Mark 9_30_50 sermon

Text: Mark 9:30-50

Title: True Greatness

Intro: Peru mission trip

What do you think the disciples would be doing if they were here, Daniel said “Probably arguing over which one was the greatest.”

Greatness = Self importance -do you consider yourself more important than anyone else?

Everyone desires greatness and at some point, have dreamed of being the greatest. But what does true greatness look like in Christian life?

2nd Passion Prediction

They are now on their way to Jerusalem and ultimately to the Cross.

Jesus is teaching them about the Passion.

Perhaps this discussion about greatness resulted from the selection of the three to witness the transfiguration.

The inappropriateness is heightened due to the discussion coming right after the 2nd Passion prediction. Jesus is the greatest man to ever live – He is the God man, yet He did not come to be served but to serve mankind by offering His life on a cross.

CPS: True greatness is not self-importance but personal sacrifice, greatness in the kingdom of Christ consist not of position but of ministry.

True greatness displays Personal Tenderness vs. 35-42

Humility (35-38)

Jesus teaches that the greatest of all is last of all.

Last = lowest

Servant = diakŏnŏs, dee-ak´-on-os; - minister

If you want to be the greatest of all you must be a minster to all.

Those who desire true greatness must look at the personal interest of others. Not their own personal interest

Illustration: In the standards of the World, Ricky Bobby said it best, “You are either 1st or you are last!”

According to Jesus, the world is wrong. If you want to be first in the kingdom of God you will be last.

Then Jesus does something interesting:

Picture the tenderness that Jesus displays, He is sitting down amongst a group of men. He takes a child in His embrace, IN HIS ARMS

Illustration: When Balen was little I would sit with him in my arms for as long as he could stand it. My favorite picture is of him as a baby, Hope took a picture of me and him taking a nap on the couch. He laid on my chest as I laid on my back.

As a loving father Jesus embraces this child.

A child in the Bible is a symbol of innocence, helplessness, and vulnerability.

The disciples are being taught to welcome or receive those helpless people who come to them.

To be concerned about others, care for people, and show kindness to those broken spirits that come to them.

To receive them in His name, to do so means to do as He would do, to do so for His sake, to do so as a Christian.

Jesus is teaching the disciples to tenderly receive outcast and those oppressed. Everyone who receives Jesus receives God the Father.

Jesus is teaching them to be about kingdom work, are we about kingdom work?

Greatness in the kingdom consists not of position but of ministry.

Ministry

John shows his intolerance, speaking on behalf of the 12, someone who did not belong to their little group, someone not authorized by Jesus was using Jesus’ name to cast out demons.

Illustration: Exclusiveness rather than inclusiveness seems to be the rule of the day.

Jesus is teaching the disciples to be grateful that ministry is taking place in His name.

Show personal tenderness to these people ministering in His name, perhaps you should teach them my ways.

Aquila and Priscilla Acts 18:24-28

Apolos was a Jew preaching Repentance! But didn’t understand the ministry of Jesus. But this couple took him under their embrace and taught him.

Whoever helps you in genuineness, in my name, is not against you but with you, receive Him into the fold. Because he has a reward, teach him the way.

Ministry is for all believers…. Don’t have to be behind a Pulpit

Illustration: Jesus shows us a wonderful example of Ministry. Often times ministry is getting someone who is thirsty a drink of water. SERVITUDE!

Ministry to the lost is giving someone a taste of the living water, Jesus.

Deal tenderly with people, even those who may not be in your group, minister to them, Jesus came for the outcast.

To minister is to tenderly teach people the perfect way of God, as Aquila and Priscilla taught Apollos, we need to teach true doctrine.

We must not teach anyone falsely because we will be guilty of causing helpless people to stumble.

Transition: True Greatness is found in personal tenderness, Walking in Humility and Ministry.

True greatness displays Personal Holiness Vs. 42-48

Personal holiness means to be separated from the things of the world and set apart for the service of God

Sin must be confronted

Our human nature is a sinful nature

We see two different types of sin here

Causing someone else to stumble (Vs. 42)

The “little one” represents the same person as the “Child” is vs 36-37

Someone who is immature or weak… Perhaps a new believer

We need to be cautious of what we say and do, especially if you teach.

