Rooted in Jesus - Keeping the Sacred Enclosures (Rev. Dr. E. Wayne Hanks)

Examples if ever-increasing - Smith Wigglesworth's goal of Ever Increasing Faith.

Last week, anecdote of, "Big Rocks First."
Application - What Are Out Big Rocks?
S.O.A.P.
S - Scripture
O - Observation
A - Application
P - Prayer

Anecdote - Sequoia tree in Yosimite, fell in 2005, after 400 years + of growth. Foot traffic had contributed to its downfall, damaging the root system. Park rangers now fence other trees off to protect the root systems. Similarly, our spiritual root systems must be protected.

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 NLT)

Keeping the Sacred Enclosures

Martha's "many things" were the "foot traffic" which threatened to undermine her spiritual roots.

"Distracted" here means, "pulled about." Image of Pastor's mother-in-law's dog shaking a rag-doll.

Jesus instructed Martha that "only one" thing is necessary, and that Mary had chosen that one thing. Cultivation of her relationship with Jesus was, "the better part," which would never be taken from her.

This "sacred enclosure" is, therefore, something that is a choice we can make.

Keeping the Sacred Enclosure

The Year of the Altar

1) One thing is necessary
2) Watch over your heart

"Not being fed" excuse for leaving a church. Feed yourself! Eat of the Word every day. The Sunday service is supplementary to the feeding you do throughout the week.

Paul taught Timothy that, "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." When you think about both time and eternity, not much around us is important. The distractions around us are the, "foot traffic."

Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)

How do we do this? More, TONIGHT AND next week. Start by keeping a journal as you read the scripture.

Keeping the Sacred Enclosures
The Year of the Altar

S.O.A.P.
S - Scripture
O - Observation
A - Application
P - Prayer

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