 10 is one that sets the stage for “Many may rise, but many also fall”, if there is a copy, please purchase one. I wrote this very well! Many rise, many fall; it is all down to the wrong choice! Some people choose very blessings, and some choose the very best of the curse. People are making the wrong decision, which is interesting. Let’s brush through from Luke 10 from the beginning, to the end, and what does this is talking about exactly. A lot of people are thinking that Mary is listening, that is the very best of the blessings, but it is wrong! Let me study and analyse!
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. (《Luke》 10:1-4)
Do you know why Jesus Christ is the very best of the blessings? Jesus Christ is more worthy than money. Jesus sets up 70 people, give them short time learning, and then send them out. One thing being, is do not bring money, and no shoes, and do not salute other men along the way. One thing they discovered is that Jesus Christ is worth more than money! Are we building the concept that knowing that Jesus Christ is more important than money?
Then, when being approached when doing business, one should ask to switch it to Monday if that day falls on Sunday. Do we switch it to Monday nights? It is because Jesus is more important. These people have no money, but brought them to the field. Who is providing? It is God, if you can get this concept, there is nothing to select, and your business will do fine.
People are coming back and thinking, wow, God is so amazing! That is until people keep falling into the logical frame of, I never solve, please solve for me, I never earn, please return to me, and God is not being taken into account. If God is being taken into account, everything will be. Those people are very happy, however.
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.(《Luke》 10:17)
Devils get enslaved as well, what are you so very happy for? Do we know that Jesus is making available the power? Then don't think of yourself too highly.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.(《Luke》 10:20)
I will tell you how to write the name: love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind!
I am not silly, and since the day of being enlightened, I chose the very best blessings. Then, my career is set up like a rocket, and very fast. I am surprised by God, and I didn’t need to toil so hard to deliver!
Who answered this? It was the lawyer. Did the lawyer know to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind? The answer was remarkably wonderful, it was the lawyer himself who answered. But did they love the Lord your God with all their heart, with all their soul, with all their strength, and with all their mind? No, they did not. Were they hypocrites? Yes, they were. Then Jesus said, You have answered correctly; do this and you will live. But then, that person, wanting to justify himself, asked Jesus, And who is my neighbour? It always felt like he was trying to stump Jesus.
Jesus replied, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37)
Can everyone understand this? Originally, Luke wrote this excellent blessing, having already laid the answer in the front. In the end, people read it, and that’s it, Mary sat there listening to the Word. I think if you keep listening, you'll become a listening expert. The word you hear is more than Mary heard. You have listened to all the recordings on that website. If you were to ask Jesus, What must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus would say, What have I been telling you? To love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Who doesn't know this? Everyone knows this. Is there anyone among us who doesn't know this? No. But what have you done? What have we done today?
After this incident, another thing happened. Jesus entered a village, and Martha and Mary invited Him into their home. Then Martha was busy with her chores. She didn't listen to Jesus, she didn't listen to anything, she was just busy with household affairs. Alas, does everyone know today that if she didn't busy herself, would someone die? What would happen if she didn't busy herself? People don't lack that bite to eat.
Brothers and sisters, I ask you today, who lacks that bite to eat? Who lacks that cup of water? No one lacks it. If you are thirsty, go get a drink yourself. If you are hungry, go rummage through the kitchen and the refrigerator. What do you see? As a result, she's busy with this and that. Because the things she's busy with do not come from a heart that loves God, she will complain. After complaining, her heart becomes chaotic. She comes near, thinking she has done something very great, that she is taking care of Jesus. Does Jesus need you to take care of Him?
Not loving God, but taking care of God? There are many people who do not love God, but take care of God, taking care to the point of bringing curses. Taking care, taking care, taking care, taking care of oneself into a curse. Busy, busy, busy, chaotic. Thinking, if I'm not busy, what will happen? If you're not busy, would God let the sky fall? The sky didn't fall. I can tell you, even if you die, the world will keep going, do you believe that? If I die, the world will keep going, don't think so highly of yourself. Do you believe that? If I die, the world will keep going.