Illustration: I have heard that during the great depression when milk was running low and one couldn’t afford to pay the milk man, people would add water to the milk to make it last longer. As you dispense the milk and it gets closer to the bottom you keep adding water, soon you no longer have milk but milky water.

Causing one to stumble is as easy as watering down the Word of God.

When you water down the Word of God you have false doctrine.

For those who cause a little one to stumble judgment is harsh!

The judgment is pictured as a large millstone, one that was turned by a donkey… “It would be better” for that person to have it tied around his neck and cast in the sea, than what awaits him.

Transition: Personal holiness is intentional in how it relates with others, it guides one into personal holiness not teaching one intentionally or unintentionally to sin.

Be intentional in your walk and instruction!

Permitting yourself to sin.

Sin hinders us from being a useful tool in the hand of God

we are to be intentional in our Christian life if we are to display true greatness.

Sin in the life of a Christian moves you further and further from the middle of the perfect will of God.

Do you understand your weaknesses?

Pray that God will show you sin in your life and then intentionally walk with Him guarding your heart in prayer, renewing your mind in Scripture meditation.

Removing yourself from situation where you may fall into temptation to sin.

Illustration: Robbie Pierce – drug house evangelism – arrested last week for Meth. Biggest Heart, Loves the Lord, He should have removed himself.

True greatness displays personals holiness, personal holiness confronts your personal sins.

Confront your sin!

God show me my sin! Then don’t leave it there…. confront it!

YOU ARE NOT WELCOME SIN!

Sin must be cut off

Jesus is using Hyperbole!

Remove what makes you stumble!

Illustration: Whatever endangers your spiritual life totally remove it as a surgeon who amputates a limb that is endangering the life of his patient.

Sin is destructive!

(Nb) Sin must be rewarded – Romans 6:23

Jesus says, it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God and eternity maimed than the alternative.

Hell = Gehenna (Greek) / Hebrew = Valley of Hinnom

The valley on the South West side of Jerusalem – it was a place of Pagan worship, place of child sacrifice to Molech.

During intertestamental period it became the garbage and sewage dump.

It’s symbolic of the place of eternal punishment because worms and fire were always consuming the waste.

Sin brings destruction,

eternal destruction for the sinner not saved by grace

and destruction in close fellowship with God for the believer.

Transition: True greatness displays personal holiness, it confronts personal sin and cuts it off.

True greatness displays Personal Usefulness Vs. 48-50

Difficult Verse!

True greatness is seen as one Pleasing before God.

Idea taken from the Levitical law:

then in Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. Le 2:13.

This offering by fire was a pleasing aroma to God

Here - Salt and fire symbolize purification

Are the meditations of our hearts, our words and actions pleasing to God?

How do we please God? Heb. 11 – Faith

Jesus is talking to His disciples, and only Mark records this; remember who Mark’s audience is: Persecuted Gentile Christians in Rome, many who would face martyrdom.

I believe Mark is telling us about the purifying effects of persecution.

Illustration: Ancient Refining of gold was by fire, smelt it. The heat melts the impurities, leaving only the Gold.

Your going to face difficulty, trials, tribulations, but persevere. Your faith will be strengthened and you will be found as a pleasing aroma to God and He will be glorified

The one who is pleasing to God will be useful, He will sow seeds, He will encourage others by his witness, he will love the Lord, and love others and he will not be silenced, all for the glory of the Lord!

The person who is pleasing to God will preserve life

Salt is good…. Salt is good for you

Salt helps you stay hydrated, useful in muscle function

As Christians we are to be like salt. A source of life and preservation of life.

Be useful! Teach the life-giving Gospel and Restrain evil

Teach people to love their neighbors, wisdom, fellowship and friendship, and to be at peace with one another.

Give life to the world and preserve the world!

Be useful in the hands of God.

Conclusion: As this text began with a dispute, it ends with being at peace with one another.

True greatness is to live your lives in a way that you will be a blessing to others. Be tender, walk in godliness, and be useful. True Greatness is to be seen a servant of God.