Good News Week 57: Good News Of Kingdom Greatness

Good News of Kingdom Greatness

What does it mean to be the greatest?

We have arguments and debates often about who is the GOAT.

G O A T - Greatest Of All Time

I mean it’s Jordan over Lebron for GOAT of basketball and Cash over Luke Bryan For GOAT of Country Music (I mean even putting Luke Bryan in that conversation is silly).

But greatness, what is it?

Humanly speaking it’s about power and influence.

The Greek word for greatness is “MEGAS”: mega - big, strong, powerful, dominate, ruling.

And ever since the fall in the Garden man has been chasing MEGA GREATNESS.

The rebellion of Adam and Eve was about “being like God” as if they weren’t already image bearers of the Almighty.

The Tower of Babel was about men making a name for himself.

Kings and kingdom throughout history have been built on man chasing power and greatness.

People have been subjugated, colonized, enslaved, mistreated, throughout history by men chasing MEGA GREATNESS.

The Hebrew people were enslaved in Egypt by a Pharaoh who wanted their cheap labor.

God throughout the OT tells His people to treat the marginalized and societally disadvantaged with dignity.

But the pattern repeats itself over and over and over, the desire for MEGA GREATNESS blinds us to humanity the weak.

From the Garden of Eden to Egypt to Rome to Western Expansion to Chattel Slavery to Sex Trafficking to Modern Day Sweat Shops to Unjust Laws and Systems, the quest for MEGA GREATNESS has brought injustice and brokeness and has taken advantage of those without power.

And it this attitude of disregard for the least of these that Jesus speaks against.

It’s the behavior of disregard for the powerless among us that Jesus came to challenge.

It’s this mentality of MEGA GREATNESS that Jesus came to destroy.

Listen, we have been talking about the Good News of the Kingdom for 57 weeks, our theme verse of this journey thru Luke, I’d even say the theme verse of Luke’s Good News is Luke 4:18-19

Luke 4:18–19 CSB

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

This Kingdom Good News is not only concerned with our soul it’s concerned with our whole person.

The Good News of the Kingdom is Spiritual in the best sense of the word - It’s a Spiritual work that does what we can’t do merely physically.

Physical power cannot solve the problem with MEGA GREATNESS because MEGA GREATNESS is a spirit issue that plays out in the natural world.

Our spiritual bent toward MEGA GREATNESS causes us to bend the natural to our advantage even to the disadvantage of our neighbor.

But Jesus came to free us from the spiritual bent toward MEGA GREATNESS so that we no longer live for our own kingdoms but for the Kingdom of God and His Christ, where all are invited to know righteous, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit, and live in the way the Prophet Micah declared was what God requires of His people, Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 CSB

Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.

Do Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly.

We cannot do what God requires of us until we lay aside our desire for MEGA GREATNESS and follow the way of Jesus.

The way of Jesus is not just Spiritual Justification but it is Spiritual Justification that has Societal Ramifications.

How we treat others is very much intertwined with our spiritual regeneration or spiritual new birth.

And this is something that on that Passover Thursday in the Upper Room with Jesus that his disciples where still not fully understanding.

So Jesus had just instituted the New Covenant Meal - what we call communion.

He talked about his body broken and his blood poured out.

He washed their feet.

He talked about being a servant.

He talked about his betrayal.

He talked about laying down his life.

And his had talked about this type of ministry for 3 years, he had done this type of least of these ministry for 3 years.

But his disciples were still struggling with power and titles and MEGA GREATNESS.

Let’s look to the scriptures together.

Luke 22:14–34 CSB

14 When the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.G 21 But look, the hand of the one betraying me is at the table with me. 22 For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do it. 24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. 25 But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them have themselves called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 You are those who stood by me in my trials. 29 I bestow on you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 “Lord,” he told him, “I’m ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 “I tell you, Peter,” he said, “the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me.”

A Dispute Arose Among Them

This dispute arose when they began to compare their love and faithfulness to Jesus against each other.

Listen, don’t think that this MEGA GREATNESS doesn’t affect the church.

When we are more concerned with titles, or power, or control, or recognition, than the Anointed Work of Jesus in the world we begin to fight among ourselves.

This point, is an aside in my bigger point, but hear me, when we begin to care more about legacy or recognition than the mission of Christ and His Church, Satan has already begun to shipwreck your faithfulness.

Pride will enter your heart.

You will begin to find fault with your co-laborers in Christ.

You will compare your MEGA GREATNESS with their inferior ability.

A dispute arose among them over who should be conserved MEGA GREAT.

They were arguing over which one of them at the table was GOAT Disciple.

And Jesus had to again explain to them the upside down nature of the Kingdom.

Or should I say the upside down nature of fallen humanity.

The way of Jesus is right side up, but because of our brokenness the Kingdom looks upside down.

We are the one’s who are upside down.

But I get it. It’s an upside down kingdom because of our fallen perspective.

But what Jesus wants us to do is to see things upside down.

That’s what he’s challenging his disciples to do.

That’s what he’s challenging us to do.

To see things from this upside down perspective that is really the right side up.

So what is it about this MEGA GREATNESS that holds so much power over us.

Why do we want to rule?

Why do we want to be kings?

I’d say it’s because we were created to rule.

Created To Rule

The problem isn’t ruling.

The problem is recognition.

In the Garden, and we go back to the Garden a lot here because I believe the Garden is the created intent for our rule.

Adam and Eve, co-rulers.

Given a mandate to bring peace into the chaos.

To multiply and fill the earth.

To walk with God.

To obey God.

To care for creation.

To live for the good of creation.

To live as the image-bearers (divine representatives) in the world.

A king and a queen.