Otherwise, I would lie in a coffin for three to five days, prepare some drinks. Don't seal me in the coffin, I won't be able to breathe. Do you understand? It doesn't matter if I'm sealed inside, but if the police come looking for you later, that's a big problem. How did this person die? Then you're in trouble. So this thing, in fact, I'm telling you, many things are not important. If you do something unimportant, and do it with煩惱 in your heart, then you will lose that上好的福分, this is what I want to tell everyone today.
Just that busyness, that tiredness, it's tiring just to watch. But the one thing that is indispensable is only one thing. Mary has chosen that 上好的福分, which cannot be taken away. Everyone must not think that it is listening to the Word, it is loving God. A person who loves God is willing to set aside time, put down many things and love God. Wait until you start, after Jesus finishes speaking, it's your turn to work, work hard. Don't ever do this, when Jesus is speaking, you are busy, and when Jesus is not speaking, you take out the recording to listen to. What are you doing? Then, when reading math, you think about English, when reading English, you think about physics, and you don't read anything well. Is this a very clear portrait of us? If this is the case, it cannot be good.
Many things are not important, the important thing is only one thing, that is, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. This is the background of this passage. If we connect the background of this passage, we will know that Luke's purpose in writing this passage is not to make you a listening expert, but to make you a person who loves God. A person who loves God, that is 上好的福分, loving God is 上好的福分!
V. Loving God is the Best Blessing
If you truly love God, you will not regard God as a burden. Is there anyone among us who has been in a passionate relationship? When you are in love, you have time anytime. Have you noticed? When you are in love. After the passionate love is over, you never have time to do anything. Where did the time go? It went to doing other things. Loving God is the 上好的福分. You say, is this principle I am saying, should this passage of the Bible be like this?
The most important thing is only one thing. Why? As long as this one thing is settled, many things become simple. If this one thing is not settled, many things become extremely complex. Loving God is the 上好的福分, because when this one thing is settled, many things are settled. Then later I thought, alas, building a church, serving people, blessing people, you know the most important thing is not because of building a church, the most important thing is loving God. Because loving God solves many problems.
Often some people come and ask me, Teacher, can you pray for me? I say, pray for what? To break the curses of my ancestors. I say, no need. Ah? No need? I used to hear pastors say that you have to break them, cut them off, cut them off. I said, have you cut them off? You haven't cut them off You still need to come to me And then this thing created a lot of distress for me, so I went to study this matter. Ah, originally there is no need to cut them off, loving God solves all the curses. Do you understand?
If this person loves God, God knows. What God has prepared for him is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived, that is, people do not love God. I tell you, let's put it this way, how much time do you spend struggling and suffering for the kingdom of God? Probably not. I may be putting this hat on inappropriately today,打击大积极性. But really almost none, I almost never receive that.
A person calls and says, Pastor, can you pray for me? I say, okay, pray for what? Ah, my son is not well. Oh, your son is not well. Ah, my daughter-in-law is not well. Ah, my grandson is not well. Ah, my work is not going well. Ah, my business is not going well. All these trivial matters. Later, I serve them. Alas, serving them is so distressing.
Brothers and sisters, listen to my advice, the root of all your problems today is related to not loving God. If people do not love God, they are cursed! Then they are still cutting off the curses of their ancestors, busy enough. Cut off, cut off, cut off, the more you cut, the more there are. You say, who is to blame? You don't love God, you blame your father, blame your grandfather, blame a lot. Who can you blame?
I tell you, if you choose to love God today, that is the 上好的福分, and many problems will be solved easily. Many people put all their energy into doing this, doing that, doing this. I tell you, do it, work hard toward curses. Teacher, didn't you say to let us grow well? Then I said let you love God well, why don't you do it? If growth becomes your curse, then it is useless. People need to know that the 上好的福分 is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. No matter how many curses there are, because curses come from God, it is very simple for God to remove them. As soon as you love God, God removes them, isn't that up to God? If God has the final say, isn't this matter resolved? Isn't it? Do you still need to look for someone? No need, no need to look for anyone.
