Who is the greatest

Scripture Reading:

Mark 9:30–50 NASB95

From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him. They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. “For he who is not against us is for us. “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. “If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. “If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. “For everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

I. Introduction

II. The Gospel

a. Jesus death, burial and resurrection

III. Argument over who is the greatest

a. Matthew 20:20-24

Matthew 20:20–24 NASB95

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.

b. Pride, wanting to be seen, seeking admiration and praise. Wasn’t about nothing but their own self importance.

IV. Jesus sets a child in the midst of them.

a. Heiracrchy, If you receive the lowest, you receive me, not me but the Father.

V. John telling someone to stop because they are not with us.

VI. The smallest of ministries that are not seen.

VII. Because of our inclusiveness and our own seeking of self and pride we offend others.

VIII. If we cause someone to sin and not accept the Jesus Christ because of our your not with us or you cause them to stumble.

IX. Getting rid of those things that keep us from humbling ourselves and accepting Jesus Christ.

X. All will be salted with fire.

a. All will stand before God and give account.

b. If you don’t accept Christ as Savior and Lord then you will stand at the Great White Throne.

c. All believers will stand before the Judgement seat of Christ.

Romans 14:10 NASB95

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 NASB95

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

XI. So that salt is keeping in mind that we all stand be for God in some form or fashion and will have to give an account. Not as some legalistic pharisee, but as one who walks in God’s love and wants to serve no matter if you get seen or not seen. Because the motive is out of a unconditional love that God has loved us with.