TO SERVE IS TO LEAD IS TO SERVE IS TO LEAD..

TO SERVE IS TO LEAD IS TO SERVE IS TO LEAD.. Mark 9:14-32 Mark 10:35-43 February 21, 1999 Given by: Pastor Rich Bersett [Index of Past Messages] Introductory I’ve found myself lately becoming an eavesdropper. I don’t listen in on every conversation - you might call me a “selective eavesdropper” - but I have become fascinated by people’s conversations concerning President Clinton. Of course, I’ve been very busy listening lately. It seems everyone is talking Clintonology. What particularly interests me is the disparity between the so-called polls that are being taken on the President’s “approval rating”, and thecontrasting comments I hear in conversations around me. Apparently, much of America--a large percentage--is saying, by survey, that the President is doing a good job (that seems to be the gist of what these polls are after). But everywhere I turn, and not just in Christian circles, people are rather upset with the Clintonesque behaviors--lying, lying about lying and overtly wrong sexual misbehaviors (by anyone’s standards). Yet, his “approval ratings” are high. As I listen to people’s comments and reactions, I can’t help but wonder if maybe there isn’t another question behind all of this. What are we being asked to “approve” in such ratings? Clearly, the survey questions must have to do only with the economy, foreign policy, the economy, unemployment rates, the economy, interest rates, the economy, and so on. Once it is understood that these are the only questions, then we can begin to understand the polls. If there are no questions or issues in the polls regarding character, ethical behavior and integrity, then maybe the real question is “what do we approve and what do we not approve?” What is being exposed in this severe limitation of the bases of approval is that we as a culture have lost touch with what is important in a leader. As a culture, at least in the majority, we are willing to condone corrupted character and compulsive, concupiscent conduct, as long as the unemployment lines remain short, we have social security money in the till and we’re not seriously at war. The hard reality is that is where we are. We have all the more reason to obey 1 Peter 2--to pray for those in authority in government. This morning I would like for us to turn to another misunderstanding about leadership that the disciples had. They had the mistaken, worldly idea that being a great leader meant being a leader who told other people what to do, and ruled in power and prestige and control and manipulation of authority. If those whom Jesus chose to follow Him were thickheaded on any point, it was this one. They just didn’t get it. They were blinded by two lies: 1) Jesus was going to be a political leader, and 2) they would be His royal appointees. Study the Narrative - Mark 9:35-37 Before Jesus and the disciples had left the site where He cast the demon out of the epileptic boy, Jesus had told them again that He was going to be betrayed and killed, then rise on the third day. Verse 32 says, But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him. This must have sparked a lot of talk among the disciples, and as they traveled to Capernaum, the topic came around to who was the greatest among them. Hey, guys, who do you think is Jesus’ most trusted, right-hand guy? Easily, it had to be Peter, James or John--after all, they are the ones Jesus had personally invited to be with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration, weren’t they? It isn’t too difficult to reconstruct a scenario of argumentation among these three: impulsive, big mouthed Peter and the two sons of thunder... But Jesus overheard them, and He decided to bring a teaching on what a Kingdom leader is. He was the Master at using object lessons, and He sat down and put His arm around the shoulders of a child, and told the disciples in no uncertain terms that being great in His kingdom meant being selfless and serving. If you are unwilling to be a servant to others, including and especially those who are less privileged, and those who can give you nothing in return, you cannot be a kingdom leader. I love the way so many in this church play out that kind of servant spirit. I virtually come to tears of joy and satisfaction when I walk into this room and see a man down on one knee talking to a child, really listening to her, communicating in powerful, practical terms that he, and God, think she is very special and important. When I see adults take time with Joni who, for all practical purposes has nothing to offer them but bother, talking to her, listening patiently to her jabber almost meaninglessly about her cat or her room. They are saying to her, as they pause there with her--”you matter more right now than I do, or anything I have to do.” These are the servant leaders who have learned the kingdom secret of “emptying themselves” as did the Lord Jesus; of “doing nothing out of selfish conceit, but in humility considering others better than themselves; of “not being proud, but being willing to associate with people of low position, not being conceited.” They’ve been to Philippians 2 and Romans 12 and are obeying the Word they found there. I get a kick out of watching this congregation go to work to help when help is needed. Just little things, you know--like when Barb Sullivan, who is our new liaison with LOVE, Inc., stands up and says there is a need in the community for two used air conditioners, and before she’s out of the building she is offered four. And then when the delivery is needed, a Joe and a Gary are there to help out. I confess, it gives me an edifying thrill when I see hundreds of dollars being given freely into needs in this body by people who are almost militant about remaining anonymous. It’s a high point in my Sunday morning when I look out the front door and see people parking down in the farthest row in the rain, allowing visitors and single moms to park next to the awning. I get excited when I watch one of our folks cut away from an engaging conversation with another member, so she can go to over to meet someone she recognizes as a newcomer, just to make that family feel more comfortable. I am proud--I hope justifiably--when I talk with someone who visited here on a Sunday morning and they say, “Wow, your people are sure friendly--someone invited me to share communion with their family, I had three invitations to cell groups and one invitation to lunch, and I didn’t know a soul when I walked in!” I get a thrill when it’s time to strip away the chairs and set up for a church dinner and a couple of dozen people start helping and it’s all over in 10 minutes. And then, when the meal is over you look over your shoulder and see a young mom and her eight year old son carrying a table back to a classroom; and there’s a full-bird colonel doing the same thing. DO YOU KNOW WHY THIS IS EXTRA SPECIAL TO ME? IT SAYS WE HAVE NOT ONLY SERVANTS IN THIS PLACE, WE HAVE KINGDOM LEADERS! Before we go on to the other text in chapter ten, let