To Be Great Is a Call to Serve (Mark 9:30-50)

Introduction

If you are not first, your last (Ricky Bobby); Game Maxims; What marks winning and greatness?

Mark Recap

-The cost of discipleship and what it means to follow Jesus continues...

Main Point: If you are to be great in the Kingdom of God, Christian, you must first learn to follow Christ and his example of being a servant.

Points

The Suffering Servant King

The Great serve all

The Great don’t compete

The Great kill sin (don’t enable)

The Suffering Servant King

Jesus has already come and been acknowledged as the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. All of these titles mean the same thing, Jesus is the long awaited promised one from long ago who has come to deliver God’s people from their captivity. This Messiah is the one who is to be both David’s Son and David’s Lord from Psalm 110. He is to be the one who is to sit on David’s throne forever (2 Samuel 7:4-17). And yet, there is more to teach the disciples about what it means for Jesus to be the Christ, which they have already affirmed and believed. Jesus must again teach his disciples the importance of the cross.

For Jesus had already once taught on the coming of the cross following Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ. But, the disciples didn’t get it. So, after some time passed by, Jesus returns to this topic once more and aims to help his disciples grasp this reality that the Son of Man must suffer and die and rise again.

Now, the Son of Man title actually identifies Jesus in this way. For the title, Son of Man can simply refer to one being a child of mankind. But, in the book of Daniel, the Son of Man title is given more specifics in referring to one who is to sit beside the LORD God on the seat of judgment and reigns forever with him. Therefore the Son of Man title is alluding to Jesus being both fully Man and fully God. Steve Wellum in his book God The Son Incarnate writes, “As the Son of Man, Jesus again self-identifies as both God and man. Jesus uses the title in his humiliation as a man to save the lost and in his divine authority to forgive sins and his divine power to resurrect the dead.” Therefore in this very title, Jesus is referring to his being the one who is to come and conquer and deliver his people, as well as one in his humanity who will suffer. Therefore Jesus goes to tell his disciples that he will be delivered into the hands of men.

Now, this being delivered into the hands of men is different from the first telling. In the first teaching of his coming death and resurrection, Jesus told the disciples that he must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again (8:31). The religious leaders are specifically responsible for the opposition and death of Jesus here. But, in this second telling, Jesus is delivered and he is delivered into the hands of men. We know from the context of Mark in what is coming in a few chapters that Judas will betray Jesus and hand him over to the chief priests (Mark 14:10). But, we also know that it was not just Judas delivering Jesus over to men. It was also God the Father who handed Jesus over into the hands of men.

For part of Jesus' identity as the Son of Man is him being the suffering servant, the very one that Isaiah 52:13-53:12 lays out. And in the suffering servant passage, it tells us (Isaiah 53:10): Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

God delivers the Son of Man, that is his beloved Son into the hands of men to be put to death in order for Jesus to be an offering for our guilt. And Jesus does this willingly. It is for this reason Jesus stays instead of going on to glory. It is for this reason that Jesus continues to teach his disciples that he must suffer and die. It has to be this way for the sake of our sins, for our guilt. The cross must come, for it is in the cross where Jesus is killed, God’s wrath against sin will be satisfied. For in the cross we see the price of our redemption as that third verse in Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery talks about. The cross must be at the frontlines of our Christian faith. For without the cross and thinking about it, we have no salvation. It is in the cross where God’s holy love and holy justice meet as one.

In Jesus' coming death on the cross, God will satisfy his wrath against our sin as Jesus lays down his life as a willing sacrifice. Sin will be wiped away. And in the same cross, God’s love is poured out on us in the blood of Jesus which makes our garments as white as snow. The cross is the goal of the Son of Man’s coming and it is in the cross where Jesus will give that blow to the serpent and defeat death. It is in the cross that salvation comes. It is in the cross that Jesus' eyes are set and it is this that he continues trying to teach his disciples that the cross is coming and it is essential to their deliverance and salvation.

