The Way Up Is Down

Upside Down: Week 3 Sermon Manuscript Title: The Way Up Is Down Text: Matthew 20:20–28 (KJV) Big Idea: In God’s Kingdom, greatness is measured by how low you're willing to go to lift others up.

INTRO: THE WORLD'S PURSUIT OF GREATNESS

Have you ever noticed how obsessed our world is with being first?

First in line.

First to go viral.

First to make the team, get the job, close the deal.

From the time we’re kids, we’re trained to believe success is about rising up. But Jesus says something radically different:

"The way up... is actually down."

In Matthew 20, Jesus is approached with a request that most of us have probably made in our own way—

"Jesus, can I be great? Can I have the spotlight? Can I sit at the top?"

Let’s look at how He answers.

TEXT: Matthew 20:20–28

Matthew 20:20–28 KJV 1900

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

[Read passage slowly, allowing key moments to sink in: the ambition, the tension, and Jesus' gentle yet firm correction.]

THE WORLD PRAISES POSITION—BUT JESUS PROMOTES POSTURE (vv. 20–21)

James and John’s mom comes with a bold ask: "Let my boys sit at your right and left in your kingdom."

They wanted position, title, honor. But Jesus wasn’t building a throne room for celebrities—He was building a cross-carrying movement of servants.

Key Truth:

“Position without purpose is just pride in disguise.”

Illustration:In elementary school, there was this sweet little girl who always wanted to be the line leader. She would put on her best shoes, practice her proud walk, and dream about being the one in the front. But on the very first day of class, she tripped over a backpack and fell flat in front of everyone. From that moment, she learned something powerful: being first didn’t mean she was the best—it just meant she happened to be in the right place at the right time.

And isn’t that the way life goes? We push, we strive, we chase being first in our careers, in our friendships, even in our faith. But here’s the truth: God never called us to be first—He called us to be faithful.

Micah 6:8 doesn’t say, “Win the race.” It says, “Walk humbly with your God.” Because in the end, it won’t matter if people remember you as first. It will only matter if God remembers you as faithful.

Application: What if the place you're chasing isn't where God wants to place you? What if He's more concerned about your posture than your platform?

Ask yourself: Where is God calling me to serve?

YOU CAN'T SHARE THE GLORY IF YOU WON'T SHARE THE GRIND (vv. 22–23)

Jesus asks, *"Can you drink the cup I’m about to drink?"

They answer confidently. But they don’t fully understand what they’re saying yes to. That cup? It’s suffering. It’s rejection. It’s sacrifice.

Key Truth:

Everyone wants the crown—but few want the cross.

Illustration: Think of an athlete who wants the trophy but skips the practice. He dreams of the spotlight, but he never laces up his shoes, never shows up to train, never pushes through the pain. The truth is, you can’t win what you’re not willing to work and bleed for.

Church, it’s the same with us. We all want to see Faithway thrive, to see souls saved, to see our community transformed. But that won’t happen if we sit on the sidelines. God has called us to put on the jersey, step onto the field, and give our time, our talents, and yes—even our treasure—for His glory.

Every ministry needs hands. Every child in Sunday school needs a teacher who cares. Every missionary needs a church that sends. Every need in this house requires a people willing to serve and to give.

So here’s the challenge: Don’t just want the victory—be part of the work that makes the victory possible. Because when you serve faithfully and give generously, you’re not just building a church—you’re building eternity.

Application: You say you want to be used by God. Are you willing to be broken by Him first? Greatness in the kingdom isn't earned by hustle but proven through surrender.

Who have I overlooked that Jesus would have stooped to serve?

IN THE KINGDOM, SERVANTS ARE THE GREATEST (vv. 24–28)

Jesus says it plain: "Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant... even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve."

Let that sink in. The King of kings washed feet. He touched lepers. He ate with the outcasts. He died for His enemies.

Illustration: Picture the upper room: Jesus, hours from the cross, kneeling with a towel and a basin. The King of Kings on His knees… washing the dirt off the feet of fishermen. Washing the hesitation off the feet of doubters. Washing the betrayal off the feet of Judas.

If Jesus could serve the one who would wound Him, how can we withhold serving the One who saved us?

Truth bomb: At the end of your life, God won’t ask how many people served you—He’ll ask how many people you served.

Key Truth:

In the world, leadership is about being lifted up. In the Kingdom, it’s about kneeling down.

Application: Who are you too proud to serve? Who needs your time, encouragement, or presence? You’re never more like Jesus than when you lower yourself to lift someone else up.

GREATNESS STARTS ON YOUR KNEES

If Jesus—the perfect, powerful, Son of God—got low to serve... ...then why are we still trying to climb over people to feel significant?

What if the greatest thing you do this week isn’t seen? What if the most Christlike thing you do is never posted, praised, or paid?

Philippians 2:5-8 – 

Philippians 2:5–8 KJV 1900

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

CALL TO ACTION:

Ask yourself: Where is God calling me to serve?

Who have I overlooked that Jesus would have stooped to serve?

What pride do I need to lay down to pick up the towel?

ALTAR MOMENT:

Call people to come forward to surrender pride. Pray for a spirit of humility and servant-heartedness.

Jesus, the Name above every other name Jesus, the only One who could ever save Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe We live for You, oh, we live for YouHoly, there is no one like You There is none beside You Open up my eyes in wonder And show me who You are And fill me with Your heart And lead me in Your love to those around meAnd I will build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation And I will put my trust in You alone And I will not be shaken And I will build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation And I will put my trust in You alone And I will not be shaken

-” build my life” by Pat Barrett

End with this reminder:

"The world might never notice your sacrifice—but heaven celebrates it every time you kneel to serve."