Now it came to pass, as 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
1. Like Martha, most people are busy about many
unnecessary things; whilst they neglect the one
thing that is really important.
Most people are busy about many things:
People are busy about decorating their homes;
People are busy about getting the right education for their
children;
People are busy about getting food for their husbands;
People are busy about money to support their lifestyles;
People are trying to find love; people are trying to get jobs;
People are trying to make friends; people are trying to be part of
groups and some people are busy about going abroad.
Some people are busy about education; others are busy about
having a child;
Others are also busy about getting rich.
The Professor who Could Not Swim
There was once a professor, a very learned man indeed. He
was also very proud about his knowledge and achievements.
One day, he went on a journey and arrived on the shores of a
huge river.
There was no large ferry that he could use to cross the river.
Then he noticed a young man who had a little boat he was renting
nearby. “I can paddle you across if you want,” the boatman said.
Reluctantly, the professor began his crossing in the little boat.
As they paddled along, the professor, who looked down on the
boatman, began to ask him some questions.
The Professor utterly despised the boatman and asked him,
“Do you about know sociology?”
The boatman answered “no, I do not know what it is”.
The Professor remarked, “10% of your life is gone”.
After some minutes the professor noticed the young man
eating with unwashed hands and asked him, “Do you know about
bacteriology?”
The boatman said “no” and the Professor muttered,
“Another10% of your life is gone.”
Throughout the journey, the professor quizzed the boatman
about the things he knew. He was trying to demonstrate to the
boatman how ignorant he was.
“Do you know about astrology?” The boatman answered,
“No I don’t”.
The Professor responded: “another 10% of your life is gone.”
“Do you know about Physics?
Do you know about nuclear physics? Do you know about
biochemistry? What about physiology? Do you know anything
about parasitology?”
The boatman answered repeatedly, “no, I don’t” to all his
questions, to which the professor promptly replied; “Yet another
10% of your life is gone.”
As they went along, there arose a great storm with mighty
winds and turbulence. The waves in the river became higher and
higher and the boat became more and more unstable. It was soon
evident that the boat was going to capsize. Then the boatman
turned to the professor and asked him, “Do you know about
swimminology?
The professor answered, “No, I’ve never heard of it.”
The boatman promptly said to the professor, “Then a hundred
per cent of your life is gone!”
You see, the professor knew so many things but he did not
know the one thing he needed to save his life. Jesus is the One
thing that you need in your life.

2. Like Mary, the one thing that is needful is to get the
wisdom and knowledge of God.
Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to receive the wisdom of God.
WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; therefore get
wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt
her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to
honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Proverbs 4:7-8

3. There is usually one thing that keeps people away
from God.
Make sure that you do not allow one thing to keep you away
from your salvation. Do not allow money, a habit, a woman or a
man to prevent you from fulfilling your calling. It is usually one
thing that keeps people from Christ whom they need!
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto
him, ONE THING THOU LACKEST: go thy way, sell
whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven: and COME, TAKE UP THE
CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME.
Mark 10:21

4. One thing that is needful for you is to have a personal
encounter with God.
Christianity is about having a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. Christianity is about seeing God and knowing God.
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I
know not: ONE THING I KNOW, that, whereas I WAS
BLIND, NOW I SEE.
John 9:25

5. One thing that is needful is for us to sacrifice so that
we can have treasures in Heaven. It is time to take up
your cross, deny yourself and follow Jesus.
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him,
YET LACKEST THOU ONE THING: SELL ALL THAT
THOU HAST, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Luke 18:22

6. One thing that is needful is to dwell in the house of the
Lord forever and to spend eternity with God. Will you
dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of your life?
Or will you dwell in the house of the devil all the days
of your life? Choose Jesus Christ and you will dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.
ONE THING HAVE I DESIRED OF THE LORD, that
will I seek after; 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.
Psalm 27:4