Similarly, they must understand that while Jesus will go to the cross and be killed, the grave will not hold him. Three days will go by and he will rise again. As essential as the cross is to our salvation, so is the resurrection. Apart from Jesus’ resurrection, we would have no hope of eternal life. For if Jesus remained dead, then so would we in ours. And yet, in the resurrection of Jesus we have the hope of eternal life in him.

And yet too often both the cross and the resurrection are undermined in our Christian faith. The suffering of Jesus is often neglected. We would rather turn our attention to the love of God and skip over the cross just like the disciples. Friend, apart from Jesus suffering on the cross and his resurrection, our faith is in vain. And yet faith in the Suffering Servant King is what delivers us from the grips of sin. For in coming to see the Suffering Servant King, we begin to grasp the seriousness of our sin and God’s holy judgment against it, as well as his holy love that is poured out on us.

The disciples here in Mark 9 struggle to grasp this. Let us not sit here today and make the same mistake. If we fail to grasp the Suffering Servant King, we will not grasp what it means to be a disciple of King Jesus, for we will fail to understand who he rightly is. Jesus was truly a Man of sorrows who bore shame and was condemned in our place. All of this to rise again and be exalted on high. Hallelujah, What a Savior. The song Hallelujah, What a Savior echoes this thought, and so should we, Christian. Behold the Lamb who came to suffer in order to serve us.

The Great serve all

And it is seeing the Suffering Servant that is to drive us to serve others, and that is where we turn in our second point, the great serve all. As we move from the suffering servant king, we need to examine the dangers of missing Jesus as the Suffering Servant King. In verses 33-37 we see this danger play out. The disciples get into an argument right after Jesus teaches on his coming death and resurrection as they travel to Capernaum. And once in the house, Jesus questions what it was they were discussing. But notice their response in verse 34…

The disciples clearly didn’t grasp the significance of what Jesus had just taught them in arguing who among them was going to be the greatest. And yet, Jesus continues to be patient with them and teaches them through their ongoing misunderstanding of what it looks like to be a disciple. He calls them to himself and begins to teach them more. Notice what he says there in verse 35, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” The disciples were seeking to be great according to the world’s understanding, but here Jesus continues to overturn things and says that to be first in the kingdom is to actually be last, to be a servant of all. The call of discipleship is a call to follow Jesus. And Jesus came to serve us in laying down his own life for our sin, then the call to follow him is a call to serve others. One cannot be great in the kingdom of heaven and not be a servant. And we are called to serve all, that means the least of these or those who are often neglected in society.

This is what Jesus is teaching us there in the example of bringing a child into the midst of the disciples and taking him in his arms. He is showing that a child, who was at the bottom of society life in Israel was to be served as well. In other words, to serve all means that we are to not show partiality in our service. We are not called to just serve those we are best friends with, who we have things in common with, those who are our age. We aren’t just to serve those who look like us or just those we feel safe around. We are being called to serve all people. So, how do we serve all? Here are some ways we serve others:

Serving the Body

Members

Every Christian is being called to serve others. In particular, every member of the local church is being called to serve one another. Serving one another is one of the greatest witnesses we have to the world is our love and care for one another. Ways that we serve one another vary in the midst of our body. Just this week, our ladies pitched in and helped organize meals for two funerals and tried to serve another family with meals. Others of you serve our body by serving in the nursery or children’s church. These are ways that we are serving one another and they are to be commended.

And while there are ways we serve one another well, there are other areas we can continue to grow in. One such way is by branching out and spending time getting to know others outside our normal circles. Too many within our church spend time with the same groups. Brothers and sisters, be more intentional about connecting with others that you don’t normally connect with following the morning service. How are we to be a whole body that loves and serves one another if we remain in our isolated groups? And while this may not seem like serving one another, it is in these moments in which we get to talk to one another, listen to one another that we learn how we can serve and care for one another. We can serve one another by regularly praying for one another, even in moments when other members haven’t asked for specific prayers. We serve one another by just learning to be present with each other. This is what the body of Christ is to look like, let’s be about carrying out the one anothers of Scripture together!