me pause just a moment to say another word about children. Jesus illustrated His teaching with a child, not just because the child is representative of someone who is weak,  less privileged and unable to give anything back to you. He used a child because children are a real special part of the kingdom of God. Look for a moment at Mark 10:13-16. These lunkhead disciples just don’t get it, do they? Here’s how we “let the children come” to Jesus today-- *We nurture them and encourage them in the Word and Spirit of the Lord--first in our families, then in our cell groups and in our large assemblies. We keep getting reminded that we are the spiritual aunts and uncles of one another’s kids! Your kids need to know there are other adults besides their parents who love and serve the Lord with all their hearts. And when your kids get to adolescence and see nothing in you but hypocrisy, and they’re tired of listening to you, because they’re making a natural break toward independence, listen, they need other Christian adults to help steady them. Thank God for your brothers and sisters in Christ who help you nurture your kids in the faith. Thank God for your cell group that meets in homes--the most natural place of real relationships in the world--and your kids get to see other adults modeling real worship, real concerned prayer, real ministry, real love for the Word. *We encourage them with involvement in kingdom behaviors. let your kids pray. Let them get involved in worship in whatever ways they are comfortable. Let them lead out and express themselves in cell meetings. Let them sing, dance, do dramatic skits, puppets, and any expressions that rise out of the innocent faith of the children. *We encourage them by praying for and with them. Look at Jesus taking them, holding them, blessing them with touch and kindness. That’s why we need to take advantage of every opportunity to do the same. Just before we dismiss the children to their classes we encourage parents and other Christian adults to lay hands on them and confer a blessing. You know, it’s sad to say, but that may be the only meaningful touch some of these kids get all week long? Have you ever noticed how quiet and receptive even the rowdy kids are when we do that? Why? They love it--they need it? AND IF I READ MY BIBLE RIGHT, JESUS IS INDIGNANT WHEN WE DON’T LET THEM COME TO HIM IN THESE WAYS (vs 14)! Read Mark 10:42-45. James and John are really having a time of it trying to learn this lesson, aren’t they? Jesus makes it very clear that being great in His kingdom is quite different from being great in the kingdoms of this world. Did you notice? He did not say that it is wrong to want to be great--in fact, He seems to assume there is something in each of us that longs for greatness--but He radically re-defines greatness. Concluding Exhortations If you do indeed want to lead in the kingdom, in the church, you must be the servant of all. Jesus modeled it and He mandated it. Listen, if you are serving people (and children) you are in kingdom leadership. And if you are in kingdom leadership you are serving people (and children). If you think you are in kingdom leadership and you are not serving people (and children), you must know that you are not, in fact in kingdom leadership! And, if you are, in fact serving people (and children), then you are in kingdom leadership! A rabbi dreamed he had been given the opportunity to see both heaven and hell. He was directed to a closed door and informed that hell existed beyond the doorway. As he entered the room he was surprised to see a banquet hall that was set for a feast. Everything was exquisitely prepared but all of the diners were moaning and wailing in agony. In the center of the table was a mouthwatering dish of food and each person had a very long spoon set beside them. The spoon was long enough for one to dish out the food, but too long to reach one’s mouth. Consequently, they were unable to eat and were shrieking with pains of hunger. The horror was more than the rabbi could bear so he asked to leave. When he opened the door to heaven he was petrified to see the same scene. Everything was the same except laughter replaced the pitiful cries. The difference in the two places was that those in heaven did not cry over their inability to feed themselves. They simply celebrated the privilege of feeding each other with the same long-handled spoons. The law of the harvest promises joy to those who joyfully serve others. (Guideposts, May, 1993, pg. 5) Dr. Victor Frankl was an Austrian physician who was imprisoned in one of Hitler’s death camps. He and his fellow Jewish people suffered unbelievable atrocities. Their living and working conditions were deplorable. Everything was inadequate, including medical care. Dr. Frankl offered what little medical help he could to the sick and dying. Over a period of time, he discovered a very unique phenomenon. As he recorded in his book, Man’s Search For Meaning, he said those people who kept their strength and sanity the longest were those who tried to be helpful to other prisoners and shared what little they had. Their physical and mental condition seemed to be strengthened by their friendliness, compassion, and focus on something other than themselves. Dr. Frankl concluded that if someone responds to life by trying to make life better for others, that effort reinforces the individual’s psychological and physical stamina. Ministry energizes, contrary to the great fear that resources will be depleted if we try to help others. No wonder Jesus, though initially very hungry, could say after His ministry to the woman at the well, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” (John 4:32) (Saturday Evening Post, Sep-Oct, 1992, pg 61) Jesus said He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. What about you? Did you come to Celebration this morning to be blessed or to be a blessing? You did if you are a LEADER in the Kingdom, because “he who would lead just be servant of all”. Did you go to Cell group meeting this past week to give or to get? Will you gather with them again this week in order to receive or to give? Another pertinent question might be, will you not go because you feel you might not get anything out of it, or will you go so that, no matter what you receive, you might give? Kingdom leaders have in their hearts what Jesus had in His heart--to serve and to give His life for many. Will you do the same? Oh, not death on a cross, but the thousand little deaths it will cost you day by day as you attempt to serve others. Most followed Jesus for His teaching, His miracles, His blessing. But when their appetites were no longer being satisfied, they deserted Him, defied Him crowned Him with thorns, cried out for His crucifixion. But, from the cross of their insinuation, the King of servants pleaded with His Father to forgive them. Then He died for His betrayers and crucifiers. How far will you go to serve? If and when you commit to servanthood beyond the comfortable, then you will be a leader.         [Top]