Therefore, I tell you, from the day I believed in the Lord, I read the Bible carefully, and later I knew God, and began to understand these things. I knew that I should love the Lord your God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength. Even if you go the wrong way, God can correct you, how good is that. What is that concept, what is that motive inside us? Later I found that there are many people who love money, especially love money. Then they ask me, Teacher, how do I love God? I say, love God the way you love money.
I tell you, if someone loves God, whoever touches his God, he will feel uncomfortable. If a person loves money, whoever touches his money, he will feel uncomfortable. But what I see is that in most cases, when your God is touched, nothing happens. When your money is touched, that's it, you immediately freak out. You say this person, isn't this a curse? When the boss asks you to work overtime, that's no problem. When God asks you to work a little overtime, then there are immediately many problems, a lot of stress. Is it good? Because He is God. I tell you, even infants can summarize a logic, that is, our God is in control of everything.
VI. Martha's Choice
What did Martha choose? Martha chose to go and do things. Is it good to do things? Or is it good to listen to God's words? The Bible never says that you live because of the things you do, people live on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Because this is a spiritual matter, so this matter determines people's future.
Martha's heart was filled with busyness and chaos, and they thought it was love for God. They thought they had to do something for God, they thought God was too weak. God, if I don't cook, God will starve. Listen to these words? Why do they sound so strange? Martha was busy there, if I don't cook, what will you eat? If you don't eat, you won't eat or drink. People are iron and food is steel, if I don't cook for you, what will you eat? Quick, let my sister come over, what's she doing sitting there listening to the Word. Can I let my Lord Jesus go hungry?
You see, what I hate the most is this. What I hate the most, do you know? What I hate the most is always feeling that you have to do something to feed God. That is an idol, God does not need you to feed Him. Does God need you to feed Him? You don't even know who is feeding whom? The foundation of the choice is problematic. This foundation feels that many things are very important. Why? Because if I don't do it, God will be hungry.
Is there this logic? If I don't do it, if I don't do these things, God will be hungry, and then heaven and earth will collapse, will heaven and earth collapse? I invited Jesus to my home, so I have to be busy with these things? If I'm not busy doing these things, what will Jesus eat? Sounds very reasonable, right? Don't be mistaken, God really doesn't need you to feed Him. The result is that things get complicated, why? The heart becomes restless and chaotic. Why is it chaotic? You have the order wrong, the devil comes. This chaotic state is a devil, the mind doesn't work well, the mind immediately turns into tofu brain, and the tofu brain immediately turns into shit, and the rice that comes out is smelly. Why? Because these things have been made complicated.
Brothers and sisters, try it today, I have done experiments, even if you don't do anything, see if the sky will fall? I tell you, the next morning, the sun will still rise. Then why do I still teach you this way? If I teach you this way, then everyone will lie flat, is that good? Actually, even if you lie flat, the sky won't fall. I don't want you to be chaotic, I don't want you to take these things so seriously. Then be controlled by the devil, this Martha was controlled by these things.
Even today, there are still many people among us who are controlled by these things. Then when these things control you, people will be a little frantic, the logic is wrong. Can we adjust this logic back today? It doesn't matter if your stuff doesn't run, it's okay. If you don't do that thing, the sky won't fall. Because doing that thing is also a grace in itself. What are you panicking about? There is nothing to panic about. Because can a person hold all things together with his own hands? Can't hold it. If a person wants to hold his own life with his own hands, hold the things he does, then he will招咒诅 curses are招鬼. It makes things very chaotic, very confused, very complicated. Therefore, the most important thing for building a church is God's presence, not your busyness. Does everyone know that?
