Mark 9-14 | The Road to True Greatness

Here's a list of 10 of the most famous "GOATs" (Greatest of All Time) in sports, spanning various disciplines and capturing the global impact of these athletes:

Michael Jordan (Basketball):A six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan is a global icon known for his incredible athleticism and competitive spirit. 

Tom Brady (Football):A seven-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Super Bowl MVP, Brady is widely considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history. 

Wayne Gretzky (Hockey):Known for his unmatched scoring record and playmaking abilities, Gretzky is the undisputed GOAT of hockey. 

Pelé (Soccer):A three-time World Cup winner and a legendary striker, Pelé is a global icon and a symbol of soccer excellence. 

Roger Federer (Tennis):A 20-time Grand Slam champion, Federer is known for his elegant style and unparalleled dominance on the court. 

Tiger Woods (Golf):A 15-time major champion, Woods revolutionized the sport with his athleticism and dominance, setting a new standard for golf. 

Muhammad Ali (Boxing):A three-time heavyweight champion, Ali was a charismatic and controversial figure who transcended the sport with his powerful speeches and performances. 

Michael Phelps (Swimming):An Olympic swimming legend with 28 medals, including 23 golds, Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time. 

Usain Bolt (Sprinting):A record-breaking sprinter with eight Olympic gold medals, Bolt's speed and charisma made him a global phenomenon. 

Richard Petty (NASCAR): Holds the record for most NASCAR Cup Series wins with 200 as well as 7 championship titles.

What makes someone truly great!! Do you want to be someone GREAT!? I want you to be great, in fact i want you to be the greatest you can possibly be…

Worldly Greatness Discouraged

[Mark 9.33-37; 10:35-45]

Mark 9:33–37 ESV

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Mark 10:35–45 ESV

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The worlds view of greatness

Mark 10:42 “42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.”

Matthew 20:25–28 “25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Quote: “The desire for greatness is deeply rooted in the human heart, yet it often leads us astray.” — John Piper

God’s view of greatness

Matthew 5:5 “5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Matthew 23:11 “11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Luke 9:48 “48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.””

Quote: "In God’s kingdom, the last will be first and the first will be last." — C.S. Lewis

The call to humility

Philippians 2:3–4 “3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

James 4:10 “10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Quote: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." — C.S. Lewis

Supernatural Greatness Displayed

[Mark 11]

Triumphant Entry

Jesus curses the fig tree

Jesus cleanses the temple

Lesson form the fig tree

Jesus authority challenged by the priests and scribes

Jesus Exercises Authority over Creation

Colossians 1:16–17 “16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Jesus Exercises Authority over The Temple

Quote: "Zeal for God's house consumes Him, demonstrating the purity of worship desired/required” — R.C. Sproul

Righteous Greatness Defined

[Mark 12:28-34] [Mark 12]

Mark 12:28–34 ESV

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Love God with all your heart soul mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself

Romans 13:8–10 “8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Quote: "The greatest commandment is love, which binds all virtues together in perfect unity." — Augustine

True / Christ’s Greatness Demonstrated

[Mark 14:3-25] [Jhn 13:1-20]

Jesus is anointed @ Bethany - 300 denari pure nard

Judas to betray Jesus

The Passover with the Disciples

Mark 14:13–16 “13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.”

Institution of the Lords Supper

John 13:3–5 “3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Assessment of Christ’s Greatness

Mark 14:3–5 “3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.”

Mark 14:9 “9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.””

Mark 14:22–25 “22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.””

Quote: "Christ's greatness is seen in His humility and sacrificial love." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2. Christ’s Example of Sacrifice

John 13:14–15 “14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

Philippians 2:6 “6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,”

3. The Call to Serve One Another

Galatians 5:13 “13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

1 Peter 4:10 “10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

Quote: "Service is the highest form of greatness in God's kingdom." — N.T. Wright

Holy Greatness Desired

[Jhn 13:12-16; 15:12-14]

John 13:12–16 ESV

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

John 15:12–14 ESV

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

1. Jesus’ Command to Love

John 13:12–14 “12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

John 15:12 “12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Quote: "Love one another as I have loved you is the essence of discipleship." — Francis Chan

2. The Sacrificial Nature of Love

John 15:13 “13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Romans 5:8 “8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Illustration: A mother bird feeding her chicks, exemplifying selfless care.

3. The Impact of Serving in Love

Healthy body

Glory of God

Matthew 25:40 “40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Ephesians 4:16 “16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

John 13:31–35 “31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Application: Reflect on what greatness means to you. Are you seeking recognition or status in your life? Application: Identify ways you can serve others this week instead of seeking to be served. Application: Challenge yourself to love and serve someone you might typically overlook.

Group Questions

How does Jesus redefine greatness compared to the world’s view? How can we apply this in our daily interactions?

What does it mean to be a servant leader in your workplace or home?

What are practical ways we can practice humility in our relationships?

How does Jesus’ authority over creation and the temple challenge our understanding of His power and holiness?

How does acknowledging Christ’s authority in creation affect your faith and trust in Him?

How can we better love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves?

How does Christ’s humility and sacrifice inspire you to serve others?

How does Jesus washing the disciples’ feet model the kind of service we are called to offer one another?

How can we cultivate a lifestyle of love that reflects God’s love in our communities?

In what ways can you use your gifts to serve others, and what impact might this have on those around you?