Church of the Resurrection - Wheaton, IL - Sermon Podcast

Before you try to change the world, be like Maryby Matt Woodley

The episode begins with an introduction to Res Prison Ministry, which involves visiting jails and prisons, including Parchman Prison in Mississippi. A story is shared about Jersey, a death row inmate who initially disliked worship songs but found hope and transformation through them after meeting Jesus. This leads to a reflection on the church's mission of inviting everyone into a transforming relationship with Jesus. The main question posed is how to live a life of ongoing transformation in Jesus. The gospel reading from Luke 10:38-42 is examined, featuring Martha and Mary as symbols of the active and contemplative lives. Martha represents the busy, service-oriented life, while Mary symbolizes sitting at Jesus' feet to listen and learn. The sermon clarifies that contemplation involves listening to Jesus' word as revealed in the Bible, with an attitude of surrender and faith. Historically, the church has often viewed the contemplative life as superior, but this episode argues for an integrated approach where both aspects are necessary. Martha's problem is not her activity but that it is disconnected from contemplation, leading to anxiety. Jesus addresses her tenderly, highlighting the need for balance. The historical example of Gregory the Great, a 6th-century pope, is used to illustrate this integration. Gregory struggled between activism and contemplation during a time of crisis, including wars and plagues, but learned that both are essential for sustained love and service. He emphasized frequently returning to the fire of contemplation to prevent love from growing cold. The sermon notes that in modern life, the active side often overwhelms the contemplative, so intentional choices are needed. Practical pastoral advice is given: make a choice to prioritize contemplation, set a specific time and place, follow a Bible reading plan, and persist in this practice lifelong. The episode reframes the story of Mary and Martha, emphasizing that the miracle is Jesus' love and faithfulness in meeting people where they are, rather than human devotion. It concludes by affirming that through Jesus' sacrifice, believers can approach God with confidence and integrate action with his presence.

As heard by us

A prison ministry story opens into a steady case for being centered in Jesus.

Church of the Resurrection turns a prison ministry update into a sermon about Mary and Martha, and that opening gives the message its heft. Res Prison Ministry reaches into jails and prisons locally and statewide, and the visit to Parchman Prison in Mississippi, where six church…

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Why you'd press play

You get a prison-ministry story that widens into a Mary-and-Martha word for ordinary chaos.

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