Underlying Self-Interest
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Kings vs. barrowed manger & tomb
Open doors vs. stands at the door and knocks, patiently waiting if anyone hears and opens, then He will come in.
Connection: Jesus corrects the disciples twice.
Thesis: Adopting a servant mentality and embracing a holistic understanding of God’s work enable us to transcend our inherent inclination toward self-interest.
Message Focus: Need for status and Our favoritisms
Scripture Introduction
Follows after Jesus announces his majesty is displayed in an ultimate sense with with coming death and resurrection.
Need For Status vv. 46-48
Need For Status vv. 46-48
Social media status: Every post a carefully planned media campaign; Likes, shares, comments.
“Nurse, why don’t you make them pay you more? God knows you are worth it.” “If God knows I’m worth it”, she answered, “that’s all that matters to me.’ ”
In Capernaum, in a house (Mk 9:33), Jesus asks them what they were talking about on the way. They held their peace because of their dispute of who was the greatest.
An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest
This results from the failure to understand Jesus’ greatness leads to his sacrificial death.
The disciples didn’t understand it hear or at the last supper
For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.
Jesus’ declaration of his future suffering and the disciples’ quarrelling over future greatness.
*Reflection
When the Christian life produces positive change we can become proud of our sanctification, biblical knowledge, and works.
We can be just as guilty if we think of our greatness in terms of how much we serve and sacrifice.
Using a ladder to climb up, but acting as you got up there yourself
*Reflection #2
There could be things you think you understand but you don’t. It takes humility to admit that is a possibility.
Antidote: Servant Mentality
Antidote: Servant Mentality
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.”
Receives- to welcome; be receptive of someone
Not to be nice, but to take them seriously by humbling serving them.
*Reflection
We do this by Jesus’ example,
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
*Implementation
Loving and welcoming others requires a self-love,
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
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.”
Children had no status. Not welcome in adult interactions.
Children stand for any group who is marginalized.
In this case, “Disciples are thus not to be like children, but rather like Jesus, who embraces children—and others like them
Not to be nice, but to take them seriously by humbling ourselves to the point we serve those who in the eyes of society should bow to our needs.
SMC as family oriented
*Reflection
Children’s ministry
Sensory room
*Implementation
Volunteer (teacher, helper, decor, patience)
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.”
Principle of reciprocation for ethics
how we treat others
is how we treat God,
and God will treat us likewise.
*Reflection
There are those who serve within the Church, not thinking really of those they serve, but thinking of themselves. -William Barclay
*Implementation
Ministry isn’t easy, but you make it more difficult for yourself if you serve people instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can’t please everybody, so don’t even try. Just live and work in such a way that your Master will be able to say, “You are My beloved servant in whom I am well pleased. Warren Wiersbe
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
For the problems in the world, God has sent you (Judges 6:14, as said to Gideon) as part of the solution until His final consummation.
Judges 6:14 “And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?””
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.”
Least- One willing to humble themselves in order to serve others, especially those who could never repay.
A Lean Towards Favoritism vv. 49-50
A Lean Towards Favoritism vv. 49-50
Both accounts show the disciples’ failure to understand Jesus’ announcement of his ultimate majesty, Luke 9:45.
John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.”
A reminder that God was working through more than the disciples who physically followed Him.
Where the disciples recently failed, this man has success. He seems to have a dependance of Jesus.
Possibly, John notices their mistake, given Jesus’ mention of “in my name” in verse 48.
*Reflection
The error of thinking God is only working through one’s affiliation or group.
When displayed through a believer, the message is key, not a particular method or group
Antidote: Holistic Perspective
Antidote: Holistic Perspective
But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”
It is sad how many non-denominational churches are formed because of certain minor preferences or how many denominations were formed over issues that are no longer in contention.
In third tier issues (Doctrine, Ecclesiological Principles, Ecclesiological Methods), cooperation needs to replace rivalry.
The reverse is also true
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
*Implementation
Do not forbid simply because one has not complied with what you consider necessary or right; look at the character of the deed, at the motive present to him; if that bear the mark of my Name, account him with me, although he follows not with you.” -H. D. M. Spence-Jones
Reflection
Underlying Self-Interest
Need for status
Antidote- Servant Mentality
A Lean Towards Favoritism
Antidote- Holistic Perspective (is it in the name of Jesus?)