I was preparing the讲稿, there was still half an hour before the meeting, my稿子 hadn't come out yet, I don't like not having a稿子. Alas, if it doesn't come out, it doesn't come out, right? There are many people below who have prepared a lot, and in the end, they didn't preach the经文. After they finished preaching, they said: Alas, I didn't preach the经文 today. Then what did you do? Why? The reason is simple, it was busy and chaotic! Don't ever build your faith on what you do, and don't build your faith on your祷告. Don't build your faith on the problems you solve. Building faith on God is blessed. Only Jesus Christ is Lord, and He is in control of the universe!
Later I found that sometimes I wasn't prepared well, and then God still worked. I felt that I didn't preach well, and after preaching, some brothers and sisters ran over to me and said: Pastor , you preached so well today! I was a little confused after hearing this. Why? I felt that I didn't preach well, I couldn't show it, if I could show it or could not show it, that's not important. So God has His will. Sometimes I didn't preach well, I felt that it was really bad! Someone said: Wow! Pastor, because you preached this, I am often edified! Maybe God knows what people really need. Remember, it's not by me, it's by God! This is our logic. Martha's foundation of choice was wrong.
VII. The Foundation of Choice: God is the Almighty God
The foundation of your choice when you did this is, if you say I did this, this thing will succeed. If you don't do this, this thing will not succeed. You are wrong, you are really wrong. Without blessing, doing it would be for nothing; with blessing, sometimes not doing it seems to be okay, still. Do you understand? You need to know that I have solved many engineering problems, how were these engineering problems solved? Do you think it was because I worked hard? No, really not. It really was by the inspiration God gave me. The foundation of choice is that God is the Almighty God.
You are calm and stable. Why are you calm and stable? Because it is God who holds all things together. Can't God manage it? You see today's theological system produces a lot of confusing things. For example,方言祷告, some people say, you have to be careful with方言祷告. Why? Can't God manage it? God can definitely manage it. So you祈祷求神, you向神情词逼切的求什么, and God will give the Holy Spirit to those who求衪. But some people have no faith in God. Because the foundation of their choice has to be judged and discerned by themselves. In the end, what can their tofu brain discern? If the foundation is wrong, then it will completely collapse. So even believing in the Lord is a bit of a精神兮兮, and building a church is also built a bit of a精神兮兮.
Because they put all their hope on what they have done. Actually, those things they do are not important. The important thing is God. Because God controls all things. Why are many people busy? They are all瞎忙. Because relying on your hands, relying on your sword, creating your future, that is creating a curse. That is the way of Esau! Why do many people come to us and be blessed? Because we are walking the way of Jacob. We are walking the path of blessing by relying on God.
VIII. Many Things Are Not Important
I tell you, brothers and sisters need to know that even the church will not become my control;牧养 will not become my control;事工 also will not become my control. I will love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength. I will not be stressed and upset because I did something. Because it is not me who is holding it, it is God who is holding it. As long as God is still among us, if we do it right, God will correct it; if we do it wrong, God can still correct it. Many churches are just afraid that the pastor will correct them wrongly, they just have the wrong foundation. Can't God manage it? Then these things are arranged a lot of things, the more they are arranged, the more chaotic they become, and the上好的福分 is gone. As a result, there is only one thing that is indispensable. I have discovered that there are many confusing things in this era. A lot, not just a little bit.
One day, a pastor brought a Korean to my office. Why did he bring him? Because he wanted the Korean pastor to bring the logic and traditions of the Methodist Church to our church. Then he came to my office,吭哧! He sat down on my sofa and prayed with his head down. I said he didn't even say hello to me, and he didn't pay attention to me when I said hello to him. I asked, what's this? Are you sick? He said, I'm not sick. I asked, why is that? He said, he's used to it like that. When he goes to a place, he always sits down and prays. Oh, gods! Oh, welcome大神! I felt that he put all his hope on his prayers. Is that useful? It's useless. Later, his church was arranged like that, a chaotic mess. Anyway, if you ask me, I don't look up to that thing at all. Pretending to be gods and fooling the people. He took this thing too seriously. Are you controlled by some things?