Leaders

And if the call to serve all is to be called of every member of the local church, how much more so for those in church leadership? If you are either in or desire to be in church leadership, you are to be marked by serving others. This is what is called servant leadership. Church leaders are to be leading the way in the care of the body of Christ. Current church leaders, we must lead the way in this charge to serve the body. And if you as a church member desire to grow into church leadership, making sure you are currently serving others. If you aren’t able to serve without a title, there is no way you will serve others when you get a title. Servant leaders aren’t made by granting them a leadership position, they are servants who love the body of Christ and then asked to help lead.

Serving those outside our Body

But to serve all is not just a call to serve one another within the body of Christ, but to serve those outside as well. And here are a few ways we do this:

Mercy Ministries

One way that we serve those outside of the church is through mercy ministries. We take part in several of these ministries. We have been part of distributing food to families over at Central City Grade School. We also just finished collecting school supplies for the school. These are great ways we have been serving through mercy ministry. Other ways that are great ways to serve others in these ways are volunteering down at Pregnancy Care Clinic or one of our local area food pantries. Serving these areas are great ways for us to serve others within our community, especially those in need.

Working for good of community

Another way we can serve others is working for the good of our community. This is done as Christians take part in city government. Brothers and sisters, if you are into politics and love that life, one great way you can labor for the good of our community and further the gospel is by serving on city councils and in these various ways. We serve our community as we partner with and support local businesses, helping our neighbors out. We serve others and work for the good of our community as we labor to find ways to help create jobs in our community. All of these ways are the ways we as Christians can work for the good of our community and serve it.

Sharing the gospel

Yet, the biggest way we can serve others outside of the church, by sharing the message of the gospel with them. We can take part in all of the mercy ministries we want. We can be involved in doing all kinds of good within our community, but unless we actually get out there and share the gospel with others, people while helped will still be headed to an eternity separated from Christ. We serve others as we have heard the message of the gospel which has the power to save and take it to those perishing. We cannot serve others who are perishing by simply tossing them bread, they need a life preserver. And that life preserver is Jesus. And we lead them to Jesus by declaring the gospel to them.

Brothers and sisters, we live in a broken community that has all kinds of needs and issues. But the biggest need is that most around us do not know Christ. Charles Spurgeon once said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”

We must be sharing the gospel with others, especially if we are to serve the lost around us. For their greatest need is Christ, as is ours.

Christian, Christ came to serve us in laying down his life for us, and this is why we go and serve others, in light of what he has done. Our service is a result of Christ in us and evidence of a life transformed by the gospel. And it is in this gospel transformed life that we begin to understand that to be great in the kingdom of God is redefined by our love for both God and others.

The great don’t compete

But not only do the great serve others, they don’t compete with others, which is where we turn in our third point this morning. For as Jesus is teaching or just finishing on what it means to serve all, John speaks up to tell him about them seeing others casting out demons in the name of Jesus. He says there in verse 38 that they had tried to stop him, because he was not following us. The disciples are eager to protect the name of Jesus, but notice how Jesus responds in verse 39-40.

Though this group does not follow the disciples and walk closely in physical proximity to Jesus doesn’t mean that they are against Jesus. In fact, Jesus has just told the disciples the opposite, that they will not be able to do these works and be against him in the end.

Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has used a term called “theological triage”. There are three levels, the first being the gospel. The second being differences among believing Christians, but significant boundaries. And the third level being minor disagreements, with little boundaries.

The first level would be what separates those that are either for or against Jesus. Those for Jesus would hold to Jesus being the Son of God who came to take away the sins of the world. They would be those who hold to salvation in Christ alone. Those who believe in Christian orthodoxy as we have affirmed in reciting the Nicene and Apostles Creed. These are the essential things that gospel believing Christians affirm. If one denies these, they stand against Jesus, because they reject Jesus’ teaching.

The second level is helped best by understanding some of the differences that separate us in our various denominations. One particular is the mode of baptism. Presbyterians and Baptists can agree on the gospel, but we differ in the mode of baptism. Presbyterians sprinkle for baptism, even that of children. And as Baptists, we cannot fathom that. And this is one reason why Baptists and Prysbeterians don’t do church together on a weekly basis. Because this difference is significant. But it doesn’t mean that one group is Christian and the other not. We as Baptists should love our Presbyterian brothers and sisters, even though their baptism is wrong. Just as we should love other denominations who hold to a Biblical gospel. While we have our reasons we don’t do church together, we can gladly partner together for the sake of the gospel.

