Calvary Chapel Cottage Grove
May 3, 2026

      • Psalm 27NKJV

  • The Way
  • Worthy Is The Lamb

  • Three Personalities That Remain in the Church

    Turn in your bibles to Luke 10:38-42. Later in John 11
    I’ll be reading from the LSB translation. An updated version of the NASB.
    It is our desire to go through the bible chapter by chapter, book by book.
    As you know, our desire is to move through Scripture chapter by chapter, book by book. Right now, we’re studying the New Testament in the historical order it was written, giving us a unique window into how the authors investigated and confirmed the life of Yeshua by interviewing eyewitnesses between AD 38 and AD 100.
    Remember: these writers weren’t trying to create a future “New Testament.” They were writing letters for immediate use—instruction, correction, encouragement, testimony. The church didn’t invent the New Testament; the church fathers simply recognized which writings were already functioning as authoritative across the churches. That recognition happened gradually.
    In review, Yeshua is on the march and only a few months from heading to Jerusalem to be crucified. In the meantime, the crowds were growing but it appears that...
    Yeshua is only a few months away from heading to Jerusalem to be crucified. Crowds are growing, tensions rising. And when He came to Jerusalem during the feasts, He stayed in a little village called Bethany, about two miles outside the city, with three siblings:
    Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
    Matthew and Mark only mention that He lodged in Bethany. But Luke 10 and John 11–12 give us the most detail about this family.
    Let’s step into the story as if we’re a fly on the wall.
    Luke 10:38 LSB
    Now as they were traveling along, He [Jesus] entered a village; [Bethany] and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
    Verse 39
    Luke 10:39 LSB
    And she had a sister called Mary, who was also seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
    Luke 10:40 LSB
    But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the preparations alone? Then tell her to help me.”
    Luke 10:41–42 LSB
    But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
    Martha and Mary: Two Sisters, Two Personalities
    It’s easy to assume Martha chose the “bad part.” But Jesus never said that.
    Instead, He repeated her name:
    This repetition appears throughout Scripture:
    “Abraham, Abraham” when the Lord commanded him to take his son, his only son Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice on Mt. Moriah. (Gen 22)
    Jacob, Jacob when God wanted to reassure him not to be afraid to go to Egypt because God would make Israel [Jacob] into a great nation. (Gen 46)
    Moses, Moses when YHWH called him to go to Egypt (Ex 3)
    “Samuel, Samuel” when God was calling a young son dedicated by Hannah to lead Israel during a time of spiritual silence and corruption. (1 Sam 3)
    Jesus declared “Jerusalem, Jerusalem” as He lamented the city’s rejection of prophets (Matthew 23) Also Truly, truly or Verily verily I say unto you...
    Simon, Simon when Jesus warned Peter that Satan wanted to sift him as wheat but He assured him “He had prayed that his faith would not fail” (Luke 22)
    Saul, Saul when Jesus confronts him on the Damascus road (Acts 9)
    In every case, the repetition communicates tenderness, urgency, and love..
    For Martha, the repetition was saying: “I see you Martha. I love you, but pause and listen to Me” Jesus wasn’t rebuking her character but addressing her internal condition.
    verse 41 Martha, Martha you are worried and bothered about so many things!
    The Greek word for worried means “pulled in different directions.”
    Bothered means “agitated, disturbed, thrown into turmoil.”
    Her attention was internally split.”
    Mary, however, chose “the good part”—and Jesus said she would never lose it.
    Let’s consider their personalities
    1. Martha: The Extroverted Worker
    Martha was wired as an extrovert—outgoing, energized by people, quick to welcome Yeshua into her home. Extroverts communicate openly, share easily, and thrive on interaction. They are doers, planners, organizers, and often… workaholics.
    My brother Dave admits this about himself. He’s worked nearly seven days a week for over 50 years. Now he owns a restaurant in Costa Rica, and he’s everywhere—talking with customers, bussing tables, serving food, constantly improving things.
    He’s up at 6 a.m., in bed at midnight, every day. His employees beg him to rest, but he’s wired to work.
    Pros of this personality:
    internally driven, diligent, focused, highly committed, strong work ethic, they can be very productive & resourceful .....
    The cons: compulsive, perfectionism, taking on too much, inability to relax, impatience with others and eventually burnout.
    I’ve seen many leaders like this come and go. They accomplish ten things and already have ten more lined up. They’re planners, assigners, problem solvers—wonderful traits.
    But the downside? They can’t slow down. They expect others to match their pace. They grow frustrated, feel alone, and eventually burn out. They expect others to follow their example and start thinking: “Why am I the only one taking this seriously?” And without realizing it, they are bothered, agitated, and feel a need to move on.
    I recall a woman who led our women’s ministry. Her work was excellent—truly unmatched. But she refused help, carried the entire load, and eventually collapsed under it. One Sunday she came to me weeping: “I can’t do this anymore.” And sadly, we’ve struggled to fill that role since. Then COVID hit, and I never saw her again.