Today, brothers and sisters, listen carefully, you take many things too seriously. Many things are not important. A few days ago, I met a few people, and I asked a few questions. Alas, after asking, I specifically said, you come and answer this question, wow, it looked like they were about to go crazy. Why? You take this thing too seriously. Can you not take this thing so seriously? There is only one 上好的事. There is only one thing that is indispensable. Don't get the foundation wrong, it is God who holds all things together. It's not because you do it right or wrong. I explained the curses and blessings clearly in the 101 course.
A person must deeply imprint the two things of blessing and curse in his mind. Is the path you are walking the path of blessing or the path of being cursed? Which path are you walking? It's Martha's path, which is 精神兮兮的, busy, chaotic, and full of pressure. Then they also think that the pressure is normal and reasonable. They also thought that it was the pressure created by Jesus coming to their home. Look at you, Jesus, if you didn't come, where would I have so much pressure? It's nonsense, isn't it? They thought, they thought they had to do things. So today we come out of this, the behavior-based and law-based things we talked about earlier are all cursed, do not be controlled by things, these are all key. Love God well! If you are already an unlucky鬼 in this life, love God, you can come out of bad luck.
Yesterday I received good news, one of our sisters was defrauded of a lot of money by someone, she诈骗of money,she sold the house, and the remaining money was not enough to pay back. It's almost paid off recently. Why? Because the unlucky things have passed. Today, brothers and sisters, if you are an unlucky ghost, I tell you, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength! Unlucky鬼害人. It seems busy doing this and doing that, it seems very good. The PPT is done very beautifully, and the宣传单张 is done very beautifully. But it is useless in the curse. There is only one thing that is indispensable, do not be controlled by things.
IX. Building a Glorious Church,牧养 God's Flock.
This is the 上好的福分: Loving God. You know what? Jesus and Peter, this Peter is quite mixed. Why? Just don't care啦. Originally, when God called Peter, it was to let him catch people like fish, but after Jesus was crucified, died, and resurrected and appeared to him, Peter didn't do it anymore, he went fishing. As a result, he fished for a day, busy for a day and didn't catch any fish, and he was exhausted. Has everyone noticed that nothing worked after working for a day. As a result, Jesus said, guys, cast your net there. Peter looked at it, where are there any fish? I'm a professional fisherman, but being a professional is useless. In the end, he said, I'm simply going to cast the net according to what you said. As soon as I casted the net, I caught one hundred and fifty fish, almost breaking the net. Let me put it this way, if each fish weighs one jin, there are one hundred and fifty jin, if each fish weighs three or five jin, there are several hundred jin.
As a result, Jesus烤鱼eat them on the shore and asked Peter: Do you love me? He said, Jesus, I love you. If you love me, what are you doing fishing? Are you stupid? Is there something wrong with your brain? These words are what I said, and Jesus said them quite gently. Is his brain filled with shit? Is fishing so important? It's not important. Is it that you think it's important that you can't catch fish? I still have to tell you where to打you, right? Alas, Couldn’t打 it? Then do you still love me? He said, Lord, I love you. The Lord Jesus said,牧养 my little sheep, feed my big sheep,牧养my old sheep.牧养 my sheep, whether they are old sheep, middle sheep, big sheep, or small sheep,牧养them well. Ah, originally牧养is loving God, building God's glorious church,牧养 God's flock. This is the command God gave us.
I once met a person who was very interesting. He said, I don't know who Paul is; I don't know who 华人命定 is; I don't know this theology or that theology; I don't know anyone, I only know Jesus and Him crucified. Oh, you only know Jesus and Him crucified. And then? There is no then. I only know that Jesus was crucified. They stayed at the level of PeterYesterday 打 fish. They were busy. If he gave himself a name, he should be called Martha. If he was called Martha, he would feel a bit like a woman's name, so he should be called 大马. This Martha牧师, oh, that busy啊! Flying around, preaching here