Priests of the earth In the tabernacle of Eden.

But Eve was deceived.

And Adam was willingly disobedient.

And we lost our place in the Garden.

But our mandate to rule is still in our DNA.

So we rule from a place of fallen rebellion, we rule from a heart of sin, we rule from a place of cursing and not blessing.

But Jesus comes.

And Jesus claims this Kingly Messianic title, but he doesn’t rule from a position of power, he rules from a place of humility.

He’s bringing peace to the chaos of MEGA GREATNESS by become a servant.

Again, the problem isn’t ruling, the problem is recognition - pride, power, position.

Jesu even tells them, if you want to rule you’ve got to stop acting like it.

Luke 22:24–26 CSB

24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. 25 But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them have themselves called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving.

Jesus is telling them that greatness in’t wrapped up in titles we give ourselves, or social power, or industrial capital, greatness is tied to our willingness to not be concerned with titles, or social power, or industrial capital, but in our willingness to serve the Kingdom by serving our neighbor.

Jesus even tells them if you serve you will be given a Kingdom.

John, in the Book of Revelation calls those who have been righteous by faith in Christ Jesus a nation of Kings and Priests before our God who will reign upon the earth.

It’s a perfecting our what we broke in the Garden.

It’s the great restoration of the Creative Mandate.

We were made to rule, but our rule only works when we follow the way of Jesus.

So we have three choices.

Become Like The Powers

Be Afraid Of The Powers

Lay Aside The Powers

Become Like The Powers

That the temptation for the disciples in this argument

Pride.

Position.

Recognition.

MEGA GREATNESS.

To concern yourself with yourself to the disadvantage of someone else.

To think like the fall.

To live like the cursed.

To abuse.

To mistreat.

To be unconcerned with the marginalized.

To act unjustly.

To think that might makes right.

When we become like the powers we align ourselves with spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.

We become less concerned with doing justice and loving mercy and walking humbly with our God and more concerned with our position and comfort and carnal happiness.

When we become like the powers we are actually fighting against the Prince of Peace.

We often become like the powers.

We think, “Thats just how the world works.” “If I’m going to get ahead I’ve got to play be their rules.”

But that’s the way of Jesus.

We will look at the way of Jesus in a minute, but there’s another option for us in who we will respond to MEGA GREATNESS, We Can Be Afraid Of The Powers

Become Afraid Of The Powers

That’s what Peter would do.

Luke 22:31–34 CSB

31 “Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 “Lord,” he told him, “I’m ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 “I tell you, Peter,” he said, “the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me.”

Jesus tells Peter, you’re going to fall to the powers, but when you come back to me, you will strengthen your brothers.

You’re going to deny me because you’re afraid of the powers.

But I’m praying for you.

And you know what Peter did?

He denied Jesus because of fear of the powers.

Luke 22:54–62 CSB

54 They seized him, led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. Meanwhile Peter was following at a distance. 55 They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. 56 When a servant saw him sitting in the light, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with him too.” 57 But he denied it: “Woman, I don’t know him.” 58 After a little while, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too.” “Man, I am not!” Peter said. 59 About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with him, since he’s also a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter was afraid of the powers.

But Jesus didn’t give up on Peter.

Jesus was praying for him.

And even after Peter acted out of fear, Jesus after his resurrection would restore him.

Peter would become an Apostle, a preacher, and leader in the Church.

But in this moment Peter acted out of fear of the powers.

When we live in fear of the powers we silence our voice, we discard justice, we align ourselves with the enemy.

But God has not given us a Spirit of Fear, but our power, love, and self-discipline.

But when live in fear of the powers we live in opposition to the Ruler of Heaven and Earth.

We don’t do justice, or love mercy, or walk humbly with our God not because of a wicked desire toward MEGA GREATNESS but in fear of being labeled as on of those who have been with Jesus.

We fear the powers because we could lose our comforts, or even our lives.

But there’s another option, this is the way.

We can Lay Aside The Powers

Lay Aside The Powers

We can either Become Like The Powers, Be Afraid Of The Powers or we can Lay Aside The Powers.

This is the way of Jesus.

We can lay aside our desire for MEGA GREATNESS and pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

What is the way of Jesus?

I think one of the most beautiful and concise passages on Laying Aside The Powers is found in Philippians chapter 2.

Philippians 2:1–14 CSB

If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing,

Laying aside the power.

Taking on servanthood.

Empiting himself.

Becoming obedient.

Walking in humility.

The way to destroy the desire to MEGA GREATNESS in you in to follow the way, the example of Jesus.

Jesus isn’t just our savior from sin he’s our example in life.

This is how you work out your salvation and this is how God works in you.

Humility.

Servanthood.

Obedience.

Love.

Mercy.

Justice.

Unity.

Considerate.

Unconcerned about MEGA GREATNESS and wholly concerned about KINGDOM GOODNESS.

This is God renewing all things.

This is Jesus making all things new.

This is Kingdom Come.

This is how the world will believe what we say because behave like we believe.

When we lay aside the powers and live By his Spirit.

This world won’t be saved by might our by power.

Our victory will not be won by might or power.

The Kingdom will not come by our might or our power.

But KINGDOM GREATNESS and KINGDOM GOODNESS come when we lay aside MEGA GREATNESS to live By His Spirit.

That is the way of Jesus.

That is renewal of all things that I am longingfor and all creation groans for.

We every knee bows and every tongue confesses.

That day the powers will be overthrown in fullness and King Jesus will rule and we will be a nation of Kings and Priests not concerned with MEGA GREATNESS but will be concerned with Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost.

Jesus teach us to do what God asks of us, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.

Let us follow the GOAT who is the Lamb.