    2. Mary: The Introverted Listener
    Mary was wired to be reflective, thoughtful, and refreshed by solitude. She preferred one‑on‑one connection over crowds. Introverts tend to listen more than they speak.
    That’s Mary at Yeshua’s feet, listening to His word.
    And by the way, Jesus invites all of us to do the same.
    Matthew 11:28–30 LSB
    “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
    To “take a rabbi’s yoke” meant voluntarily submitting to him as your teacher.
    And that’s exactly what Mary did!
    Pros: tend to be Deep thinkers, Good listeners, Comfortable with quiet, Not driven by productivity, Steady, calming presence. Mary wasn’t antisocial - her personality favor quiet activities like reading, prayer, journaling, cooking, knitting, or doing hobbies at home. Their sense of worth didn’t need to be tied to productivity. It’s definitely kick back. We see this contrast in Elijah (introverted) and Elisha (extroverted).
    But the cons? Hospitality mattered in Jewish culture. Tasks may go undone, Hospitality can suffer, Others may see them as indifferent or lazy
    We have many Mary’s here too! I see my brother Michael who does a lot of work around here voluntarily. He has helped in our media, he contributes, and shows up faithfully. Yet when I am sharing my frustrations as a pastor his demeanor does not change, he remains relaxed and offers only words of encouragement. But when its time to focus on a step study or further training it’s like he’s saying “This matters more than finishing some task right now.” Others may think he has “checked out.” But Michael is actually leaning in a different direction.
    Outcome: Things get done & the atmosphere is calmer. His workers are edified; and the ministry is supported.
    Both personalities are needed in the church.
    But what of Lazarus?
    Now flip over to John 11 to watch this scenario reversed.
    Lazarus becomes sick, and the family sends word to Yeshua.
    John 11:4 LSB
    But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”
    Jesus delays two days. By the time He arrives, Lazarus has been dead four days. Many Jews are there mourning.. Now watch who comes running....
    John 11:20–21 LSB
    Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
    John 11:22–23 LSB
    “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
    John 11:24 LSB
    24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
    John 11:25–26 LSB
    Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?”
    John 11:27 LSB
    She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.”
    So Martha was first to greet Him and confessing He is the Son of God! However notice her answer are doctrinal and less emotional. It’s still theologically correct but that necessary good was missing. Now watch the difference when Mary comes.
    John 11:28 LSB
    And when she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
    John 11:29 LSB
    And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him.
    John 11:32 LSB
    Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
    Same reaction as Martha but with Mary, her words broke his heart because they were closer. Jesus felt her suffering. It was more relational.
    John 11:33–35 LSB
    When Jesus therefore saw her crying, and the Jews who came with her also crying, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.
    You see, Jesus was moved.
    Note that Martha ran to Jesus and cited her theological understanding while Mary sat in the house!
    But when Jesus called for Mary, she fell at His feet crying and it moved Him. He was deeply moved, feeling the loss just as we do at memorials. We chose to enter into the pain of the family. But here’s the interesting twist to all this.
    And Lazarus? He appears in John 11–12, but he never speaks. Not once. He is sick, dead, buried, raised, reclining at a table—but silent.
    But we do know that when Lazarus hopped out of the tomb he was bound with burial clothes and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
    And then it says John 11.45
    John 11:45 LSB
    Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.
    Notice they came to Mary. They saw Lazarus raised. And they believed.
    Lazarus didn’t need words. His resurrection was enough.
    Conclusion: Which One Are You?
    I believe because of Jesus making us new creations we have the ability to be all three!
    So here’s the picture of the church:
    Marthas — extroverted, driven, productive, easily burdened
    Marys — introverted, reflective, relational, steady
    Lazaruses — quiet miracles, living testimonies without many words
    The point is Jesus died so we could be unbound and free but it took others to unwrap Lazarus - we need help unbind people and let them go. This takes the Holy Spirit to show us how we should respond!
    Let’s give Him thanks!
    COMMUNION

      • Luke 10:38NASB95

      • Luke 10:39NASB95

      • Luke 10:40NASB95

      • Luke 10:41–42NASB95

      • Matthew 11:28–30NASB95

      • John 11:4NASB95

      • John 11:20–21NASB95

      • John 11:22–23NASB95

      • John 11:24NASB95

      • John 11:25–26NASB95

      • John 11:27NASB95

      • John 11:28NASB95

      • John 11:29NASB95

      • John 11:32NASB95

      • John 11:33–35NASB95

      • John 11:45NASB95

  • I Will Follow
  • Indescribable
Calvary Chapel Cottage Grove
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