GREATNESS IS IN SERVING

GREATNESS IS IN SERVING (MARK 9:33-37)

Introduction: Jesus came to Capernaum and asked his disciples what they discussed (9:33), the disciples have a dispute among themselves (9:34-35), Jesus gives them a lesson, and teaches them that, to be great, they must first be servants (9:36-37).

Thesis: Jesus teaches us how serving makes us great.

I. 9:33 JESUS ASKS HIS DISCIPLES, WHAT WAS IT THAT THEY DISCUSSED?

A. (9:33) The Lord begins the teaching by asking them a question.

a. Jesus wanted to teach them that true discipleship involved the gift of service. But the disciples were embarrassed by the question and kept silent.

b. The Lord knew what they were disputing about, but it was a great opportunity to teach them.

II. 9:34-35 DISPUTE OVER WHO IS THE GREATEST?

A. (9:34) They had been arguing among themselves, as to which one should be the eldest.

a. They were arguing on the road, which was not proper for Jesus' disciples, and they knew it, but also, the subject of their discussion was about which of them was going to be the eldest next to Jesus.

b. Jesus in the previous verses had explained to them about the cross, first we carry the cross and then comes the crown. It seems that they had forgotten.

B. (9:35) Jesus gathers his apostles.

a. They all sat down, sitting to teach was the posture of a Jewish teacher. The

The Master began to teach them about the attitude they should adopt towards power and authority, since they were the ones in charge of announcing the Gospel.

b. Jesus said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he himself will be last of all, and servant of all." That is, you must first be a servant to become first, because serving is the only thing that makes us great.

III 9:36-37 THE GREATNESS IS IN BEING A SERVANT:

A. 9:36 Jesus takes a child in his arms.

a. He used on this occasion a child to give the lesson, because of the relationship he had with the subject, it is said that child and servant were the same word in Aramaic.

B. 9:37 "Whoever receives one of these children in my name receives me."

a. It speaks to us of caring, of being kind and concerned for others.

b. "And he that receiveth me receiveth not me, but him that sent me." To receive Christ is

to receive our Father.

c. The way we treat a child and care for him is what makes us great in the kingdom of God.

Conclusion: This message of our Lord Jesus Christ, makes us understand that to be greatness before God, we will achieve it only by being servants, Jesus gives us the example of the way we treat a child, how we care for him, how we take care of him, knowing that a child cannot return any favor, actions like these are what make us greatness before our father. We can argue among ourselves like the disciples about who is the greatest, but only our actions and attitudes are valid before our Father.