And the third level is the various issues minor differences we as Christians often have, such as eschatology (The End Times). If we affirm Christ will return, the timing can differ amongst members of the same church.

This helps show us how to discern those who are for and who are against Jesus in these ways. We need to fight for a Biblical Gospel and understand any who oppose that are against Jesus. And any that affirm a Biblical Gospel are for Jesus, and that we aren’t being called to compete with them, nor should we try to stop them. To be great in the kingdom of God means that we don’t compete with others who are for Jesus. We labor together to make much of the glory of Christ.

The great kill sin & help others kill sin

For our final point this morning, we need to understand that to be great in the kingdom of God, we need to see to be great we are to kill sin and help others kill sin. Those who give a cup of water to drink because they belong to Christ will not lose their reward. To serve others, especially the least of these is a glorious thing, even in small ways of giving them something to drink. But woe to the one who causes them to sin and stumble. That is what Jesus teaches us in verse 42.

Don’t cause others to sin

As Christians we have a clear call to serve others. And part of that serving others is to ensure that we do not cause others to sin. To cause one to sin, especially one of the little ones, that is newer or baby Christians to sin does a great harm to them and the glory of God. In fact, the warning against this is strong, it tells that it would be better if a millstone, that is a large stone, was hung around their neck and they were cast into the sea. Now, this is not calling for one to take their own life or for us to put to death one who stumbles this way. But it is serving as a strong warning to wake up and repent, lest the time comes and the person faces God in judgment.

As we are called to be disciples who make disciples, part of our job is to come alongside those younger in the faith and set a good example, teaching them what it means to follow Christ. Encouraging them as they struggle early on in their faith. We are to be Titus 2 men and women who invest in others with gentleness and patience. We are not to be those who teach others without patience and gentleness, for it is this that leads these little ones to sin and stumble in the faith. We must show them the same grace that we have been shown in Christ.

Kill sin in your own life

Likewise, we as Christians who are to seek to be great must be killing sin in our own lives. Notice how verses 43-48 is the same idea on repeat 3 times (READ).

Part of being great in the kingdom of God is to be continually killing sin within us. Within our own lives. This is one reason we regularly add prayers of confession during the middle part of our service. We want to continually acknowledge sin and put it to death. As the English Puritan John Owen used to say, “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.” As followers of Christ, we are to remember that Christ died to set us free from the bondage of sin. Therefore we are no longer enslaved to sin nor are we to continue to sin so that grace can abound more. We are to keep fighting sin and being rid of it in our lives. We are to continue to grow in our sanctification, that is the process of becoming more like Christ. Yes, there will be many struggles and pits along the way in which we are to stumble, but as we look backwards in our Christian walk, we should be able to see strides of progress along the way. If we look back and see those slow strides, let us be encouraged. However, if you are here and you look back and you see no such strides, I encourage you friend to consider that you may not be a Christian and have believed the Christian gospel. Repent today and be saved by the power of the gospel!

Be salt

Sin is serious, for the blood of our Lord was shed so that our sins could be washed away, and it is in this cleansing blood that we must trust for our salvation and the grounds that keep us fighting against sin that remains within us. But it is this fight against sin in which we are being purified for preservation on our way to glory. Trials and sufferings will come as we follow Christ. It is these in which we go through the fire. But in these moments, as we continue to take up our cross and follow Jesus through the testing fires that we are to be purified and remain as salt. Christian, the call to discipleship is a costly one, but we must see that it is a cost worth taking. We remember it as we look to the cross and see the cost our Lord Jesus made to serve us so that we could have life in him. Therefore, let us continue to seek to be great in the kingdom of God by serving one another, to be not competing against our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and to be killing sin and to be helping one another kill sin. For in doing so, we continue to have salt in us and learn to be at peace with one another.

Let’s pray...